Help me make a decision on my engagement ring

[kiddchaos]

Hello,

Thank you for your help in advance.
I am between two GIA stones.
Stone 1 -
Round Brilliant
Measurements
8.02 - 8.14 x 4.99 mm
Carat Weight
2.02 carat
Color Grade
H
Clarity Grade
SI1
Cut Grade
Very Good

proportions
Depth
61.7 %
Table
59 %
Crown Angle
35.5°
Crown Height
14.5%
Pavilion Angle
41.4°
Pavilion Depth
43.5%
Star Length
55%
Lower Half
80%
Girdle
Thin to Thick, Faceted, 3.5%
Culet
Small
Polish
Good
Symmetry
Good
Fluorescence
None
clarity characteristics
Feather, Indented Natural, Pinpoint, Natural, Extra Facet

I saw this stone and I thought it looked beautiful. My concern is the G/G polish and symmetry. I believe I am getting a good price for this stone at around 18k. When I compared it to stone 2, I barely noticed the difference in fire. Do you think I should care about the g/g? Should I care about the cutlet? When I looked at it under a microscope I noticed the small feather but that's about it. I didn't notice the cutlet but I am not a jeweler. The extra facet didn't/doesn't bother me (unless it significantly lowers the value (does it?). Jeweler noted it and said it actually helps the reflective nature of the stone.

Stone 2 -
Round Brilliant
Measurements
8.03 - 8.07 x 5.06 mm
Carat Weight
2.01 carat
Color Grade
H
Clarity Grade
SI2
Cut Grade
Excellent

proportions
Depth
62.8 %
Table
57 %
Crown Angle
35.0°
Crown Height
15.0%
Pavilion Angle
41.4°
Pavilion Depth
44.0%
Star Length
50%
Lower Half
80%
Girdle
Medium, Faceted, 3.5%
Culet
None
Polish
Excellent
Symmetry
Excellent
Fluorescence
Faint
clarity characteristics
Crystal, Indented Natural, Natural

I thought this stone was quite beautiful as well and it was about $300 cheaper. I could see upon very close inspection the white crystals. (w/o the microscope and saw them much clearer with the microscope). Which stone do you think is better? Should I keep looking and pass on these stones and see if I can get a SI1 with better cut/sym/pol?

 

[JulieN]

These are not ideal cut.

 

[kiddchaos]

I'm sorry could you elaborate on what you mean that these are not ideal cut. I thought a Gia excellent cut would be ideal cut.

 

[JulieN]

These will look like the picture in the middle that is labeled "deep:" https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut

 

[kiddchaos]

Thanks. I looked at the picture and I tried the hca and I see what you mean. So I shouldn't get either stone would be your suggestion and I should hold out for and ideal-er stone. Do you think the prices aren't good as well?

 

[JulieN]

Ideal cut diamonds are more expensive, because they lose more diamond rough in the cutting.

Most people here would rather lower the color or clarity grade, or go down in size, before going down in cut quality.

 

[Dancing Fire]

If I were spending this kind of money I'd want a Ex,Ex,Ex stone.

 

[tyty333]

This is an SI2 so you would need to ask if it is eye-clean but it does keep you at an H. This is a well cut stone...
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.00-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-216960

More possibilities if you drop down into I and J colors.
AGS000 I, VS2 price is higher $19.9...beautiful stone
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.02-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-217448

 

[kiddchaos]

Thanks for your help all. I was so close to pulling the trigger on the SI1. I will keep looking but I am running out of time (need it by the end of the month).

 

[JulieN]

If you post your budget and desired carat weight, perhaps we could help you find something more quickly.

18000 is tight for a 2 ct ideal cut H SI1. Due to the economics of diamond cutting you should not expect ideal cuts to cost the same as diamonds that are cut for weight retention.

 

[kiddchaos]

I could go up another thousand dollars or so. I would like to be at 20K all in (including the setting). And that's tough.
I found two online I am considering: GIA 1152339234 (http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3627389-2.01-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=3627389&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com) and GIA 6142993495 (http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3645739-2.03-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-SI1-clarity.aspx).
I have seen the SI1 in person and I couldn't see the inclusions without magnification and that is somewhat important to me.
That is the scariest thing about ordering on-line.

Has anyone bought from b2c before? Is it safe and reliable?

 

[msop04]

If I were spending this kind of money I'd want a Ex,Ex,Ex stone.

+1

 

[TC1987]

The 2ct mark sounds nice, but it's a price point for a price increase, and also, when you get to 2ct and up more of the diamonds are cut to retain weight and it gets both tougher and more costly to fine one that's really well cut and yet reasonably priced.

If you can give a little on size and give up the bragging rights to 2ct, a diamond with a 7.8 or 7.9mm diameter has that 2ct look but weighs maybe 1.75 - 1.85 ct and the lower price might give you more options for an ideal cut diamond in your price range.

Here are a couple of visuals:

Sizes: From left to right: 1.02ct [E/VS1], 1.21ct [G/VVS1], 1.51ct [F/SI1] and 2.01ct. [E/VS1] SuperbCert H&A diamonds
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/diamond-size-comparison-in-my-michael-b-setting.30599/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/diamond-size-comparison-in-my-michael-b-setting.30599/[/URL]

 

[kiddchaos]

I've considered dropping down to a smaller size but I really want her to be able to say (and me to know) its a true 2 (rather than rounding up). It seems like my choices are really limited. I can find a H-SI2 xxx but I think it will be very hard to find a H-SI1 in the time I have left. I am thinking I should settle for an ideal cut SI2.

 

[JulieN]

B2C is a reputable outfit but their photography setup isn't very good.

Some suggestions: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/?DefaultOrder&TabSelected=3&ps=15&DiamondID=182016,216960,208788,206441,171546,28828,88972
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2936493.htm
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/10904/
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/10947/

 

[TC1987]

An eyeclean SI2 is just about impossible to find nowadays. There are some, but not like it was back in 2002-2004, if your were looking at old Pricescope threads. Grade creep pushed those top SI2s into Si1, and I think there are some SI1s that should have gotten SI2. If there's an eyeclean Si2, it would probably be in-house someplace and not on the virtual stone list. Anything "eyeclean" gets snatched up pretty fast.

 

[kiddchaos]

I've been noticing that re SI2. It's made this much harder. The stones that julieN posted are beautiful but you see the inclusions. I also noticed that in most of the stones I saw in a store. I've been trying to avoid it.

 

[melz]

Good Old Gold has a couple SI2's that have their lifetime guarantee. I bet they are eyeclean.

Here's an H, new to their site, $19,239:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10947/

And an I, $17,170:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10904/

 

[kiddchaos]

GoG would work except they are in NY. So I have to add close to 2k on anything I like there. =/

 

[marymm]

GoG would work except they are in NY. So I have to add close to 2k on anything I like there. =/

FYI: James Allen also adds sales taxes to orders shipped to NY (and Maryland).

If you are okay with an I color diamond, here's a beauty from WhiteFlash (based in Texas) - 2.003ct I-SI1 Expert Selection - WF has marked it as eyeclean but I would still confirm with them that it is eyeclean to your preference - priced at $19,483 for PS members (and at $18,913 for PSers paying via bank wire) - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2936493.htm - and pair it with one of their simple solitaire settings. And for purchases over $2,000, if you are a first-time WF purchaser, you would also get an additional $50 off your purchase (coupon code = welcome50)

 

[kiddchaos]

Ended up settling on a J SI1 - Hope it wasn't a bad decision. It looked good next to the H color just a little darker. I am having it placed in a platnium setting. Here's the info.
3 Ex
Depth 61.1
Table 57
Crown Angle 35
Pavillion Angle 40.6

Thoughts?

 

[msop04]

Ended up settling on a J SI1 - Hope it wasn't a bad decision.
3 Ex
Depth 61.1
Table 57
Crown Angle 35
Pavillion Angle 40.6

There is nothing wrong with a J/SI1, so please don't feel as if you "settled"... When working with a budget, sometimes we have to compromise a little to get what we want (in your case, you wanted a "2 carat"...) No shame in that!!

I have a J/SI1 in a XXX and I love it! This combination allowed me to go up significantly in size, it's eye clean, and faces up white! Best of both worlds!!

 

[msop04]

Oh! And Congratulations!! Be sure to post pics!!

 

[kiddchaos]

thanks msop. I will.

 

[kiddchaos]

Too much color?

 

[JulieN]

Your lighting looks yellow or something... that kind of color I would expect in something around M color, which is very far away from a J.

 

[kiddchaos]

Was sold as a gia J. Lighting is a little yellow. Outside it looks white. Do you think the stone could have been switched on me?

 

[JulieN]

No. Did they give you the GIA report with it? The color is highly dependent on the lighting and environment. Here is an O: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-cant-believe-this-used-to-be-an-o-avc.190579/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-cant-believe-this-used-to-be-an-o-avc.190579/[/URL]

 

[kiddchaos]

I did get a cert. maybe it was the lighting (this is with the light off)

 

[kiddchaos]

JulieN if i had a different color diamond lets say g would the lighting still make it that yellow?