Help me pick a stone?!

[neverborne]

Hi everybody.

Trying to buy an engagement ring. Totally nervous about it. I've already purchased this setting

http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=1183

I can only afford to spend $3,000 or less on the stone. I know I want a round SI2, I color or better. Other than that I just want the biggest, best looking stone for the money. Any suggestions would be awesome! Thanks everybody!

 

[neverborne]

Oh and the setting says it needs a 1.1 carat weight or higher.

 

[stone-cold11]

It is unlikely that you will be able to get a good diamond with your price, clarity and color range. You need to sacrifice something.

https://www.pricescope.com/RepRange.asp?shp=8&rng=7

This link will give you what are the diamonds available for you for the size you are looking at.

 

[neverborne]

http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=8471595&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps

http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=8511790&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps

http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=8511792&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps

Anything terrible about these? I understand my price range is going to preclude me from getting something super nice... but we just bought a house so money is pretty tight.

 

[stone-cold11]

Not enough information on the cut, need the pavilion and crown angle to determine if it is a good cut. Also it is EGL Israel cert, not that highly regarded around here, grading range in color and clarity could be lower by 2 grades.

Try and get something with at least a GIA cert. AGS cert is the best.

 

[neverborne]

hmm sounds like I might have to go down to a J color then...

would one of these be a better option?

http://www.icestore.com/search/diamond_inventory_detail.asp?ID=20682

http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=8511796&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps

 

[stone-cold11]

1st diamond, not enough information, table is a little on the large side.

2nd diamond, definitely not a good buy. On the HCA scored only a 4.9 which is too low. Also it is a strong yellow fluorescence, which will lower the color grade of the stone.

Use this link to check on GIA report. http://www.gia.edu/reportcheck/
And this to determine if the diamond is a good performer, try for a score of lower than 2. https://www.pricescope.com/cutadviser.asp

Good luck

 

[Lorelei]

Neverborne,

Here are some proportions you can use as a guide to help you find a well cut stone.

depth - 60 - 62% - although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%
table - 54- 57%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above

note - with crown and pavilion angles at the shallower ends ( CA 34- PA 40.6) and steeper ( CA 35- PA 41) check to make sure these angles complement in that particular diamond - eyeballs, Idealscope, trusted vendor input - check as appropriate!

I hope this helps! Can you increase the budget at all?

 

[neverborne]

$3,500 would pretty much be my max unfortunately... thanks for the info though... that helps.

When it says

Girdle S.TK FAC

is that bad or good...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/13/2008 12:51:21 PM
Author: neverborne
$3,500 would pretty much be my max unfortunately... thanks for the info though... that helps.

When it says

Girdle S.TK FAC

is that bad or good...

You are most welcome!

That means girdle slightly thick, faceted which is fine! Basically avoid extremes such as very thin to thick, extremely thick, look for thin - med, medium - slightly thick etc. Also the spread is important with diamonds, or the face up size, you might find a bit smaller than 1.10 could work for that setting, as carat weight doesn't always indicate spread. For example a poorly cut diamond of 1.10 carats could face up smaller or large for its weight.

 

[neverborne]

Either of these look decent? I think I'm just going to have to go with EGL for my price range.

http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-1243059.htm

http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=8155428&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/13/2008 1:02:38 PM
Author: neverborne
Either of these look decent? I think I''m just going to have to go with EGL for my price range.

https://www.pricescope.com/RepRange.asp?shp=8&rng=7

http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=8155428&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps

I was thinking the same thing, I can''t seem to find anything with a GIA/ AGS report for the budget. The diamond you listed might be worth looking at, contact Martin at UScerted and ask him for the crown and pavilion percents for this diamond, and also if he could get an Idealscope image and a Sarin report. Then we will be able to get a much better idea of how this diamond is cut, check that it is eyeclean to your standards also.

 

[neverborne]

Will do! Thank you!



ps. woops, I mis-posted one of the links in my previous post...

shoulda been

http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-1243059.htm

 

[E B]

neverborne,

To be brutally honest, I'd trade the setting in for something that'll accomodate a smaller, much better cut stone, if this is an option. AntiqueEngagementRings.com has many similar settings that'll take a gorgeous, ~.80 ct ACA/AGS 000 diamond for ~$3000.

 

[stone-cold11]

neverborne, try contact WF for their stone. Possibly a good pick as it is rated 4* by them.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/13/2008 1:10:58 PM
Author: EBree
neverborne,

To be brutally honest, I'd trade the setting in for something that'll accomodate a smaller, much better cut stone, if this is an option. AntiqueEngagementRings.com has many similar settings that'll take a gorgeous, ~.80 ct ACA/AGS 000 diamond for ~$3000.

That could be an alternative if they would take the setting back, unless of course you really want that particular setting, you could get something a bit simpler and have more money to put towards the diamond, or go smaller with an excellent cut.

With the WF diamond, you would need to ask them what info they have on it, then they might have to call it in for you.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 9/13/2008 12:51:21 PM
Author: neverborne
$3,500 would pretty much be my max unfortunately... thanks for the info though... that helps.

This will put you close all around...

At $3963 wire priced, it gives you AGS0, a messy cert which tends to be good news relatively for being eye clean...and it''s almost your required size.

So...unless you decide to return the ring...it is very close on a number of counts (size, price, clean), and probably nice on cut.