Help me spend 11k on a round diamond.

[Neil McCully]

Hi, my first posting here. Learned lots from this website and from you all.

I''m buying a solitaire diamond engagement ring, can spend up to 11k on the diamond. If I really had to, I could go up to 12K.


I haven''t gone into a B&M to look at diamonds so I don''t know how all these gradings look in real life. I plan to go look at some diamonds next week. But I plan on buying through one of the online vendors.

So how you would spend 11K on a round diamond?

I''ve been considering no lower than a 1.0ct F VVS2 AGS 0 H&A with ideal polish, e.g.:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-6191604

or this:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/1_223ct_f_vvs2_h&a.htm

But I realize that my eye wouldn''t be able to tell a VVS2 from a VS2 , probably not a G or H color from an F, nor an H&A from a non-H&A ideal cut.

How would you spend 11K?

Please post links to specific diamonds if you can, thanks a lot!!

 

[MrBleeker]

Well, I think you hit the nail on the head with your clarity statement. There isn''t a need to go with a VVS2 unless you feel the need to know your diamond is very internally clear. Your eye won''t notice a difference between VVS2 and VS1, and most likely a VS2 would serve to be completely eye clean (unless the size of the stone was extremely big). If you want to guarentee yourself an eye clean stone no matter what, VS1 should be easily perfect.

As far as color goes, you should be able to get a G color and be so close to E-F range that you most likely wouldn''t notice. For me, I do notice a color change between F and H quite easily. Now, if your diamond is going to be set by itself as a solitaire, then the color isn''t quite as important, as no other big stones will be next to it to compare to. But, if you have bigger stones in your settings, you may consider staying G or higher.

I would say a VS1 G diamond would be equal, for all practical purposes, to a F VVS2. The only difference will be the price.

As far as H&A diamonds go, do you want the pattern or not? That is the only question you need to answer. If you do want to see arrow patterns, get a H&A diamond. If not, don''t. I suggest getting the most ideal cut diamond that you can.

Best of luck to you in your search,

 

[Daniela]

If it were me, I would definitely drop to VS-2. The stone would still have a certain mental snob factor, but you could go a little bit bigger. You could keep the F colour, though. G would be just fine too.

What about something like this:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-820305.htm

Also an ACA, it's almost 30% bigger in carat weight than the one you're looking at, and I would bet you would see a difference except in size.

ETA: The stone above is a G. You could always contact Whiteflash and tell them to hold the next F VS-2 in your budget that comes their way. But visually, that might be overkill since an ACA G would be a stunner.

 

[Regular Guy]

You''ve found the options on this board to consider, with the qualities you''ve detailed. I too am sympathetic with dropping to at least VS1, and while F may be nice, this one is tempting. You might even look at both from WF, and pick from your fancy.

Best,

 

[Daniela]

There is this F VS-2 on GOG that meets your budget needs:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/1_303ct_f_vs2_h%26a.htm

 

[noobie]

$11K is a very nice budget to have. People generally buy VVS and D/E/F stones for reasons other than being able to see inclusions or color. It''s generally an emotional decision. Bottom line is that you will be able to get an appreciably larger stone for the money and most likely not see the clarity and color difference. It''s really up to what you guys prefer.

Once you decide what your priorities are, you should have lot''s to chose from and including the suggestions posted.

 

[DolceVita]

Just a thought: If you care about size, and not about H&A (yes, there are such people!) you could probably get a 1.5 F / VS2 or near that, for this price.

 

[Neil McCully]

Thanks a lot!