help! need opinion on this bluenile diamond!

[unsurebuyer1234]

Hi guys,

I'm glad I found this forum and am trying to pick out a diamond for an engagement ring for my girfriend.

I'm looking at this diamond

http://www.bluenile.com/ca/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD04820420

I ran it through the HCA calculator and it came out as 1.0.

Color
G

Clarity
VS2

Depth %
59.9%

Table %
59.0%

Polish
Excellent

Symmetry
Excellent

Girdle
Thin to Medium

Culet
None

Fluorescence
None

I emailed BlueNile and they confirmed it as eyeclean after checking the "vault".. although I'm a bit hesitant because I know they don't have the actual diamond on hand. The GIA report showed inclusions that I think most should be covered by prong and setting?

Any opinions on this diamond? I know the table% is quite high, but the HCA came out good? Ideally I would like an eyeclean 1.0 carat G color diamond. Looking to spend roughly 7000-8000 on diamond.
Just a little anxious on buying online sight unseen!

Thanks!!

 

[WillyDiamond]

Welcome to the forum

The HCA is not a selection tool, but rather a rejection tool. Given the numbers, it would warrant further consideration. Most people on the is forum would want to see ASET images, and other technical info that Blue Nile does not provide, so I am not sure if anyone on this forum will give you the green light to proceed. Check out the return policy at BN and best of luck.

 

[unsurebuyer1234]

Ya ideally I would feel more comfortable if I had images of the diamond, right now I am just going by their word that it is eyeclean.. and not even Blue Nile's word but the vendor..

The table% seems a bit high on this diamond, would this affect the ratio to depth percentage, making the diamond seem "flat/squashed"?

I tried looking on James Allen to find something comparable in price and specs but found James Allen to be more expensive.
I havent tried looking for eyeclean SI1 on James Allen though, still a bit hesitant to buy online.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Impossible to give an opinion about the BN stone, as they don't provide the necessary details (images of the stone, light performance data). You wouldn't know if it was a winner until it was in your hands.

Check out these options, which are at your budget, and you can be certain they are top-notch stones:

1.044ct, G, SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3157622.htm

1.06ct, H, SI2 - August Vintage (if you are looking for something a little different)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9595/

1.023ct, H, VS2
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3208285.htm

1.01ct, G, VS2
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3063732.htm

Opinion
I would go with the 1.044ct stone, if you can stretch your budget a LITTLE bit. Amazing cut, is an ACA stone, has a great small table, and has all of the light performance data you need to know it's a winner.

Best of luck!

 

[unsurebuyer1234]

Thanks for the option! Unfortunately, they are a bit higher than what my budget is. Any thoughts on the table percentage being 59%, I know most of the opinions I have read online prefer a smaller table..

I am leaning to getting the Blue Nile one and then returning it if not satisfied.

 

[ecf8503]

Read this: https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/60-60-proportioned-diamond

This stone will have less fire / dispersion (colored light return) and therefore more white light return. Which is all fine if you like that look.

There is another thread going on right now about this very subject of 60/60 diamonds - may be worth your while to read it.

That said, you have been given several options in terms of ideal cut stones from highly reputable vendors, all of which are already verified to have great light performance, which is what you want, because CUT IS KING. If you choose to go with BN and buy a stone with none of that vetting done, then so be it.

 

[WillyDiamond]

Call Lesley at BGD and give her your parameters

 

[unsurebuyer1234]

hmm, I am considering looking at SI1 diamonds that are eye clean.. my budget is a bit tight so I can't get any of the diamonds suggested unfortunately.

My girlfriend isnt too picky, she just wants something that sparkles and prefers around 1 carat.. her ring size is 3.25 so I guess it should look good on her finger! (lucky me according to a salesperson haha)

It sounds like the ring I originally posted in my first post might not have good fire? I'm considering looking at James Allen for eyeclean SI1 G diamonds to see if they fit my budget of 6500-8000 for the diamond. I'm not too good at analyzing images though so not sure what to look out for.

 

[RockyRacoon]

hmm, I am considering looking at SI1 diamonds that are eye clean.. my budget is a bit tight so I can't get any of the diamonds suggested unfortunately.

My girlfriend isnt too picky, she just wants something that sparkles and prefers around 1 carat.. her ring size is 3.25 so I guess it should look good on her finger! (lucky me according to a salesperson haha)

It sounds like the ring I originally posted in my first post might not have good fire? I'm considering looking at James Allen for eyeclean SI1 G diamonds to see if they fit my budget of 6500-8000 for the diamond. I'm not too good at analyzing images though so not sure what to look out for.

If $8k is your absolute max, check out these options (all under budget):

1.012ct, G, SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.012-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104070749009

1.015ct, H, VS1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3144243.htm

1.013ct, H, SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10986/

If you want to go up in size, but still stay under budget:
1.2ct, I, SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12369/


Choose your favorite there, and you've got a definite winner (evidenced by light performance data)!

 

[unsurebuyer1234]

Hi guys,

Sorry for the late reply..

My budget has dropped unfortunately. I have been looking at this diamond on BN (I know, I know I would prefer if I could see the diamond too, but they have a 30 day return policy at least!)

Here is the GIA report



Just wondering if this would be a good option..
(the cloud inclusion grade setting the stone as a VS2 scares me, especially without seeing it in person)

Thanks!

 

[JulieN]

What is the new budget?

 

[unsurebuyer1234]

roughly 7k for diamond pre tax..

 

[unsurebuyer1234]

any opinions on the diamond I posted.. I know it's impossible without looking at it, but do the stats look reasonable or should I cancel?

 

[Gypsy]

Numbers are good on that stone.

 

[SirGuy]

The numbers on that newest one are worth further consideration. However, as others have said, you're buying blind at this point. 1 carat is a sort of "magic number" that often brings a price premium. A reason why is that a lot of new buyers consider size first, instead quality of the cut. Cutters know this; if a stone looks like it'll end up being around that weight, they might make compromises on the quality of the cut to ensure that weight. A 1.04 is easier to sell than a 0.96, depending on who the market is.

Better cutting wastes more rough, so a higher quality stone at or just under a carat will usually cost more than one cut not as well but hitting the magic number.

Your girl has a tiny finger, so if coverage is a goal that is easier than it is for most.

Buying from BN with a report alone is like reading Road & Track about a new sports car and then committing based on the little blurb section that has the engine's horsepower and torque...without looking at any photos or reading any of the commentary about how it drives. You'll have no idea until it arrives at the dealership.

Your budget is actually pretty good. The 1 carat thing is a limiter on your options. Cut is king. Nothing else affects how a stone sparkles as much as that. A smaller stone with better cut will be more lively, bright, and colorful than a bigger one that is poorly cut. We're not saying the BN stone is necessarily bad; we're saying you can't know. It won't be a branded "super ideal" quality though, but it could be a sparkler. As long as you're comfortable with the return policy and know how to evaluate it when you get it in!

Hope that helps and best of luck.

 

[unsurebuyer1234]

Thanks guys for the quick response.

For budget, I don't want to spend too much as I'm afraid she would feel guilty and make me send it back if I spend more than our budget

Ya, I noticed the price jump going to 1 carat vs 0.9 carat, I think it's a mental thing that has been ingrained in me. The ring will be sent to me next week so I will be able to take a good look then. BN said it was eyeclean, but again, I don't know how they define it and "The Vault" is a motivated seller.. I'll keep you guys updated!

Any suggestions on how to get someone to independently appraise it in Toronto/GTA area or what I should look for when I receive it? I'm guessing for a newbie like me I shouldn't try to buy a loupe and do it myself?