help needed for proposal ring in 4.5 weeks time ...

[isn4i]

Need to make decision soon, so in time for settings and shipping for the big day

Have spent many days narrow down to these 4 darlings .. looking for recommendations/advise on which is the best for sparkle for indoor fluorescent lightings, outdoor on cloudy and sunny day. Unlikely in spotlight or focused lightings environment. Ring size between around 9.

Round brilliant
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2762657.htm
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/9144/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10627/

Solasfera
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9532/

I read solasfera is busier with smaller blings whereas normal round brilliant has bigger flashes. I'm fine with both as long as its busy and visible few meters away.

Given the ring size, I'm not sure but I suspect a larger stone might be more 'proportional' to the ring and finger for a 'balance' feel and look.

Any advise or recommendation greatly appreciated.

 

[ecf8503]

I like the ACA - it's the largest diameter, has the best images and photos, and you aren't overpaying for unnecessary clarity as w/ the VVS.

Does WF have a setting you like?

 

[isn4i]

Lady wanted something simple and "hinted" Tiffany classic 6 prongs ..

at moment, likely to go for Vatche U113 ...

 

[SMC]

Would you consider going lower in color to go up in size? Or are you most comfortable with H and above?

 

[Niel]

Of the three I say the ACS, but I agree I'd go down in color. At a size 9, CTW is going to be important.

Here would be my choice
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.208-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104063998003

And they have a tiffany repro themselves.

 

[isn4i]

Would you consider going lower in color to go up in size? Or are you most comfortable with H and above?

prefer to stick with H color and above .. and "eye-clean" clarity VS2 or better ... quite risky in case Lady ask me what the dots are ... or why hers are not as white as her friends ....

 

[Niel]

Would you consider going lower in color to go up in size? Or are you most comfortable with H and above?

prefer to stick with H color and above .. and "eye-clean" clarity VS2 or better ... quite risky in case Lady ask me what the dots are ... or why hers are not as white as her friends ....

Not all inclusions are spots. Any many si1 stones are eye clean. But I can understand wanting to stay above a vs2 I suppose. However an I, especial ideally cut and with flour will look very white! And that super slight difference in color IMHOi don't think is as important as size when it comes to a size 9 finger. Size 9 isn't a bad thing, but the larger the finger the smaller the stone looks unfortunately. Its just proportions.

 

[isn4i]

Would you consider going lower in color to go up in size? Or are you most comfortable with H and above?

prefer to stick with H color and above .. and "eye-clean" clarity VS2 or better ... quite risky in case Lady ask me what the dots are ... or why hers are not as white as her friends ....

Not all inclusions are spots. Any many si1 stones are eye clean. But I can understand wanting to stay above a vs2 I suppose. However an I, especial ideally cut and with flour will look very white! And that super slight difference in color IMHOi don't think is as important as size when it comes to a size 9 finger.

You are right, for a size 9 finger, what should be a suitable stone size?

 

[AnneinGA]

Of the four you listed, I would choose the WF one or the 1C GVS2 from GOG.

Having said that (and as a lady with large fingers) the larger the better.

Given that the one Niel posted is an I with flourescense, I think you might be surprised how white it is.

With the WF or GOG listed above, I don't think you can go wrong!

 

[Niel]

Any size is suitable. I don't want to say a 1ct wouldn't be beautiful. Byt if you can afford a 1.2 while only sacrificing minute differences in color or clarity, I'd strongly suggest it.

 

[isn4i]

Of the four you listed, I would choose the WF one or the 1C GVS2 from GOG.

Having said that (and as a lady with large fingers) the larger the better.

Given that the one Niel posted is an I with flourescense, I think you might be surprised how white it is.

With the WF or GOG listed above, I don't think you can go wrong!

Thanks Anne, between the WF 1c and GOG 1c, which one attracts you more?

 

[ecf8503]

Fluor can help a stone of lower color look whiter - in UV light only. I have a stone w/ SBF and the only time I see it is in the sun or under a blacklight.

I agree that SI1's can be eye-clean - so can some SI2's... it all depends on the type and location of the inclusions. I have 3 SI1's and they are all eye clean, and I can see inclusions pretty easily.

I'd drop your clarity to include SI's but keep the color H or above.

 

[isn4i]

Fluor can help a stone of lower color look whiter - in UV light only. I have a stone w/ SBF and the only time I see it is in the sun or under a blacklight.

I agree that SI1's can be eye-clean - so can some SI2's... it all depends on the type and location of the inclusions. I have 3 SI1's and they are all eye clean, and I can see inclusions pretty easily.

I'd drop your clarity to include SI's but keep the color H or above.

hmm .. that's quite true since we don't hang around places with UV lights

I did a quick search ...

Any opinions on this?

1.232 ct H VS2, ACA, but not sure if this would be eye clean with one big blog in the middle.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2805423.htm

 

[Niel]

Fluor can help a stone of lower color look whiter - in UV light only. I have a stone w/ SBF and the only time I see it is in the sun or under a blacklight.

I agree that SI1's can be eye-clean - so can some SI2's... it all depends on the type and location of the inclusions. I have 3 SI1's and they are all eye clean, and I can see inclusions pretty easily.

I'd drop your clarity to include SI's but keep the color H or above.

True you dont see the flour all the time, but I would rec commend that stone even if it didn't have any. Is are still really white. Especially to the casual observer and in a solitaire.

Have you gone and looked at well cut gia graded stones in person? So you know how white they actually look at an h-i range?

And to say you don't hang out in UV light. Outdoors is UV light so any sunlight would help it seem whiter.

 

[ecf8503]

Here's a couple to think about:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10611/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10104/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10451/

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2898154.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2890093.htm

 

[ecf8503]

Fluor can help a stone of lower color look whiter - in UV light only. I have a stone w/ SBF and the only time I see it is in the sun or under a blacklight.

I agree that SI1's can be eye-clean - so can some SI2's... it all depends on the type and location of the inclusions. I have 3 SI1's and they are all eye clean, and I can see inclusions pretty easily.

I'd drop your clarity to include SI's but keep the color H or above.

hmm .. that's quite true since we don't hang around places with UV lights

I did a quick search ...

Any opinions on this?

1.232 ct H VS2, ACA, but not sure if this would be eye clean with one big blog in the middle.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2805423.htm

Looks FABULOUS!

 

[AnneinGA]

Well I went back and did a little more looking at the two.

My thoughts: On the WF one you are paying for clarity you can't really appreciate with the naked eye, and an H color. With the GOG one you're paying for a higher color, G, which you should be able to appreciate, with a lower clarity that shouldn't matter, as long as you've checked with GOG to make sure it's eye clean.

I plugged them both in the HCA tool.
WF is 1.5 - Excellent on light return, fire, scintillation,but very good on spread.
GOG is 1.4 - Excellent on light return and fire; very good on scintillation and spread.

Statistically they're probably a dead heat. The plot of inclusions on both are right in the center so I would really want to make sure that the GOG one is eye clean.

Sounds like an H VS2 is your sweet spot. I hate to see you pay for clarity you don't need, and I want to make sure the color is right.

What about these others?
White Flash
HCA 1.9, very good across the board. http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782656.htm
HCA 1.8 3 VG's and one excellent: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2724959.htm

BG
HCA 1.5 3 VG's and one excellent. Has the flourescense but is an H so it may face up even whiter. http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.100-H-VS2-Round-Diamond-AGS-BL-104061006003
last one to checK
HCA 1.1 3 Excellent, one VG. There is no image yet - you'd have to call BGD to see if it was eye clean, but this could be a really pretty stone. http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.190-H-SI1-Round-Diamond-AGS-104064496007#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/0/

What do you think?

 

[isn4i]

Well I went back and did a little more looking at the two.

My thoughts: On the WF one you are paying for clarity you can't really appreciate with the naked eye, and an H color. With the GOG one you're paying for a higher color, G, which you should be able to appreciate, with a lower clarity that shouldn't matter, as long as you've checked with GOG to make sure it's eye clean.

I plugged them both in the HCA tool.
WF is 1.5 - Excellent on light return, fire, scintillation,but very good on spread.
GOG is 1.4 - Excellent on light return and fire; very good on scintillation and spread.

Statistically they're probably a dead heat. The plot of inclusions on both are right in the center so I would really want to make sure that the GOG one is eye clean.

Sounds like an H VS2 is your sweet spot. I hate to see you pay for clarity you don't need, and I want to make sure the color is right.

What about these others?
White Flash
HCA 1.9, very good across the board. http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782656.htm
HCA 1.8 3 VG's and one excellent: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2724959.htm

BG
HCA 1.5 3 VG's and one excellent. Has the flourescense but is an H so it may face up even whiter. http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.100-H-VS2-Round-Diamond-AGS-BL-104061006003
last one to checK
HCA 1.1 3 Excellent, one VG. There is no image yet - you'd have to call BGD to see if it was eye clean, but this could be a really pretty stone. http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.190-H-SI1-Round-Diamond-AGS-104064496007#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/0/

What do you think?

could you tell me where I can try out the HCA tool? added those u suggested to my list ...

 

[isn4i]

Anyone here has experience with WF "eye clean"? How visible is their eye-clean?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2890093.htm
http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104063246060-PGRH.PDF

For example on this rock, it's eye clean, but from the AGS report, there are clusters on the top ...

 

[AnneinGA]

Sure! https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

I noticed on your last diamond that you posted it was a bit above the price range of the first set. Obviously, the more you spend the bigger the rock!

So we know your sweet spots H Vs2, what's your budget?

 

[SB621]

Have you spoken to your intended about this? I'm just asking because one of my best friends just got engaged last week. It is a gorgeous .75ct D VS2, but on her size 8.25 finger she is extremely disappointed to put it bluntly. She really wished her FI would have asked her as she would have gone much lower in color and clarity for something larger. To each their own but I always strongly recommend finding out if you can.

Personally I really like the one 1.2ct ISN posted. That would be my choice.

 

[isn4i]

Sure! https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

I noticed on your last diamond that you posted it was a bit above the price range of the first set. Obviously, the more you spend the bigger the rock!

So we know your sweet spots H Vs2, what's your budget?

Well, although i prefer H VS2, I open to I color and SI1 provided inclusion really cannot be seen and its not a mess in the GIA report.

My priorities are sparkle which is cut, size suitable for ring size 9 (circumference about 6.2cm) which I just learnt from above I should be looking at around/above 1.2c, eye clean and not too much inclusion on GIA report (in case Lady ask), within budget of around 10k.

 

[Niel]

Have you guys gone out and tried rings one? I think it would be good for her to see them on her hand. Usually the picture of rings aren't taken of hands that size. Also, I think she would benefit from a halo. I know she likes a solitaire, but halos do wonders for size.

I thought I'd post this so you can see an BG blue I in a halo. Just something to consider. You could get a plain shank halo ( no diamonds down the band) so it still has a solitaire feel, but gives a lot more presents.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-e-ring-and-its-vintage-side-kick.173933/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-e-ring-and-its-vintage-side-kick.173933/[/URL]

 

[ecf8503]

could you tell me where I can try out the HCA tool? added those u suggested to my list ...

https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca


Just remember you don't need to run the HCA on AGS stones that score a 0 in light performance - they've already been proven to be top performers. The HCA is a weed-out tool - anything under a score of 2 is worth looking into, and even some that score over 2. And no, under 2 the lower the number does not mean it is "better" (i.e. a 1.4 is not "better" than a 1.9).

 

[Adrienne2006]

This may be of some help to you. I went to a local store for a fancy party and looked at stones with a gia gemologist. She had me guess carat and color of two set stones in solitare setting. I put those against my boyfriends white shirt, I held them up in the sunlight from every angle. I've read alot about diamonds lately so I thought Id impress her with being right. Turns out I had no clue lol. The D I thought was a G (only cus that's what I requested to look at) the real surprise was the I color...I guessed G. Maybe she picked some tricky ones. I'm a size 5.5 and 1 carat looks nice on me but honesty if I was a size 9 I'd absolutely go to an I color to get bigger, we're probably going for I to save money. I've found the live chats on JA and Whteflash to be super helpful. Perhaps request an I and have it checked for any yellow tint. Good luck!

 

[AnneinGA]

So look at this. These are all in-house diamonds within your specs H/I VS2/SI1 that are AGS000.

HCA is listed as well. This is a good starting point (easier than going to all the sites)
https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-search-results/6pM3r5c9

ask about pricesope and wire discounts.

 

[isn4i]

Have you spoken to your intended about this? I'm just asking because one of my best friends just got engaged last week. It is a gorgeous .75ct D VS2, but on her size 8.25 finger she is extremely disappointed to put it bluntly. She really wished her FI would have asked her as she would have gone much lower in color and clarity for something larger. To each their own but I always strongly recommend finding out if you can.

Personally I really like the one 1.2ct ISN posted. That would be my choice.

Didn't discuss much as it's a "surprise". I do suspect size matters.

 

[Niel]

i accidently posted on somebody elses thread meaning to say to you.... picking a stone is a game of compromises. You want to get the most impact for your buck. So to me, going up .2 ct would have more impact that the difference between an H and an I, or an eye clean VVS1 and an eye clean SI1. But you have to think of your GF (soon to be FI!!) will she be happier with a bigger stone, or a whiter stone. Keeping in mind I is still considered colorless.

 

[chel180]

I also suggest going lower and bigger. If you are buying aca or top performing stone whatever you choose will be sparkler and much more attractive than all of her girlfriends stones. They will probably have just a mall ring so yours will be whiter, better cut, cleaner and prettier. Her friends are never gonna notice the color and clarity anyway. Only the size and sparkle. Take everyone's advice here and buy the biggest diamond you can for the budget. And as your gf has larger fingers there is the risk that a less the one carat stone might look smaller than she'd hope for. Especially in a solitaire setting.

 

[isn4i]

Thank you all for your valuable advices and I couldn't agree more. I've ditched all my previous selections and re-do a new list, albeit a short one. My new focuses are, > 1.20 ct, I color or better, SI1 or better. My priorities remains, cut followed by size and clarity (eye clean).

1.215 ct I VSI1 ACA
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2715462.htm

• although this is 1.215, it's top surface area is about the same as a 1.22 - 1.23 ct mainly due to small gridle and shorter depth

1.32 ct H VS2 ACA
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2930367.htm

1.32 ct is about 0.09 ct (equivalent top surface area) larger than 1.215 ct .. but $ 2218 more expensive.

Please do kindly share with me your thoughts on these two or any other advices/suggestions.