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Help needed from Experts

definately diamond no. 2 is the 1 i really like... haha... just perfect for me, except for the price... :naughty:

getting it will really stretch my budget... (i had initially capped the max to 8k for diamond & setting)

let's just say taking away the fact it's restricted b'cos of budget, is it a worth buy for $8590?
 
dear PSers/ experts,

upping my thread to ask a few more qns/ opinions...

short-listed this piece:

https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=2136014162&weight=1.5#

1.5, J, VS1, ExExEx, HCA= 1.2!!

These are the comments from the vendor:

- Diamond appears brown with naked eyes.
- Faint fluorescence does not affects the diamond.
- Very very small black inclusion in the crown near the girdle which is not visible.

Gather from the comments that it is definately eye-clean, but appears brown?? for J color pieces, will brownish be serious? esp since it is GIA-certed J? Unfortunately, i'm not able to obtain pictures of it... :((

lost..... & confused....
 
Without pictures, we can't help you too much... but Ken, based on all you've described about your GF, "BROWN" is something that stands out as a big NO NO in her criteria!!! If the vendor is saying he sees brown, guaranteed your GF will. She doesn't seem like the kind of gal that would let this little detail 'roll off her back', KWIM??

What do you think of it?
 
Enerchi|1342547789|3235561 said:
Without pictures, we can't help you too much... but Ken, based on all you've described about your GF, "BROWN" is something that stands out as a big NO NO in her criteria!!! If the vendor is saying he sees brown, guaranteed your GF will. She doesn't seem like the kind of gal that would let this little detail 'roll off her back', KWIM??

What do you think of it?
Click to expand...

yup, i KWYM... unfortunately, balancing the budget with a nice looking diamond seems daunting... haha...

trying to get more details about this piece as everything looks gd except the "brown" part mentioned... not sure if it's "brown" tint or what..

if GIA rates it as a J color, the tint shld be very slight, right?
 
Don't know how she'd feel about an old europeen cut but here is something to maybe consider.

June 6, 2012

1.59ct. VS1-KL European cut solitaire. $8995.00

Here is a stone with some history, if only it could talk. We purchased this diamond a few months ago in not so great condition. It was in a worn out setting and had abraded facet junctions and a few small chips around the circumference. The previous owners must have really loved it due to all the wear and tear it suffered over the last 100 years. We had the diamond re-cut and polished retaining the original European cut geometry. The repaired weight came in at 1.59 carats and graded VS1-KL . It was then set in a brand new Canadian made 14 karat white gold Tiffany style setting. The white gold setting weighs 3.5 grams and measures a size 9 but can be made smaller by our goldsmiths. Estate priced at $8995.00

http://www.billleboeufjewellers.com/category/estate_pieces/rings/

e6717_11-300x225.jpg

e6717-300x225.jpg
 
my final shortlist is this piece from BN...

http://sg.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-j-color-si2-clarity_LD02683330

the HCA score for it is 1.9

& here are the comments for it:

I am very pleased to confirm that the diamond you are interested in, stock number LD0268330, is eye clean! "Eye clean" means that a layperson examining the diamond face-up from a distance of six to eight inches would not be able to see any inclusions, but it is not a guarantee that no inclusions would ever be visible no matter how closely you scrutinized the diamond. If you want assurance that the diamond's inclusions would never be visible no matter closely examined, I would recommend choosing a diamond with at least VS2 clarity.

The vault inspector just got back to me and I am very pleased to confirm that the diamond is not cloudy and the color is not visible. They mentioned that the diamond has excellent luster so it will be very brilliant.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, BN doesn't provide any actual pictures or IS images for me..

so shld i cross the line since it's also about my budget level of $7k... BN selling for $7115... or any PSer has a discount code i could use?? :bigsmile:
 
dear PSers,

i'm back!! (actually I was actually around all the while, just lurking.. :bigsmile: )

anyway, the reason i'm bringing up my thread is bçuz my diamond arrived from BN....

well, here's the details of the diamond:

https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=2136648066&weight=1.51#

HCA Score is 1.1

& of cuz the pictures... (which took me a really long time to get a good shot)







this is just tension ring setting from BN.. her setting is being custom made in my country..

pls give ur comments on it...

thanks!

dsc00040.jpg

dsc00049.jpg

dsc00055.jpg
 
I hope these are bad pictures as the stone appears quite cloudy. It's generally advised to avoid stones with the comment "Clarity grade is based on clouds that are not shown." on the reports as the clouds are likely to be extensive and inhibit the brilliance of the stone, especially in SI and lower clarity grades.
 
Arg - I think you need to go back to the drawing board. I would move on from Blue Nile. Go back to James Allen. That way you can get an accurate evaluation of the stone. Since you have a required size and a limited budget, it may take some patience. Perhaps you can also look at pre-loved diamonds. There is one for sale now by a PSer that is 1.58 xxx but it's $16,500. I know, twice your budget. But, it gives you an idea of the prices of stones in your size requirement.

Here's a great stone at a great price:
http://diamondbistro.com/category/215/Loose-natural-Diamonds/listings/31153/1168-BGD-Round-Brilliant-I,-SI1-6000-OBO.html

Check with Brian Gavin to see if they will extend a trade-in policy for this stone. I'm pretty sure your GF will want an upgrade in the future so you might as well get an excellent cut stone, a little smaller, and save money towards an upgrade after the wedding.
 
thbmok|1346168092|3258537 said:
I hope these are bad pictures as the stone appears quite cloudy. It's generally advised to avoid stones with the comment "Clarity grade is based on clouds that are not shown." on the reports as the clouds are likely to be extensive and inhibit the brilliance of the stone, especially in SI and lower clarity grades.
Click to expand...

there is definately a little cloudy look over a otherwise very brilliant piece.. actual piece look less cloudy.. & unfortunately, i had to work within my budget as well as the minimum size requirement given by her..

mandasand|1346168848|3258550 said:
Arg - I think you need to go back to the drawing board. I would move on from Blue Nile. Go back to James Allen. That way you can get an accurate evaluation of the stone. Since you have a required size and a limited budget, it may take some patience. Perhaps you can also look at pre-loved diamonds. There is one for sale now by a PSer that is 1.58 xxx but it's $16,500. I know, twice your budget. But, it gives you an idea of the prices of stones in your size requirement.

Here's a great stone at a great price:
http://diamondbistro.com/category/215/Loose-natural-Diamonds/listings/31153/1168-BGD-Round-Brilliant-I,-SI1-6000-OBO.html

Check with Brian Gavin to see if they will extend a trade-in policy for this stone. I'm pretty sure your GF will want an upgrade in the future so you might as well get an excellent cut stone, a little smaller, and save money towards an upgrade after the wedding.
Click to expand...

that's a really brilliant piece..

i'm actually located quite far from the US ( i'm actually abt 12hrs time difference away) so trade-ins etc will be a little difficult.. as for size, she's v insistent on it & ya, that's really set in stone... think my earlier posts also did mention before... :snore:
 
KeN3|1346170467|3258560 said:
thbmok|1346168092|3258537 said:
I hope these are bad pictures as the stone appears quite cloudy. It's generally advised to avoid stones with the comment "Clarity grade is based on clouds that are not shown." on the reports as the clouds are likely to be extensive and inhibit the brilliance of the stone, especially in SI and lower clarity grades.
Click to expand...

there is definately a little cloudy look over a otherwise very brilliant piece.. actual piece look less cloudy.. & unfortunately, i had to work within my budget as well as the minimum size requirement given by her..

mandasand|1346168848|3258550 said:
Arg - I think you need to go back to the drawing board. I would move on from Blue Nile. Go back to James Allen. That way you can get an accurate evaluation of the stone. Since you have a required size and a limited budget, it may take some patience. Perhaps you can also look at pre-loved diamonds. There is one for sale now by a PSer that is 1.58 xxx but it's $16,500. I know, twice your budget. But, it gives you an idea of the prices of stones in your size requirement.

Here's a great stone at a great price:
http://diamondbistro.com/category/215/Loose-natural-Diamonds/listings/31153/1168-BGD-Round-Brilliant-I,-SI1-6000-OBO.html

Check with Brian Gavin to see if they will extend a trade-in policy for this stone. I'm pretty sure your GF will want an upgrade in the future so you might as well get an excellent cut stone, a little smaller, and save money towards an upgrade after the wedding.
Click to expand...

that's a really brilliant piece..

i'm actually located quite far from the US ( i'm actually abt 12hrs time difference away) so trade-ins etc will be a little difficult.. as for size, she's v insistent on it & ya, that's really set in stone... think my earlier posts also did mention before... :snore:
Click to expand...

Well, then, enjoy your new rock...post some pictures of the ring in the setting once it's done.
 
If she's happy, that's all that matters in the end. It sounds like she cares far more about size than she does about color/clarity/cut, etc. The SI2 grade is based solely on the clouds in the diamond, meaning that they are obstructing light performance. As long as it doesn't bother the two of you, it should be fine.
 
mandasand|1346172841|3258574 said:
Well, then, enjoy your new rock...post some pictures of the ring in the setting once it's done.
Click to expand...

Yes! Congrats for picking a stone and definitely post some photos when it's all done. :appl:
 
Question, does she know much about diamonds? You might want to helpfully point some of the referencing materials to her, especially about diameter vs carat weight for the future :read:. Also, If the diamond is as cloudy as in the pictures will she want to upgrade it sooner?

Most important of all, will she see it before it is set so she can give you her approval which seems to be very important to you. I'm asking because if it looks, cloudy then it may not be perfect enough.
 
:wavey: Ken! Glad you came back to update us.

I wish you hadn't spent your money on a cloudy diamond that is based on 'size only', when we had so many great quality options available for you... :((

Will you be showing your g/f this diamond? Do you think she'll be able to realize that size over cut isn't the best route to take? It does look cloudy... I'm sorry to say.

If she's willing to give a little (after seeing what all your money has been spent on, and how it doesn't sparkle like she's hoping for) please come back and let PS find you the diamond of her (almost) dreams, which is within your budget.

Good luck
 
thanks all for the replies so far...

yup, shown her the exact same pictures & she's ok with it.. her primary concern is the size, colour & cut of the diamond.. clarity for her is eye-clean..

the actual piece is cloudy, though not as cloudy as the picture.. the HCA score for it is actually 1.1 with excellent for all except very good for spread, but i guess the clouds has covered some of the fire.. but when looking at "live"pic, the clouds are not obvious..

working with my tight budget was really tough.. ;( esp seeing nicer pieces which are way out of budget...

yup, will try to get more pictures with the simple solitaire setting once it's done...
 
Right, but what does eye-clean mean to her? Just that there isn't a black carbon crystal in the middle? Because clouds are a clarity issue, and a diamond graded SI2 based on clouds only is preeetty cloudy. The HCA score has no impact on the cloudiness -- HCA is calculated without taking clarity issues into account.
I think everyone on the board just wants you to find the best diamond possible.
 
I've read that bright, direct sunlight is when you can really get these cloud inclusions to show up. Have you taken the diamond outside yet?
 
KeN3|1346177642|3258646 said:
thanks all for the replies so far...

yup, shown her the exact same pictures & she's ok with it.. her primary concern is the size, colour & cut of the diamond.. clarity for her is eye-clean..

the actual piece is cloudy, though not as cloudy as the picture.. the HCA score for it is actually 1.1 with excellent for all except very good for spread, but i guess the clouds has covered some of the fire.. but when looking at "live"pic, the clouds are not obvious..

working with my tight budget was really tough.. ;( esp seeing nicer pieces which are way out of budget...

yup, will try to get more pictures with the simple solitaire setting once it's done...
Click to expand...

If she's okay then it's okay :appl: . I'd still let her play with it a little in different lighting just to make sure. To be honest, I REALLY don't want you to have to go and look for another diamond a little further down the track if she changes her mind! You'd lose out on the sale value and if you wanted to upgrade with BN you'd need to do so with a diamond which is 100% more in price.
 
Take it into lots of lighting. SI2 with clarity based on clouds does not always matter. We cannot judge from the photos -- the stone could be dirty if you were handling it with your bare hands at all. Its something a gemologist needs to judge. But if the clouds are prolific enough they will make the stone appear hazy or dull and thus negate the really nice cut.
 
ok, brought out the diamond in the late noon to take some shots out in the open.. but there wasn't much sun today & my shaky hands didn't help much...

of the many shots i took using my iphone ( definately lousy camera), only 1 turned out not as blur..



will be trying to bring my pns cam with the mini tripod to take better shots tomorrow...

anyway, the diamond looked really nice & bright in the open ( i really dunno if it's myself bluffing myself.. :errrr: )

but the actual diamond looks nicer than this pic at least... :roll:

img_0395.jpg
 
Yes, please clean and dry your stone thoroughly, and then look at your stone in as many different lighting environments as possible. But if the stone still looks as dull as it does in dsc00049.jpg in any environment, IMO the clouds are inhibiting the brilliance of the stone. Whether that is acceptable to you and your SO or not are really up to you two to decide.
 
hi all,

i just took more pictures with my pns camera..

see how it goes... not much sun today either..



actual piece looked brighter than the picture..

anyway, here's something interesting..

Hearts..



Arrows...

p1020760.jpg

p1020765.jpg

p1020769.jpg
 
Hey it's looking better in the new photos! Got any in bright sunlight?
 
IMO cloudy days provide the best lighting for good photos. The new photos look much better but I still think the stone looks cloudy. The cutting looks pretty good though.
 
rosetta|1346412439|3260180 said:
Hey it's looking better in the new photos! Got any in bright sunlight?
Click to expand...

unfortunately it has been raining on my side for the last few days.. the best i had was a cloudy day, that was when i took these pics..

thbmok|1346414699|3260192 said:
IMO cloudy days provide the best lighting for good photos. The new photos look much better but I still think the stone looks cloudy. The cutting looks pretty good though.
Click to expand...

the actual stone doesn't look cloudy, unlike the pics.. dunno why turn out in the pics... anyway, when look really closely, then i can see the slightly cloudy look.. maybe it's cuz i'm not trained... :tongue:

anyway, i'm pretty happy with this piece... =)
 
sorry to burst your bubble. if your girlfriend is going to compare and show off the diamond amongst her friends (Singaporeans love to 'hao lian' and your girlfriend does sound like one), it is going to appear cloudy side by side another even to the untrained eye.

there is no way an si2 diamond is selling at a price point like this and has an inclusion plot that looks like a VVS2 diamond. it rings a red flag.

better you send it back now and grab another diamond instead of future problems with the diamond
 
^^^^

Exactly what we've been saying for 4 pages now!! I hope he'll listen to you Songo! ;))
 
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