help needed in selecting diamond

[gemnewbie]

I thought I was going to go crazy until I found this forum where people appear to be unbelievably helpful! I''m attempting to locate a round diamond, and my budget is around $12,000-$13,000. I''ve decided to purchase online, and when I search by price,there a ton of stones that come up, with many variables. Here are my questions:

1. Based upon what I''ve read in this forum and elsewhere, I would be willing to accept a stone which is SI 1 in clarity, as long as it is eyeclean (using the eyeclean definitions provided by the various online retailers, which I''ve read). Does this make sense, as opposed to getting a smaller stone with better clarity?

2. As far as color, there appears to be a big price difference between the G-I ranges. Should I opt for a G stone which is smaller and inferior in other attributes such as cut, polish and symmetry, or choose a larger I stone with beter ratings in these areas?

3. How important is it that a stone have no floresence, as opposed to slight?

4. Is there a significant price advantage to accepting a stone slightly under 2.00 ct, such as 1.80? Will the difference be really noticeable?

5. Finally, assuming I wanted to get a diamond around 2.00 ct, can anyone recommend some stones?

Many thanks for your anticipated help,

 

[stone-cold11]

1) yes, as long as eye-clean, you won't see the difference.

2) Cut is the most important attribute for a lively stone. Polish and symm can be Good and above and most will not be able to tell the difference. Color, depends on you ot your lady's color sensitivity and preference, some can see the difference and prefer lower color.

3) Fluorescence, personal preference unless the stone is an overblue, which will make the stone look oily/hazy in certain lighting conditions. Below medium blue strength, you will not see any difference under normal viewing conditions.

4) Yes there is a significant jump in $/carat at the 2.0c mark. Size difference, about 7.9mm for 1.8c and 8.15mm for a 2.0c stone.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6345/

From JA, request for an Idealscope image and ask if it is eye-clean if you are interested.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1248731.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1260158.asp

No report up yet for this stone, but image looks promising. Ask JA for a copy of the report.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1251795.asp