Help on a Diamond Please

[teruo313]

Hi there

I've been lurking on the boards for a little while now as I've tried gather up enough knowledge before making my engagement ring purchase. Now I know that there are far better deals out there on the various online retailers, however I know that a diamond from Tiffany's will be something she'll like, as long as it's within our budget.

With that said, I think I've narrowed down my selection to a diamond that I have put on hold and plan to purchase as early as tomorrow. However before making my purchase I was hoping that a few of you would be so kind as to chime in on my selection. Below are the specs from the Tiffany's cert.

round cut, .94 carats, G color, VS 2 clarity, Excellent cut
Triple E grade (Precision of cut, symmetry and polish)
TOTAL DEPTH PERCENTAGE 62.2%
TABLE SIZE PERCENTAGE 55%
CROWN HEIGHT PERCENTAGE 15.9%
CROWN ANGLE 35.0°
STAR LENGTH PERCENTAGE 55%
PAVILION DEPTH PERCENTAGE 43.1%
PAVILION ANGLE 40.8°
LOWER HALF LENGTH PERCENTAGE 80%
GIRDLE THICKNESS MEDIUM
GIRDLE FINISH FACETED
CULET NONE

I've used the Holloway Cut advisor tool and it rated it as a 1.6 TIC. The price of the diamond is within my budget ($11,800 CDN + tax)

With that said, please free to comment on this selection as any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[teruo313]

Any comments at all would be greatly appreciated. I know it's hard to tell based on specs alone, but I've seen a few very informative replies in other threads where the information was based just on the specs.

Planning on making my purchase tonight after work.

 

[Amys Bling]

What lab graded the stone?

 

[Amys Bling]

The HCA score tells us that it is a great performer- as for clarity and color we need to know the lab In order to be assured its accurate.

 

[teruo313]

The HCA score tells us that it is a great performer- as for clarity and color we need to know the lab In order to be assured its accurate.

Unfortunately I was told by the sales associate that this one did not come with a lab report from an independent source and instead only comes with the Tiffany's certificate.

 

[0-0-0]

I think it looks promising from the numbers. Tiffany's grading is generally considered to be on par with GIA/AGS so you should be safe in that regard.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Looks great to me and lucky you for finding a stone just under a carat!

 

[teruo313]

Thank you very much for your replies. It's nice having that reassurance before making the purchase, that's for sure.

@ thbmok : To be honest I was a little worried getting one from Tiffany's considering they grade their own diamonds and while I'm sure in order to protect their reputation they would have strict grading guidelines...but it's still gives me a bit of doubt in the back of my mind when the company that's telling you it's a good diamond is also the one selling it...

@ diamondseeker2006 : Thanks! I was pretty lucky finding this one actually. While I would have wanted to hit that 1.00 carat mark..the price difference between them was just too much to justify, especially when side by side, I couldn't really tell the difference to be honest.

 

[yssie]

Thank you very much for your replies. It's nice having that reassurance before making the purchase, that's for sure.

@ thbmok : To be honest I was a little worried getting one from Tiffany's considering they grade their own diamonds and while I'm sure in order to protect their reputation they would have strict grading guidelines...but it's still gives me a bit of doubt in the back of my mind when the company that's telling you it's a good diamond is also the one selling it...

@ diamondseeker2006 : Thanks! I was pretty lucky finding this one actually. While I would have wanted to hit that 1.00 carat mark..the price difference between them was just too much to justify, especially when side by side, I couldn't really tell the difference to be honest.

I wouldn't trust many companies' in-house grading, but Tiffany? Absolutely. Certainly for colour and clarity, and cut is a can of worms with pretty much any vendor anyway, but you've got the angles...

If you saw the stone and you liked it, numbers are fine - it looks like a nice find!

 

[Amys Bling]

Thank you very much for your replies. It's nice having that reassurance before making the purchase, that's for sure.

@ thbmok : To be honest I was a little worried getting one from Tiffany's considering they grade their own diamonds and while I'm sure in order to protect their reputation they would have strict grading guidelines...but it's still gives me a bit of doubt in the back of my mind when the company that's telling you it's a good diamond is also the one selling it...

@ diamondseeker2006 : Thanks! I was pretty lucky finding this one actually. While I would have wanted to hit that 1.00 carat mark..the price difference between them was just too much to justify, especially when side by side, I couldn't really tell the difference to be honest.

I wouldn't trust many companies' in-house grading, but Tiffany? Absolutely. Certainly for colour and clarity, and cut is a can of worms with pretty much any vendor anyway, but you've got the angles...

If you saw the stone and you liked it, numbers are fine - it looks like a nice find!

ditto

 

[MissGotRocks]

Looks like a nice stone - she's sure to be a happy lady!

Please come back with pictures and handshots!

 

[Amys Bling]

She's a lucky lady- come back with pics!!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Looks great!


And I must say this: Does you gf understand how much she is paying for the name? She could have a 1.2ct non-tiffany stone for the price. I am not saying that is what you *should* do, if the Tiffany name is worth that premium to you then by all means buy what you love! But make sure you do it with eyes open

 

[teruo313]

Looks great!


And I must say this: Does you gf understand how much she is paying for the name? She could have a 1.2ct non-tiffany stone for the price. I am not saying that is what you *should* do, if the Tiffany name is worth that premium to you then by all means buy what you love! But make sure you do it with eyes open

Haha believe me for a LONG while I was wrestling between buying an equally nice diamond online for less or buying it at Tiffany's especially when she never actually said she wanted on from there. However I decided to go with them because I remember way back in high school (we've been together for a really long time) she mentioned that her cousin got an engagement ring from there and how she could never imagine getting something from somewhere so expensive. So I figure why not, plus the convenience of seeing it in person as well as servicing it afterwards was a plus.

Thanks everyone for your inputs and comments. I made my purchase yesterday, however it won't be available to pick up until February 16th as it had to be resized. I will certainly take pics and share them once I get it.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Looks great!


And I must say this: Does you gf understand how much she is paying for the name? She could have a 1.2ct non-tiffany stone for the price. I am not saying that is what you *should* do, if the Tiffany name is worth that premium to you then by all means buy what you love! But make sure you do it with eyes open

Haha believe me for a LONG while I was wrestling between buying an equally nice diamond online for less or buying it at Tiffany's especially when she never actually said she wanted on from there. However I decided to go with them because I remember way back in high school (we've been together for a really long time) she mentioned that her cousin got an engagement ring from there and how she could never imagine getting something from somewhere so expensive. So I figure why not, plus the convenience of seeing it in person as well as servicing it afterwards was a plus.

Thanks everyone for your inputs and comments. I made my purchase yesterday, however it won't be available to pick up until February 16th as it had to be resized. I will certainly take pics and share them once I get it.

Well then she will be very happy! I have said a few times that part of the mystique of diamonds is their value. And that can come from the diamonds properties liek carat or color, or from a brand. If she appreciates the brand, then you are good to go! You have bought her a very nice size diamond too, for Canada (I am here too). You don't see many 1ct diamonds around my part of the country. Where do you guys live?

 

[Amys Bling]

come back with pics!!

 

[teruo313]

Looks great!


And I must say this: Does you gf understand how much she is paying for the name? She could have a 1.2ct non-tiffany stone for the price. I am not saying that is what you *should* do, if the Tiffany name is worth that premium to you then by all means buy what you love! But make sure you do it with eyes open

Haha believe me for a LONG while I was wrestling between buying an equally nice diamond online for less or buying it at Tiffany's especially when she never actually said she wanted on from there. However I decided to go with them because I remember way back in high school (we've been together for a really long time) she mentioned that her cousin got an engagement ring from there and how she could never imagine getting something from somewhere so expensive. So I figure why not, plus the convenience of seeing it in person as well as servicing it afterwards was a plus.

Thanks everyone for your inputs and comments. I made my purchase yesterday, however it won't be available to pick up until February 16th as it had to be resized. I will certainly take pics and share them once I get it.

Well then she will be very happy! I have said a few times that part of the mystique of diamonds is their value. And that can come from the diamonds properties liek carat or color, or from a brand. If she appreciates the brand, then you are good to go! You have bought her a very nice size diamond too, for Canada (I am here too). You don't see many 1ct diamonds around my part of the country. Where do you guys live?

We live in Toronto so luckily there were a number of places locally where I was able to take a look and compare diamonds as well as different settings. How about yourself?