Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines Day!

[psoens]

After looking for the last few months for a round brilliant, I have narrowed down the choice of rings for my girlfriend. Being a newbie and a novice when it comes to diamonds, I was wondering if I could get advice on these two stones, one from James Allen and the second from USA Certed Diamonds

Stone 1
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1380522.asp
2.31 carats
F colour
SI2 clarity
8.51x8.55x5.22 mm
excellent cut
excellent polish
excellent symmetry
faint fluorescence
table: 56%
diameter: 61.2%
crown: 35.0
pavilion: 40.6
medium to slightly thick girdle
0.8 HCA
$26,782

Stone 2
2.40 carats
F colour
SI1 clarity
8.53x8.60x5.3 mm
excellent cuty
excellent polish
excellent sy metry
no flurescence
table: 57%
diameter: 61.9%
crown: 34.5
pavilion: 40.8
medium to slightly thick girdle
1.4 HCA
$34,800

Both stones have excellent HCA scores. I am not too picky about inclusions, as long as they are not visible at eye level. I am told that the inclusions on the 2.31 are not visible, and the 2.40 carat is totally eye clean as well. I know that the specs are better on stone 2, however, stone 1 is really much more within my budget. If the inclusions are bad on the James Allen stone, I know that they have a good return policy.

How do these two stones compare against each other, and is it worth spending 8K more for stone 2? Getting excited that one of these stones may be "the one"! Please help!!!!

 

[sna77]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

I think an SI2 on a 2+ ct stone is definitely not going to be eye clean. If you went down a bit in size (still above 2 ct), I think you could get better value.

 

[Amys Bling]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

Are they eyclean? If so, I would go for the second stone and save money- if the first isnt eyeclean I would pass on it.

 

[farmer gal]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

I would go down in color and up in clarity personally.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

I agree, go down in either size or color. Wouldn't do SI2 in a 2 ct. stone (or any stone for that matter, personally).

 

[psoens]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

Yes, they are both supposed to be eye clean, but I have not viewed either of them yet. I figure that if they are not eye clean upon purchase, I have 60 days to return it via James Allen and 7 days for the other stone.

My girlfriend is set on a colorless stone, so I'm figuring that F is the best colour to go for. She also wanted to go for as close as 2.5 as we could, so willing to sacrifice a bit on the clarify if it's eyeclean for carat size.

Is there a difference between a 0.8 and 1.4 HCA, I assume that both are equally as excellent as the other?

 

[yennyfire]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

Has your gf seen stones in person? I say that because many people cannot see the color in a G stone and you might be able to stay in the same size range in an eye clean stone. If she has looked at multiple stones and can pick out a G versus an E (for example), indicating that she is color sensitive and you need a colorless stone, then I'd go for a slightly smaller stone in at least an SI1, ideally a VS2. An SI2 in a stone of that size is not likely to be eye clean.

 

[sna77]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

An SI2 at 2.5 ct won't be eye clean...

You can do a 2.25 F / SI1 for that budget... I saw an amazing AGS one a few weeks ago that I almost bought. Not sure if it's still available.

Check out stone #1 here on the 7th post from the top:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/40k-budget-find-me-a-diamond-t168853-150.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/40k-budget-find-me-a-diamond-t168853-150.html[/URL]

2.263
AGS 000 Cut
8.44-8.51x5.18
F
SI1
table: 56.2
depth: 61
crown: 34.5
pav: 40.8

HCA 1.2. Excellent except for spread, which is VG

That was $31k...

 

[Amys Bling]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

My Ering stone is a 1.55 RB SI2- and its eyeclean. If they are eyeclean and you can view it in all lighting and are happy with it then great. If not you may need to go down a tad in another area. An eyeclean SI2 is a great find though- so if it is indeed eyclean I would snatch it up- just my personal opinion as eyeclean and no safety issues is all I care about in regards to clarity.

 

[JulieN]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

Have it shipped to you to check how clean it is.

 

[psoens]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

sna - I just looked at your post. The two stones that you were deciding on are really beautiful! Unfortunately, the one that you didn't buy is sold already, I believe.

My girlfriend is color sensitive, we've been ring shopping together, and she can tell the difference between colorless vs color..

Ok, I've taken all your suggestions on board, maybe neither of these stones are the one yet. I've decided to try to go down in carat a bit and up in clarity, ideally looking for a 2.25 or about there with an eye clean SI1 and excellent HCA score, if anyone can share some stones which look good, I would really appreciate it!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

These are virtual stones so you might be able to have someone else call them in for you. I prefer someone who does idealscope at minimum. As always, you need to ask if they are eyeclean from top and sides (unless the sides will be covered).

http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/diamond_detail.php?id=583642&ref=pricescope

http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/diamond_detail.php?id=540904&ref=pricescope

 

[sna77]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

sna - I just looked at your post. The two stones that you were deciding on are really beautiful! Unfortunately, the one that you didn't buy is sold already, I believe.

My girlfriend is color sensitive, we've been ring shopping together, and she can tell the difference between colorless vs color..

Ok, I've taken all your suggestions on board, maybe neither of these stones are the one yet. I've decided to try to go down in carat a bit and up in clarity, ideally looking for a 2.25 or about there with an eye clean SI1 and excellent HCA score, if anyone can share some stones which look good, I would really appreciate it!

Didn't see that--bummer. The SI1 was fantastic.

If you follow any guidance / advice that DiamondSeeker has, you're in good shape--she's an unbiased diamond genius.

BTW, have you picked out a setting? Your cutting the V-Day deadline really tight!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

Well, that is a hard compliment to live up to, I'll have to say! Let's just say I've been around here long enough to have absorbed a LOT of information! But thanks very much, sna!

It is hard dealing with virtual stones but both sna and I have recently bought one. It just takes perseverance and a good vendor who will examine them for you! Incidentally, the stone I found was not listed on my vendors site but he easily called it in for me.

 

[galatie]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

h

 

[MissGotRocks]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

That looked like a great stone - I hope you are the one that has it on hold!! Must be because the link has been taken down but that looked like a beautiful diamond!

 

[psoens]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

thanks for the replies so far.

sna - yes, I am really pushing for time here!! Worse comes to worse, I will postpone the proposal by a few weeks, most important thing is to get the perfect ring for her.

Saw this one today on James Allen: any thoughts? It has a 1.2 HCA, and the specs look pretty good to me..

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1442302.asp

2.26
F
SI1
table: 56.2%
diameter: 61%
crown: 34.5
pavilion: 40.8
cut: ideal
polish: ideal
symmetry: ideal
girdle: thin to medium
$30,680

 

[psoens]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

yes, I am the one who has the diamond on hold, hoping this is the one, only so much ring shopping a guy can do!

 

[psoens]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

sna -I just checked... I think this is the stone that you were deciding on! The specs and measurements are exactly the same! I checked different sites yesterday, and couldn't find the stone that you didn't end up choosing, which is why I thought it had been sold already, and all of a sudden, it showed up on James Allen today! So, that being that, since you have first hand knowledge of this stone, what do you think?!! Good purchase?!

 

[sna77]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

sna -I just checked... I think this is the stone that you were deciding on! The specs and measurements are exactly the same! I checked different sites yesterday, and couldn't find the stone that you didn't end up choosing, which is why I thought it had been sold already, and all of a sudden, it showed up on James Allen today! So, that being that, since you have first hand knowledge of this stone, what do you think?!! Good purchase?!

Yup, that's it! Here's the scan of the AGS cert I had sitting in my email box from last month.

I've seen that stone in person--it was amazing. The only thing "wrong" with it was that cloud, which is easily covered with a prong. Snatch that stone right up!

What do you plan to do for a setting btw?

 

[sna77]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

On my scan, the top right got cut off, which was the most important part! Cut quality, listed as AGS 0. The screen cap from the cert at JA:

 

[sna77]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

More good news... I've already paid Whiteflash to photograph the stone for you. Here it is added to this thread so you have all the info in one place.

you can see the clear cloud at about 8 o'clock on the top photo. Not visible without a loupe.

 

[sna77]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

final diamond image, plus high-res PDF of the certificate.

 

[psoens]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

Sna, thank you very much for the pictures and attachments! I believe we have found "the one"!

I'm not too concerned with the cloud on the left hand corner, I figure that it can be easily covered up with a prong, if need be. It looks like a gorgeous stone, and I'm glad that our search is finally over... you wouldn't believe the number of weekends I had to sacrfice to go ring shopping

It also gives me alot of assurance that someone has seen the stone in person, so from looking at your pics and reading other member's posts on the stone, I am really happy and confident with my purchase.

Thank you all again for your invaluable help!

 

[sna77]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

Sna, thank you very much for the pictures and attachments! I believe we have found "the one"!

I'm not too concerned with the cloud on the left hand corner, I figure that it can be easily covered up with a prong, if need be. It looks like a gorgeous stone, and I'm glad that our search is finally over... you wouldn't believe the number of weekends I had to sacrfice to go ring shopping

It also gives me alot of assurance that someone has seen the stone in person, so from looking at your pics and reading other member's posts on the stone, I am really happy and confident with my purchase.

Thank you all again for your invaluable help!

nice! So happy another PS' was able to grab this stone!

 

[psoens]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

thank you again!

quick question, after the stone is purchased, should I get it appraised?

 

[sna77]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

thank you again!

quick question, after the stone is purchased, should I get it appraised?

Yes, absolutely. The insurance company will want an appraisal of the completed ring. You don't really need a pre-set appraisal of this stone because Whiteflash has already taken the pictures / done the eval that an appraiser would do of a loose stone...

Is James Allen going to do the setting or are you just buying the stone and having someone else set it? If someone else sets it, you want to make sure your insurance company will insure the loose stone.

Where do you live? I've used appraisers in NY and Boston and been happy with both. If somewhere else, there is a list here:
https://www.pricescope.com/appraisers

 

[psoens]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

Still thinking about the setting, need to decide very very soon! Yes, if you could send me an appraiser in New York, that would be much appreciated, thank you.

 

[sna77]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

David Wolf at Just Appraisers is in NYC. Not the cheapest appraiser, but he's an experienced expert.
http://www.justappraisers.com/

If you go with a solitaire, I'm a big fan of 6 prong settings. I feel that 4 prong settings on larger stones make the diamonds look a bit square.

This is what I went with--the Vatche U113:
http://www.questjewelers.com/index.php?page=engagement&action=detail&pID=765&category=19&metalType

The consensus has it as the best Tiffany 6 prong style setting ever...

If you are in NYC, so is Vatche--JA could ship the ring to them, then they could bring to the appraiser and you could pick it up there. That Vatche setting in platinum should run you less than $2k depending on her ring size... DiamondSeeker will tell you to choose Platinum 900 over 950 as well.

Also, Vatche's turn around time was less than 2 weeks for me, so you might make your v-day deadline still...

 

[psoens]

Re: Help Picking Between 2 Stones - Proposing on Valentines

Sna, thanks, you are a lifesaver, will definitely look into David Wolf.

As for the stone, I had a friend look at the specs online as well, in regards to that one crystal inclusion around 8:00, you said that it wasn't visible to the naked eye, correct?

I took a look at the Vatche U113, it looks like a beautiful setting. I know my girlfriend is looking for a simple platinum solitaire band, but one in which the band tapers into the center, is the U113 a uniform band throughout, or does it narrow in at the center?

I'm trying to decide on a solitaire setting by Vatche or Brian Galvin - is there a reason why you preferred one over the other?

Thank you again