Help Picking Out Diamond

[WhereTheLightIs]

Hey guys, I'm looking to buy my girlfriend an engagement ring, but I could use some help with choosing a diamond sight unseen.

I know my eyes tend to prefer D-E color since I can see the difference (though I know my gf can't so it's not a huge deal), but F is okay with me too. I'm looking to have it set in a platinum band with a halo of Fs anyway. My main sticking point are the clarity ratings. I've seen SI1s that I'm okay with, but I know how much 2 SI1s or 2 VS2s can differ between one another. Frustrating

http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pag...&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=6141371224
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pag...&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=6141342645
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pag...&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=5136990146
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pag...&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=6121521520
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pag...&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=7146312806
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pag...&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=2126386984
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pag...&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=7146343835
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pag...&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=6121391764
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pag...&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=6141343865
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pag...&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=1143343605
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pag...&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=2145990861
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pag...&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=7146342781

They all pass muster on the HCA tool, but of course, it's hard to guess how they look in person. Just hoping someone with more experience than me can make an educated guess at which to really consider. Heck, I pretty much have never seen an engagement ring since I started looking myself.

So I would appreciate any and all advice. Thanks in advanced!

 

[VRBeauty]

WTLI - contact the administrators (use the concern button) and ask them to move your question to the Rocky Talky forum. That's where you'll find the most rock sleuths.

ETA it would also help if you could share your budget for the stone.

 

[WhereTheLightIs]

Yeah I just realized that I posted in the wrong area when I couldn't find my own post lol. Will tell an admin.

My budget is $2500 but would prefer $2200-2300.

 

[WhereTheLightIs]

Anyone please?

 

[WhereTheLightIs]

I am more interested in these if it helps narrow things down.

http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pagename=GST%2FDispatcher&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=6141371224

http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pagename=GST%2FDispatcher&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=6141342645

http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pagename=GST%2FDispatcher&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=5136990146

 

[04diamond<3]

where are you looking? What's your criteria?

I might look into this one. JA gives PS members a discount on their stones and they provide videos and idealscope images for all their stones. If you like it put it on hold and request the idealscope:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.71-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-195629

 

[JulieN]

Pictures, need pictures.

Love this one at the low end of your budget: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.62-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-177322

Good choice from Whiteflash if you like their settings: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2724662.htm

 

[Christina...]

You mentioned that you could see the difference in a D and E stone. I'm just curious, where you looking at GIA or AGS graded stones? Comparing a GIA D to a GIA E? If you were viewing EGL or another lab when discerning color you may be surprised at the almost imperceptible difference between the two (or even a F for that matter) in a GIA AGS stone. EGL isn't nearly as consistent in their grading as the labs I mentioned. Something else to consider is that you probably won't ever be comparing your stone side by side and loose against another stone where the difference would be most apparent. Face up in a setting it becomes much more difficult (almost impossible in my opinion) to determine a well graded D and E. But color is subjective and we all see if differently, so this of course is just my opinion. I also like the idea of being able to go slightly larger when dropping to a F or G...size is much easier to see!