Hello -
I have three RBs on hold with James Allen for inspection. Within a few days, they will give a visual inspection, opinion on color, and idealscopes for each, but I'd really appreciate any comments or opinions from the experts here. All the stones are pretty similar, but maybe there are some subtleties between them that someone more experienced (than me) might notice.
First, all are basically the same size and all are "K" color - I've been into three stores to see stones in person, and at the two better stores (which had stones with grading certificates I'd trust - GIA and AGS), I couldn't really tell the difference between different color grades (G-I at one, H-J at the other), even face down on white paper. I've read up a lot on color, and watched some very good video tutorials and comparisons from GOG, so I'm comfortable with this color (especially since it seems that even going to a J, and accepting down to an SI1 would add $500-1000). As long as they are eye-clean, clarity is not too important to me either - I wouldn't necessarily pay more for a VVS2 stone over a VS1 stone, for example. Having a very well-cut stone is important to me, and I'd like any feedback if one of these stones looks better or looks to be a better value than the others. I'm planning to set the stone in a six prong platinum solitare setting (here: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/Platinum-Six-Prong-Knife-Edged-Ring.html).
So here are the three stones I have on hold, and there is one more that JA could not bring in for an idealscope, but might also be an option (although I would be hesitant on that one, as I'd prefer to have it inspected before I actually bought it).
Option #1: 0.90 carat, K, VS2, excellent cut, GIA graded, $2960. It scores a 1.8 on HCA and gets a 1B on the AGA/NAJA cut class tool.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1474600.asp
Option #2: 0.90 carat, K, VS1, excellent cut, GIA graded, $3640. It scores a 1.8 on HCA and gets a 1A on the AGA/NAJA cut class tool.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1435043.asp
Option #3: 0.88 carat, K, VVS2, H&A Ideal cut, AGS graded, $3450. It scores a 1.6 on HCA and gets a 1B on the AGA/NAJA cut class tool.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1473948.asp
The last option is the one that JA can't bring in to examine, so I'd be a little more reluctant to get this one without having it inspected first, unless there was a very good reason to do so. Maybe it's just me, but it appears less symmetric than the others.
Option #4: 0.93 carat, K, VS2, excellent cut, GIA graded, $3210. It scores a 1.6 on HCA and gets a 1A on the AGA/NAJA cut class tool.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1462595.asp
Once I get the idealscopes and the report from JA I'll post that information. Any comments or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks...
I have three RBs on hold with James Allen for inspection. Within a few days, they will give a visual inspection, opinion on color, and idealscopes for each, but I'd really appreciate any comments or opinions from the experts here. All the stones are pretty similar, but maybe there are some subtleties between them that someone more experienced (than me) might notice.
First, all are basically the same size and all are "K" color - I've been into three stores to see stones in person, and at the two better stores (which had stones with grading certificates I'd trust - GIA and AGS), I couldn't really tell the difference between different color grades (G-I at one, H-J at the other), even face down on white paper. I've read up a lot on color, and watched some very good video tutorials and comparisons from GOG, so I'm comfortable with this color (especially since it seems that even going to a J, and accepting down to an SI1 would add $500-1000). As long as they are eye-clean, clarity is not too important to me either - I wouldn't necessarily pay more for a VVS2 stone over a VS1 stone, for example. Having a very well-cut stone is important to me, and I'd like any feedback if one of these stones looks better or looks to be a better value than the others. I'm planning to set the stone in a six prong platinum solitare setting (here: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/Platinum-Six-Prong-Knife-Edged-Ring.html).
So here are the three stones I have on hold, and there is one more that JA could not bring in for an idealscope, but might also be an option (although I would be hesitant on that one, as I'd prefer to have it inspected before I actually bought it).
Option #1: 0.90 carat, K, VS2, excellent cut, GIA graded, $2960. It scores a 1.8 on HCA and gets a 1B on the AGA/NAJA cut class tool.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1474600.asp
Option #2: 0.90 carat, K, VS1, excellent cut, GIA graded, $3640. It scores a 1.8 on HCA and gets a 1A on the AGA/NAJA cut class tool.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1435043.asp
Option #3: 0.88 carat, K, VVS2, H&A Ideal cut, AGS graded, $3450. It scores a 1.6 on HCA and gets a 1B on the AGA/NAJA cut class tool.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1473948.asp
The last option is the one that JA can't bring in to examine, so I'd be a little more reluctant to get this one without having it inspected first, unless there was a very good reason to do so. Maybe it's just me, but it appears less symmetric than the others.
Option #4: 0.93 carat, K, VS2, excellent cut, GIA graded, $3210. It scores a 1.6 on HCA and gets a 1A on the AGA/NAJA cut class tool.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1462595.asp
Once I get the idealscopes and the report from JA I'll post that information. Any comments or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks...
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