Help Wanted - from a newbie

[eastongiant]

Help wanted... I've read more about diamonds in the past two days then I can believe but and I really like it but it's a bit confusing me to no end. Here is my deal. I'm buying my wife of 27 years (she terrific) a new engagement ring for her 50th Bday. The budget is large about 28k for the rock. She wants round 2.0 to 2.15 carats. I want quality and she wants sparkle, fire, brilliance and scintillation. Any thoughts, this is a large purchase to us and I'm still confused even as to the right e-site.
Thanks

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That is interesting because it was about the exact time I came here to look because my husband said he wanted to get me a new ring for our 30th anniversary and I was 50 when I started looking!

I am going to do a little search and see what I can find. Do you have any strong preferences for color and clarity? I recommend G-H VS2 when it works with the budget and size preferences. Some will go to I color to get a larger size. My diamonds have come from Good Old Gold and WhiteFlash, and both of those specialize in top cut quality stones.

 

[Niel]

What types of color/ clarity combo are you looking for? Technically an I is still considered colorless and for me i would be very comfortable with an I color to be able to stay in a VS clarity range and still get one of the top branded cuts.
here are some of those options
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2813926.htm
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.126-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104061006024 (the blue flour makes it appear whiter and they vet it for no ill effects)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.268-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104062031004 (a little bit bigger than you wanted but i didnt know if she out that size cap on or not )
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1541926.asp

Or you can check theres out to see if they are eye clean if you are comfortable going SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.134-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104060717122
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2696792.htm

Or some non H&A stone under an HCA 2
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1540577.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1511331.asp

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Of what I see available at the moment, I would choose this one:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782675.htm ($28,600 with pricescope/wire payment discounts)

I personally can see tint in I color and I usually stick with G-H.

 

[eastongiant]

Thanks I'm thinking G color and vs1 or vs2

 

[eastongiant]

I just checked out the james allen 1540577 and I like it. What do you think of their 1526661?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Actually G VS1 is my personal preference for a ring, but it is going to take you over budget with a top cut quality ring. I'll see what I can find. But there is a big price jump at G color at 2 cts.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2813925.htm ($34,22

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9802/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8175/

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1435452.asp ($31,254)

 

[Lula]

Of what I see available at the moment, I would choose this one:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782675.htm ($28,600 with pricescope/wire payment discounts)

I personally can see tint in I color and I usually stick with G-H.

Beautiful diamond. Nice find, DS.

 

[eastongiant]

Thanks for the extra help. I think I'm now set with the following options - Color G Clarity VS1 or VS2, =2.0 carats and it must come in under $30k. How does the group feel about using the holloway cut advisor, I think it's cool but not sure how effective?

 

[Niel]

heres one
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1442457.asp

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I just checked out the james allen 1540577 and I like it. What do you think of their 1526661?

Keep your depth at 62.3 or less. When you go over that, you are losing diameter (face-up appearance) because of weight being in the depth. That second one is way too deep. I actually try to find stones that are 60.0-62.0.

You don't really need the HCA if you stay within certain ideal specs like:

table 54-58

depth 60-62.3

crown angle 34-35

pavilion angle 40.6-41.0

 

[Lula]

I just checked out the james allen 1540577 and I like it. What do you think of their 1526661?

1540577 looks good.
1526661 is a bit deep at 62.6%, but scores a 1.7 on the HCA so it could be a good stone. Need Idealscope image to be sure.
If you are interested in these, send JA an e-mail and ask them to put them on hold. You can request Idealscope images for no charge for up to 3 stones from JA.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

My three to ask for idealscope images and comparison by gemologist:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1420600.asp ($30,486)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1442457.asp (not sure about the clouds on this one)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1435452.asp (yeah, I know it's $31,254 but a very nice stone!)

The difference between WhiteFlash and James Allen aside from the fact that WF ACA is top cut quality hearts and arrows stones and none of these JA stones are (they are excellent cut which is fine), WF has a lifetime trade-in policy so if she ever wanted a larger diamond or higher color, they would give you credit for you full purchase price to trade up. Whereas I think at JA they require you to spend double or something crazy like that. So you just have to be certain within the return period that it is the stone you want to keep forever.

 

[eastongiant]

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1442457.asp

I just checked this one out - and I like it but the GIA clarity picture looks like a mess - while I'm pretty sure they will not be visible it just looks scary

 

[eastongiant]

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-vs1-clarity_LD02964335


All thanks for your help - I would appreciate any comments on this stone. Many Thanks

 

[Niel]

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-vs1-clarity_LD02964335


All thanks for your help - I would appreciate any comments on this stone. Many Thanks

I always seem to miss it when they do, but this BN stone doesnt have any pictures does it? Also i dont think they give you any Idealscope images.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-vs1-clarity_LD02964335


All thanks for your help - I would appreciate any comments on this stone. Many Thanks

I always seem to miss it when they do, but this BN stone doesnt have any pictures does it? Also i dont think they give you any Idealscope images.

Correct, you can't choose from BN blind. As you could see on James Allen, some of the excellent cut stones looked great and some looked awful.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1442457.asp

I just checked this one out - and I like it but the GIA clarity picture looks like a mess - while I'm pretty sure they will not be visible it just looks scary

You do have to be a little cautious about clouds because they can affect light performance (although probably not a lot in a VS2). I can see them in the magnified photo of the stone and I would prefer one of the two other G stones.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Even though this stone is H VS2, it has medium blue fluorescence that will likely make it appear whiter. It is a great size for the money:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1385393.asp ($28,201)

 

[Niel]

I know they are H's but these look nice, and I really think you'd be very safe with an H

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VVS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1463054.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1385393.asp

 

[eastongiant]

The BN stone being a VS1 gives me some confidence that the cloud will not be too critical plus hey are sending me an image (not an idealscope) and I do plan to have an independent appraiser look at any stone I purchase... as for the H vs2 I really want to stay in G, I can live with vs2 but not both.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, you don't need an independent appraiser if you have the idealscope image. But we may be able to get an idea from the stone image.

 

[Niel]

hmm ok. I love that VVS2 H, but if you want a G then you do still have options. Personally I would want an idealscope image before I made such a big purchase.
And its nice because with JA you can pick 3 and they can give you there opinion (for what its worth) as to which is the best choice. As well as then you can post it here and let PSers review them as well.

 

[eastongiant]

Ok the plan is - I will request from JA the three top idealscope images and as they say I'll be back...

Thanks a ton

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Sounds good!