Help with borderline GIA steep/deep decision?

[natemc21]

Recently put a deposit on a diamond that appears to fall on or slightly past the borderline for GIA Ex/Ex/Ex Steep/Deep. The jeweler has a return policy and would take the stone back and keep looking if I call for it. However, they also have nothing that fits my criteria at the moment to replace it with. They only deal with GIA stones so I am looking for one that scores well on HCA and falls into the AGS Ideal category as well (unfortunately this one scores a 4.0 on HCA). This one is also just outside AGS ideal according to charts I've seen. It is a very clean SI1 diamond and beautiful in person, although I am a novice and have seen it in limited lighting environments. I don't want to make this a bigger deal than it really is and delay my ring, but I also want to make a good desicion. Help is much appreciated!

1.56 ct.
E color
SI1 clarity
No fluorescense
No cutlet
7.33x7.36 spread

62.6% depth
57% table
35.5% crown angle
41% pavillion angle

 

[kay1]

Hmm price? Do you have to stick to this vendor? or what's making you stick to this vendor? Do you like a particular setting etc? Maybe people on here can find you better and cheaper.

Oh, and i recently bought a ring with a 1.71 ct / H that had a HCA of 5 (before I knew what HCA was). It was very 'sparkly' but had zero fire, and a 'ring of death' under the table due to it's deep cut. I ended up sending it back - personally speaking, yes it would have been easy to do the lazy thing and keep the ring, but don't forget you'll have this for a long long time!

You should look at it against different diamonds - lots of them to get an idea of what a good diamond looks like and if this is one of them.

 

[natemc21]

Price is $15,750, although I currently have $600 off my setting by purchasing as combo so can almost be thought of as $15,150.

I am set on this vendor for a particular setting I have decided on. It is a Michael M designer setting, they are providing some customization, and I am getting 15% off for attending a bridal event they had going on. I feel I'm getting an excellent deal on the setting and hoped to pick out a diamond from them to make it easy.

I have found 2 stones with very similar GIA grading that score 0.7-1.4 on HCA and meet AGS Ideal criteria on Blue Nile. One question I have is how dangerous is it buying a stone like this on Blue-Nile? My second question is whether my original diamond is just borderline steep/deep and possibly could have a light return problem, or if it is definitely going to have issues even with excellent symmetry?

Examples:
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaRD#diamonds_pid=LD02538175

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaRD#diamonds_pid=LD03120557

 

[kay1]

It's hard to say, an expert will probably answer shortly tho

It's a common issue though, where you get tied into one vendor and then start to go down the compromise route. You could ask your vendor if they can source the stones on Blue Nile. The BN list (apart from their signature stones) are just a list from the international database.

You could also ask your vendor if they can provide an IdealScope or Aset image. If they can you can post it on here and experts will help you interpret it.

With regards to buying from BlueNile -
- It's safe in terms of they won't scam you
- It's safe in terms of they have a 30 day return policy
(BN is where my first diamond came from).

The downsides are:
- It'll cost you return shipping and insurance to send the diamond back. Plus they take 5 to 7 days to refund the money (which could affect the purchase of your next diamond if its not from them).
- They don't provide any ASET/IS so you have to buy blind, and return if it's not good (use HCA and the GIA report of course to filter).

 

[kay1]

Oh, i forgot to mention, if you email them they can sometimes find out if the diamond is eye-clean. But of course eye-clean is subjective.

WhiteFlash and Good Old Gold are better tho in terms of they can provide IS/ASET Images and verify if it's eye-clean.

 

[Stive85]

This one looks like it might be worth checking out.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...arat-g-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-257315

 

[MissGotRocks]

The stone is deep and it is in the steep/deep camp. I definitely would not settle for this. If I weren't tied to a vendor because of trade in, I would not limit myself to one. Other vendors can get the setting too. Being loyal to a vendor that doesn't have or won't get in what you would like to have doesn't make sense if you end up with a less than stellar stone.

 

[natemc21]

Thanks everyone. Good ideas and advice. I think I will go back on the hunt and consider buying my diamond and setting separately.