help with choosing best diamond

[lisalisa]

I''ve been lurking for a while, sitting back and watching you very knowledgable folks give great advice, and now it''s my turn to ask for advice!

I''m getting engaged, and we are shopping for a diamond. I''ve learned a ton coming to this forum, but I would appreciate your opinion.

Our budget is $3000 (give or take $500) for just the diamond. I want a round stone, eye clean (of course) in the .70 - .90 ct range. I prefer stones that are icy white (a lot of the H color stones that I''ve seen in person look yellowish to me). But it''s hard to judge when looking at the great pics online.

There are a lot of stones that I''ve found using the pricescope search feature, but it''s hard for me to tell which ones are best.

Thanks for your help!

Lisa

 

[belle]

are you using this http://www.pricescope.com/sift.aspx search?
it''s a much easier way to sort the ''wheat from the chaff''

 

[lisalisa]

Wow, that search helps! But among the 6 in my price range, how do I know which one is best, or which one I would like better?

 

[belle]

Date: 9/10/2007 9:48:06 PM
Author: lisalisa
Wow, that search helps! But among the 6 in my price range, how do I know which one is best, or which one I would like better?

if you are looking at stones with good hca scores, there won''t be much (if any) noticable differences between the top cuts. once you get to that upper level of craftsmanship they are all good.

if you can narrow down to only a couple of stones, you could have them shipped to you or an appraiser to make a final decsion if you think that might help.
otherwise, flipping a coin is a good way to settle those little differences

 

[Ellen]

Here''s a nice one. They don''t have the actual pic up, but just ask if you''d like to see it.