Help with decision!?!?!?!?

[toobitz]

First I want to say, AWESOME website. Reading through these forums has been extremely helpful. My girl and I have been looking at rings to see what she likes; which sort of ruins the surprise, but I wanted her to be involved because after all she has to wear it.

Now, We are looking at around 3/4 carat. I''ve found a couple that sem nice quality and are within my budget and I wanted to get some opinions.....

#1
E, VS2, EGL "Select Ideal", Princess cut, .69
Link: http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?search_type_id=2&action_type_id=2&context=&rb_flow_type=&rb_action_type_id=&item_id=AB072446

#2
F, VS2, GIA Select Ideal cut princess, .67
Link: http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?search_type_id=2&action_type_id=2&context=&rb_flow_type=&rb_action_type_id=&item_id=AB103773


is there really this much difference between the GIA and EGL ratings on similar diamonds?

If anyone has a better opinion about these stones, please let me know, I am interested in seeing what everyone thinks

 

[JulieN]

AGS is where it''s at.

 

[stone-cold11]

Fancy cuts cannot be judge by numbers, we need at least a ASET/IS pics to have an idea of how it will perform. Unfortunately, union diamonds do not give them.

If you are buying princess cuts, go for a AGS0 cut graded diamond by AGSL, the only lab that grades Princess cuts on light performance.

EGL is considered loose on color and clarity grading by up to 2 grades off, so you could be E SI2 stone instead of a E VS2, and it is reflected by the lower price of these stones.

 

[neatfreak]

I agree with SC.

 

[toobitz]

man, I''m glad I didn''t just buy one at the mall, there is a lot more to this than I had imagined. I''ve also seen Jubilee cut on GOG which look amazing. Can I even buy a 3/4 carat quality stone for around 2K? Or am I wasting my time?

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Another vendor with an unclear, highly personal definition of ideal, in this case ''select ideal''. What does it mean?

The other posters are right in bringing this to your attention.

 

[stone-cold11]

You can drop down the color to H/I and it will look white for a well cut stone.

Or you can get this Crafted by Infinity Princess 0.74c F I1 with Wink for $2042.

Here is a pic of the stone and video.

 

[swingirl]

Date: 12/7/2008 3:15:50 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
You can drop down the color to H/I and it will look white for a well cut stone.


Or you can get this Crafted by Infinity Princess 0.74c F I1 with Wink for $2042.


Here is a pic of the stone and video.

Much better choice!!

 

[toobitz]

WOW, that video attached is awesome. I guess I''ve been looking at the wrong items. That video is stunning, I had thought that the clarity was what made a diamond look nicer, but I realize that the cut is way more inportant.

 

[JulieN]

Cut is definitely the first thing that makes a diamond pop. Second is size...

 

[toobitz]

How about this one?

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-912077.htm#

PS search shows price of $1,935, when I get to WF, price goes to $2,037. Any specific reason for this?

Thanks in advance.....

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 12/7/2008 4:54:44 PM
Author: toobitz
How about this one?

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-912077.htm#

PS search shows price of $1,935, when I get to WF, price goes to $2,037. Any specific reason for this?

Thanks in advance.....

You will have to pay by wire transfer to get the Pricescope discount.

EDT:
Looks great btw.

 

[Mediterranean]

Date: 12/7/2008 3:55:59 PM
Author: JulieN
Cut is definitely the first thing that makes a diamond pop. Second is size...

Yep. And to paraphrase David Atlas, the AGS 0 criteria will direct you towards stones you should look at (and eliminate the duds, when we''re discussing fancies) but the ASET and IdealScope images should be viewed too. None of the above exempts you from checking out fancies that make the AGS0/IdealScope/ASET "team" with your very own eyes, though. What appeals to one person doesn''t appeal to another, quality of cut not withstanding.

 

[toobitz]

Is there a good thread that explains exactly what I should be looking for when looking at the IdealScope and ASET pics? I''ve seen them and they look nice, but I don''t know how to "read" them.

 

[toobitz]

Also,

What settings would you recommend, the ones we looked at in the mall she hated because they stood up very high. She wants something that sits low, with sidestones....I''ve checked solomon brothers, and bluenile, haven''t really seen anything that shows the stone sitting low. She is worried about getting it caught on everything.

Sorry for the multiple posts, random questions keep popping up in my head.....

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 12/7/2008 5:20:23 PM
Author: toobitz
Also,


What settings would you recommend, the ones we looked at in the mall she hated because they stood up very high. She wants something that sits low, with sidestones....I've checked solomon brothers, and bluenile, haven't really seen anything that shows the stone sitting low. She is worried about getting it caught on everything.


Sorry for the multiple posts, random questions keep popping up in my head.....

I think Whiteflash's legato settings are gorgeous, and they sit much lower than many settings.

Link:

w/pave:


http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/The--Legato--with-Micro-Pave_1071.htm

without:
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/-Legato--Sleek-Line_1118.htm

Another nice low one with sidestones:
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Sleek-Line-Pave--Diamond-Engagement-Ring_1184.htm

 

[JulieN]

http://www.ideal-scope.com/using_reference_chart.asp for IS and ASET reference charts.

I assure you that most settings carried by PS vendors are quite tasteful and elegant in regards to height and design, and "sitting low" is a very common concern of shoppers, so jewelers are very well experienced in this matter.

 

[toobitz]

Anyone ever ran into problems with local jewelers swapping out their diamonds? I am looking to purchase a loose stone and I''ve found a setting that I like at a local shop, but I''m worried that b/c I went online and saved a ton of money and got a much better quality stone that they will me mischievous. What do you look for in a reputable local jeweler? I haven''t lived in this area that long, so I''m not sure who the good ones are, but I''m worried if I drop 2K on a stone and take it to someone, they will not handle it with care because I didn''t buy it from them......

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 12/7/2008 6:03:34 PM
Author: toobitz
Anyone ever ran into problems with local jewelers swapping out their diamonds? I am looking to purchase a loose stone and I''ve found a setting that I like at a local shop, but I''m worried that b/c I went online and saved a ton of money and got a much better quality stone that they will me mischievous. What do you look for in a reputable local jeweler? I haven''t lived in this area that long, so I''m not sure who the good ones are, but I''m worried if I drop 2K on a stone and take it to someone, they will not handle it with care because I didn''t buy it from them......

I think this is pretty rare. I''d try to find one in your community that has been around a long time and is recommended to you by coworkers or friends. Best thing to do to protect yourself is have them inspect it with you when you drop it off and when you pick it up. Make sure the inclusions are the same. And it''ll be pretty easy to tell if they swapped out your gorgeously well cut stone for a crappy one!

 

[toobitz]

Are you able to see the laser engraving from AGS once the stone is mounted? I''m just worried that they will not treat it with as much respect as if I bought it from them, I guess I could tell them it''s a hand-me-down from my grandma or something......

 

[beach]

No you will not be able to see the laser engraving...... Only under a loupe or microscope

 

[toobitz]

Ok,

So here''s a great question which would you choose as the better value.......both are AGS 0 cut grade

1) http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-912077.htm#

2) http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-312240.htm

3) http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-183719.htm#

Would you give up 2 steps in color to have a bit more clear stone?
How about the proportions of the stone?
All three look great to my eye in the pictures, ASET, and I.S.

Tell me what you think

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 12/7/2008 9:30:37 PM
Author: toobitz
Ok,


So here''s a great question which would you choose as the better value.......both are AGS 0 cut grade


1) http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-912077.htm#


2) http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-312240.htm


3) http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-183719.htm#


Would you give up 2 steps in color to have a bit more clear stone?

How about the proportions of the stone?

All three look great to my eye in the pictures, ASET, and I.S.


Tell me what you think

I think you should get her the trillion if that''s what she said she wanted...

To answer your question though, I wouldn''t give up any color for clarity in an ACA because those are likely to be eyeclean anyway, so you''d be paying for something you can''t see. And princesses show more color than a round, so you''d be more likely to notice that.

 

[toobitz]

Yea, a local jeweler is having a "show" this Wednesday and said he would have some trillion cuts to look at. I just wanted to have some ammunition and ask the right questions. My girl is more of an impulse buyer, I think the salesman will try and make her commit. I know that I can get a better stone online, but she still seems skeptical.

 

[SandraPaneczko]

Please stay away from IGI or EGL.

GIA or AGS only!!!

 

[toobitz]

Well,

Thanks everyone for the info. I will be back on tomorrow night to ask some more noobie questions.

Good night

 

[Lorelei]

Besides ASET as the premier reflector guide with fancy shapes and Idealscope images, photographs of the actual diamond are extremely useful when trying to choose, so make sure to request those also if needed.

 

[toobitz]

Which would you buy?

1) http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/3748/

2 http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-912077.htm

Both are pretty close, but I want the opinion on angles, and table percentages, and other stats.

Give me your opinion......

ALSO---------Does the picture on WF look "too good" for the clarity rating? To me it seems like the ideal looking stone, but shouldn''t it have more inclusions that you can see? I''m worried that the website is messed up and it''s not the real diamond

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 12/8/2008 7:35:56 PM
Author: toobitz
Which would you buy?


1) http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/3748/


2 http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-912077.htm


Both are pretty close, but I want the opinion on angles, and table percentages, and other stats.


Give me your opinion......


ALSO---------Does the picture on WF look ''too good'' for the clarity rating? To me it seems like the ideal looking stone, but shouldn''t it have more inclusions that you can see? I''m worried that the website is messed up and it''s not the real diamond

I personally greatly prefer the pattern of the WF stone. And it is very possible it''s super eyeclean. WF picks them very well, but if you want to be sure, just call and ask, they are very nice! Nice thing about princesses is that all the facets can hide inclusions very well.

 

[toobitz]

Well, We went to the jeweler''s show today and looked at a few trillians with a setting that she liked. Turns out once she saw the shapes, she didn''t like them. Princess cuts were by far the best look for her. I''m planning to order within the next couple days, things are looking good.

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-912077.htm

That is the rock I''ve got reserved.

Setting is going to be this
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Flush-Fit--Diamond-Engagement-Ring_1063.htm#

Let me know what you think