Honing criteria for buying the rock! Lend Me Your Wisdom!

[LurkLurkLurk]

Another one of these questions… I know you guys get a lot.

I am on the hunt for a diamond for an engagement ring. Based on what I have seen and learned thus far I have drawn some lines around what I think I am looking for though I am very open to feedback… if lurking here has taught me anything, it is that you guys are far more knowledgeable than I am on the topic.

Round
Color: H-G
Cut: Exc
Clarity: VS1-VVS2
Carat: 1.33+
Budget: <$10k
With those constraints in place, I am basically trying to optimize on carat/$ (barring oddities).

If it matters (and I think it does, on the margin) the intended setting will likely be a platinum Kretchmer-style Omega Round tension setting (http://www.stevenkretchmer.com/product/omega-round-or-2/). If it matters, the size will be 5.5.

So, I have identified 2 stones based on the criteria above and have pursued them in conversation.

1. http://images.b2cjewels.com/Images//Certificate//6600907.pdf
http://i.imgu r.com/AUvs7Gn.jpg

2. http://images.b2cjewels.com/Images//Certificate//4755733.pdf
http://i.imgu r.com/OH1wm6Q.jpg
http://i.imgu r.com/TaTtj23.jpg
http://i.imgu r.com/zVWQ4kH.jpg

I am behind a VPN that will not let me upload photos directly... and PS won't let me use IMGUR directly... so if you want to see the photos before I get home, copy the URLs above, paste in your address bar, and delete the space between the 'u' and the 'r'.

Both perform “excellent" in terms of HCA... (.8 and 1.9 respectively I think)

So, thoughts:
-Stone 1 is slightly larger but cheaper (~8.8k) and has a better (almost outlier-y) cost per carat. My intuition is that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and that means there is some flaw here that GIA does not characterize/grade. All I have is a single photo because B2C said that the stone is in a different location. The pic is not great and does not have great lighting so it is hard to make any conclusions with. Wherever the stone is currently does not have the ability to get the ASET or IS. They want me to buy it before they ship it to their HQ to get me the photos.

-Stone 2 is slightly smaller (but more expensive, ~9.6k) and has less fluorescence and fewer inclusions (though they are both VVS2, so unless the extra pressure of the Tension setting matters, I don’t see why this matters). I have the relevant images for this one, though the real image and the Ideal Scope images have a bizarre yellow section (I would assume that this is the photographer not controlling for something bright yellow in the room, but I have no idea… I had never seen yellow in an Ideal Scope image before).

Am I on the right track with my criteria? What else should I be thinking about?

What do you think might be “wrong” with the first stone to make it cheap?

What is that yellow in the second stone, am I right that it is something in the room?

Given the setting (very non-traditional in terms of light behavior) what other things should I be thinking about in terms of diamond performance (do you think that setting lends itself to a deeper stone or a wider stone... is it more or less tolerant to a non-traditionally optimal ASET... do I need to watch out for feathering or an overly thin girdle)...?

Lastly, do you think the "chunky-ness" of the Kretchmer Omega Round is too much for a 5.5 size?

Thanks in advance, I think this puppy is going to look pretty epic when it's finished.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Honing criteria for buying the rock! Lend Me Your Wisdom

Please just give us the links to the stones. That way we can see all the info. I would eliminate the first one. You shouldn't buy without an idealscope or ASET. There is always a reason a stone is priced low (it may be due to fluorescence if it has medium or higher). You do not even need VVS clarity as VS1 is extremely clean. So I would definitely make those primary in your search.

Is the Kretchmer ring what she told you she wants? If so, that is fine. I would be sure to have good insurance with that much girdle exposed, but good insurance is a wise idea for any diamond ring you don't want to have to potentially have to replace with your savings!

 

[LurkLurkLurk]

Re: Honing criteria for buying the rock! Lend Me Your Wisdom

PS seems to be under some kind of maintenance. I think that keeps me from embedding photos but I may be able to attach them...

Stone 1
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6600907-1.40-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-VVS2-clarity.aspx


Stone 2
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4755733-1.38-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-VVS2-clarity.aspx




To answer questions:
-I am ok with eliminating the first one, I just want to know why . Eliminating on suspicion alone seems weird.
-Based on what I have seen thus far, the clarity does not seem to be driving the price a great deal. I see a bigger price impact with changes in color.
-I'll cross the insurance bridge when I get to it. In terms of durability, would a slightly thicker girdle be more appropriate?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Honing criteria for buying the rock! Lend Me Your Wisdom

No, excellent cut does not allow a very thin girdle, so anything from thin to medium to slightly thick is fine.

These are both potentially nice diamonds. There are pricing differences among stones that are identical due to various factors such as they are cut by different cutters and the rough may be purchased at different times, so pricing can vary. But in the case of these two, the main difference is that fluorescence knocks the price down a bit. I happen to love it, so that wouldn't discourage me!

At this point, I would lean towards #1 because I am not loving the leakage in #2 (its not major but I wouldn't choose it). But the leakage in #2 is exactly why I am telling you that an idealscope image is important for #1 as well. If he calls it in for you, will he do an idealscope image and still allow you to return it? If so, I'd definitely take a look at the 1.40. It has a great diameter and will be a very nice stone at a nice price IF you can have the proof that it has great light return.

(Oh, and the yellow in the second stone's pictures is just a reflection of something.)