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How do you explain to your gf that her ideal cut diamond is good despite poor color and clarity?

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Jchau,
I have an H ideal cut 1.75ct asscher solitare and all I get are compliments! No one has ever asked me about cut or clarity...our jeweler said hands down cut is the most important characteristic. I think your gf will be thrilled, and if some people ask her the stats, she should say she doesn''t know...frankly, it''s none of their biz anyway!
 
I say buy it for her, ask her the big ? the very day u get the ring. You will have 10 days to shop and compare. Don't tell her anything about the grading until u have looked at some of the better ones in your area that are in the same price range. I am willing to bet that your stone will outshine any that u can find and she will see the difference in what u have and what they say is their best! If not u have 10 days to return it and buy exactly what she picks out. Tell her u wanted her to have a choice and being able to return the ring was part of your plan so u could get her exactly what her heart desires because u are getting exactly what your heart desires when she becomes your wife! How could she not see that u just want to please her and that it is her choice.

cwj
 
I think it is dangerous not to discuss this in advance in general terms. Give her the hypothetical choice of a 1.3-1.4 F or G VS2 or a 1.5 H SI1. I think she''ll love the diamond when she sees it, but I can see the possiblity of disappointment when she hears H SI1. You''re going down in color and clarity.

Nice Ice has a 1.38 F VS2 Infinity diamond for $12,855......

http://www.niceice.com/certcopies2008/ags0009139302/index.htm
 
The sparkle on a fabulous cut is so amazing no will need to ask the color or clarity. An H isn't exactly low color. I have an amazing M!! Yes, it's in a pendant and you can find the thread here on PS.

WF also has an upgrade policy so if she really thought it was horrible you can upgrade in the future. But A Cut Above H&A, 1.5ct, is going to look gorgeous in person.

Also there are several threads showing J's and lower colored stones.
 
Date: 4/4/2008 9:34:32 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I think it is dangerous not to discuss this in advance in general terms. Give her the hypothetical choice of a 1.3-1.4 F or G VS2 or a 1.5 H SI1. I think she''ll love the diamond when she sees it, but I can see the possiblity of disappointment when she hears H SI1. You''re going down in color and clarity.


Nice Ice has a 1.38 F VS2 Infinity diamond for $12,855......


http://www.niceice.com/certcopies2008/ags0009139302/index.htm
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I have to agree, I forwent a larger diamond around the 1.5ct mark for the reasons I wanted a higher colour and clarity and I was willing to sacrifice size, your GF might be the same or she might decide she wants a larger size and is willing to let it go.

GL :)
 
I have a D colored diamond right now and I''m looking to trade up for a bigger G/H diamond! I prefer the look of F/G''s over D''s. I might be in the minority on this one.

My advice is buy her what she wants now so you won''t have to upgrade in a year.

Good luck with everything! Nice that you care enough to research all of this!!
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Lookie lookie!!! It''s swingirl''s daughter''s M I1 stone.
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linky

That does not look like an M AT ALL.

Go with the H. It''s not like it''s a HUGE downgrade in color. And eyeclean is really all you need.
 
Well, it has been settled. I have reserved the diamond with Whiteflash. Thanks everyone for all their advice. WF will also make a custom setting for me that should look exactly like the one from James Allen

http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_57-933_build.asp?module=setting

I considered getting it from JA directly and having it shipped ot WF, but WF said they can custom make one for me for just a little more $$. May as well get everything from the same place. Now, is platinum worth the extra $1500? The diamond is already pushing over my initial budget of $10k.


Finally, a special thanks to Rhino for clarifying about the GOG''s 1.55ct diamond. That just shows how honest and professional GOG is. I will be recommending my friends to WF and GOG for all their diamond needs.
 
Yay!!!!
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Has your gal picked the setting you are getting? It''s a more contemporary style than the traditional solitaire. Is she more contemporary than traditional in her style choices? It sounds like you are really taking a lot of time with this purchase so I''m sure you have considered everything, but it is a setting with a lot of metal and that''s why the high platinum price.
 
Have an honest talk with her. Ask her what her top priority with a diamond is? My fiance was wanting to get me the best color, the best clarity and at the expense of carat size. We had a talk and spoke honestly and openly. I told him to sacrifice a little of both for a bigger diamond. He wasn''t sure about that, so he went and took a look at some diamonds in person and decided he was okay with sacrificing a grade lower than what he originally planned so that I could hae a bigger diamond. If we hadn''t talked, who knows what I would have ended up with. So just ask her. If clarity is important to her, go with that, but make sure she understands, she can''t have it all!! (unless you are loaded of course!) :)
 
Did she pick the mounting out? I would be more worried about getting the mounting right the 1st time than I would the diamond. I don''t think u can return a custom mounting. The mountings actually saids as much about the wearer''s taste as the choice in the diamond. If she hasn''t picked that one, I would think about a classic prong mounting to give her and then enjoy shopping together for the mounting she wants. Ofcourse, if she has already let u know that she wants that one then your safe and she will be happy.
Just a thought.
cwj
 
I seem to recall him saying that she wanted a tension setting in another thread, so I think he is doing his due diligence to get her what she's asked for (aaaaawww)
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Hang in there, jchau! You're in the home stretch!
 
Congrats to you j.

And just to reiterate what has already been said so eloquently in this thread, you have nothing to worry about with an optically superior H color. It should smoke most D-G''s that are on the market because of cut alone.
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All the best,
 
Date: 4/5/2008 8:08:04 AM
Author: cwj
Did she pick the mounting out? I would be more worried about getting the mounting right the 1st time than I would the diamond. I don''t think u can return a custom mounting. The mountings actually saids as much about the wearer''s taste as the choice in the diamond. If she hasn''t picked that one, I would think about a classic prong mounting to give her and then enjoy shopping together for the mounting she wants. Ofcourse, if she has already let u know that she wants that one then your safe and she will be happy.
Just a thought.
cwj
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I am pretty sure she wants a modern, contemporary tension setting. She hates prongs and wants a floating look to the diamond. I did some research and seems like tension settings are rather expensive plus most jewelers won''t do them because of the risk of the diamond falling out and the stress that is put on the diamond. So I chose a tension-like setting that has a piece of metal supporting the diamond on the bottom.

As for the size, she "insisted" on at least 1.5ct but in a joking kind of way. At first I was looking at 1.2 - 1.3 ct with higher color and clarity under $10k. But I kept getting this feeling that only 1.5+ ct will hit the spot.

I am planning to propose during a trip to the Turks and Caicos in the middle of May, but I am so excited right now that I want to show her the ring as soon as WF is done. But I must resist
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hey!! i take offense to the idea that H SI is a poor color and clarity. ESP since my stone is a J SI. hahaa.
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not really taking offense, just kidding....but honestly i think once she sees the stone (if she hasn''t already) and realizes how wonderfully fabulous it blings to her, she won''t be thinking about one color grade and clarity. as long as it''s eye-clean....it''s such a steal.

greg just had a friend get a ring online and he was marvelling at how all his friends think he''s a total dope for buying a diamond online. but that he loved it and it was amazing. he also originally wanted an E VVS and i was like WOAH hang on...he ended up getting something like an H SI and he LOVED it...and he saved like $4k and got a slightly bigger size.

beauty is in the eye of the beholder but i''d take a fabulous cut lower color/clarity stone over a crappily cut stone anytime.
 
I''m glad you went ahead and bought the diamond. I''m sure she will be thrilled.

Honestly, I can''t even imagine anyone asking about the color and clarity. I have NEVER been asked this question. Most people don''t obsess over diamonds like ps''ers!

Best of luck with your proposal!
 
Date: 4/5/2008 12:00:35 PM
Author: jchau

Date: 4/5/2008 8:08:04 AM
Author: cwj
Did she pick the mounting out? I would be more worried about getting the mounting right the 1st time than I would the diamond. I don''t think u can return a custom mounting. The mountings actually saids as much about the wearer''s taste as the choice in the diamond. If she hasn''t picked that one, I would think about a classic prong mounting to give her and then enjoy shopping together for the mounting she wants. Ofcourse, if she has already let u know that she wants that one then your safe and she will be happy.
Just a thought.
cwj
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I am pretty sure she wants a modern, contemporary tension setting. She hates prongs and wants a floating look to the diamond. I did some research and seems like tension settings are rather expensive plus most jewelers won''t do them because of the risk of the diamond falling out and the stress that is put on the diamond. So I chose a tension-like setting that has a piece of metal supporting the diamond on the bottom.

As for the size, she ''insisted'' on at least 1.5ct but in a joking kind of way. At first I was looking at 1.2 - 1.3 ct with higher color and clarity under $10k. But I kept getting this feeling that only 1.5+ ct will hit the spot.

I am planning to propose during a trip to the Turks and Caicos in the middle of May, but I am so excited right now that I want to show her the ring as soon as WF is done. But I must resist
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Sounds like you have done your homework and know what she wants and thats what matters!! I have also heard that about tension mounting so its good u found a way around that. I know u have been trying to decide about the size vs grading, I think u picked the right one. And only u know what she likes in a mounting, (which I do like the one u picked out) I only asked if u were sure because it sounded like she is pretty sure about
what she likes and mounting aren''t usually returnable. But it sounds like u have got it under control!!!

Nice Job
cwj
 
This is like a nightmare that never ends. I just told my family (sister and mom) that I bought the diamond and as soon as they heard the color and clarity, they flipped out. They say I am getting ripped off online, and that my stone gonna be yellow. When I tried to explain the importance of a diamond''s cut, they insisted that a yellow diamond is a yellow diamond and nothing will change that. Some people are just so stubborn. Or am I being stubborn?
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It''s ok! Don''t tell anyone the specs until AFTER you show them the stone. It will be beautiful, don''t worry.
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You poor thing. I really don''t think it''s going to look yellow at all, but if it gives you peace of mind, why don''t you have it sent to you before it''s set so you know EXACTLY what it looks like and you can make sure that it''s o.k. to proceed with the setting.
 
Date: 4/6/2008 1:39:55 AM
Author: pixley
You poor thing. I really don''t think it''s going to look yellow at all, but if it gives you peace of mind, why don''t you have it sent to you before it''s set so you know EXACTLY what it looks like and you can make sure that it''s o.k. to proceed with the setting.
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How could this work exactly? Do they send me the diamond and then I send it back to them to do the setting? I guess I should ask Whiteflash for more details but this seems like a good way to go. This is extremely hard because I want it to be a surprise proposal. I have been putting on a ''this is not the right time to get married'' act so she won''t see it coming.
 
It will NOT be yellow. I was looking at my mom's I today and it's not a great cut (My dad and I had no idea what we were doing when we picked it out) but even though it's an I-it is not yellowish in the slightest. Yes, it's a little warm, but it's FAR from being yellowish. I think pixley's idea of getting the stone shipped to you first is a good one. I think it will help you feel better about it.

And while you're talking to your sister and mom about diamonds and the importance of cut, send them over here, we'll educate them!
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ETA: You know what, go back on it, and don't tell anyone ANY of the specs until after they've seen it. And ONLY if they ask. Don't let them stress you out any more than you are already. Everyone here thinks it's a beautiful stone, and we've produced pics of some GORGEOUS low colored stones, and they look super white. So if they are still giving you cr4p-show them the M stone above. That even shocked me!
 
Tiffany''s accepts diamonds from the D to I range. And I doubt anyone would call a Tiffany diamond yellow.

So I don''t think you should worry about it. Clearly you''ve spent a lot of time choosing and have had the help of the pros on this site.

Plus, look at the bright side -- imagine her excitement when she tells people it''s a 1.5+ ct diamond!
 
Date: 4/6/2008 12:50:02 AM
Author: jchau
This is like a nightmare that never ends. I just told my family (sister and mom) that I bought the diamond and as soon as they heard the color and clarity, they flipped out. They say I am getting ripped off online, and that my stone gonna be yellow. When I tried to explain the importance of a diamond''s cut, they insisted that a yellow diamond is a yellow diamond and nothing will change that. Some people are just so stubborn. Or am I being stubborn?
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Send them over this way! We will edu-ma-cate them!
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Date: 4/6/2008 1:47:47 AM
Author: jchau
Date: 4/6/2008 1:39:55 AM

Author: pixley

You poor thing. I really don''t think it''s going to look yellow at all, but if it gives you peace of mind, why don''t you have it sent to you before it''s set so you know EXACTLY what it looks like and you can make sure that it''s o.k. to proceed with the setting.
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How could this work exactly? Do they send me the diamond and then I send it back to them to do the setting? I guess I should ask Whiteflash for more details but this seems like a good way to go. This is extremely hard because I want it to be a surprise proposal. I have been putting on a ''this is not the right time to get married'' act so she won''t see it coming.
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I don''t see why they couldn''t do this for you. Just give them a call and they can advise as to how it would work. The only drawback to this option (for me) would be the shipping - you''d want the stone to be shipped in the fastest and most secure, trackable manner possible. The other thing some PSrs have done is take a little trip out to Whiteflash in Texas. Not sure if that''s an option you, but it might be worth considering.
 
H really isn''t yellow. IF you are colour sensitive it can look warm but it is far from a yellow. I''m wearing an old european cut I colour right now. Like most antique stones, it''s not exactly cut to hide the colour and it looks far from yellow!

I agree with having WF sent you the diamond and then playing with it in all lights (maybe get a pair of locking tweezers so you don''t drop it in the grass when looking at it outside). See what you think of the colour for yourself. And don''t tell anyone else about the colour or clarity!!!
 
Date: 4/6/2008 12:50:02 AM
Author: jchau
This is like a nightmare that never ends. I just told my family (sister and mom) that I bought the diamond and as soon as they heard the color and clarity, they flipped out. They say I am getting ripped off online, and that my stone gonna be yellow. When I tried to explain the importance of a diamond''s cut, they insisted that a yellow diamond is a yellow diamond and nothing will change that. Some people are just so stubborn. Or am I being stubborn?
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Oh man, you missed your opportunity. You should have told them it was D/E VS1 and let their eyes be the judge. And then after they oohed and aahed about how big it is and told you how wonderfully white it is, tell them the darn truth.

I am asian as well as my DH, and it runs rampant in my husband''s family that you can''t buy lower than an F and VVS. You can''t even talk to them about a G or VS2. They just think everything less is bad, regardless of how pretty the stone really is and whether or not they can really tell a diifference.

Because of that, my first ACA was a 1.51 F VVS2 with F VVS1 side diamonds. Then I got a G and lo and behold, again, no color that I could discern.

When I first got the G, my SIL wanted to see it. She has an E VVS2, but it is so dirty, she never cleans it, so she wanted to compare our diamonds.

She put them together, and I told her not to let them touch. I was afraid her diamond would scratch up my diamond, and she made a statement, like, well, of course it can''t, diamonds are the strongest substance in the world.

Then she said, that my diamond must be a D, it looked whiter than hers. Ha, ha. I just smiled. Up until now, his family has no idea.
 
Oh, and no you are not getting ripped off online. You are buying a branded H&A''s diamond, not that many people in the world know what that is and even if you go somewhere and they tell you it is a H&A''s, you won''t be getting an ACA. How many people can say they have an ACA? It is something to be proud of.

It''s like buying an eightstar or HOF. You pay a small premium, but I really think it is worth it.

Once you get a H&A''s, you won''t ever want anything else. Next comes earrings and then a pendant and a bangle bracelet.
 
Date: 4/4/2008 2:20:56 PM
Author: jchau
I think I am set on the WF ACA. Although GOG''s H&A is bigger and better color, Sheerah at WF said the H&A pattern on the ACA is better and that the color is neglible due to the high quality cut. I would really really appreciate it if the experts here can do a comparison between the two stones. I will be making the final decision on Monday after conning my gf to go to a jewelry store again and getting more insider info. Thanks everyone!
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For very good reasons the experts who are also vendors are not allowed to comment on individual stones, especially those belonging to other vendors.

So, without commenting specifically on any of the stones you are looking at, I will say that the general information about cut is very valid. For what it is worth, I once had an incredible 2ct D color and a 3ct J color in my office at the same time.

While I was waiting to deliver them to my clients I had the opportunity to show them to about twenty different ladies without saying anything at all about the color and clarity. Nineteen out of the twenty liked the bigger J better. Had I said anything at all about the color and clarity I assure you it would have been the other way around. (Both were Crafted by Infinity cut diamonds with AGS 0 cut grades so the cut quality was equal on both stones.)

Market research and my own observations have both indicated that a lady''s first preference is size, then sparkle. Color and clarity really matter little when diamonds are viewed together, face up, with no way for the viewer to know color and clarity. Then they pick the gem based on its beauty, and its beauty is based on the quality of the cut and the way the light is returned to the eye.

Just a little food for thought.

Wink
 
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