How to tell the quality of these rocks?

[nzjamesk]

Hi, I'm looking to buy a diamond around 1ct for a ring I've designed and have been looking at an online retailer. What I want to ask from people who know a lot more than me is do these stones sound good quality, anything I should be wary of and are the prices about what you would expect?

All are round brilliant cut, HSI1 on EGL Intl. certs with "Excellent cut", "Excellent polish" and "Excellent symmetry" which are the highest grades for cut, polish and symmetry on that website.

Size: 1.01ct
Depth: 63.2%
Table: 57%
Fluorescence: None
Dimensions: 6.29 x 6.34 x 3.99
Price: £2,174.43 + VAT

Size: 1.05ct
Depth: 63%
Table: 57%
Fluorescence: Faint
Dimensions: 6.49 x 6.50 x 4.09
Price: £2,315.03 + VAT

Size: 1.02
Depth: 62.60%
Table: 59%
Fluorescence: None
Dimensions: 6.36 x 6.38 x 3.99
Price: £2,340.28 + VAT


Does anyone have any advice on these stones?

Many thanks,
James

 

[bagelboy]

Welcome to Pricescope,

First you should research a bit about different labs. EGL INT. are pretty notorious for their soft grading. That means that for instance that a F color VS-1 (EGL) maybe graded by GIA as a I color, I-1 clarity. The diamonds you have listed are too deep in depth, tables are too large. I would start looking for diamonds graded by GIA or AGS only. The major problem you have in buying EGL graded diamonds is that their lab grading is very inconsistant and totally unreliable. It only looks like a deal because the color and clarity are way off. Plus their cut grades are misleading as well. I would start by clicking the knowledge tab above. Many people who live in England buy their diamonds through a Pricescope vendor. I would look into that avenue as finding well cut diamonds in your area is not as easy as here. Good luck hunting James!!!

 

[Dancing Fire]

easy!! ...based on the prices these are crappy stones...

 

[nzjamesk]

Thanks for the replies. Is it just EGL Intl that's dodgy or would you steer clear of EGL as well?

Out of interest I'm uploading and attaching a sketch of the ring I'm having made, you can see the centre stone is what I intend to have for the 1ct diamond. It's an unconventional setting and the flower blocks a bit from underneath and maybe the lighting... do you have any idea how this will affect the visual display of the 1ct and do I really need to spend heaps on a high quality stone or will it be lost in that setting?

What sort of price would you expect to pay for a reasonable quality HSI2?

 

[nzjamesk]

Thanks for the replies. Is it just EGL Intl that's dodgy or would you steer clear of EGL as well?

Out of interest I'm uploading and attaching a sketch of the ring I'm having made, you can see the centre stone is what I intend to have for the 1ct diamond. It's an unconventional setting and the flower blocks a bit from underneath and maybe the lighting... do you have any idea how this will affect the visual display of the 1ct and do I really need to spend heaps on a high quality stone or will it be lost in that setting?

What sort of price would you expect to pay for a reasonable quality HSI2?

 

[0-0-0]

I suggest sticking to GIA or AGS reports for consistent grading. Pretty much everyone on PS is likely to tell you to not comprise on cut so stick with GIA EX or AGS 0 cut grades, and preferably go with a vendor who can provide ASET/IS images. IMO for a 1 ct stone you can likely drop to GIA/AGS I color and still see minimal tint. I think finding an eye clean SI1 would be easier given how high you seem to want the stone to be set, with so much of the profile exposed. If you look at well cut H/I color SI1/2 clarity stones on JA prices can range from under USD5K to over USD6K depending on whether the stone is under or over the 1 ct mark.

I think the sketch is pretty, but I would be concerned that the completed ring would be somewhat impractical and uncomfortable to wear. I would definitely set the stone lower, and perhaps cut down to a double or even a single row of floral design. Please also make sure your jeweler has a competent bench that can execute this level of detail. I think it's absolutely essential to pick a jeweler who has done similar work before, work that you have seen and is happy with.

 

[nzjamesk]

I did have the same initial concerns but I had a plastic mould created of the ring and gave it to my partner to wear and she absolutely loved it, she's very into arty and chunky jewellery so she said she would love this far more than a traditional engagement ring. It could well still end up being heavy and she might find that after a bit of use but she has her heart set on it now

The main thing is I want the centre diamond to give as much sparkle and light play as possible as her one big love is anything that sparkles and enjoying looking at a beautiful diamond that sparkles like mad would give her the most joy, so that's what Im trying to figure out, whether or not to set it low or high to achieve that. The higher mount was initialyl designed to get more light into it and make it sparkle more. Do you think that wouldn't work so well?

Howabout these two stones from GIA cert? I noticed you said the depth and table were too large before, what are ideal depths and tables? I notice both the below have some fluorescene, either strong or medium. Does that make a difference?

1.05ct
Depth: 62.20%
Table: 58%
Dimensions: 6.48x6.51x4.04
Cut: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Strong
Price: £4041

1.01ct
Depth: 60.40%
Table: 58%
Dimensions: 6.55x6.55x3.94
Cut: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Medium
Price: £4200