I need opinions

[diamonddizzy]

Hey Pscopers,
I need opinions about getting a diamond ring. I recently went to see a diamond that is an H&A 1.03 H SI1 quality with an HCA score of 1.2 ex ex ex ex. The rock looks beautiful, however, I was wondering about the price. For the same price, I can up the carat, color, and/or clarity, but drop the H&A. This would be going on an engagement ring.
So, if price was equivalent, would a diamond with high cut quality be more preferred or a diamond with higher carat, color, and/or clarity?
I look forward to reading your answers. Thanks.

DD

 

[perry]

This is all a matter of personal prefference: I am sure some here will state that you should go for the "best buy" However, it is your ring and you have the flexibility to buy what tickles your fancy.

There is an advantage to seeing the ring in person prior to purchase, and there is actually nothing wrong with paying a local Jeweler a more standard B&M markup if they are decent.

Perry

 

[Patty]

Well, almost everyone here goes for ideal cut diamonds...and with good reason. I guess my questions are...

How much bigger and how much better are the color and clarity?

How much worse is the cut?

I would not go higher than an SI stone myself and I think an H color is about perfect for a round brilliant.

If it''s a MUCH bigger stone and just a slightly less good cut, then I''d be tempted.

 

[belle]

diamond,
get what looks best in your eyes. you want to be able look at the diamond (small or large) and think, *wow*. whatever stone does that for you, get it.

 

[valeria101]

Assuming the H&A is this ... well, if you do not care to call the stone "perfect H&A" than there might be some options but not spectacularly better. Dropping from top cut to rock bottom in this department doesn''t make allot of sense, IMO.

Looking for alteratives with great brilliance and no H&A branding might bring up some more options. What constitutes something substantially better only you can decide though. H/SI1 seems a pretty good spot to me to begin with

 

[diamonddizzy]

I understand that everyone may prefer their own diamond quality and that a higher quality diamond may not necessarily look as stunning as a lower one because every diamond has its own character/personality.

I guess what I am trying to get at is what is everyone''s opinion. Would you go for higher cut quality or higher everything else quality. For instance, the diamond I am talking about is a "superideal" cut H&A 1.03ct, H SI1 with HCA 1.2 ex ex ex ex. This would go for $6150. For the same price, I heard that I can get another diamond that is 1.04ct, G VVS1. I would like to go for the diamond that will give the best scintillation, fire, and in general a kick-ass diamond. The reason I was looking as H&A diamonds is that it suppose to give my quality and also sparkle. I''ve been researching for a couple of months now and I have learned a lot from tutorials and from pricescope. I think I can see the difference between an H&A and a non-H&A, but it just may be the lighting condition. In general, would people be able to tell an H&A diamond from a non-H&A diamond if they weren''t told so? What are your opinions?

Thanks. DD

 

[Regular Guy]

Hi, DD,

Not sure if you''ve taken Ana''s point above, or if she''s right about her speculation about the diamond you have your eye on. But I agree with her.

Sounds like you might be splicing together inappropriately two ideas that should be left separate:

a) ideal/really well cut
b) H&A

Frequently (b) is nice, but it''s also reviewed frequently here that it''s less critical, so long as you do keep (a). So, for example, it appears the diamond you''re considering as an alternate is not listed here on the compare by cut database. Consistent with the strategy of keeping the "ideal cut," but losing the H&A to get an increase in color, you might, for example, also instead consider this option, also from White Flash, going from an H to an F in the process, for similar expense. And, if the first option your considering is from White Flash, you''d be ideally positioned to ask them for an opinion of how you''d be served better -- especially since they''d be making the sale to you in either case.

Anyway, regardless of the specific choice...the recommendation is to keep or not keep the H&A component as you like, but don''t give up the score that keeps you under 2 on the HCA.

Best wishes,

 

[diamonddizzy]

Ooops. this = link. Sorry. I didn''t realize. I was confused.
Thanks Ira. Sorry Ana, you assume correctly about the diamond to which I am referring.

As I am getting, and correct me if I am wrong, the cut is the preferred C out of the 4 C''s. Is that right? I know that the 4 C''s are not the only thing that matters, but they are important. When looking for that right diamond, I''ve tried to get some kind of balance without putting weight on any one particular C. However, I don''t think I can be that objective.

I want the diamond to be visually impressive, but I also want it to be impressive on paper. Given the budget that I have, I think I may have to scale down on the stats part. I''ve looked at SuperbCert and Good Ol'' Gold for similar diamonds and I found that particular one that I saw at Whiteflash, although a little more in price, appeared to be the better diamond, at least with respect to the H&A ~1ct H SI1 class specs. I''m just trying to get an impression about whether the diamond is worth the price.

DD

 

[codex57]

Cuts the most important. IMO, the areas to sacrifice are Clarity and Color. If it's eye clean, people you show the ring to aren't gonna be able to figure out what clarity it is. Go as low there as you're comfortable psychologically. Then, drop down the color. As long as you don't go too low, any diamond is still gonna look pretty clear. Color only starts to be real obvious if you have another diamond to compare it too.

Don't worry, I understand about having good specs simply for peace of mind. My fiance's culture places a high emphasis on color and clarity. They don't know about cut (I guess cuz it doesn't show up on GIA reports). So, while I was runnign around trying to find a good cut diamond, I also had to keep the color and clarity higher than I wanted cuz I didn't want her getting snide comments from her extended family.