I''m in UK and looking to buy engagement ring online...

[Roxyroo]

Hi there,
I am a diamond novice but have been doing my homework online! I went round the jewelers looking for engagement rings and was surprised when many of them said their stones were only certified by themselves and not be an independent like GIA. I felt like I wasn''t getting the best value so started looking online for my budget and feel happier with what I see. I would like a larger diamond for my money and have my eye on a 0.7 GIA certified I1 diamond which I think looks good but I''m concerned about I1. Can anyone give advice? I heard if it''s GIA, they are quite strict and it might be more like an SI1 or 2? Please see the rest of the diamond''s details below and let me know if you think it looks ok?


Shape:Round
Weight:0.7 carat
Cut:Ideal
Color:F
Clarity:I1
Laboratory:GIA
Measurements:5.75-5.69x3.48mm
Depth:60.8%
Table:58%
Girdle:Medium to Slightly thick
Culet:NONE
Polish:VERY GOOD
Symmetry:VERY GOOD

Thanks!! Julie

 

[stone-cold11]

Even GIA I1 can be ugly, though some can be eye-clean. The only way to tell is to get it through a trusted vendor who has the stone in his hand and take a look at it.

Color wise, near colorless is a good compromise to get a bigger stone. H/I VS2/SI1 is the sweet spot.
What is your budget? Maybe we can help you locate one online?

 

[Roxyroo]

Thanks for the advice, it''s difficult because people have differing opinions!
My budget is quite low, this diamond detailed below is $1100 and this is my approx budget for the stone.

 

[stone-cold11]

GBP or USD? And is that inclusive of VAT and other tax?

EDT:
This is a useful video to demonstrate the various color grade with a well cut diamond. Tolerance may varies due to the display.

http://vimeo.com/3288695

 

[Roxyroo]

Hi,

That is USD, so it would be £680 sterling. It includes US taxes but I may have to pay VAT here which would be 15%.

J

 

[stone-cold11]

What are the crown and pavilion angles for that stone? At least I can say if it is likely to be a well cut stone or not.

Eye-clean, you will have to contact the vendor.

Do you have the GIA report number for it?

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 7/7/2009 6:26:42 PM
Author:Roxyroo
I heard if it''s GIA, they are quite strict and it might be more like an SI1 or 2?

With the understanding that the GIA defined the I-1 clarity grade to begin with, this statement does not make sense. Whoever told it to you is clearly misinformed. Or perhaps they''re telling you that they don''t know how to grade and that their SI-1 / SI-2 would be an I-1 on the GIA grading scale?!?! Obviously I could play with the concept of this statement for awhile, but you get the idea.

Most I-1 clarity diamonds will not be eye clean to the average consumer at a viewing distance of a few inches... There is nothing wrong with being able to see the inclusions within a diamond with just your eyes, it is part of the diamond after all, perfection in the imperfection and all that. Of course the visibility of inclusions is always subject to the vision of the person viewing the diamond, what is "eye clean" to one person is not necessarily "eye clean" to another.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/7/2009 6:26:42 PM
Author:Roxyroo
Hi there,
I am a diamond novice but have been doing my homework online! I went round the jewelers looking for engagement rings and was surprised when many of them said their stones were only certified by themselves and not be an independent like GIA. I felt like I wasn't getting the best value so started looking online for my budget and feel happier with what I see. I would like a larger diamond for my money and have my eye on a 0.7 GIA certified I1 diamond which I think looks good but I'm concerned about I1. Can anyone give advice? I heard if it's GIA, they are quite strict and it might be more like an SI1 or 2? Please see the rest of the diamond's details below and let me know if you think it looks ok?


Shape:Round
Weight:0.7 carat
Cut:Ideal
Color:F
Clarity:I1
Laboratory:GIA
Measurements:5.75-5.69x3.48mm
Depth:60.8%
Table:58%
Girdle:Medium to Slightly thick
Culet:NONE
Polish:VERY GOOD
Symmetry:VERY GOOD

Thanks!! Julie

Hi Julie

Some GIA graded I1 can be eyeclean or eyecleanish but you need to choose with care to get a good one. If you could post the crown and pavilion angles for this diamond, that would be a big help. Is this diamond with the seller so they can physically inspect it for you for ' eyecleanliness' or lack thereof?

If you would like to check out a UK vendor who sells online and takes appointments for viewing, try -

Dr Indira Marchant at www.bestdiamonds.co.uk

And ditto Todd, GIA graded this diamond I1 so in their opinion that is the grade.

 

[Roxyroo]

Hi all,

I spoke to an advisor at Mondera who had the diamond in hand, he said the inclusions in the I1 were barely visable to the naked eye and that it is one of the better ones he has seen. I did go through a few other similar diamonds with him but still felt this was the right one.

In terms of the Pavillion, crown etc, please see attached GIA report.

Thanks for all your help

J

 

[Roxyroo]

Sorry GIA report file now attached. Julie

 

[Roxyroo]

Hi there,Just wondering if you had a chance to look at the crown and pavillion on the diamond report as below?
If it is a good cut I''m going to buy it, the Mondera consultant was very helpful and I trust his opinion - are they generally reputable?

I have 30 days to return besides.

Thanks for your help

J

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/8/2009 6:21:07 PM
Author: Roxyroo
Sorry GIA report file now attached. Julie

Hi Julie

The diamond looks promising, it is hovering just around the cliff edge to be borderline shallow, the Mondera rep might be familiar with obstruction where the diamond darkens at close scrutiny due to the viewer's head/ body blocking the light to the diamond. Just get them to check for that, if it doesn't show any darkening then it could be fine. I don't know much about Mondera but they are reputable and have been around some time now.