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In search of....

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weemodin

Shiny_Rock
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Jan 10, 2004
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Hello All,

I''m a new poster here, though I''ve been reading on the board for a while and gleaning valuable information. My boyfriend has just requested that I look for a stone for my future engagement ring (yes, I too think that it is odd that he wants me to pick it out, but he claims that I have both more free time currently and better knowledge of diamonds, so I guess no complaints here).

We''re in search of a 1ct RB H color or better eye-clean diamond. Budget for the stone alone is max 4k. Boyfriend insists that it NOT be EGL certified, even if it is a good deal and it checks out okay with an appraiser -- I think his research on the subject has made him a bit paranoid about the veracity of EGL grading.
Is this possible to find? I have a feeling that a true H&A stone is out of the budget in this size, but I would like a well cut stone.

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
 
0.93 carat G SI2 1.6 on the HCA for $3265
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=GIA-13013777
This stone will look as large as the average one carat because it is cut better.

0.92 F SI1 1.5 on the HCA for $3660
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=GIA-13013746

Dirt Cheap Diamonds has some F-H SI1-SI2 with GIA or AGS certs in their "very best cuts" section that are above the 1 carat mark for under $4K. You'll want to get more info (like a sarin analysis, briliancescope and/or ideal scope image if possible) before making the final decision. The trick will be to find a good performer that is relatively eye clean out of the diamonds available. You'll need to be in communication with a helpful vendor to do that.
 
Hello! PG has found two very nice options. A quick research tells me tat if you want to hit the 1ct mark you have to go to an I-J color and SI 1 clarity.

Here there's another good stone: 0.840 H/VS 2. The diameter, 6.15mm, makes it look like a 1carater with an average cut (66% depth). But this one is MUCH prettier.
9.gif
 
This is going to sound ridiculous, but I think we want to avoid buying from whiteflash because they're located in Texas and so are we -- actually, we're in the same zip code. The 8.25% sales tax figures out to be something like $330 on a 4k purchase, and I'd rather put that extra cash into the stone or setting. It is rather unfortunate that one of the better internet dealers happens to be in town -- I know they've got a fantastic reputation and are great to work with.

Also, the 1ct. mark is sort of a sticking point for the boyfriend -- I know, .95 looks the same, but it's just not the same since he knows I'll know it's .05 shy of a full carat.

I've looked at dirtcheap -- do you know if they have sarin information available on their stones?
 
Great. NOW you tell me you want to avoid Whiteflash!
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Sorry Patty! Sales tax is a real pain in the neck here!
 
weemodin If you like a stone from WF you can have another vendor such as Iceman get it for you and then buy from them. HTH
 
Hi, Wee....welcome to PS! Don't feel funny about your BF asking you to find the stone......my (now) fiance did the same thing .....because he knew I knew waaaaaaaaaaay more about diamonds then he did and that I would get us the best blend for the money.




I started with a budget of about $3500, and I found that to hit the 1 ct mark, I had to go to I/SI1 or so to hit the 1 ct. mark on paper. I started by considering a 1.00, I, SI1 for $4140.









If your budget is "flexible" at all, I'd STRONGLY consider this one.....I'd call the vendor and ask if it's eyeclean.





1.09, G, SI2 for $4522


http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=6838725


The ideal scope and the images on this stone look beautiful, and it's really great bang for the buck....you're REALLY notice the size on this stone...it measures 6.74mm! (That will look like a 1.25 ct. mall stone!) If you're gonna have to stretch your budget to hit the 1 ct. mark anyway, I'd personally rather get the G color and eyeclean than go to I color for SI1 clarity.




If your budget isn't that movable, I'd say you then have two choices. You can either flex on your color to an I to get to the 1 carat mark on paper......or you can invest the energy into explaining to your boyfriend WHY a .95 well-cut stone looks like a 1 ct.




1 carat isn't a SIZE....it's a weight. Size is DIMENSION....how many millimeters around a stone is. If you go to the mall......most of their 1 ct. diamonds measure about 6.25 mm or so. If you get a well-cut .90-.95 stone, it will also measure about 6.25 mm AND it's better CUT......it will look BIGGER than a 1 ct. stone because it's more lively.




As far as being able to "say" it's a 1 ct.......just say it's a 1 ct! It's bigger (sizewise) than most 1 cts out there, and who's gonna know? There really isn't any value in it otherwise.....hell, you could buy a piece of crap at the mall, and whoopee - it's 1 ct! It's dead as hell, but it's a 1 ct. Which is more important to *you* - "knowing/saying it's a 1 ct" or getting a stone that sparkles like no tomorrow? It's really up to you. Just be aware that the minute you hit the 1 ct. mark, you're paying MORE just because it hits that mark. There's a hefty premium to get that designation, and the best value might be found just below that.




I'd personally rather sacrifice a bit on clarity than on color as long as the clarity is still "eyeclean".....a drop in color may be more readily apparent than a drop in clarity, and more money is usually saved in dropping clarity than in dropping color. Again, just make sure it's eyeclean OR that the inclusion can be hid underneath a prong.




Let us know what you decide or if we can help further!






 
A question about the diamond recommended by Giangi (0.840 H/VS 2):

I punched the appropriate data into the Halloway Cut Advisor, and it came up with an impressive 0.4 rating. Yet, in the small print under the color chart, it reads

"A shallower stone, on the lower part of the chart, will look darker when viewed from close up, they are not for everyone. Shallow stones have the advantage of a bigger spread. They are better suited for use as pendants and earring stones where they are not usually viewed from very close proximity (a close observers head obstructs light sources that would otherwise be returned)."

It appears this may be a shallower diamond. Does this mean it would not make a good stone for an engagement ring?
 
I don't think so, this NiceIce one is not too shallow at all and will look gorgeous.
 
Galahad..why would you think that this stone is a shallow one from what the text wrote? The text is generic and does not speak to this particular stone.




This stone that was being considered was definitely not a shallower stone.
 
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