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Indecisiveness at its finest...PLEASE HELP

BlondeAries

BlondeAries

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 11, 2014
Messages
76
Hi there :wavey:

Recently I started a thread asking for opinions on settings. Since then, I have called everything into question, including the diamond. After much debate, my SO and decided that it wasn't worth sacrificing color for carat size, so we are trading in our 1.50 K for a colorless diamond. The great news is that we are looking to actually save money since I also decided that I don't like the look of a 1.5 on my 4.25 finger.

Setting: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-six-prong-knife-edged-solitaire-engagement-ring-handmade-item-2426

We have 3 on hold at James Allen which gemologists will be inspecting (including Idealscopes), and I was wondering if you guys can help weigh in, as well:

Option #1: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-290828
Color: E
Carat weight: 0.80
Clarity: VS2
Clarity Characteristics: Cloud, Crystal, Feather
Cut: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
L/W/D (mm): 6.01*6.05*3.63

HCA Score: 1.6
Depth %: 60.20
Table %: 59.00
Crown ∠: 35.50
Pavilion ∠: 40.60
Star %: 50
Lover Girdle Halves %: 80
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted, 2.5%
PS Price: $4,430
Total Price (w/ Setting): $5,530

Option #2: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.88-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-253455
Color: D
Carat weight: 0.88
Clarity: SI1
Clarity Characteristics: Crystal, Cloud
Cut: True HeartsTM Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
L/W/D (mm): 6.09*6.12*3.81

HCA Score: 1.4
Depth %: 62.40
Table %: 56.00
Crown ∠: 34.50
Pavilion ∠: 40.80
Star %: 50
Lover Girdle Halves %: 75
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Slightly Thick, Faceted, 4.0%
PS Price: $5,090
Total Price (w/ Setting): $6,190

Option #3: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-290153
Color: E
Carat weight: 0.91
Clarity: VS2
Clarity Characteristics: Feather, Cloud
Cut: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
L/W/D (mm): 6.21*6.18*3.88

HCA Score: 1.7
Depth %: 62.60
Table %: 54.00
Crown ∠: 35.00
Pavilion ∠: 40.80
Star %: 55
Lover Girdle Halves %: 75
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted, 3.5%
PS Price: $5,490
Total Price (w/ Setting): $6,590

Please let me know your thoughts and if you have any other recommendations. Thank you!!!!
 
Re: Indecisiveness at its finest...

Here is the PS schpiel.....PSers general find that CUT is the most important of the four C . So Number one is very good but not excellent. The 2nd stone is great only comment is depth is just slightly deep at 6.24 (but ) that's nit picky
The 3rd stone doesn't have crown angle of other certificate info so I'd pass.

The other thing in general PS usually love G-H color and totally eye clean si!. But there are some posters like yourself that would rather have the colorless d-E- F range and t hat is personal preference. Athough you would honestly wouldn't be able to telll the difference between E-F or G-H... ...you could go to a full carat in that color. But I get it if you wish to stay under that price jump which is just under one carat. ( I wear a 5 and I carry a 3.66 EC with a 1" platinum band so ring size doesn't really matter its just your preference.)

But if I were to pick one of the three I think 2 is a beauty.........

ideal cut stones

Table 54-58
Depth 60-62.3
crown angle 34-35
15.3%
crown 142%
girdle thin to medium
no fluorescence (unless you are a floresence person) some people like this and feel it whitens g-H stones.

http://m.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.914-G-VS2-Round-Diamond-AGS-104064191011
http://m.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.012-G-VS2-Round-Diamond-AGS-104061658007
 
Re: Indecisiveness at its finest...

heididdl|1394644090|3632550 said:
Here is the PS schpiel.....PSers general find that CUT is the most important of the four C . So Number one is very good but not excellent. The 2nd stone is great only comment is depth is just slightly deep at 6.24 (but ) that's nit picky
The 3rd stone doesn't have crown angle of other certificate info so I'd pass.

The other thing in general PS usually love G-H color and totally eye clean si!. But there are some posters like yourself that would rather have the colorless d-E- F range and t hat is personal preference. Athough you would honestly wouldn't be able to telll the difference between E-F or G-H... ...you could go to a full carat in that color. But I get it if you wish to stay under that price jump which is just under one carat. ( I wear a 5 and I carry a 3.66 EC with a 1" platinum band so ring size doesn't really matter its just your preference.)

But if I were to pick one of the three I think 2 is a beauty.........

ideal cut stones

Table 54-58
Depth 60-62.3
crown angle 34-35
15.3%
crown 142%
girdle thin to medium
no fluorescence (unless you are a floresence person) some people like this and feel it whitens g-H stones.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your feedback! I'm a little confused, though. I completely agree that cut is the most important C and have only been looking at Excellents. Why do you say Option 1 isn't Excellent? According to the GIA report it is. Am I missing something?

Also, the third does have a certificate, they just haven't listed in not heir website yet. here it is: http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?reportno=2105194729&childpagename=GIA/Page/ReportCheck&pagename=GIA/Dispatcher&c=Page&cid=1355954554547

I was considering F or G but I have really pale skin and really want an icy-white diamond to stand out. Would an F or G still be considered icy?
 
Cut: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good


Symmetry is part of Cut and the first stone is only very good that's how we talk about the GIA 3x cut polish and symmetry all excellent or AGS certified ideal cut...........and yes my ering is an EC but H color and I could swear if it F only trained eye could tell difference plus RB ideal cut stones show so much brillant that you can get the G and not have any issues. There are many obsessive crazy PS that are totally beyond thrilled with G color....The BDG is nice stone

White flaash is in houston you should take a ride. When you buy the ring you send it out of state ( I did that with my studs there were $14,000 and we save a lot of money my sister lives in NY so she got them to me.(to a friend) hence no taxes.
 
Symmetry only refers to the facet junctions and how well they come together, not the overall symmetry of the facets across the diamond, or it might mean the presence of an extra facet. One facet junction could be off and knock the symmetry down to very good. Not a huge deal in general.

I have pale skin too, and I have a D and several G's and a J. I can say that the D stands out more against my skin than the J, but the G's are still white, just not as cool toned white. I love my D, so if you want colorless that's personal preference but I certainly won't try to talk you down if that's what you want. :)

eta: the first stone from JA is a 60/60 if you notice. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/60-60-proportioned-diamond
That's not a bad thing. Some people prefer that look. But the larger tables and shallower crowns in general tend to produce stones with a bit less fire (colored light return) than a traditionally proportioned ideal cut.
 
ecf8503|1394645866|3632573 said:
Symmetry only refers to the facet junctions and how well they come together, not the overall symmetry of the facets across the diamond, or it might mean the presence of an extra facet. One facet junction could be off and knock the symmetry down to very good. Not a huge deal in general.

I have pale skin too, and I have a D and several G's and a J. I can say that the D stands out more against my skin than the J, but the G's are still white, just not as cool toned white. I love my D, so if you want colorless that's personal preference but I certainly won't try to talk you down if that's what you want. :)

eta: the first stone from JA is a 60/60 if you notice. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/60-60-proportioned-diamond
That's not a bad thing. Some people prefer that look. But the larger tables and shallower crowns in general tend to produce stones with a bit less fire (colored light return) than a traditionally proportioned ideal cut.
Click to expand...


Just confirming what you said about symmetry this came from a retired GIA certifier from GIA To answer your question on VG polish and symmetry vs. excellents. First off I want you to know that I spent 25 years grading in the NY GIA, so here goes.

As with any grade there is a range that fits into VG's. VG polish can range from a few white polish lines to one full facet of what is called transparent polish lines, to several facets with some transparent and or white lines. Truth is without knowledge of diamond grading and a loupe or a microscope you will not see the difference from VG to EX.

The same can be said of symmetry; there can be one extra facet=VG; there can be a slightly misshapen facet=VG; there can be slight misalignment(too complicated to explain); and many other minor symmetry faults. The bottom line is without grading knowledge and experience the difference cannot be explained nor seen.

Cut grade is a different story.
 
Very enlightening. Thank you for the info!

I love all of the stones recommended, but I'm really trying to spend a little less. The prices on the diamonds I listed include the setting, and are no more than $6,590. I really appreciate you taking the time to look, though. Perhaps my BF and I should take a ride down to Houston to check it out in person. In the meantime, I'm excited to see what the gemologists say at JA since they have the benefit of looking at it in person.

ecf8503 - Thank you for pointing out that it's a 60/60 - I meant to do some research on that. I'll be sure to check out the link you included. I also thank you for including your personal experiences with different colors on fair skin. Below is a pic of my original 1.5 K on my hand. It just got lost IMO

img_2105_0.jpg

img_2106.jpg
 
[quote="BlondeAries]
ecf8503 Below is a pic of my original 1.5 K on my hand. It just got lost IMO
[/quote]

I agree - I had an L colored AVC for a while, and it was just too close to my skin tone. I traded it for a G. :)
 
Since Option #1 didn't seem to be a great choice, I've opted for changing it out for this one:

New (and hopefully improved) Option #1: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.96-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-293915
Color: E
Carat weight: 0.96
Clarity: SI1
Clarity Characteristics: Crystal, Feather
Cut: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
L/W/D (mm): 6.31*6.35*3.92

HCA Score: 1.6
Depth %: 61.90
Table %: 56.00
Crown ∠: 35.00
Pavilion ∠: 40.80
Star %: 50
Lover Girdle Halves %: 80
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 3.5%
PS Price: $6,450
Total Price (w/ Setting): $7,550

In regards to price, my SO and I are trying to stay within the original budget of $7,800 for the whole ring, since that is what we paid for our first one. If we can get away with less, then that would be even better.

The BGD one is gorgeous! If I end up taking a trip down to Houston, I'll see if they can show me that one. A little worried about the size being on the small side, but the price is incredible :appl:
 
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