Information oveload!! Diamond comparison.

[Zoologico]

So I''m in the market and I am absorbing a whole lot of info, this is both good and bad.

I decided to teach my gf what I was learning about diamonds as I began learnig about them as well. That turned out to be both good and bad. The 4Cs appear to be just the tip of the ICEberg (pun intended) except now she''s all about them and wants the highest in each category.

I know what she likes and I know what she can see and not see.

She likes the sparkle, the scitillation, the fire, the shine that the stone gives as you move it around. Before we stated looking she knew nothing about diamond other than she wanted one and she wanted one that sparkled brightly.

I could have probably got a Round, H, SI2, 1.00 and she''d have known no differenceas long as it sparkled nicely.

Anyways, I''m sure I''m not the last or the first with this story. I think I know what I want and these are the specs and the prices I am seeing.

I think I know enough to know that diamond 2 is a better diamond, but is diamond 1 untouchable? The more I learn about certification and the different chains, the more I am not pleased with what they have to show me.

Also, is diamond 2 a good buy? I think I would rather have less color and more carat, but if this diamond 2 cut is admirable, then I''d like to stick with it.

You can probably tell my budget is around 5k.

Thanks!

Diamond 1:
Kay Jewelers (chain store with about 700 stores nation-wide)
IGI: 31766533
Set
Dimensions: 6.38 - 6.49 x 3.81 mm
Cut: Round
Carat: 1.00
Color: G
Clarity: SI1
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Fair
Treatment: None
Price: $4,999.99

Diamond 2:
De Scenza (local independent jeweler with 4 stores in the Greater Boston area)
GIA: 12565504
Unset
Dimension: 6.53 - 6.57 x 3.97
Carat: 1.03
Cut: Round
Depth: 60.6%
Table: 59%
Girth: Thin To Medium, Faceted
Culet: None
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Clarity: SI1
Color: E
Key: Crystal, Indent, Natural, Feather, Needle

Price: $5,500

 

[Guido]

I was in a similar situation when looking at 3 similar rocks. Basically I asked the salesman to mix them up and I just picked the best looking one - regardless of their specs.
Go with what looks best - not with what the numbers say should look best.

 

[dimonbob]

For sure pass on the IGI diamond with the Fair symmetry and other less obvious problems.

The second one is a maybe. Check it out with a 10x loupe and find the indented natural and other inclusions and then try to see them with your unaided eye. Does the sparkle do what your lady wants? Get our from under those diamond lights and see what it looks like.

 

[fire&ice]

Diamond #1 has *serious* problems, amoung them being fair symetry - evident in the mm which are out of round.

#2 could be nice.

My suggestion - look on the net - you can maximize your budget in the G/H SI1 catagory. The cut of the diamond is the art of the stone. Cut is what makes it sparkle.

 

[curiouscanuck]

I think if you and your girlfriend are happy with the way the diamond looks, then it consider buying it.

However, don't be tricked by the high intensity halogen lights which make EVERY diamond sparkle.

As fire&ice said, you probably can get more value, if you shop online. I purchased my diamond from an online vendor and I'm very pleased that I did.

 

[Zoologico]

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On 10/30/2003 11:16:08 AM curiouscanuck wrote:

I think if you and your girlfriend are happy with the way the diamond looks, then it consider buying it.

However, don't be tricked by the high intensity halogen lights which make EVERY diamond sparkle.

As fire&ice said, you probably can get more value, if you shop online. I purchased my diamond from an online vendor and I'm very pleased that I did.

----------------

What online vendor did you use, if you don't mind my asking?

 

[curiouscanuck]

I made my purchase with Diamond Brokers of Florida. Jan was very helpful in finding me the most sparkly diamond!

If you're thinking of possibly buying online, seek out several different vendors. Deal with the one you are most comfortable with.

All online vendors are different. Some offer more service than others.

 

[pqcollectibles]

If you are uncomfortable with Net shopping, stay away from the major national chains. Most of their stones are over priced, lower quality cuts.

Follow Diamond Bob's advise, and definitely try to view the second diamond in different lighting. Don't let the jewelry store lighting WOW you. Your gal won't be carrying jeweler's lighting around with her when she sports her ring.

Move to an exterior window, if possible, or step outside, and see how it performs in indirect sunlight.

Probably the best indicator of performance is the candlelight test. Try to get the owner to take you back to the office, turn out all the lights, and view the diamond by the light of a candle. This will let you see how it performs in low light settings like a restaurant or theatre. A diamond that sparks and fires in the lowest levels of light is a great performer.

More than a few of us here have bought from Price Scope Vendors. I bought my diamond from White Flash. Search past Forum threads by Vendor name and read about other people's experiences. Check out different Vendors' returns/refunds/upgrade policies. Email or chat with a few and find one you are comfortable working with. You can definitely get much more bang for your buck by shopping for your diamond here than in most local B&M stores.

 

[tallchickbarbara]

If you aren't willing to try an internet diamond site, and you are stuck on picking one of tehse two, then go with the GIA certified stone. It's Excellent/Excellent on Polish and Symmetry, and doesn't have bad depth and table percentages for the price. know it's more than the Kay stone, but I'd be careful of purchasing a diamond from a jewelry store that employs only salespeople and not GIA certified jewelers. The local probably employs graduate gemologists...you may want to checj their credentials as well.