Is my search realistic?

[rjl410]

Hi all and thanks in advance for your help.

First Question
I'm searching for a great stone for my soon to be fiance. I'm looking for (in order of priority) round, 1+ carat, Excellent Cut, >SI1, G-I color stone. My budget is $8500 for stone and setting which I'd like to be white gold with two side stones at .4-.5 total carat weight. Does this stone exist at this price?

Second Question
I saw a really nice 1.21 carat J color VVS2 Very Good cut in the store yesterday. Total price was $8700 with the setting mentioned above. The sales person swore up and down that the difference between a G and J color is negligible but I'm pretty sure I could see the yellow in the J. The clarity was great though, which got me thinking if I should sacrifice color for clarity assuming all else is equal.

 

[RT82]

RE colour: I also could recently tell between J and G when they were side by side. But both looked fine seperately.

I think you should also consider some SI2s if they are eye clean to you, and you need to bring the cost down a bit.

 

[liaerfbv]

No, your search is not realistic. You can probably get the center stone you want with your budget but doubtful with a three stone setting.

Color vs. clarity is a personal thing. I don't like to pay for something I can't see, so clarity is lowest priority on my list.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Here ya go! the whole enchilada!... do I get a commission? ... and in a PT setting..

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11127/

 

[TC1987]

J is definitely in the zone of "warm" diamonds for me. H is my personal cutoff if I want a white-white, not a faint yellow. An I color with blue fluorescence may meet your needs, but keep in mind that the blue fluor only works if there is UV light present, and that you will still see a faint tint from the side if you know what to look for. There are many people who think J is too warm for an engagement ring, so I'd avoid a J unless you know that the intended recipient likes or prefers J.

General the rule of thumb on Pricescope for sidestones is "not more than 2 color grades different from the center stone." But I still think J is too warm to go up against H sidestones.

B2C Jewels and I.D. Jewelry are two vendors who have found some good stones to meet people's budgets.

 

[TC1987]

Here ya go! the whole enchilada!... do I get a commission? ... and in a PT setting..

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11127/

OP, that diamond has the "limited guarantee" with only a 10 day return, and there will be no upgrade or buyback, if that is important to you. It's probably a consignment item. Always read the vendor's policies.

It also has a GIA report from 2006. Personally, if I am going to spend that much money, I want a fresh report on it because clarity can change with wear.

 

[TC1987]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10906/ Lifetime Guarantee
1.12ct H SI2 Price: $6,688 (Bank wire price: $6,462)
Diameter is 6.65 mm so it has size and color and premium cut, if you can compromise on clarity. You'd have the benefits of Lifetime Guarantee (upgrade, buyback, longer time to return it)

 

[rjl410]

that's a nice diamond, florescence is listed as medium blue though...is that a concern?

 

[TC1987]

No. Strong blue to the point where it's "overblue" and diamond looks milky or cloudy is the major concern, and that stone doesn't have that. Otherwise, the stone may look slight blue or violet in sunlight and that might bother somebody. My I color diamond is Old European Cut with probably medium or strong blue fluor which was not noted on the appraisal. I only discovered it had fluor after I found PS and decided to try a blacklight on my diamonds. Mine never looks blue or violet. But it does face up quite bright and white, like a good G, most of the time. I never saw any tint in it at all for the 8 or 9 years previous to that, but then I never scrutinized diamond color the way I do now. haha

 

[rjl410]

Ok, I think i've answered my own question with regards to florescence. The jewelry store I went to really played up the importance of a "none" florescence but now I think it's the least important of the consideration factors.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10906/ Lifetime Guarantee
1.12ct H SI2 Price: $6,688 (Bank wire price: $6,462)
Diameter is 6.65 mm so it has size and color and premium cut, if you can compromise on clarity. You'd have the benefits of Lifetime Guarantee (upgrade, buyback, longer time to return it)

I like this stone.

Go for this one as long as it is eyeclean.