Is this 1.29 CT a fair deal?

[kelbattiwalla]

I'm hoping more knowledgeable people can tell me how good (or bad!) of a deal this diamond is.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.29-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-447087

I am looking to spend a maximum of 8k including setting, so around 6-7k for the center stone. According to the Holloway Cut Advisor (https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca) it scores as a 1.7. I've put a number of other stones at similar price/weight from James Allen through that tool and this has performed the best. I saw this one this morning before I went to look at Shane Co to see some physical diamonds for the first time. After my visit and looking through more online stones, this one is still on my mind.. It seems like it barely has any inclusions compared to similarly-graded stones. I guess I am worried that it seems "too good to be true". I don't want to get one of the first stones I see, but for the price it seems like a good one. Or I may be completely wrong!

Also, I hadn't planned on buying a stone at a B&M, however Shane Co's warranty seemed remarkable (includes center stone replacement). Were their salespeople really good at talking something up, or is it worth the mark-up? Their markup is really noticeable compared to Blue Nile and James Allen, but the no-questions-asked approach towards repairs/replacements honestly did make me question my stance on online buying online.

Thank you so much!

 

[Cricketcat]

I would not let Shane Co.'s warranty influence me. I finally broke ties with Shane Co. last year, when I purchased a diamond from Brian Gavin and had a local jeweler that did manufacturing make me a setting. My experience at Shane Co. as far as diamonds were concerned, is that they wouldn't listen to what I wanted and were always pushing diamonds at me that were below what I would buy. I have bought a few settings from Shane Co. in the past (I always had my own diamond), but there were always problems with the setting jobs (could just be my local Shane Co.). But after years of having to go back repeatedly to fix what never would get fixed, I decided the warranty wasn't worth it because of the never ending problems and never having peace of mind. I purchased jewelry insurance from Jewelers Mutual. I would go with a PS vendor that has a great upgrade program for the diamond, and purchase insurance on your own.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Because that stone is priced so much less than others, my guess is that the clarity might be a problem. It says clarity grade based on clouds not shown, and that is a red flag that the stone might not be as brilliant as it could be with better clarity. So I'd recommend adding a couple more stones with good clarity even if smaller to your list, and then request the three idealscope images and have them compare the stones. I honestly would be afraid to risk getting that one without a lot of assurance that the clouds are not a negative.

I would never ever depend on a jewelry store warranty like that. Usually there is small print that excludes some kinds of loss. Also, they sometimes require than the ring has perodic checkups at the jewelry store to keep the warranty active. That is a sales ploy to get you back in the store. Unless you want to self insure and replace the ring if the diamond is lost or damaged, you need a real full coverage insurance policy on it. Many people here use Jeweler's Mutual/Perfect Circle.

 

[kelbattiwalla]

If you don't mind me asking, where do you see the statement regarding the clarity? A chat with their customer service also said that one was not in-house so no ideal-scope was available. And thanks for both of your inputs regarding the warranty, I definitely agree with what you're saying!

 

[pfunk]

DS is right about the clarity grade. That stone looks noticeably hazy and less transparent than others. Look under the comments section on the GIA report. I say pass on that one.

 

[tyty333]

If you don't mind me asking, where do you see the statement regarding the clarity? A chat with their customer service also said that one was not in-house so no ideal-scope was available. And thanks for both of your inputs regarding the warranty, I definitely agree with what you're saying!

On the far left side, last piece of information where it says Comments.

 

[tyty333]

I know you probably don't want to go down to a J but this looks like a nice stone...
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-401979

 

[kelbattiwalla]

Oh wow, I can definitely see the difference now. Thanks for your guys' help! For my price range (8K incl. setting) I'm wondering what I can expect to try and get. Another one from James Allen: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.35-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-470070... This one might be too much, but it does look a lot better than the other one. I'm not set on a specific weight, although I would like above 1.25. I know the size difference is minimal between 1.2 and 1.35, so it isn't a strict lower limit.

When I went to Shane Co today they showed me 3 diamonds of I1 and SI2's and G, H, I color. I could definitely notice inclusions if they were closer to the center, yet I actually thought the lowest-graded color stone was the highest so to me the color between the three doesn't matter (is that naive of me to think?) .

I did a PriceScope search and it seems like James Allen is the only site that had images of the actual diamond for all of their diamonds. Due to my experience today, I think clarity is most important to me after cut so I don't think I could buy a stone without seeing the actual image.. Would this mostly restrict me to James Allen (some sites had images here and there for specific diamonds)?

Just a lot of information to process, feels like an overload!

 

[tyty333]

You might check on this stone. They dont have their reports posted so I cant see what the numbers are but it does get a 100
and might be worth looking at.

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R142-7A5ATB

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Whiteflash, Good Old Gold, Victor Canera..all have diamond images as well as idealscope and/or ASET on their sites. Their top cut stones are going to be higher, though, so you'd probably have to look at their second tier.

When you search on Enchanted Diamonds, you have to click for them to show stones only with pictures. Then some of those will have an idealscope or ASET image.

The 1.35 I looks like it might be okay, but I'd look at 34-35 for crown angle and 40.6-41.0 for pavilion angle.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You might check on this stone. They dont have their reports posted so I cant see what the numbers are but it does get a 100
and might be worth looking at.

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R142-7A5ATB

Great size and price and promising numbers. Just not sure about a dark inclusion under the table.

 

[kelbattiwalla]

You might check on this stone. They dont have their reports posted so I cant see what the numbers are but it does get a 100
and might be worth looking at.

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R142-7A5ATB

Great size and price and promising numbers. Just not sure about a dark inclusion under the table.

That does look nice. How is fluorescence typically viewed amongst the community (that one is listed as medium-blue)? Does that factor into the color rating? I can't discern a blueish difference between that one and others.

 

[kelbattiwalla]

Whiteflash, Good Old Gold, Victor Canera..all have diamond images as well as idealscope and/or ASET on their sites. Their top cut stones are going to be higher, though, so you'd probably have to look at their second tier.

When you search on Enchanted Diamonds, you have to click for them to show stones only with pictures. Then some of those will have an idealscope or ASET image.

The 1.35 I looks like it might be okay, but I'd look at 34-35 for crown angle and 40.6-41.0 for pavilion angle.

This is a great help! Should the crown/pavilion angles change together? Eg, as crown goes from 34-35 should pavilion move from 40.6 to 41.0?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You might check on this stone. They dont have their reports posted so I cant see what the numbers are but it does get a 100
and might be worth looking at.

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R142-7A5ATB

Great size and price and promising numbers. Just not sure about a dark inclusion under the table.

That does look nice. How is fluorescence typically viewed amongst the community (that one is listed as medium-blue)? Does that factor into the color rating? I can't discern a blueish difference between that one and others.

FL can be a positive in and I or J stone, making it look a little whiter. You do not see any FL unless there is UV lighting present. I actually prefer FL if given the choice. It can really lower the price of high color stones because of the usually unfounded prejudice against it. There are some who say that the diamonds with it may be graded too high in color if there is some UV in the grading lamp. But I have bought one from GOG before and they were able to check the color for me to be sure the color was accurate with no UV.

 

[pfunk]

Whiteflash, Good Old Gold, Victor Canera..all have diamond images as well as idealscope and/or ASET on their sites. Their top cut stones are going to be higher, though, so you'd probably have to look at their second tier.

When you search on Enchanted Diamonds, you have to click for them to show stones only with pictures. Then some of those will have an idealscope or ASET image.

The 1.35 I looks like it might be okay, but I'd look at 34-35 for crown angle and 40.6-41.0 for pavilion angle.

This is a great help! Should the crown/pavilion angles change together? Eg, as crown goes from 34-35 should pavilion move from 40.6 to 41.0?

The crown and pavilion should be an inverse relationship. So as the crown angle goes up, you would want the pavilion angle to go down. Safest angle, as an example, would be crown 34.5 and pavilion 40.8. If the crown were to go up to 35 or 35.5, you'd like to see the pavilion to go down to 40.6 to compensate. Likewise, if the crown drops you want to see the pavilion angle go up. They have to complement each other to maximize performance. Having said this, there is some rounding of numbers so if you get too far from the center of ideal you would like to have an ASET or idealscope image to reassure you of good light return. That enchanted diamond does look very nice and has numbers right in the center of ideal.

 

[toade]

I recently did a similar purchase and found a couple on Enchanted that I thought had ideal numbers and excellent h&a precision...

1.30 I VS1
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R130-BM9ENR

1.23 I VS2
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R123-663F53

The 1.30 looks pretty excellent, it was just out of my budget though.

 

[kelbattiwalla]

I recently did a similar purchase and found a couple on Enchanted that I thought had ideal numbers and excellent h&a precision...

1.30 I VS1
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R130-BM9ENR

1.23 I VS2
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R123-663F53

The 1.30 looks pretty excellent, it was just out of my budget though.

The 1.30 really does look amazing (it might be out of my budget as well though... right on the edge. tempting... ). Did you end up buying from Enchanted? I hadn't heard of them until I started this topic. They seem to have great prices, just curious about their business as a whole. If not, where did you purchase yours from (if you don't mind me asking)?

 

[toade]

I did. A 1.23 VERY similar to the one I posted. They were honestly nearly identical.

So far, great experience. You get a discount if you sign up through pricescope (not sure if you saw that), and the diamond was in my hands two days after ordering.

Plus they have a great return policy if you are not satisfied.

 

[kelbattiwalla]

FL can be a positive in and I or J stone, making it look a little whiter. You do not see any FL unless there is UV lighting present. I actually prefer FL if given the choice. It can really lower the price of high color stones because of the usually unfounded prejudice against it. There are some who say that the diamonds with it may be graded too high in color if there is some UV in the grading lamp. But I have bought one from GOG before and they were able to check the color for me to be sure the color was accurate with no UV.

I just came across this diamond (https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Round/GIA-Certified-1-44-Carat-I-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-BBEFE5). It is the same price, yet a 1.44ct I-VS2. It does have a "strong blue" fluorescence. When you say it can be a positive, is that up to a certain blue-level? I was surprised at just how discounted it is.

 

[OECrystal]

I just came across this diamond (https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Round/GIA-Certified-1-44-Carat-I-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-BBEFE5). It is the same price, yet a 1.44ct I-VS2. It does have a "strong blue" fluorescence. When you say it can be a positive, is that up to a certain blue-level? I was surprised at just how discounted it is.

It's probably discounted some for strong blue fluorescence and some for the black carbon spec on the table. Fluorescence is a topic that has tons of discussion so be sure and do some research here. I personally like it and have a very strong blue diamond. In direct sunlight there is a slight blue glow which I find cool. But many people don't like fluorescent diamonds.

Funny story, when I was searching for my diamond I wanted very strong blue so I asked Leon's diamond searcher, Perry, if he could find one for me. He asked if I liked to dance and go clubbing because under club lights (UV black lights), strong and very strong fluorescence diamonds glow. That must be a NYC thing but I just like fluorescence for the unique factor and because diamonds are gemological wonders so seeing a piece of the earth turn blue under a UV light is pretty cool to me.

 

[kelbattiwalla]

I did. A 1.23 VERY similar to the one I posted. They were honestly nearly identical.

So far, great experience. You get a discount if you sign up through pricescope (not sure if you saw that), and the diamond was in my hands two days after ordering.

Plus they have a great return policy if you are not satisfied.

What link do you go to sign up through pricescope? I must be a fool because I can't find it to save my life.

 

[toade]

I think if you follow their affiliate link to any diamond, it then activates all diamonds under their discount.

So for example, follow the link below and you should see the discount:
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R130-BM9ENR?cid=pricescope

Then sign up for an account with them, and you should forever see the discount (as long as signed in). The discount used to be higher... but some is better than nothing.