Is this a good buy for an E-Ring Diamond?

[nos83]

I got some great advice last time for a diamond last time I posted which led me to expand my search and raise my budget. I've finally found this one and have it on hold http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-e-color-si1-clarity_LD04364013. Per the jeweler they say it's eye clean and in the picture they sent http://i.imgur.com/ltd1eM5.jpeg you can see the feather at 6 o clock. HCA checks in at .6 and the price is a little under 14K if i remember correctly.

Obviously after I buy her engagement ring, I am breaking every magnifying glass we have in our home, but I wanted to check in with this forum to make sure it's a good deal and a good diamond. If you think there's a better option out there for me I'm open to upping my budget give or take 2K from 14K just for the diamond. I'm planning on setting it as a solitaire so I'd like it to be around 1.5 carats. Thanks in advance for helping me out!

 

[proto]

at this budget, I would consider these below

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity-new&id=1130

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.500-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104069928025

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3114546.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3063716.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3033758.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3016697.htm

If you are going for a minimal prong setting allowing the side profile of the diamond, its a closer decision. If you are going for 6 prong or bezel or halo or rubover or similar where you will only really see the diamond faceup anyway, I strongly prefer the links above.

 

[Lorelei]

I got some great advice last time for a diamond last time I posted which led me to expand my search and raise my budget. I've finally found this one and have it on hold http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-e-color-si1-clarity_LD04364013. Per the jeweler they say it's eye clean and in the picture they sent http://i.imgur.com/ltd1eM5.jpeg you can see the feather at 6 o clock. HCA checks in at .6 and the price is a little under 14K if i remember correctly.

Obviously after I buy her engagement ring, I am breaking every magnifying glass we have in our home, but I wanted to check in with this forum to make sure it's a good deal and a good diamond. If you think there's a better option out there for me I'm open to upping my budget give or take 2K from 14K just for the diamond. I'm planning on setting it as a solitaire so I'd like it to be around 1.5 carats. Thanks in advance for helping me out!

Hi Nos!

The BN diamond has potential certainly, from the image you linked I can get some info about this diamond, although it's minimal, an ASET or Idealscope image is really the only way to go but BN don't offer these services. It could be a lovely stone and potentially a very good choice but we can't say for absolutely certain without a reflector image. BN do have a good return policy should you decide to purchase it.

I would add regarding the BN stone to clarify if the diamond is eye clean from all angles, normally the industry definition of an eye clean diamond applies to the face up view.

Proto offered some very good suggestions, if any of those branded stones of SI clarity are eye clean to your standards, then those could definitely be a way to go but should you decide to go with any of those, be very specific with the vendors concerning your expectations. For example, if you didn't want to see any inclusions from any angle or distance, in any lighting, let the vendor in question know that so you are both on the same page.

Your setting idea is just fine, you have to go a long way to beat the classic solitaire in my opinion. By the way? Breaking the magnifying glasses can be a good idea, you can drive yourself mad otherwise!

I hope this helps and with the stones Proto posted, you have a few others to look over before you decide!

 

[Daisyoz]

I would put this stone on hold immediately. Great price, right on your budget, your desired carat, AGS 000 and great ASET on the certificate. G Is very white as well! I have a G and I can t see any tint. In your budget to get the size you want, I rather have a G VS2 than an E SI. Make sure w them it is eye clean.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04146590?click_id=871073158

 

[nos83]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I think I want to stick with at least a G color and I've requested a picture of the diamond Daisyoz suggested.

Also if I do purchase a diamond from BN how do I know if a diamond has good vs mediocre brilliance? I've seen a couple of diamonds in person at local jewelers who's HCA's have been around 4~5 and to my untrained eye they looked good. Is there anything I can use as a benchmark to get a better understanding of brilliance? Being a solitaire I feel like this is an important quality.

Thanks again for all your help and suggestions!!

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I think I want to stick with at least a G color and I've requested a picture of the diamond Daisyoz suggested.

Also if I do purchase a diamond from BN how do I know if a diamond has good vs mediocre brilliance? I've seen a couple of diamonds in person at local jewelers who's HCA's have been around 4~5 and to my untrained eye they looked good. Is there anything I can use as a benchmark to get a better understanding of brilliance? Being a solitaire I feel like this is an important quality.

Thanks again for all your help and suggestions!!

Well done Daisy, that could be a lovely stone!

BN unfortunately to the best of my knowledge, do not offer Idealscope or ASET images of any particular diamonds, but an AGS0 should be a pretty safe bet and have a good mix of everything one would expect from a diamond, fire, brilliance and scintillation to name the major components of optical performance, plus you have the AGS software image on the report which gives some information. How best to analyse a diamond depends on where and how you shop for your stone. When you mention brilliance, as above, this is just one aspect of a diamond's optics, forgive me if you already know this, I am just trying to clarify in order to give you the best advice I can. A diamond's light performance is judged on the ' big three' above and other aspects. If you prefer to shop in a brick and mortar store, one approach is to ask to compare AGS0 cut grade and GIA Excellent cut grade diamonds. This should get you in the ballpark of some of the best cut diamonds available. Then you can run particularly the GIA Excellent cut graded stones through the Holloway Cut Advisor found under Tools at the top. This will weed out less deserving proportion combinations that have the GIA Excellent cut grade such as the stones that can show light leakage ( what we call steep deeps). Do not use the cut advisor as a selection tool, it is meant for rejection, concentrate on those scoring below 2, or if you really want to play it safe, diamonds scoring between 1 and 2, although if brilliance is your thing, you might prefer stones that score less than 1. Just check these don't go dark when viewing closely.

Also when selecting, ask if you can view any diamonds you are interested in away from bright store lighting. Your stone won't be worn in the store, so you can't get a good idea without a test drive in everyday lighting conditions, the store might be agreeable to this if certain guarantees are in place.

If shopping with a trusted vendor online, it can be much easier as they can advise and be your eyes. If you want to pursue this route, find a vendor you like that is cut oriented, then see if they can suggest one of their in house stones that has the analysis already done. For example, ASET and Idealscope images and possibly a Sarin scan to get detailed measurements. Also hearts and arrows images should you decide to go for a precision cut Superideal. When dealing with this calibre of cut quality, a trusted vendor's expertise can be extremely helpful to advise you which diamond might be the most suitable for your purposes. If they don't have anything suitable, they might be able to source a stone for you and then provide the cut analysis for you, there is sometimes a fee involved for this.

If you have done some reading up and feel you would prefer a stone that favours brilliance if the lighting condition is right, we might be able to find some contenders for you but my personal feelings are for an engagement ring, unless you know for sure enhanced brilliance is what you want, a stone that shows a good visual balance of fire, brilliance, scintillation is the best choice.

I have written an epistle here but I hope some of the above is helpful to you!

 

[Sunstorm]

I think Proto suggested some good choices, some vendors may be better because you get a lot more information on them about your stones so it is not a blind buy per say, that would concern me about your choices. Since you said you were somewhat flexible on the price, could go up 2K you could ask some other vendors already suggested and perhaps others will chime in and suggest if from the same person different stones, with a bit higher clarity maybe. I thikn that superideal cuts and personal service mean a lot and I would recommend that to you.

 

[JulieN]

The GIA report numbers are fine and the picture shows no obvious problems. Without an Ideal Scope or ASET, it is difficult to say anything more.

 

[Daisyoz]

Also if I do purchase a diamond from BN how do I know if a diamond has good vs mediocre brilliance? I've seen a couple of diamonds in person at local jewelers who's HCA's have been around 4~5 and to my untrained eye they looked good. Is there anything I can use as a benchmark to get a better understanding of brilliance? Being a solitaire I feel like this is an important quality.

Thanks again for all your help and suggestions!!

Unfortunately you wouldn't know buying from BN without ASET and idealscope. However, AGS triple 0 is a safe bet with a computer generate Aset. You can be sure at least it will sparkle well. I feel that diamond is the best option within your budget in term of cut and carat. The best route is to purchase a branded superideal like ACA or BG or CbI but you do pay a premium for that.

 

[proto]

bluenile cant swnt aset or idealscope images for most of their inventory.

their signature stones are held inhouse in seattle and that facility has been confirmed not to offer either image on requ
they do however insist their gcal report is superior in every way.

this is why i would never buy bluenile signature.