Is this Diamond good value? Thanks

[realguy]

Hi,

I wanted an opinion on this diamond I’m interested in:
I’m concerned about the Girdle and Depth.
What do you think? Is it good value for money?
Many thanks

Price: £4,000 (approx $6,211)
Shape and Cut: Round Brilliant
Carat weight: 1.03
Measurements: 6.13 x 6.10 x 4.12 mm
Color: D
Clarity: SI1
Depth %: 67.4%
Table %: 61%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Girdle: Thick to Very Thick, Faceted
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None

 

[yssie]

 

[Frenchcut]

Hello, I'm far from being a specialist but can tell you that this diamond is definitely not a good one! It's far to deep and the diameter is consequently to small for 1 carat: it should be around 6.4mm were it an excellent cut...yours is really facing up small

Also, the price is not right and if you check the price of a D SI1 stone in this size range it should be more than 6k$. It confirms that their is something wrong with this stone...what is the lab that certified it?

You should have a look at the tutorials in the knowledge section to know what to look for in a round diamond...and stick with a GIA certified Ex or VG cut.

Good luck with your search

 

[Frenchcut]

Gipsy kindly proposed a "cheat sheet" with the main figures to keep in mind when looking for a well cut diamond in another thread: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/price.167194/

(look at the bottom of the page)

Oh, and yes: congratulations for your engagement to come

 

[DiamondsDiamonds]

It is not a good value. Don't buy it. It is definitely too deep.

Try to keep the depth between 60-62.4 as indicated.

 

[yssie]

Toss the cheat sheet. It's an excellent way to shoot yourself in the foot.


Instead, if you truly want to make an educated decision, spend some time playing with GIA's Facetware and Garry's HCA:
https://www.gia.edu/facetware/dsp_registration.cfm
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca
See what trends you find, what sorts of numbers correlate to what sorts of results...

Then make an appointment with your local jewellery store to look at some stones of various proportions (you may have to do some legwork fo *find* a local vendor with stones with reports). Take them around the store and compare them in the different types of lights, see how the trends you found with the above tools correlate with what your eyes see in-person, and find out what sorts of stones you prefer over a variety of lighting types.

Then come back and tell us what you've found, and we can help you serach for stones of the type that you personally prefer.

Yes, all in all you'll have to spend a couple of hours with the tools and at the store. Worth it, though, I would say, given that you're spending thousands of dollars...


Or there's the easy route of buying branded.

 

[Dancing Fire]

 

[realguy]

Ok, thanks for your advice so far

I understand it is a very deep cut. Can you tell me the drawbacks of this? I guess the sparkle will be pretty much non-existent?

I am still considering what diamond to buy, but my original question was: is it good VALUE?
It is being sold privately and has been reduced from £5000 to £4000. I may even be able to get it for less.

I guess I have to decide whether the downsides of the depth outweighs things like colour and only being able to afford a 0.8 carat stone otherwise.

Am I mad? Should I just look at smaller stones?

Thanks again!

 

[NervousBuyer]

Can you view it in person next to excellent cut stones to see what the effects are?

 

[CharmyPoo]

One thing is that it won't sparkle as much. It will also look smaller than an ideal diamond should look.

 

[Frenchcut]

A poorly cut diamond is no good value...no way! Please don't buy, you will end up disappointed with a stone that is simply not worth it no matter how good the price may look

Instead, look for a smaller stone that will display a lot of fire and brilliance, you won't regret it.

 

[JaymeC]

I think that you are wanting to hit the 1 carat mark, but this stone faces up smaller than a one carat should (this means that from the top it appears smaller than a properly cut one carat would). So therefore you have a stone that visually appears smaller than one carat anyways, and you will loose out on the sparkle and brilliance of a properly cut stone. There is no bargain to be found here.

 

[diamondringlover]

I know nothing about a deal or the numbers, but I do know about deep diamonds, my princess was bought many years ago before Pricescope and I thought I was getting a good deal...my princess is a 1.01ct, the jeweler at the time weighed my diamond and showed me how much it weighs and I went with it I really knew nothing about diamonds other then I liked them to sparkle...but I was never happy with it, it always looked smaller then everyone else who had a 1ct diamond and I never knew why, till Pricescope now I know why..it actually faces up around .80 to .85, it does sparkle but then I have never seen a well cut princess, I avoid looking at them as I know I will be either further disappointed, so my advice is to listen to the good knowledgeable people on Pricescope and pass on the diamond and find something else

 

[realguy]

Many thanks folks - I think you have just confirmed what I kind of expected.
I'm steering clear of that diamond now, thanks to all the good advice on this thread

I have another in my sights now
It's on a UK website where you can "Create your own engagement ring"
Has anyone got experience buying from these types of sites?

The one I'm looking at is

£4100 (approx $6350)
0.88 crt
Colour: F
Clarity: VS1
Cut: Super Ideal
Shape: Brilliant Round

with plain Platinum band


The only thing is that's all the info they provide, and it's a stock image. How does this sound?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

We are experienced with those kinds of sites, but some are better than others. You absolutely have to be able to access the grading report or otherwise you are totally in the dark. I am not familiar with sites in the UK, but the ones we use here in the US offer a wealth of information including the grading report, pictures of the stone., images taken through an idealscope, etc.

You just need to find a site that has more information. We do have a number of UK people on the forum who have bought from US diamond vendors, too.

 

[susimoo]

Many thanks folks - I think you have just confirmed what I kind of expected.
I'm steering clear of that diamond now, thanks to all the good advice on this thread

I have another in my sights now
It's on a UK website where you can "Create your own engagement ring"
Has anyone got experience buying from these types of sites?

The one I'm looking at is

£4100 (approx $6350)
0.88 crt
Colour: F
Clarity: VS1
Cut: Super Ideal
Shape: Brilliant Round

with plain Platinum band


The only thing is that's all the info they provide, and it's a stock image. How does this sound?

Hi Realguy

I am a fellow Pricescoper from the UK (although I am currently living in Australia for the next few years).

What site is it you are looking at? I ask because it doesn't sound like a good way to spend your money, not truly knowing what you are getting.

I have bought from Dejoria and I know some friends who bought from Blue Nile.
On both these sites you can access the Gia/Hrd diamond grading certificate and that will allow you to assess whether or not the diamond is a good bet.
If you can come back to us with any potential candidates you have, the more knowledgable members than me can check them out for you.

I would also say that I have bought from Good Old Gold whilst I was in the Uk and they were outstanding.
Others that come highly recommended are Brian Gavin Diamonds, James Allen and Whiteflash. If you are up for a transatlantic purchase, you will find it is great value and not really as scary as you would think. My first purchase took less than 2 weeks from money transfer to my finger!!

I look forward to hearing from you again!!

 

[Frenchcut]

You definitely need to be able to look at the certificate and provide us with the angles/% so we can help you...what lab did cert this one ?

 

[realguy]

Thanks again for your responses.

The site I'm looking at is http://www.diamondmanufacturers.co.uk
They do seem to have a lot of decent user reviews online, but I am hesitant about not seeing the diamond or certificate before purchase.
I asked them who certifies their diamonds and they said it's their own people, and that's why they can keep prices low.

That's why I was looking at only a Super Ideal cut, just incase the gradings were 'inflated' somewhat.
Does anyone have experience buying from them?

I'm now certainly thinking about looking at some of the websites you recommended (thanks Susimoo)

In a nutshell, I'm looking for a platinum solitaire diamond ring (round brilliant) with a great cut and approx 0.8 crt or more.
Costing max £4200 ($6500)

Thanks again

 

[Frenchcut]

You neeed to be provided with a certificate from an independant lab, having your diamond certified by in-house "specialists" is worth close to nothing unfortunately...how can you trust 100% a certificate that is issued by the very same people who try to sell you the stone? That's close to a conflict of interest if you ask me.

Why don't you have a look at Blue Nile? They have a UK site if that makes you more comfortable than buying overseas. And their GIA certs are available online.

 

[susimoo]

Thanks again for your responses.

The site I'm looking at is http://www.diamondmanufacturers.co.uk
They do seem to have a lot of decent user reviews online, but I am hesitant about not seeing the diamond or certificate before purchase.
I asked them who certifies their diamonds and they said it's their own people, and that's why they can keep prices low.

That's why I was looking at only a Super Ideal cut, just incase the gradings were 'inflated' somewhat.
Does anyone have experience buying from them?

I'm now certainly thinking about looking at some of the websites you recommended (thanks Susimoo)

In a nutshell, I'm looking for a platinum solitaire diamond ring (round brilliant) with a great cut and approx 0.8 crt or more.
Costing max £4200 ($6500)

Thanks again

Hi Realguy

I just had a quick look at this site. Whilst I didn't look really closely, on doing a quick search it is apparent that their diamond certification is in house, as Frenchcut said before me. This is not good!! I would AVOID them. Stick with GIA or AGS as they are the easiest to determine cut quality with whilst knowing all other aspects of the diamond will be assessed fairly.

I know that Dejoria deal with GIA, because I bought my eternity ring from them and my 7 X 30pointers are GIA certified.
However, this was long before I discovered PS and ideal cut. Given the opportunity to do it again I would use a PS vendor.

You will have to go through each certificate and run it through the HCA.
I would also recommend doing the same with Blue Nile.

I will give it a go later for you and see what I can find. It is rather warm today in Perth (Oz not Scotland where we were before ) and the BBQ and pool are calling !!! Will pop in later with anything I can find that meets your requirements.

 

[Amys Bling]

I think that you are wanting to hit the 1 carat mark, but this stone faces up smaller than a one carat should (this means that from the top it appears smaller than a properly cut one carat would). So therefore you have a stone that visually appears smaller than one carat anyways, and you will loose out on the sparkle and brilliance of a properly cut stone. There is no bargain to be found here.

this. if you are looking for a "deal" on a 1 carat stone and because this is 1 carat and low in price it intrigues you- but compared to a 1 carat stone this stone will look a lot smaller and sparkle a lot less. You would be better off getting a smaller stone that faces up better and it excellent cut as it will outperform this stone. An excellent cut .85 stone faces uyp at 6.2mm- so the stone you are looking at will looked smaller than a .85. You would be better gettin an excellent cut .85 stone- better sparkle and bigger face up size!

 

[susimoo]

Hi Real Guy

I am having a look at Blue Nile. Just realised that their prices don't include VAT.

Due to that I wasn't able to find an 80 pointer. Would you consider 70 ish points?

 

[realguy]

Ok, here are 3 options from some of the website you recommended.
Let me know what your thoughts are on these (each are Round Brilliant):

Cost: £2766 (inc VAT)
Website: www.dejoria.co.uk
Certificate: GIA
Carat Weight: 0.81 carat
Color Grade: F
Clarity Grade: VVS2
Cut Grade: Excellent
Depth: 62.0%
Table: 57%
Crown Angle: 35.5°
Crown Height: 15.5%
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Star Length: 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted (3.5%)
Culet: None
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.95 - 5.97 x 3.70 mm
CLARITY CHARACTERISTICS: Cloud, Pinpoint, Needle


Cost: £4385(inc VAT)
Website: http://www.bluenile.co.uk
Certificate: GIA
Carat weight: 0.80
Cut: Ideal
Colour: G
Clarity: VVS2
Depth %: 62.5%
Table %: 57%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Medium
Measurements: 5.92 x 5.90 x 3.70 mm


Cost: £4477(inc VAT)
Website: http://www.bluenile.co.uk
Certificate: GIA
Carat weight: 0.81
Cut: Ideal
Colour: E
Clarity: VS2
Depth %: 62.1%
Table %: 57%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Medium
Measurements: 5.98 x 6.01 x 3.72 mm



Thanks again for your help
Jim

 

[realguy]

Hi all

I'm soon to put a deposit on the diamond below, but I'm concerned at the low price.

I was wondering if anyone can think of any reason why it might be low?
Are there any details missing below? or anything I should ask about it before I part with my cash?

Thanks again for your help!


Cost: £2766 (inc platinum ring & all taxes)
Certificate: GIA
Carat Weight: 0.81 carat
Color Grade: F
Clarity Grade: VVS2
Cut Grade: Excellent
Depth: 62.0%
Table: 57%
Crown Angle: 35.5°
Crown Height: 15.5%
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Star Length: 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted (3.5%)
Culet: None
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.95 - 5.97 x 3.70 mm
CLARITY CHARACTERISTICS: Cloud, Pinpoint, Needle