Is this the one? Need a diamond by 11/15

[diggdeep]

Date: 11/11/2008 1:29:31 PM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 11/11/2008 1:27:40 PM

Author: diggdeep

Hmmm, the other one I like just got snatched up too.



Are you guys cherry-picking?!!

Lurkers. Reserve before you post if you really love it.

Well, I found another one, but I don''t think this vendor allows me to reserve it. Wish there were private messaging capabilities so I could ask the really helpful folks what they think.

 

[diggdeep]

OK. This one is higher than my original budget, but from everything I can tell, it''s a great stone.

One concern: it scores a 1.4 on the HCA, but the crown and pavilion angles seem dangerously close to "steep and deep" (e.g. 35 and 41).

Thoughts? It is certainly not one of the "great values" (e.g. an eye-clean SI) like others I''ve seen, but buying online makes me aim for the stars.

$5600
Round brilliant
0.9 carat weight
Depth: 61.9%
Table: 56%
Crown: 35.1
Pavilion: 40.7
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Negligible

 

[neatfreak]

That one is right in a sweet spot. I wouldn''t worry about it personally, it''s likely to be a looker! You can also ask the vendor for their opinion on it too if you are worried.

 

[diggdeep]

Date: 11/11/2008 8:51:36 PM
Author: neatfreak
That one is right in a sweet spot. I wouldn''t worry about it personally, it''s likely to be a looker! You can also ask the vendor for their opinion on it too if you are worried.

Thanks for your input. Now I''m actually going back and reading your other posts for more insight.

2 other questions. Do you think I''m overpaying by focusing on VS2 and higher clarity diamonds? I could get a comparably-cut 1 carat for even less than the one I just mentioned...

And how important are polish, symmetry, and fluorescence? Afterthoughts, or deal-breakers?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/11/2008 9:27:19 PM
Author: diggdeep

Date: 11/11/2008 8:51:36 PM

Author: neatfreak

That one is right in a sweet spot. I wouldn''t worry about it personally, it''s likely to be a looker! You can also ask the vendor for their opinion on it too if you are worried.

Thanks for your input. Now I''m actually going back and reading your other posts for more insight.


2 other questions. Do you think I''m overpaying by focusing on VS2 and higher clarity diamonds? I could get a comparably-cut 1 carat for even less than the one I just mentioned...


And how important are polish, symmetry, and fluorescence? Afterthoughts, or deal-breakers?

I think that you could get a better deal going lower in clarity...but a stone needs to be EYE clean AND MIND CLEAN. So if VS2 and above is what makes it mind clean for you, then you should do it.

And to *me* polish, symmetry, and fluor are afterthoughts as long as they aren''t unreasonably low (i.e., no poor for symmetry) and the stone otherwise looks fabulous.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 11/11/2008 9:27:19 PM
Author: diggdeep

Date: 11/11/2008 8:51:36 PM
Author: neatfreak
That one is right in a sweet spot. I wouldn''t worry about it personally, it''s likely to be a looker! You can also ask the vendor for their opinion on it too if you are worried.

Thanks for your input. Now I''m actually going back and reading your other posts for more insight.

2 other questions. Do you think I''m overpaying by focusing on VS2 and higher clarity diamonds? I could get a comparably-cut 1 carat for even less than the one I just mentioned...

And how important are polish, symmetry, and fluorescence? Afterthoughts, or deal-breakers?

No, I think you are doing just fine to look at VS1 and VS2 for clarity. Definitely do it if you can afford it. You want at least very good for polish and symmetry, and up through medium floro is inconsequential. Even strong can be okay of checked by a reliable vendor.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Here are some from a vendor who has the stones in-house and can discuss them with you. They are all top cut quality (hearts and arrows). They have a 30 day return and a lifetime trade-in policy, too.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4510/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4535/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5034/

 

[diggdeep]

Date: 11/11/2008 9:58:08 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 11/11/2008 9:27:19 PM

No, I think you are doing just fine to look at VS1 and VS2 for clarity. Definitely do it if you can afford it. You want at least very good for polish and symmetry, and up through medium floro is inconsequential. Even strong can be okay of checked by a reliable vendor.

Thanks diamondseeker.

The trade-off is between:
* 1 carat F color SI1 diamond with very good symmetry and polish and medium blue fluorescence - $5300; and
* 0.9 carat E color VS2 diamond with excellent symmetry and polish and no fluorescence - $5600

What would you do in that situation?

I'm checking out the GOG links you provided now. They seem a little over my budget, but they look great too. I will have to run them through the HCA.

 

[Turbobaker]

If the Angles are good, I would suggest that you go with the .90 E color. The factors that you can see Color, size sparkle are the most important in the value of a diamond. That is why buying one without seeing it is like a blind person buying art. You can tell them all about it, but it is difficult to experience the beauty.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 11/11/2008 10:15:24 PM
Author: diggdeep

Date: 11/11/2008 9:58:08 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 11/11/2008 9:27:19 PM

No, I think you are doing just fine to look at VS1 and VS2 for clarity. Definitely do it if you can afford it. You want at least very good for polish and symmetry, and up through medium floro is inconsequential. Even strong can be okay of checked by a reliable vendor.

Thanks diamondseeker.

The trade-off is between:
* 1 carat F color SI1 diamond with very good symmetry and polish and medium blue fluorescence - $5300; and
* 0.9 carat E color VS2 diamond with excellent symmetry and polish and no fluorescence - $5600

What would you do in that situation?

I''m checking out the GOG links you provided now. They seem a little over my budget, but they look great too. I will have to run them through the HCA.

I''d have to see all the numbers on the two stones you are looking at. I set my minimum clarity at VS2, so I''m not the best one to ask. There is something to say for going over the 1 carat mark, too. But again, I could probably express a preference if all the numbers were posted.

You actually don''t have to run ideal cut, hearts and arrows stones through the HCA (Well, you don''t if they are at WhiteFalsh or Good Old Gold because they label accurately. Not all places do.)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 11/11/2008 10:37:41 PM
Author: Turbobaker
If the Angles are good, I would suggest that you go with the .90 E color. The factors that you can see Color, size sparkle are the most important in the value of a diamond. That is why buying one without seeing it is like a blind person buying art. You can tell them all about it, but it is difficult to experience the beauty.

Welcome, Jill! It''s nice to see someone from Tiffany on here!

 

[diggdeep]

Diamond A
- 1 carat
- Depth %: 62.8
- Table %: 56
- Crown: 37
- Pavilion: 40

Diamond B
- 0.9 carat
- Depth %: 61.9
- Table %: 56
- Crown: 35.1
- Pavilion: 40.7

Both score well on the HCA.

I would go for size in addition to quality, but I am already straining my budget. Originally aimed for mid $4''s on the stone.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

It would help to see the diameter measurements, but from the info you gave, I'd definitely choose B because it appears to be closer to ideal cut than the other.

 

[diggdeep]

Date: 11/11/2008 11:07:27 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
It would help to see the diameter measurements, but from the info you gave, I''d definitely choose B because it appears to be closer to ideal cut than the other.

A: 6.31-6.33X3.97
B: 6.18-6.21X3.83

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/11/2008 11:07:27 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
It would help to see the diameter measurements, but from the info you gave, I''d definitely choose B because it appears to be closer to ideal cut than the other.

Ditto DS.

Welcome Jill

 

[diggdeep]

Thanks to everyone who has offered input, especially DS and Lorelei. I think I''ve made my decision, and now I have it reserved, so no more poaching.

Here''s the ideal scope image in case anyone has comments.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/12/2008 9:19:21 AM
Author: diggdeep
Thanks to everyone who has offered input, especially DS and Lorelei. I think I''ve made my decision, and now I have it reserved, so no more poaching.

Here''s the ideal scope image in case anyone has comments.

You are so welcome DD!

The IS looks great - no worries there, it should be a fabulous stone!!! * glad it is reserved!!*

 

[diggdeep]

:-/

It''s NOT that I''m getting cold feet, but...

I''m looking at another stone that''s the same carat weight, performs very well on the HCA, has the same clarity rating, and is of acceptable quality in terms of color, symmetry, polish, fluorescence, etc.

It''s ~30% less than the one I have reserved, and I''m wondering whether I''m overpaying for the paper instead of the actual product.

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 11/12/2008 10:41:47 AM
Author: diggdeep
:-/

It''s NOT that I''m getting cold feet, but...

I''m looking at another stone that''s the same carat weight, performs very well on the HCA, has the same clarity rating, and is of acceptable quality in terms of color, symmetry, polish, fluorescence, etc.

It''s ~30% less than the one I have reserved, and I''m wondering whether I''m overpaying for the paper instead of the actual product.

Care to tell us more of the stone? Like who is selling it and what lab graded it? 30 % sounds like an EGL graded stone will cost.

 

[diggdeep]

Date: 11/12/2008 11:10:00 AM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 11/12/2008 10:41:47 AM

Author: diggdeep

:-/


It''s NOT that I''m getting cold feet, but...


I''m looking at another stone that''s the same carat weight, performs very well on the HCA, has the same clarity rating, and is of acceptable quality in terms of color, symmetry, polish, fluorescence, etc.


It''s ~30% less than the one I have reserved, and I''m wondering whether I''m overpaying for the paper instead of the actual product.

Care to tell us more of the stone? Like who is selling it and what lab graded it? 30 % sounds like an EGL graded stone will cost.

It''s a GIA-graded stone at James Allen. It''s rated as "Premium," but it scores very well on the HCA.

 

[stone-cold11]

Give us the dimensions then for the HCA. It's cut grade is VG I assume?

Anyway, JA stones are usually one of the cheapest around.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/12/2008 10:41:47 AM
Author: diggdeep
:-/

It's NOT that I'm getting cold feet, but...

I'm looking at another stone that's the same carat weight, performs very well on the HCA, has the same clarity rating, and is of acceptable quality in terms of color, symmetry, polish, fluorescence, etc.

It's ~30% less than the one I have reserved, and I'm wondering whether I'm overpaying for the paper instead of the actual product.

We really need more info please. Also concerning price there are benefits which can vary between vendors such as upgrade policies etc, so it can be good to factor these things into your decision. Labels such as Premium Cut don't always mean much, it sounds promising so post the info and we can go from there.

 

[diggdeep]

Date: 11/12/2008 11:14:50 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
Give us the dimensions then for the HCA. It''s cut grade is VG I assume?


Anyway, JA stones are usually one of the cheapest around.

Yes, cut grade VG.

Depth: 61.5%
Table: 58%
Crown: 36
Pavilion: 40.2

Just knowing whether the stone is an exceptional deal or whether I am really getting a good value for the higher-quality stone I''ve reserved would be enough for me to feel "mind clean." I just don''t want to pay a 30% premium for a diamond whose superiority is indiscernible.

 

[stone-cold11]

I posted this stone for you previously. I thought you rejected it, no?

That stone is an FIC, will probably have a smaller face up size than the stone you bought. But the difference is minimal.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/12/2008 11:22:59 AM
Author: diggdeep


Yes, cut grade VG.

Depth: 61.5%
Table: 58%
Crown: 36
Pavilion: 40.2

Just knowing whether the stone is an exceptional deal or whether I am really getting a good value for the higher-quality stone I''ve reserved would be enough for me to feel ''mind clean.'' I just don''t want to pay a 30% premium for a diamond whose superiority is indiscernible.

Pass. Stick with the one you reserved.

 

[diggdeep]

Date: 11/12/2008 11:29:28 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
I posted this stone for you previously. I thought you rejected it, no?


That stone is an FIC, will probably have a smaller face up size than the stone you bought. But the difference is minimal.

I think I might have. I was a little bent on a higher GIA cut rating, but started to wonder whether a compromise might be worth the big price drop.

I''m surveying friends and family, too, albeit hypothetically.

I guess when I think about the investment over the course of a lifetime, it is not such a big deal to go with the higher quality stone...

Right? LOL, and my girlfriend calls me "indecisive."

 

[neatfreak]

I''m with Ellen on this one... the angles aren''t great. Go with your initial decision IMO.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/12/2008 11:42:18 AM
Author: neatfreak
I''m with Ellen on this one... the angles aren''t great. Go with your initial decision IMO.

Me too.

 

[diggdeep]

It''s done.

Pics and details next week, after the recipient has a chance to enjoy it some.

 

[diggdeep]

Just wanted to thank everyone again for all of your guidance and insight. I ended up with the diamond I wanted, and the proposal went perfectly.

Here are pictures. Now, to go learn about appraisal and insurance.