Just starting the search. Help with the basics please?!

[gdowney]

I am planning on asking my girlfriend to marry me in the first week of Jan. I am going to be able to round up about $6500(I am sure I could round up a few hundred if need be.) total for the whole ring. I know she is going to want a white gold/platinum color for the metal. I don''t know yet what type of diamond she wants but i know it will be either round or princess (probably princess). I can find out a few more details in the near future but for the most part, she is going to be completely surprised.

The things that I want in a diamond are as follows. I want the biggest LOOKING diamond that I can get that is VS2-SI, H as the lowest color, good-excellent cut. I think i want brilliance more than fire. Preferably, something over one carot would be great, but i dont know exactly what to expect. I have done quite a bit of research, but i dont have enough time to get a grasp of the diamond market, and how to work it to my advantage.

I am considering the possibility of buying the diamond online, but this is such a big purchase, that trust is the obvious reason that i would reconsider. Can you-all give me advice on what diamonds I could expect to get (and the specs that would be reasonable). and almost as equally important, who to buy from. thanks! i appreciate the help!!!!!

 

[stone-cold11]

If you are going with a princess cut, stick with a vendor that can provide ASET images.

WhiteFlash
GoodOldGold
HighperformanceDiamond
NiceIce
IdJewelry
ExcelDiamond

JamesAllen, seems to be still having some trouble with their ASET setup.

 

[ct-appr]

I can''t recommend a vendor but the quality I recommend is Ideal or excellent cut, SI1 (eye-clean) or better, G or better color, faint or no fluorescence with a GIA or AGS lab report. This should narrow your initial search. Also, go to the "Knowledge" button and scan through the topics, you will learn a lot. You should easily be able to find something in your price range. I''m sure Lorelei and the others on PS will have some good recommendations. Good luck!

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Paul,

this is confusing. You are recommending, in a princess-cut, excellent or ideal cut, in combination with either a GIA or AGS-report. How can one define cut when considering a GIA-graded princess, if they have no cut-grading?

Live long,

 

[ct-appr]

Date: 10/28/2009 5:27:04 PM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
Paul,


this is confusing. You are recommending, in a princess-cut, excellent or ideal cut, in combination with either a GIA or AGS-report. How can one define cut when considering a GIA-graded princess, if they have no cut-grading?


Live long,

I missed the Princess cut part and got out the soap box too early. You are correct, my comments apply more to rounds. However, the cut of the Princess could be analyzed using the ASET or Idealscope.

 

[gdowney]

hey, thanks for the real quick advice. I will search the heck out of those vendors that you suggested. I have read just about everything on the knowledge tab, and i have a good idea of what to look for in each area, but I just dont think that i will have enough experience to pull all of them together to have the perfect diamond. I appreciate the quick input, I''m going to shop and shop and shop until I find the perfect diamond... then I''ll check on here again to make sure that I am getting the most that I can get for my money... feel free to provide any more quick advice like --dont get a princess cut diamond with a table % more than ____ % or it will look like crap. That is the kind of stuff that I am looking for now. I think i have a grasp of the basics, just pulling it all together with the specifics like table% depth%, pinnacle angle etc... those are the areas where i feel that I can really get a diamond that is spectacular for the money!

 

[stone-cold11]

Can''t really judge a princess cut from the numbers. So will need an ASET at least.

Some AGA guidelines. But in the end the deciding factor will be the ASET.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc1.asp

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/28/2009 7:18:28 PM
Author: gdowney
hey, thanks for the real quick advice. I will search the heck out of those vendors that you suggested. I have read just about everything on the knowledge tab, and i have a good idea of what to look for in each area, but I just dont think that i will have enough experience to pull all of them together to have the perfect diamond. I appreciate the quick input, I''m going to shop and shop and shop until I find the perfect diamond... then I''ll check on here again to make sure that I am getting the most that I can get for my money... feel free to provide any more quick advice like --dont get a princess cut diamond with a table % more than ____ % or it will look like crap. That is the kind of stuff that I am looking for now. I think i have a grasp of the basics, just pulling it all together with the specifics like table% depth%, pinnacle angle etc... those are the areas where i feel that I can really get a diamond that is spectacular for the money!

Just look for either AGS0 cut grade Princess or hand selected GIA diamonds which have been selected for their superior optics and beauty, the vendors above will stock these. Various proportion configurations can result in a lovely Princess so working with an expert vendor with in house diamonds is your best bet.

 

[gdowney]

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/compare.php
that is a link to a small handful of diamonds that I am considering. The one on the very far right looked great, but I just realized that it is "rectangular"? anyone have any thoughts? i also asked for some actual images of the stones, so we''ll see when those come in.

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 11/2/2009 10:03:30 AM
Author: gdowney
http://www.exceldiamonds.com/compare.php

that is a link to a small handful of diamonds that I am considering. The one on the very far right looked great, but I just realized that it is 'rectangular'? anyone have any thoughts? i also asked for some actual images of the stones, so we'll see when those come in.

Nothing in the link.

 

[gdowney]

well shoot, here are the diamond numbers that ya can plug into the exceldiamonds.com search bar and compare all of them on one quick-view. 392232, 378808, 352635, 365908, 370352, 389150. The first diamond was the one that I really liked until I looked at a few details and saw that it is rectangular. I have a feeling that this would look funny on a ring if i was going for a princess cut.

 

[gdowney]

here are 2 diamonds that I am considering. the links show ASET and idealscope images.
http://www.exceldiamonds.com/Loose_Princess_Cut_Diamond-144/Loose_Princess_Cut_1.38_Carat_I_Color_VS1_Clarity_diamond-352635.html
http://www.exceldiamonds.com/Loose_Princess_Cut_Diamond-144/Loose_Princess_Cut_1.29_Carat_H_Color_SI1_Clarity_diamond-389150.html

This is my first take from looking at the images. I dont know a whole lot about this stuff, and have only learned from this website.

Diamond #1- the Idealscope image shows quite a bit of leakage at 12:00 and 6:00. the blockages at 9:00 and 3:00 are somewhat significant but not a huge hinderance.
the ASET image shows that although there is quite a bit of brightness it is not exactly the brightest. also, I see that the leakage at 12:00 and 6:00 is pretty significant.
the actual diamond image looks decent to me except for the very center, but I have a feeling that that is a reflection of something else?
As far as #;s, the diamond is obviously big, very clear, good enough on color, the symmetry is possibly not the best. another possible drawback would be the girdle goes from very thin to thick. I think that one big positive is that the depth% is low, making the diamond look even bigger than it really is?
I graded this diamond as 2B on the AGA scale?


Diamond #2 - the Idealscope image shows that the table has a ton of light return, but a few significant blockages. also, there is quite a bit of leakage off of the table.
the ASET image is a little confusing to me. I feel like there is a good mix of green and red, but on the points of the "X", there is a lot of leakages, and also, there are a handful of blockages on the table surrounding the center.
the actual diamond image looks decent.
As far as the #''s, the diamond is slightly smaller, and has a steep depth% which will make the stone look even smaller (or at leased not look any bigger). the color is decent, the girdle is pretty good, and the inclusions are negligable, since the would be unable to be seen with the naked eye.
I graded this diamond as a 2B also on the AGA scale? both of the diamonds graded by my sound no so hot, but i could be waaaaaaaay off

I would appreciate your opinions on the rocks!!! Like I said, i am an amature at this stuff. for all I know, one of those rocks could be reallllly briliant and a great but i dont know. let me know what you think!!!! please!!!!!