looking for a beautiful diamond and need some help!

[akmiss]

I have been stressing out for about a month now..... My longtime boyfriend and I have finally agreed to buy a ring. We have been together for years and have three beautiful sons so it just seemed appropriate. I went shopping around and did not like what I saw in local jewelery stores with the exception of hearts on fire. The dealer said that 3/4 ct would run around 7k! I was very discouraged until I found pricescope but now I am confused. I have been looking at a couple ACA''s between .6-.8cts and also went to James Allen.com. Is it possible to get a really great diamond for under $2000? I just want something around 3/4 ct that really sparkles! Uh, It sucks to get on such a budget! Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Ellen]

Hi akmiss,

We'd love to help find you the best we can. First, is the 2000.00 JUST for the stone? And how low in color and clarity are you willing to go?

 

[akmiss]

2k just for the stone and I want it to be eye-clean. Color, I am not so sure on. At first, I thought it had to be in the D-F range but as long as it doesn''t look yellow I would be happy.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/13/2008 9:06:11 PM
Author: akmiss
2k just for the stone and I want it to be eye-clean. Color, I am not so sure on. At first, I thought it had to be in the D-F range but as long as it doesn't look yellow I would be happy.

Ok, let's just remember, beggars can't be choosers.

Just kidding, but what I'm saying is, to get to the 3/4 ct. mark, you're going to have to go to about a H-I-J SI1-SI2. Now, WF has this one, that will be discounted 5% off with PS discount. So you're looking at about 2142. I know that's a smidge over budget, and we'll keep looking. But it's a start. As for the color J, do a search on here, there are many who own J's (and in the 2 ct.+ size) that swear by them. A superb cut stone WILL face up whiter than a poorly cut one. Also, with each and every stone, you must ask the vendor if it's eyeclean, you simply can't go by plots, or enlarged photos. So any stone has potential.

Here's this one to start.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-540893.htm#

 

[Sparkalicious]

Hi Akmiss! Welcome!

I love the one Ellen picked for you!! The plot looks really clean. Can''t beat that as its hovering right around your budget.
I bet this diamond will be gorgeous!

 

[akmiss]

Thanks for the link. It is beautiful but I am not so sure on the color. Looks great in the picture. I think that I would be more comfortable going down in size than buying a color I was not happy with. By the way, have you seen the ACA''s?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/13/2008 9:43:41 PM
Author: akmiss
Thanks for the link. It is beautiful but I am not so sure on the color. Looks great in the picture. I think that I would be more comfortable going down in size than buying a color I was not happy with. By the way, have you seen the ACA''s?

Yes, I have a pair of studs with ACA''s. They are gorgeous stones.


I would say you can very safely go to at least G and not see any color. If you don''t know for sure just what level of color you can or can''t tolerate, go look at some really well cut stones, like Hearts on Fire, or AGS0 graded stones. Look at them in a wiindow, or preferably outside, where you''ll get a much clearer picture of the stone and it''s color.

One thing, don''t compare a D and an H side by side. You will most assuredly see a difference. View the H by itself, and see if you can see anything.

 

[akmiss]

Thanks for all the advice. I probably need to look at some actual diamonds pretty soon. Maybe even increase my budget a little. I love the forum and am finding it quit addictive.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 1/13/2008 10:42:26 PM
Author: akmiss

Thanks for all the advice. I probably need to look at some actual diamonds pretty soon. Maybe even increase my budget a little. I love the forum and am finding it quit addictive.

That''s probably a good idea. Once you actually see diamonds in real life you will have a better idea about how color sensitive you are or are not.

This forum is entirely addictive, have no doubt!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Oooooo! How about this one? I found it on Whiteflash.

0.72 carat G SI2

This one is $2,240 or $2,173 w/ the Pricescope discount ... Hovering right around your budget ...

If you use the Pricescope search tool and do a "Cut Quality" search, I''m sure you''ll be able to find more from other reputable online vendors such as James Allen and Good Old Gold.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I have H color ACA''s and I am very happy with the whiteness. Here is an H SI1 that just came in (pictures not posted yet) that would be around $2700 or so with the wire and pricescope discounts.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-584888.htm

 

[Kaleigh]

ACA's represent the top cuts out there. G, or H will be very white. I own an ACA in a pendant, it sparkles like crazy!! You'll be in good hands with Wf!! They also have an upgrade policy....

 

[Deelight]

Akmiss I am fairly colour sensitive and can generally pick colours out of the pack but I had the pleasure of viewing some really magnificant AGS0''s this past weekend and found it quite hard to pinpoint the colour face up in a H , from the side you could see some warmth but again not a bad thing. Compared to an F I could see the difference but it was not bad it was just a little warmer, still beautiful.

Quite frankly I was more mesmerized by the sparkles and rainbows which ACA''s are meant to have an abundance of

GL in your diamond search


P.S Definitly get out there and try an abundance of sparklies on