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Looking for a Diamond! Help! Please!

B

blingblingdiamond

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jun 1, 2017
Messages
108
Hi All, Me and my another half have been thinking about buying an engagement ring recently. However, we have VERY limited budget (under $7,000) but she wants the stone to be around 1.3-1.5 ct. It is really hard to find one that is that affordable but big and flashy. In order to not go over the budget, we are okay with a diamond that are eye clean (not milky or hazy) regardless of its clarity, H color, and 3 EX.

1. I have found one that is 1.5, SI2 (agent confirmed eye clean, not milky or hazy), 3EX that costs $6,849. However, its HCA score is not so good - 3.6…. I have a picture of the diamond. Do you guys think it’s okay/acceptable? or I should look for another one? Any suggestions?




2. I have found another one that is 1.1, SI2 (agent confirmed eye clean, not milky or hazy), 3EX that costs $4,632. The HCA score is 1.6 but she wants a bigger stone if it is possible. Also would the flaws (indent) on this stone concerning?




Last but not least, I have heard some many different opinions on fluorescence. Some people said it doesn’t really matter, only 1% of the stone that has fluorescence will looks milky under the sunlight. Some said don’t even consider them if their fluorescence are higher than medium… Any thoughts?
Thank you so much!

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You owe it to yourself to continue looking. Not an expert however, the HCA score is not good. Have you considered antique stones?
 
You will get some excellent advice here, by a few hints to consider. I have a J color 1.28 that was just shy of $5,000. It is beautifully cut and faces up even whiter than an F color I have where the cut is only good. I would suggest honking about dropping color. I have also found that you have to be pretty lucky with SI2. I have a beautiful SI2 in a smaller ring but I am hesitant with them. Also when you say "agent" who are you referring to? I think checking James Allen is a good starting point for prices, and you are on the right path using the HCI to rule out a few stones like your first one. As for fluorescence, strong blue is my absolute favorite. You pretty much never see the effect it has, unless you end up somewhere with a black light, or sometimes in bright sunlight it goes a little blue instead of just dark like other stones.
 
Queenie60 said:
You owe it to yourself to continue looking. Not an expert however, the HCA score is not good. Have you considered antique stones?
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Thank you for you advices Queenie. I honestly have not considered antique stones. Do you know where should I go usually for them?
 
GearGirly said:
You will get some excellent advice here, by a few hints to consider. I have a J color 1.28 that was just shy of $5,000. It is beautifully cut and faces up even whiter than an F color I have where the cut is only good. I would suggest honking about dropping color. I have also found that you have to be pretty lucky with SI2. I have a beautiful SI2 in a smaller ring but I am hesitant with them. Also when you say "agent" who are you referring to? I think checking James Allen is a good starting point for prices, and you are on the right path using the HCI to rule out a few stones like your first one. As for fluorescence, strong blue is my absolute favorite. You pretty much never see the effect it has, unless you end up somewhere with a black light, or sometimes in bright sunlight it goes a little blue instead of just dark like other stones.
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Hi GearGirly, your advices are very useful. But I have some questions, I was told to pick at least H color because everything below H that are too yellow. You mentioned that you have a J color but whiter than F. Can you give me some tips on how to pick a diamond like that? or it just takes time to look at more diamonds? Also, I think I will be buying online (because they are usually cheaper), I feel like it's very hard for me to tell if a J color diamond looks white enough.
Also, for clarity, I thought that as long as it is eye clean, even thought its a SI2, it wouldn't matter? Is it not true?
Picking a strong blue diamond can save a lot more money - I think I will go for that.

Thanks!
 
Which is the color E and which is the color I? This may not be the perfectly executed experiment but I think you will get my point:

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whitewave said:
You can do better than that stone.

Call Martin at usacertified. You might consider dropping the color to an I.

He has great reviews and can email you ASET image. http://www.usacerteddiamonds.com/usagia/index3.html
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Hi Whitewave, thank you for responding. I am a newbie in diamond so just wondering if usacertified trustworthy (My knowledge is really limited, I have only heard about JA, BN, Whiteflash and so on)? I can return if I am not satisfied with the stone? Thanks!
 
UsaCertified is a trusted pricescope vendor. I have personally not worked with him, so you would need to verify his return policy with him.
 
whitewave said:
Which is the color E and which is the color I? This may not be the perfectly executed experiment but I think you will get my point:

IMG_0525.PNG
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WOW mind blown... I honestly cannot tell at all... It is because this color I diamond is whiter than normal color I diamonds or that's basically how color I diamonds look and there are really tiny differences between E and I?
 
The I is the one on the right. (The E is very slightly facing off)

I have E stud earrings and an I pendant and no one can tell the difference. I've been taking an informal poll.

I assume that is how most Is look. Unmounted, you can very slightly see warmth. Once it was mounted... you can't tell.
 
whitewave said:
The I is the one on the right. (The E is very slightly facing off)

I have E stud earrings and an I pendant and no one can tell the difference. I've been taking an informal poll.

I assume that is how most Is look. Unmounted, you can very slightly see warmth. Once it was mounted... you can't tell.
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Do you think I is the lowest color grade I should go by? or even J works? Thanks!
 
Personally, for your situation I wouldn't go lower than an I. It's a personal choice, though...
 
I think some people are more color sensitive. But even so, a well cut stone will appear bright and lively. My J looks completely white to me...but it may not look as ice as a G or H if right next to it, but I wear it currently with H sidestknes that are very late and I see no difference. You don't get a yellow look until much further along, I would even say my M often faces up white enough for me to not consider it yellow tinted, but If you want to be really careful in my opinion I color is really white in a well cut stone!
 
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