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Looking for a round brilliant for an engagement ring.

Ryangreene555

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 5, 2014
Messages
49
I've been looking around for a while now for a solitaire for my GF to propose.

After reading on here I at first started looking at all 10-12k diamonds. I think that is a little out of budget right now after having a newborn and buying a fancy new suv.

Anyways.

I am looking for a solitaire round brilliant.

I would like something around 1.3 ct or so and to be eye clean etc and cut is very important.

It seems I can find some nice (by numbers to me) stones on blue nile for around 7k or so.

I know once you start getting into all the numbers and specs it is easy to get carried away and think you need a perfect diamond or it will look bad.

In person when I have looked at local stores even lower grade and colors etc the diamonds to me have looked very nice.

So I don't think I need to be insanely picky with it as most would never see the difference in person unless comparing to colorless diamonds.

I found this diamond.

it is I in color si1. I contacted Blue Nile and they said it was eye clean and no milkyness or cloudyness.

I punched in numbers into HCA and got a 1.8. I know that doesn't mean everything of course.

Here is the link.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD05092663?keyword_search_value=LD05092663

I originally didn't want I color but do you think it would really show the color? It would be a solitaire like I said and in white gold.

Would there be a big difference if I went with an H color instead?

It seems the color is the one C to compromise with.

Any suggestions? I would really like a stone around the 1.3-1.4ct size that faces up well, ideal cut etc and eye clean is a must.


I'm also starting to run out of time to decide as I would like to propose on valentines day which also will be 5 years exactly from when we met. Not sure if I would have time to return one to Bluenile if I got it and not happy with it and get another one so really trying to pick the right one the first time.
 
Also in regards to fluorescence, if the vendor confirms it does not make the diamond oily or milky etc, would there be any negatives to getting one with strong fluorescence?
 
As far as clarity, VS2 is the lowest I'd go on a diamond you can't see an up close picture of (e.g. sites like blue nile).
You can drop down to H SI1 (even SI2 if you're okay with that) with James Allen, some Ritani diamonds, etc where you see a rotating image and can pick out the ones with bad inclusions. It'll usually save you a nice chunk of change going from VS2->SI1.
 
Vs2 originally is what I wanted but according to blue Nile this stone is eye clean and no milky ness or anything.

The Gia report doesn't show many inclusions but maybe hard to judge by report?

My biggest concern is if the I color would look yellow tinted in person once mounted or not. Would you only notice a yellow tint if comparing against another higher grade color?
 
Everyone is different with how much color or tint they are willing to tolerate. I just bought my diamond which is an I color as well and in the right lighting you can see some tint when viewing from the sides. But it is just that, tint. It isn't going to be yellow and unsightly if that is what you are concerned about. In bright lighting it appears white and I don't notice color at all. You should go look at different colored diamonds in a jewelry store and see for yourself what you like when viewing the stone from all angles. Also, have them show you what different colored diamonds look like when placed on the metal you will choose, whether that be white gold, platinum, yellow gold, rose gold, etc.
 
Yeah I guess I will have to look at some more in person. I normally wouldn't notice anything I don't think when I had looked at some before until they brought out a G or D color or something and then I could see the slight tinting.

Also she would be getting a diamond wedding band too so I would have to make sure diamonds on that weren't a better color grade or the e ring would show more yellow I would imagine.
 
H is a safe color.
 
I went to a local independent diamond dealer today.

They are getting a stone in tomorrow for me to look at.


It is an i color si2 they said there is a white or clear inclusion but is not under the table and would be completely covered by a prong on the setting.

The one I was looking at on Bluenile they expect would be a black inclusion and it is under the table. Even though they told it was eye clean would a black inclusion under the table most likely show up once diamond is dirty( local diamond dealer said this is probable)

Anyways it is triple excellent cut and all. I did the HCA on the cut and it got a 1.3 rating which is really good.


Price is $7200 it is GIA graded.

Any input on this one?

I would rather purchase one locally and this is the place I am definitely buying the setting from either way.
 
The HCA is a good start. But it's important to have a stellar comparison diamond when viewing in person. Is this possible? E.g. ask him to pick his best cut diamond in the store. It should fall into the pricescope parameters for screening.

I'd pass on the blue nile one.
 
Ryangreene555|1421362358|3817073 said:
I went to a local independent diamond dealer today.

The one I was looking at on Bluenile they expect would be a black inclusion and it is under the table. Even though they told it was eye clean would a black inclusion under the table most likely show up once diamond is dirty( local diamond dealer said this is probable)

This is salesman BS.

They have no idea if the inclusion is black or not. The idea that someone could infer that from a clarity plot is erroneous, and if the person has any diamond experience, deceitful.

It is in the local jeweler's best interest to sell you one of their stones. Don't think that they're doing it to benefit you - they're not.

It does not mean that they don't have access to great stones - they might. What it does mean is that they aren't honest.

You can find a better price online 99.9% of the time.

Here is a 1.5ct, I, SI2, with confirmed AGS 0 optics, for the same price:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-51ct-i-si2-round-diamond.html
 
I think reasoning or partial reasoning was due to how low priced that one is. Of course I'm sure they want to persuade me from purchasing from blue Nile as well.


What does confirmed ags 0 optics mean?
 
I heard back from blue nile. They said the inclusion is a white inclusion not a black one. So that definitely seems like a better buy than the local si2 one.
 
teobdl|1421362726|3817078 said:
The HCA is a good start. But it's important to have a stellar comparison diamond when viewing in person. Is this possible? E.g. ask him to pick his best cut diamond in the store. It should fall into the pricescope parameters for screening.

I'd pass on the blue nile one.


Why would you pass on the blue Nile one? Because of color or does the cut not seem good?
 
Ryangreene555|1421386952|3817241 said:
I heard back from blue nile. They said the inclusion is a white inclusion not a black one.

Well, one thing you know for sure - that local jeweler is deceitful.
 
Yeah it's unfortunate they tried to BS me about that. That one stone on blue Nile does seem to be cheaper than other comparable stones. Is there anything anyone with more knowledge can tell from specs that would cause that?
 
Ryangreene555|1421420375|3817382 said:
This stone is a little bit more and a little bit smaller but seems like it should be really nice. 1.5 on HCA I just did.

VS2 and H color. VS2 should pretty much always be eye clean I would guess?


http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD05357124

VS2 is almost always eye-clean, though I have seen one GIA-graded VS2 where I could see an inclusion, so it is certainly not 100%.

Bluenile has a great return policy, so why not order the stone and see if you like it, in person? You would also be able to compare it against the option from a B&M store, and still have 30 days to return.

I'm normally not an advocate for BN, as they don't provide the details necessary to determine a stone's performance, but for your situation, it seems like a good option.

I think you can still get an order in today, to get it shipped out same day.
 
Thanks for the foodback.

How do they specs look on that stone?

Bluenile doesn't have this diamond in house so says it should arrive to me on the 26th of january if I ordered today.


Seems like a much nicer stone than the I si1. Slightly smaller (1.33 vs 1.38) but don't think that would barely be noticeable. Being an H color I don't think I would have to worry about the yellow tint much and vs2 I'm sure will be nicer looking than the si1 even though that one was listed as eye clean.
 
Ryangreene555|1421429368|3817465 said:
Thanks for the foodback.

How do they specs look on that stone?

Bluenile doesn't have this diamond in house so says it should arrive to me on the 26th of january if I ordered today.


Seems like a much nicer stone than the I si1. Slightly smaller (1.33 vs 1.38) but don't think that would barely be noticeable. Being an H color I don't think I would have to worry about the yellow tint much and vs2 I'm sure will be nicer looking than the si1 even though that one was listed as eye clean.

Specs are quite good.

Some people don't like a 58% Table, but I've purchased a stone with almost exactly the same specs (61.6% depth vs. 61.4%) and it was awesome. The only concern is that GIA numbers are rounded, which can sometimes make the paper look better than the stone. You would just need to see it in person, to be certain.

Definitely worth checking out. Might also be worth mentioning to BN that you'd like to order from them, but you're on a tight deadline and see if they can't overnight a couple of the steps in the transport process.
 
Awesome. Thank you! I am checking one locally today but I will most likely order this one in to check it out!

Why do I always procrastinate haha?!
 
Ryangreene555|1421430878|3817486 said:
Awesome. Thank you! I am checking one locally today but I will most likely order this one in to check it out!

Why do I always procrastinate haha?!

Just keep reiterating the accelerated timeline.

You are not the first to procrastinate on a jewelry purchase!
 
Saw the local BM diamond today. Was not a nice one! He said it wasn't either. Was not what he was expecting to be sent in to him.

I told him about the new H vs2 1.33 I found on BN. He looked over numbers and said it looks like a very nice stone. I asked about any he had that could compete and after looking through his "diamond dealer listings" or something like that that he had nothing he could come close in price too.

After seeing that he said that it must be GIA India or something that doesn't grade as well as other GIA places hah.

Anyways I think I will order that stone in and then I can take it there to compare and see. The price he had the I si2 1.32 for was $7200 compared to this h vs2 1.33 for $7700.

If only my gf didn't like the setting there I would just get that elsewhere as well but that is the one she has liked the most by far.



Oh another thing. He said they can't guarantee the setting since they are not putting their stone in it in case it chipped or anything when installing.

Is this normal for jewelers to not guarantee their settings when not using one of their own diamonds?
 
Ryangreene555|1421441399|3817646 said:
Saw the local BM diamond today. Was not a nice one! He said it wasn't either. Was not what he was expecting to be sent in to him.

I told him about the new H vs2 1.33 I found on BN. He looked over numbers and said it looks like a very nice stone. I asked about any he had that could compete and after looking through his "diamond dealer listings" or something like that that he had nothing he could come close in price too.

After seeing that he said that it must be GIA India or something that doesn't grade as well as other GIA places hah.

Anyways I think I will order that stone in and then I can take it there to compare and see. The price he had the I si2 1.32 for was $7200 compared to this h vs2 1.33 for $7700.

If only my gf didn't like the setting there I would just get that elsewhere as well but that is the one she has liked the most by far.

His line about GIA India is straight BS. He is trying to take advantage of you.

You can have a setting custom-made. In addition, there are many settings manufacturers, and I'm certain that jeweler doesn't have the market cornered.

I wouldn't trust this guy as far as I can throw him. If he's disingenuous now, what happens if you encounter a problem or need service or have questions? You know he's going to lie to you, as he has already proven twice.
 
Yeah, I already paid for the setting. So best bet may be to send that setting to Blue nile to have them mount it do you think? I don't really have time to try and figure out a custom setting being made and this one looks perfect(made by another company)

Worried about getting the stone set there though after he was saying he won't guarantee the setting and that it is possible to chip when installing etc. Said it is very rare but possible but he can't guarantee it since they are not selling the stone.
 
Can you return the setting? We can try to find you something similar, or you can go custom.

I would NOT give your diamond to this guy. "Well, since you didn't buy it from us, it isn't covered if anything...happens...to happen". Sounds kind of shady. He seems like a crook tbh.
 
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