Looking for a special Diamond for my engagement ring

[Caramella]

Dear All,

I''ve been searching for a special diamond for my engagement ring. I found a 1.74 carat diamond which i liked so far and need you''re opinions on it. Its a IGI certified diamond. I am not sure if IGI is reliabe or not. Sould i go for a GIA diamonds only ??


Below please find the diamond details on the certificate:

Carat wieght: 1.74 Carat
Color: H
Clarity: VVS 2
Cut: Excellent
Shape: Round brilliant
Measurements: 7.66 - 7.69 x 4.71 mm
Table 59%
Crown height - angle 14.5% - 35
Pavillion depth - Angle 42.5% - 40.3
Gridle Thickness Slightly Thick (Faceted)
Culet Pointed
Fluorescence None
Comments: Idea cut l
Price: USD 13,611


Shall i go for it ? is it a good value for money ??

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/13/2009 7:11:31 AM
Author:Caramella
Dear All,

I've been searching for a special diamond for my engagement ring. I found a 1.74 carat diamond which i liked so far and need you're opinions on it. Its a IGI certified diamond. I am not sure if IGI is reliabe or not. Sould i go for a GIA diamonds only ??


Below please find the diamond details on the certificate:

Carat wieght: 1.74 Carat
Color: H
Clarity: VVS 2
Cut: Excellent
Shape: Round brilliant
Measurements: 7.66 - 7.69 x 4.71 mm
Table 59%
Crown height - angle 14.5% - 35
Pavillion depth - Angle 42.5% - 40.3
Gridle Thickness Slightly Thick (Faceted)
Culet Pointed
Fluorescence None
Comments: Idea cut l
Price: USD 13,611


Shall i go for it ? is it a good value for money ??

Hi caramella

It might be ok, I would check with the seller that due to the shallow pavilion angle the stone doesn't darken on close examination, this is an effect called obstruction. You can check for this yourself, bend over the diamond as if to admire it, if it darkens then this is obstruction caused by your head/ body blocking the light to the diamond. If it doesn't bother you then fine but best to point it out.

IGI are considered to grade more leniently than GIA or AGS, if you like this diamond then make the sale final on it checking out to your satisfaction in all aspects with an independant appraisal. This page explains further

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

Also the term Ideal Cut is vendor applied most likely and is no guarantee of a well cut diamond.

Appraiser tool you can use to find one in your area

https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

Have you seen this diamond in person?

 

[stone-cold11]

IGI is considered soft on grading, color and clarity grades could be off by as much as 2 grades if the stone is graded by GIA/AGS.

Stick with GIA/AGS. Safer.

 

[Caramella]

I saw the diamond .. it looks fine but I am not an expert to tell ..

I am from Dubai and most of the diamonds here are either HRD or IGI ..

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/13/2009 7:34:26 AM
Author: Caramella
I saw the diamond .. it looks fine but I am not an expert to tell ..

I am from Dubai and most of the diamonds here are either HRD or IGI ..

I have heard that before so it makes things more difficult. Have you considered buying online, or do you prefer to be able to see the diamond in person?

 

[Caramella]

do you recommend any websites for buying online ?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/13/2009 7:38:25 AM
Author: Caramella

do you recommend any websites for buying online ?

Oh most definitely, here are some you can consider, the vendors have an excellent rep and work very hard to keep it!

www.highperformancediamonds.com

www.goodoldgold.com

www.briangavindiamonds.com

www.niceice.com

www.whiteflash.com

Have a look at these, if you would like some suggestions of diamonds which might suit you then just ask. Also although it is a personal preference, you could lower the clarity to VS comfortably without visual sacrifice if the cut is great, but if you prefer VVS for whatever reason then of course that is fine.

 

[Caramella]

Thank you guys. your comments are very helpful

I found 2 more diamonds that i like. one is IGI and the other is HRD. please advise which one is better:

Option 1 - IGI certifiied:
Shape and cut: Round brilliant
Weight: 1.54 carat
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Cut Grade: Fair
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Good
Measurements: 6.94 - 6.97 X 4.91 mm
Table: 54.5 %
Crown height - Angle: 18.5% - 39.3 degrees
Pavillion depth - Angle: 45% - 41.9 degrees
Gridle Thickness SI,Thick to very thick (Fac.)
Culet: Pointed
Total depth: 70.7%
Fluorescence: none
Price: USD 12,261

Option 2 - HRD certified:
shape: round Brilliant
wieght: 2.10 ct
clarity: VS2
Fluorescence: slight
color: tinted white K
measurements: 8.30 - 8.33 mm X 5.04 mm
proportions: very good
gridle: medium 3% faceted
culet: pointed
table width: 56%
cr height: 15.0%
Pav. depth: 43.0%
Finish grade: very good
Price: USD 13,896

 

[Lorelei]

Definitely no to the first one, the second might be ok but more detailed numbers would be good if you can get them ( ask the seller to run a Sarin scan if he has a machine) HRD are a well regarded lab which are better known outside the USA by all accounts. Also a K colour might show a bit of warmth, are you ok with that?

 

[stone-cold11]

Option 2 is much better. HRD is safer in terms of color and clarity. Numbers looks good but having angles for the crown and pavilion is easier more accurate judge.

 

[Caramella]

How about value for money ? is number 2 fairly price ?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/14/2009 8:31:04 AM
Author: Caramella
How about value for money ? is number 2 fairly price ?

Going by HRD being on a par with GIA for search purposes, online diamonds which are similar are selling for around $10500 to around $13k for online, store jewellers are typically more expensive, so I would say the price is a little on the high side from the info given.

 

[Caramella]

I found this Diamond .. please tell me what you think.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1240660.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131


I never bought a diamond online. Is it safe ?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/15/2009 2:35:09 AM
Author: Caramella
I found this Diamond .. please tell me what you think.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1240660.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131


I never bought a diamond online. Is it safe ?

Yes buying online from a reputable vendor such as JA is completely safe.

The diamond above looks good, it has a different look to some as the table is a bit larger, what we call a 60 60 make, but it shows great potential. What I would do is to ask for an Idealscope from James Allen if you are interested in order for us to see how well all the proportions work together.