Looking for Advice on the following 5 Diamonds

[mwchinn]

I am looking for some advice on the following diamonds below as I plan on proposing to my GF next week. Which one would you choose. Should I be concerned at all on the difference in the certification (GIA vs. AGSL). Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

1. Round 1.77 Ideal G VS2 ID / ID $14,862 http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01568452http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-vs1-clarity_LD01568500

2. Round 1.74 Ideal G VS2 EX / EX $15,436 http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01524233

3. Round 1.72 Ideal G VS2 ID / ID $14,285 http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01346296

4. Round 1.72 Ideal G VS1 ID / ID $15,989 http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-vs1-clarity_LD01568500

5. Round 1.71 Ideal G VS2 EX / EX $14,609 http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01567482

 

[tonyc2387]

nothing stands out, #4 is probably best bet. stay away from 1 and 5.

hard to give advice on BN stones because they don't have them in house and can't provide images (real, ASET, idealscope) that *really* aid in analysis over the internet. if you need a good stone FAST and you want it visually verified by someone else, look at some of the PS vendors such as GOG and Whiteflash. The customer service there is top-notch and they'll really help you find the perfect diamond... and get it to you by next week. Good luck!

 

[mwchinn]

Thanks for your input. I see you recommended a few other sites to look at. Is BN not preferrable since they do not have pictures of their diamonds. I am obviously a first time buyer and have been reading alot about diamonds, the 4c''s etc... these past few weeks. I keep hearing that the cut is the #1 thing to look at than, color and then clarity. If I get an ideal cut, can i then sacrafice on G versus and H? How about a VS2 versus a S1? I am on a budget an would like to stay below $17K for the diamond and the ring. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Hi mwchinn

1 and 4 would be my choices out of these. GIA and AGS are both the gold standard for grading labs, however some believe AGS cut grading is preferable to GIA.

 

[tonyc2387]

Date: 11/28/2009 4:10:39 AM
Author: mwchinn
Is BN not preferrable since they do not have pictures of their diamonds.

BN is a fine vendor, but if you need a diamond quickly and you want to make sure there won''t be any problems with it, it would probably be better to go with a vendor that keeps diamonds in-house.

Date: 11/28/2009 4:10:39 AM
Author: mwchinn
I am obviously a first time buyer and have been reading alot about diamonds, the 4c''s etc... these past few weeks. I keep hearing that the cut is the #1 thing to look at than, color and then clarity. If I get an ideal cut, can i then sacrafice on G versus and H? How about a VS2 versus a S1? I am on a budget an would like to stay below $17K for the diamond and the ring. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!

good job on reading up. yes, with an ideal cut you can stay within the G,H,I range and it will be unlikely for you to notice color (unless you''re particularly color sensitive); similarly you can drop down to SI1-2 and have vendors verify that they''re eye-clean, and you won''t have a problem. ditto lorelei on the lab grading.

what kind of setting are you looking at? how much room does it leave for the diamond?

 

[mwchinn]

Thanks Lorelei and Tonyc for your advice. I''m so glad I found this site. It can be so daunting to look for the diamond let alone engagment ring. There''s so much information to read from, but its also just as important to get feedback.

As for engagement ring settings, below are the 4 I am looking at. Let me know your thoughts. For any of these rings, will it matter the size of the diamond? What other factors should I consider?

1. Aria Pavé Diamond Ring http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_7799

2. Pavé-Set Petite Trellis Ring http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_12476

3. Pave Cathedral Setting http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_12925

4. Petite Pavé-Set Diamond Cathedral Ring in Platinum http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_9917

Thanks

 

[tonyc2387]

Date: 11/28/2009 1:54:25 PM
Author: mwchinn
Thanks Lorelei and Tonyc for your advice. I''m so glad I found this site. It can be so daunting to look for the diamond let alone engagment ring. There''s so much information to read from, but its also just as important to get feedback.


As for engagement ring settings, below are the 4 I am looking at. Let me know your thoughts. For any of these rings, will it matter the size of the diamond? What other factors should I consider?

Do you plan on proposing next week with the ring? BN says all of those settings won''t be available until 4-6 weeks.

Otherwise, they''re all very pretty settings. Pave is a little harder to clean (can''t really use US cleaners), but it is gorgeous. Just make sure the center stone and band stones are all within 2-3 color grades of each other. They should all fit a 1.7ct diamond.

 

[mwchinn]

Thanks Again. Lorelei and Tonyc, I am curious on what you both would recommend if you had my budget and you knew the criteria was to by a 2ct. ring while optimizing the cut (excellent or ideal). What would you recommend? I do want to do this right and not jump into things. I have done tons of research, but its overwhelming looking at all the diamonds as they all look a like. I just ask the question as both of you did not seem to like the stones I picked up above. Your input would be great.

And Tonyc, I called BN to see if they would be able to deliver on time and they said they would as long as I ordered the ring by Monday 11/30.

Thanks,

M

 

[yssie]

Depending on your colour tolerance, drop it and clarity. It's not easy to find an eyeclean SI2, but it's definitely possible. Some people will notice the difference between a G and an I, some won't; your setting choices leave the pavilion easily viewable, so if you're colour-sensitive this may not be an option for you.

 

[tonyc2387]

Date: 11/28/2009 8:37:34 PM
Author: mwchinn
Thanks Again. Lorelei and Tonyc, I am curious on what you both would recommend if you had my budget and you knew the criteria was to by a 2ct. ring while optimizing the cut (excellent or ideal). What would you recommend? I do want to do this right and not jump into things. I have done tons of research, but its overwhelming looking at all the diamonds as they all look a like. I just ask the question as both of you did not seem to like the stones I picked up above. Your input would be great.

And Tonyc, I called BN to see if they would be able to deliver on time and they said they would as long as I ordered the ring by Monday 11/30.

Interesting that their website is that out of date. It''s not that you picked bad stones, it''s just that without images it''s extremely hard to determine diamond performance... so we have to rely on a somewhat stricter subset of numbers to ensure issues such as leakage and obstruction won''t crop up. I defer to Lorelei''s diamond-finding powers to find an H+ VS diamond closer to 2ct for $16k, but if you ask me to compete with the diamonds you selected, I''d go with this one:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2169555.htm#

WF has a few similar pave settings for ~$1k. ACA''s are a few steps beyond BN''s signature ideal, and they come with one of the best upgrade policies in the industry (vs no upgrade policy). Something to consider.

Also, BGD has a couple 2ct J VS2''s in your price range, though they could potentially be a little too warm. Worth it to call and ask, though, because BGD''s are cut to perfection... and there are quite a few PSers who are beyond happy with their well cut J''s (that still face up white enough to fool almost anyone). Hope this helps!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/29/2009 12:31:57 AM
Author: tonyc2387

Date: 11/28/2009 8:37:34 PM
Author: mwchinn
Thanks Again. Lorelei and Tonyc, I am curious on what you both would recommend if you had my budget and you knew the criteria was to by a 2ct. ring while optimizing the cut (excellent or ideal). What would you recommend? I do want to do this right and not jump into things. I have done tons of research, but its overwhelming looking at all the diamonds as they all look a like. I just ask the question as both of you did not seem to like the stones I picked up above. Your input would be great.

And Tonyc, I called BN to see if they would be able to deliver on time and they said they would as long as I ordered the ring by Monday 11/30.

Interesting that their website is that out of date. It''s not that you picked bad stones, it''s just that without images it''s extremely hard to determine diamond performance... so we have to rely on a somewhat stricter subset of numbers to ensure issues such as leakage and obstruction won''t crop up. I defer to Lorelei''s diamond-finding powers to find an H+ VS diamond closer to 2ct for $16k, but if you ask me to compete with the diamonds you selected, I''d go with this one:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2169555.htm#

WF has a few similar pave settings for ~$1k. ACA''s are a few steps beyond BN''s signature ideal, and they come with one of the best upgrade policies in the industry (vs no upgrade policy). Something to consider.

Also, BGD has a couple 2ct J VS2''s in your price range, though they could potentially be a little too warm. Worth it to call and ask, though, because BGD''s are cut to perfection... and there are quite a few PSers who are beyond happy with their well cut J''s (that still face up white enough to fool almost anyone). Hope this helps!

Nice selection Tony!!

mwchinn, as I said above 1 and 4 show potential but without images we have to be guarded as all we can say is that the stones show potential without images. What we have is a wireframe outline of the stone and that doesn''t show things like angle swings, cutters techniques and so on which can affect how the diamond actually looks.