Looking for Expert Advice on buying an Engagement Ring

[ZxExN]

Hello Everyone,

After reading some of the other threads, I am very impressed with depth of knowledge on diamonds that many of you possess. I've tried to educate myself about diamonds but due to many factors, including time, I can't hope to make a timely and accurate decision alone. Below are details that may assist in narrowing down some suggestions:

Timeframe: Late Dec/Early January
Budget: $9000 CAD Taxes-In (Canada - Toronto)
Shape: Round
Size: 0.95-1.1 Carat
Ring: 6 Prong Platinum

I would like a simple but elegant ring.

I'm looking for the best diamond that my budget can afford. I appreciate any reasoning and education you care to instill as I agree that the subtle nusances are equally important.

Thanks for taking your valuable time in helping me with this purchase.

Here are some diamonds I've been looking at from blueniles.ca

http://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD02700751
http://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD02915673

 

[Dancing Fire]

IMO...the tables are too big on these 2 stone.

 

[TC1987]

Here's what the PS community "party line" is for screening diamonds:

1. Search here for "cheat sheet." You'll find several threads that discuss crown and pavilion angle combinations and also a list of dimension and parameter ranges that are likely to provide top performance.

2. Having found something that fits into those parameter ranges, plug the dimensions into the HCS cut adviser that's under Tools on that menu bar at the top of the page here. Look for 2 or less. The tool is a rejection tool to screen out diamonds likely to have leakage. Generally if the score is 2 or less and the diamond falls into that "fence" for AGS 000, you're good to go. If it's outside that AGS fence and still in the GIA, then look at what color zone it's in because the diamond might be more firey or more brilliant (white light).

3. Table size is personal preference. But I like them small like 55-56% range or not larger than 57%. Big table often means a bias toward brilliance more that fire, or that the fire will all be out at the edges of the stone. And small table has less table glare than a big table.

I bought from Good Old Gold. When buying online, I usually gravitate to the sellers who have the diamonds in-house. They can look at the diamond and send pictures and / or have already done a thorough analysis on that diamond's performance and posted it online. Blue Nile is more of a drop-shipper, if I recall correctly. Upgrade, tradein and buy-back policies are also nice to have, so they factor into my decisions.

 

[ZxExN]

Thank you kindly for both your feedbacks. I'll do more research and post some diamonds for your comments soon.

Cheers

 

[TC1987]

Oops, I meant HCA cut adviser that's under Tools. I can't type so well on this little keyboard, hehe.

 

[ZxExN]

I've found two diamomds that are in the range I'm looking at in terms of price and quality. Comments?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782639.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2762638.htm


The second one is quite abit cheaper approx $900. The second one has a HCA of 1.1 but only an Ex AGS rating vs the Ideal rating of the first one (however it only has a HCA of 1.4 I believe). What's the reason for the price difference? Both are VS2 G and around the same carat weight. In anycase for the price, can I get a much better deal elsewhere?

Thanks

 

[tyty333]

I've found two diamomds that are in the range I'm looking at in terms of price and quality. Comments?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782639.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2762638.htm


The second one is quite abit cheaper approx $900. The second one has a HCA of 1.1 but only an Ex AGS rating vs the Ideal rating of the first one (however it only has a HCA of 1.4 I believe). What's the reason for the price difference? Both are VS2 G and around the same carat weight. In anycase for the price, can I get a much better deal elsewhere?

Thanks

ACAs are already vetted to be excellent diamonds so no problem with that stone. The second stone should be very nice too.
Since you are looking at ACAs have you considered dropping down to an eye-clean SI1? Here are a couple of more stones to
look at that have been checked for being eye-clean. Could save yourself a little more money. All these stones should be lovely.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782643.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782641.htm