Looking for Guidance - 20th Wedding Anniversary!

[mbserum]

I am righting a wrong by buying my wife a new wedding set for our 20th (coming up in August). I had next to no money in 1991 and want her to have a ring that she can be proud of - even though she claims to adore what she does have.

I have found a diamond and wanted to get some guidance from the experts. Thank you in advance.

http://www.uniondiamond.com/control/showDiamondDetails?productId=AE0353048


Thank you all!

Mike Serum
Olathe, KS

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hi, Mike! That is really sweet of you!

We'll probably have to start you over, though! That diamond is graded by EGL which is a very unreliable lab. You'll want a diamond that is graded GIA Excellent cut or AGS Ideal cut. You'll find that EGL stones seem to cost less, but that is because they are actually lower in color and clarity than their reports say. So they do not cost less for what you're getting. In fact, many people overpay with EGL stones.

If you tell us your budget, we can suggest a few for you.

 

[mbserum]

I spoke to Tony at Union Diamond - he has this diamond in hand and indicated that it is eye clean, very white, and that the inclusions are small and white and can be hid with the prongs in all likelihood.

Does that make a difference.

Budget is 7000 for the stone and setting.

Mike

 

[rubybeth]

I spoke to Tony at Union Diamond - he has this diamond in hand and indicated that it is eye clean, very white, and that the inclusions are small and white and can be hid with the prongs in all likelihood.

Does that make a difference.

No, it does not make a difference. You're still going to want to stick with AGS or GIA-graded stones. What kind of setting are you looking to get? A plain solitaire will mean that most of your budget can go toward the stone, but something with a lot of pave or side stones will mean less toward the center stone.

 

[mbserum]

I ran the diamond in the HCA tool and it scored 2.8.


Factor Grade
Light Return Very Good
Fire Very Good
Scintillation Very Good
Spread
or diameter for weight Excellent
Total Visual Performance 2.8 - Very Good - Worth buying if the price is right

 

[E B]

I ran the diamond in the HCA tool and it scored 2.8.

You could do better, I think!

I'd ask if this one is eye-clean:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1498642.asp

The PS bank-wire price leaves you ~$1000 for a setting in budget.

 

[E B]

What kind of a wedding set do you think she'd like?

 

[marymm]

You should be aware from the above posts that the color and clarity of the EGL-Europe diamond are likely to be lower than if it were graded by GIA or AGS.

Also, keep in mind diamonds are priced for what they are worth. If this diamond cost $4,500 then it is only as good as a GIA of the same carat weight that sells for $4,500 and in this case (searching the PS diamond database) that means an H-SI1 or a J-VS2 instead of that EGL-Europe F-VS2.

If you're okay with an H/I color and VS2/SI1 clarity, stick with AGS Ideal or GIA Excellent and find the best-cut diamond within your budget - PSers here will help search out stones for you if you'd like.

If you prefer a higher color (F), you'll probably have drop some in carat weight - but again cut is king - a diamond cut to ideal proportions will appear larger and have a livelier performance than a diamond that is cut to retain weight or to less-than-ideal proportions.

If you are still intent on the EGL-Europe stone and if the vendor has a "no questions asked" return policy, perhaps it would be worth your while to purchase it and have it examined by an independent appraiser https://www.pricescope.com/appraisers (not someone at another jewelry store) - an objective, professional evaluation of the stone should help you determine whether the EGL-Europe stone is really something you'd be proud to give your wife.