Looking for help in choosing a diamond...

[B2THEI]

Hello, all,

I am looking to get engaged in the near future, and my brother received immense help from the Pricescope forums in the recent past. So I was hoping that I might be able to gather some forum opinions on a few diamonds which I am researching. Here are the specs of the 2 that I am currently investigating. Both are round brilliant shape and EGL USA certified:

1.50 ct
7.32x7.20x4.5
G
SI1
Depth 62.1
Table 58
Crown 14.8
Pavilion 43.2
Crown angle 35.3
Pavilion angle 40.7
Girdle medium to thick faceted
Polish VG
Sym VG
Fluoresence strong blue
Cutlet none
Holloway Cut = 1.9

1.52 ct
7.36x7.32x4.47
F
SI1
Depth 60.9
Table 61
Crown 13.8
Pavilion 42.4
Crown angle 35.1
Pavilion angle 40.5
Girdle medium to slightly thick faceted
Polish EX
Sym EX
Fluorescence faint blue
Cutlet none
Holloway Cut = 1.6


I prefer SI1 so long as it is eye clean, which I understand I will have to clarify. The prices are similar and both within my range, so I am hoping that one of these is "the diamond."

Any advice or opinions from your trained eyes would be greatly, greatly appreciated.


Thanks so much,

B2

 

[jet2ks]

Both could have potential, though they will have different personalities. The first has Tolkowsky proportions and will be a more balanced stone, while the second is more of a 60/60 make and will favor brilliance (white light) over fire. You may also know that EGL is ususally considered more lenient on grading, though EGL-USA is the strictest of the EGL labs. These diamonds may be graded by GIA or AGS as a grade lower in color and clarity and should be priced accordingly. You can use the diamond prices search bar at the top of the page to compare what some online vendors would charge for similar diamonds, and GIA or AGS diamonds will likely be priced slightly higher than EGL stones.

Are these with an online vendor that can supply high quality photos and Idealscope images?

 

[Lorelei]

Hi B2 and welcome! Thats great that your Brother encouraged you to come to us for help!

Jet has covered things well concerning these two diamonds, I just wanted to ask are you buying online? If so, if you give us an idea of your budget for the diamond and your requirements, we might be able to suggest some GIA or AGS graded diamonds that might be suitable if you are agreeable. As Jet explained, EGL are considered soft on grading in some circumstances with EGL USA being the strongest of these labs, however the standards can vary considerably with some of the overseas labs. Therefore, the diamonds you have listed might not actually be the colour and clarity grades stated...I would also prefer less diameter variance in the first stone, it is also facing up a little small for the weight.

This page from the Pricescope tutorial could be helpful reading for you - Grading Labs.

 

[B2THEI]

Yeah, these forums helped my brother find a beautiful stone with similar specs to my current search. His diamond was EGL USA certified, and I am indeed aware of the leniency of their grading. Ultimately, an ideal cut diamond that is eye-clean with a reasonable color is most important to me. And, yes, I am planning to buy online - working with USACerted - but I am not sure if I can get images or not from the vendor.

With regards to budget, I am searching in the vicinity of 6500-7000, which I realize almost certainly necessitates an EGL certified diamond. To that end, I am only considering EGL USA diamonds, in hope that I might have the same luck as my brother (the appraisal matched the cert). This might make me lean more towards the 2nd of the two diamonds, given that it is a color grade higher and so hopefully at least a G.


Thanks again!

B2

 

[stone-cold11]

USACerted will be able to get you IS images.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/18/2010 12:19:20 PM
Author: B2THEI
Yeah, these forums helped my brother find a beautiful stone with similar specs to my current search. His diamond was EGL USA certified, and I am indeed aware of the leniency of their grading. Ultimately, an ideal cut diamond that is eye-clean with a reasonable color is most important to me. And, yes, I am planning to buy online - working with USACerted - but I am not sure if I can get images or not from the vendor.

With regards to budget, I am searching in the vicinity of 6500-7000, which I realize almost certainly necessitates an EGL certified diamond. To that end, I am only considering EGL USA diamonds, in hope that I might have the same luck as my brother (the appraisal matched the cert). This might make me lean more towards the 2nd of the two diamonds, given that it is a color grade higher and so hopefully at least a G.


Thanks again!

B2

I would definitely suggest getting an independant appraisal if you do go for an EGL graded diamond, also bear in mind that sometimes these stones can appraise even lower than 1 colour and clarity grade.

I had a look for you with GIA graded diamonds, I don't know if you would consider J colour ( remembering that there is a possibility that an EGL diamond could be considerably lower in colour) but I thought I would show you anyway.

This one has grade setting clouds in SI2 clarity so you would need to check that these aren't impacting performance if interested, and request an Idealscope image too.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255448.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1272247.asp another

If you want more info on the EGL stones, I have seen Idealscope images from USACerted in the past, see if Martin can provide some for you.

Here is the appraiser listing.

 

[B2THEI]

Lorelei,

I appreciate your taking the time to search out a few GIA stones. I think J is a little lower than what I''m shooting for, but your point is well-taken regarding the EGL stones.

I will talk to Martin and try to get some Idealscope images for the diamonds I mentioned.

Very much appreciate the input,

B2

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/18/2010 5:51:03 PM
Author: B2THEI
Lorelei,

I appreciate your taking the time to search out a few GIA stones. I think J is a little lower than what I''m shooting for, but your point is well-taken regarding the EGL stones.

I will talk to Martin and try to get some Idealscope images for the diamonds I mentioned.

Very much appreciate the input,

B2

Glad to help, if you can get the IS images post them then we can take a look for you.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I would prefer the Tolk-type cut in number 1, since I like balanced performance in my diamonds. An IS would help though.

On a side note...

One thing to be aware of is the fact that it is not really the cert that costs more or less when you compare GIA to EGL or any other lab. The diamond is worth what it is worth, if you could somehow know its "true" color and clarity. If a diamond is sent to EGL and gets a G color grade but is sent to GIA and gets a lower grade, it is the same diamond, and in the end the H from GIA would cost the same as the G from EGL. So you are not getting a deal from EGL, and discomfort going as low as a J in a GIA stone is a "in the head" thing, because that diamond would not be a J at all most likely if it was sent to EGL! Would you like it better with an EGL cert and a higher color grade?

Anyways, my point is that you get what you pay for no matter who the lab is. If your budget will get you J color from GIA, then you can bet your bippy that you are not getting so much better for your money from EGL. Your brother ended up with an EGL stone that one single appraiser graded as being the same as the cert. That doesn''t mean it would get the same grading from GIA or even from another appraiser.