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Looking for some honest advice

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THEWOOD

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 7, 2008
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I am now in the market for an engagement ring. I visited Robbins Bros. today and spent a good deal of time there only to walk away with mixed feelings. After reading reviews on this site and others I am glad I walked out empty handed. I am no diamond expert and looking for honest advice on purchasing a diamond. The setting is already picked out. The setting is a Tacori 2507RD8. The diamond should meet at least the following;

size - 1.5 carats
color - H or higher
clarity - SI1, would rather be in the V''s but not sure if the money is worth it
budget - prefer to spend less than 13,000 on the diamond alone
fluorescence - none (she says this is a big deal)

When using the search function provided on this site I was able to come up with slim results. I did find one though, http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-680240.htm# , is this a good diamond?

Also I have some hesitations in purchasing something like this online. Any words of wisdom?

Please feel free to be brutally honest. I appreciate all help.

Thank You
 
Also if someone could help clarify AGS0 diamonds. I clicked the link above but still do not understand how one tells if it is an AGS0. Is this one?

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636607.htm
 
Hi Thewood - will do a search for candidates in a min when have some more time - but just wanted to chime in that if your GF is strongly against having any fluoro due to something she was told, she was misinformed. From faint to medium fluor, chances are you will never see a thing. The reason I mention this is because you could be passing up really good stones due to a non issue. Many people on PS actually seek out stones with fluor,as they consider it a fun extra feature of their stone.
If its something that is her informed preference, than no worries!
 
The first one is not a good choice.

Second one is much better. The only way to know for sure if it is an AGS 0 is if it has an AGS report.
 
Date: 6/7/2008 10:58:58 PM
Author: THEWOOD
Also if someone could help clarify AGS0 diamonds. I clicked the link above but still do not understand how one tells if it is an AGS0. Is this one?

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636607.htm
Click to expand...

Hi TheWood, welcome to Pricescope! That stone is beautiful and an AGS0's; ask if it is eye clean. I purchased from Whiteflash twice and I am quite happy! It is scary making a purchase through the internet for the 1st time but you do save money and I wouldn't do it any other way again
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Would you mind explaining why you say the first one is not a good choice? Does something jump out at you when you read the specifications?
 
first thing I notice is the arrows are white. Big clue that it has leakage.

2nd thing I noticed, the proportions. 63% depth, and more importantly, 41.4 PA is too deep.

3rd, I opened the Ideal Scope. "Ring of death."
 
I totally wouldn''t discount fluoro in a H coloured ideal cut stone - it may even help it face up whiter! Maybe she has got some dodgy advice about fluoro, but do a quick search on it here and you will come up with tons of threads explaining all about it and how great it is. In a H colour, I would be putting it on the list of wants, def not exclusions!
 
You''ve now found the two pulled up easily in the search by cut utility on this board. For SI options, ask the vendor if it is eye clean. Since both vendors here are well respected, and have earned that respect by both providing quality goods, and not misrepresenting them...you''ll do well to seek their advice.

But both of these look like good options!
 
Date: 6/8/2008 11:11:59 AM
Author: THEWOOD
I am still concerned over clarity. Any experts out there you can put my concerns to rest?
Click to expand...

I certainly am not claiming to be an expert, but the general consensus on clarity here is "why pay for something you can''t see?" If an SI1 or 2 is eye-clean, it will have the exact same appearance to the naked eye as an IF diamond. Some people prefer a higher clarity because they know in their minds that the stone is relatively free of inclusions. To some people, clarity symbolizes purity. It''s a personal decision, but you''ll find that most people here would rather have a larger eye-clean SI1 than a smaller VVS1 for the same price.
 
TheWood- Both the Whiteflash ACA and GOG stones should be gorgeous. Can''t go wrong with either as far as sparkles go :D

As far as the clarity, I won''t sacrifice it for size.

Don''t think I''m in the minority either. I know there are some here who would rather have a smaller VVS, or VS stone than a larger SI stone.
It''s a very personal choice and only you can answer. If you''re comfortable going with an SI stone, more power to ya cause you can def. go up in size
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. Ask the vendor to make sure it''s eye clean from ALL angles not just face up though.
 
Date: 6/8/2008 11:57:37 AM
Author: elle_chris
TheWood- Both the Whiteflash ACA and GOG stones should be gorgeous. Can''t go wrong with either as far as sparkles go :D

As far as the clarity, I won''t sacrifice it for size.

Don''t think I''m in the minority either. I know there are some here who would rather have a smaller VVS, or VS stone than a larger SI stone.
It''s a very personal choice and only you can answer. If you''re comfortable going with an SI stone, more power to ya cause you can def. go up in size
1.gif
. Ask the vendor to make sure it''s eye clean from ALL angles not just face up though.
Click to expand...
I am not an expert but here are my thoughts:

I find that most people will need to make sacrifices when choosing a diamond, especially because most of us have those damned budgets standing in our way.

I would rather sacrifice size and clarity over color and cut. With that said, I have not been able to cross the bridge and go with an SI stone. VS2 is the max I''m willing to tolerate. VVS is a tad of an overkill for me especially in a round brilliant. I prefer to stay within the colorless range also.
Conclusion: I cannot afford a large diamond - at least not with my current state of mind.

As you can see, we all have different thresholds. It''s about finding out what sacrifices are you willing to make. I think the hesitation with an SI1 mostly has to do with the notion of "mind clean" and it has nothing to do with the actual appearance of the stone. Browsing through PS you will find a ton of SI1 owners with some amazing, completely "eye clean" stones.

If your lady is a "size" lady, I would go to a lower clarity (SI1) to be able to afford the larger stone. I have been told that most SI1 are eye clean. With that said, it is important for you to first ask the vendor what their definition of eye clean is and second to find out if the stone will pass close scrutiny i.e 3-5 inches from all angles. Trust me, us ladies would look at a diamond that close LOL. If yes, you found yourself a winner.

GOG hand picks their diamonds... The GOG stone should be killer.
 
THEWOOD, I bought my stone from James Allen, and just received it today - it''s an I Si1, and I absolutely love it. I can heartily recommend JA. I took the time to educate myself about ideal proportions here, and seek advice from PSers - I think it paid off! They have some lovely stones, and I think that one you''ve just pulled looks good.
 
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