Looking to spend ~4500 on a diamond, help me decide how to do it!

[aro3eb]

Hi all,

I''ve been in your standard mall jewelry store, looking at stones and settings, and looked at a 1.04 carat, H color, SI2 w/ GIA cert diamond that looked amazing in person. It was however $4950, and while thats not that far out of my range, I can''t afford to be that flexible. As such I''d like to attempt to replicate that as best as I can for slightly less.

I''ve been reading a lot around here, and decided I''d join the masses and ask for a little advice. Looking for round diamond with the best cut I can get for a stone at about 1 carat, no lower than H or I in color. Clarity is flexible as you can''t see it without trying to, though I am bit nervous about this part, as it seems to be the most subjective.

Now I''ve been searching all over for stones that meet these characteristics, with what I think are somewhat mixed results. I''ve been finding stones that seem to have very similar characteristics but vary substantially in price. Is there a good explanation for this? I''ve also plugged several into the HCA, thereby knocking a few out of contention that had seemed excellent otherwise. Who knew "excellent cut" had such variability?

Thanks!

 

[bosoxbw]

1.04 I/VS2 (1.4 HCA): http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131&item=861652 [$4860]

.91 G/SI1 (0.9 HCA) (if eye-clean): http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131&item=890306 [$4280]

 

[iheartscience]

I found quite a few right away at Whiteflash.com. I searched their Expert Selection (I believe these are all ideal cut) rounds 1.00-1.18 ct, G-I and VS1-SI2. Also, they do offer a Pricescope and wire transfer discount so the prices should be lower than what is listed on their website.

Here are a few:

1.067 H SI2 for $4490
1.033 G SI2 for $4546
1.143 I SI1 for $4828

I would make sure the stones are eyeclean and I would also ask about the Pricescope discount to see how much lower the prices are. Also, a simple white or yellow gold solitaire setting should only be about $200.

(I''m sure you could find comparably priced ideal cut stones on other Pricescope vendors'' websites as well, I just used the one I know best and had a good experience with. If you do go with Whiteflash.com, I highly recommend Sheerah. She was my sales representative and she''s great!)

Good luck!

 

[hikerchick]

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-175735.htm#
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-183727.htm#

Call and ask how eye clean if at all either of these above diamonds are. The first one looks like it could be promising.

 

[Regular Guy]

I three spy the 1.06 H at WF...however...

Date: 3/28/2007 11:51:33 PM
Author:aro3eb
I've also plugged several into the HCA...

consider using this, and letting the db here do the work for you. You'll see others, too, and you may find paying a bit more is worth it to you...to get a G, or whatever.

 

[bosoxbw]

Date: 3/29/2007 12:01:26 AM
Author: bosoxbw
1.04 I/VS2 (1.4 HCA): http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131&item=861652 [$4860]

btw, this one is AGS000