Loose diamond for an engagement ring

[Backlund]

Hi all -

I''ve been reading this forum for the past 6 weeks or so and you guys provide such a great service to uninformed guys like me looking for diamond advice.

I know the gf is particular about jewelery, so my strategy is to get a diamond, put it in a relatively-cheap solitaire and let her pick the ring after the proposal.

These are the specs I''m looking for:

Round
Carat: As close as I can get to 1.5 without going over
Cut: Excellent/Ideal
Color: G or H (she only seems to wear silver-colored jewelery)
Clarity: VS2 or SI1

My budget is less than $8,000.

These are two that I''m looking at, but I''m open to suggestions:

1. 1.41 carats, H-VS2 $7,800 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1253733.asp

2. 1.40 carats, G-SI1, $7,620 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1249336.asp

2. 3. 1.41 carats, I-SI1 $6,410 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1261369.asp

If I go for No. 2 or 3, I''ll ask that they check to see if it''s eye clean.

These are my questions.

1. Are these good diamonds at those prices?
2. Is asking for an idealscope and posting it here for examination the next step?
3. Any suggestions on how to get a cheap temp setting?

Thanks for all your help! This forum has taught me so much.

 

[stone-cold11]

#1 is definitely out. Obvious leakage in the loupe image. Request for IS for #2 and #3, looks promising.

How cheap do you want the setting?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/24/2009 8:19:37 PM
Author:Backlund
Hi all -

I've been reading this forum for the past 6 weeks or so and you guys provide such a great service to uninformed guys like me looking for diamond advice.

I know the gf is particular about jewelery, so my strategy is to get a diamond, put it in a relatively-cheap solitaire and let her pick the ring after the proposal.

These are the specs I'm looking for:

Round
Carat: As close as I can get to 1.5 without going over
Cut: Excellent/Ideal
Color: G or H (she only seems to wear silver-colored jewelery)
Clarity: VS2 or SI1

My budget is less than $8,000.

These are two that I'm looking at, but I'm open to suggestions:

1. 1.41 carats, H-VS2 $7,800 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1253733.asp

2. 1.40 carats, G-SI1, $7,620 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1249336.asp

2. 3. 1.41 carats, I-SI1 $6,410 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1261369.asp

If I go for No. 2 or 3, I'll ask that they check to see if it's eye clean.

These are my questions.

1. Are these good diamonds at those prices?
2. Is asking for an idealscope and posting it here for examination the next step?
3. Any suggestions on how to get a cheap temp setting?

Thanks for all your help! This forum has taught me so much.

I will just link these to make it easier....

1. 1.41 carats, H-VS2 $7,800 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1253733.asp

The diamond above is showing leakage even in the photo, pavilion angle is steep which is undesirable.

2. 1.40 carats, G-SI1, $7,620 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1249336.asp

The diamond above shows potential, ask for an Idealscope image and check the grade setting clouds aren't impacting brilliance by asking the vendor to check it out for you - also that it is eyeclean.


2. 3. 1.41 carats, I-SI1 $6,410 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1261369.asp


This diamond above looks good too, again check it is eyeclean and ask for an Idealscope image.

As for the setting, ask James Allen what they suggest for an inexpensive temporary setting.

 

[Backlund]

I only intend to use the setting for the proposal, so one that isn''t plastic or anything, but definitely doesn''t need to be fancy. After that, I intend to head to the store within a day or two to get her to choose her permanent setting.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/25/2009 1:34:16 PM
Author: Backlund
I only intend to use the setting for the proposal, so one that isn''t plastic or anything, but definitely doesn''t need to be fancy. After that, I intend to head to the store within a day or two to get her to choose her permanent setting.

JA might be able to offer a simple WG solitaire setting which isn''t too expensive, just ask and see what they can suggest.

 

[Backlund]

James Allen got back to me with the idealscope for the one diamond that was left.

It''s this one:

2. 1.40 carats, G-SI1, $7,620 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1249336.asp

He said the diamond was eye clean. There is a black picule (sp?) -- a tiny black spot -- that you can see if you know what you''re looking for, but it is something that can be pronged.

 

[Backlund]

For convenience sake, here''s the certificate.

 

[JulieN]

It''s great.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/30/2009 2:22:59 PM
Author: JulieN
It's great.

Ditto, should be a beauty!

Just check the grade setting clouds aren't affecting brilliance ( rare in SI1 but best to check with JA), if this checks out then you are set!