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Loose Diamond Opinion - For Engagement Ring

J

jjspierx

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 15, 2013
Messages
35
I am looking at finalizing a purchase on the following diamond. The price is right, the numbers seem good to me based on my research, I was just wondering if anybody see's anything about it that I should be worried about. I won't be able to get an idealscope image, but I will be getting an image of the actual diamond tomorrow, that I will post as soon as I get it. Until then, this is what I have go one.

Cert: GIA
Carat: 0.80
Cut: Excellent
Color: I
Clarity: SI2
Depth 62.30
Table 57.00
Measurements: 5.91x5.93x3.69
Fluorescence: None
Cutlet: None
Girdle: M
Polish: Excellent
Cutlet: Excellent
Crown Angle : 35.5
Pavilion Angle: 40.8

I calculated HCA to be 2.7 (Very Good) but if somebody wants to double check that, I would feel better about it.

Do the numbers suggest this will ring will be very shiny and fiery? They seem good to me, and I guess I will have a better idea after seeing a pic tomorrow, but no idealscope. Anything jump out about the specs above as negative that I should think about? The price is right for this diamond but I welcome second opinions.

Thanks in advance.
 
If you can't get the ideal scope image (which if you're buying online, I would absolutely never suggest getting a diamond without one), then I would wait to see the picture. You can tell from the picture if there's leakage and how bright the stone is...I would still suggest you buy from somewhere where they provide ideal scope images.
 
I haven't gotten the picture yet, but I did receive back comments on the diamond as follows:

  • Diamond has brown shade due to its lower color grade.
    Black inclusion in the table.
    Few small white inclusions in the crown.
    Inclusions are visible.

The diamond is GIA certified and has an "I"color rating. I know that is at the end of the near colorless range, but I wouldn't expect it to have a brown shade due to its lower color grade as described, should that worry me or is that a standard gemologist response to an "I" color grade diamond?

Also, I realize it is SI2 clarity and probably not eye clean, so that doesn't bother me too much as long as the inclusions aren't very large and very noticeable without inspecting it up close. Should I be worried about the black inclusions in the table and few small white inclusions in the crown? I don't know much about which types of inclusions are most glaring and obvious.

Thanks in advance.
 
I think their comment about color is based on the hue, not the tint, if that makes sense. Some diamonds have a yellow hue, others have brown. Imagine like, if there was a dial to turn up or down the color, one would go from white to yellow, one from white to brown. yours is a 3 on the brown diamond, verses the yellow one. for one, i find the slight brown more attractive than slight yellow. also, at an I its not going to be that noticeable, as long as its GIA graded. I think though, i might pass on this stone. I would want a .8 stone to hit at least 6 mm, and the fact that the inclusions are visible, id pass.

Whats your budget for that stone? I had just got some idealscopes on some K stones. I passed one one for another, but its a (on the white side) K VS2 .8 that hits 6mm for under 2k
_5566.jpg
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-195604
 
Thanks for the comments Niel. My budget for the stone is about $2100. I have been looking at B2C because their prices are very good and I also really like one of their settings that I want to pair the stone with. I have no idea how much time and money would be involved in getting a setting and stone separately and getting it set locally. Is that something I should look into?

That James Allen stone you linked too, I am not good at deciphering idealscope images, is that idealscope pretty good? The price is certainly right, I hadn't even considered a J or K stone, but that is only cause of what I have read, I have never really looked at stones before and am not sure if I could even tell the difference with my own eyes the difference. My girl is certainly not picky and won't notice the difference, she has told me she would be happy with a silver band for an engagement ring, so I know a .7-.8 carat diamond will floor her even if it isn't the best, but I still want to get a her the nicest quality/size diamond I can for about $2100.
 
The IS on Niel's K stone is good. The lots of red and very little white is what you want to see.

https://www.pricescope.com/tools/ideal-scope


I would also pass on this current stone you are looking at. The other one you were looking at at B2C had better numbers, but still the same problem of not being able to get an idealscope.

People here will be more than willing to help you search if you just give them a budget and at least at JA you get to make 3 selections to view ideascopes from and people here can help you choose. Here is a J that scores a 1.4 on the HCA tool (a weed out tool on here to help people comb through large inventory). Remember that the price you see on JA is not the actual price you would get when you call and ask for the PS discount. I believe it is 5%.

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.75-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-206300

Alternatively, I still give a very strong recommendation for calling IDJ and seeing what they come up with.
 
Have you looked at the JA settings? They have so many, I'm sure you'd find one that's nice. Also its not much hassle to get a stone separately and set locally. I've done it.
For me. At this size a k is fine. I mean. When I look at that stone I posted or the one bcat posted they still look white to me. And I'd rather see the slightest tint than a black inclusion on my diamond. Especially because stones in the real world are often around this color (from Jared's and whatnot)
 
I was looking at that setting a little earlier today, it is the only setting I am really interested in from JA actually. Here is the setting I really want though.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/Diamond-Accent-Settings/Cathedral-Diamond-Accent-Engagement-Ring-14K-White-Gold-8250-1.aspx

I wonder if I couldn't get the setting from B2C and send it to JA to set if I buy a stone from them?

Thanks for the stone suggestions, I really appreciate them. Here are is my order of priority of what I am looking for in the stone if that helps (my priorities keep changing the more I learn)

Price: ~ $2100 'ish
Cut: Must be Excellent
Size: greater than 0.70, would like to be closer to 0.80
Clarity: I honestly am not too picky on inclusions, yes, I don't want glaring big black spots, but it doesn't need to be eye clean either
Color: I honestly don't know, everybody seems have different opinions. I don't want a yellow-brownish diamond, but I think I am ok being slightly out of the near-colorless range.

I will probably check out the stones you both already posted a bit more after lunch.

Thanks again for the help.
 
K will have a slight tint, but will not be "yellow or brown" I would reserve those stones from ja and then maybe take a trip to a local store to use GIA graded j-k stones (keep in mind that 80 pointer is a high k. If you like them then there you go. I do think both of those stones face up really white.


As for clarity don't compromise. You can get eye clean si1s so no reason to get an si1 that isn't.

The reason I like that ja setting iis, because kc the tapering how high it sets up, the stone looks really large!
 
JA will set a diamond in a setting that I send them for $100 if I decide not to buy the setting through them. I have no idea if that is a fair price or not, but it seems reasonable to me. This would be a great compromise and allow me to get the setting I want, and be able to get a diamond that I can see an idealscope image of before buying. I am seriously thinking about that K stone you linked to.
 
jjspierx|1366307464|3429884 said:
JA will set a diamond in a setting that I send them for $100 if I decide not to buy the setting through them. I have no idea if that is a fair price or not, but it seems reasonable to me. This would be a great compromise and allow me to get the setting I want, and be able to get a diamond that I can see an idealscope image of before buying. I am seriously thinking about that K stone you linked to.
Click to expand...

They also have a couple that are similar to the one you like:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-double-pave-leaf-engagement-ring-item-7851

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-thin-cross-prong-diamond-engagement-ring-item-121

You may want to go look at some diamonds that are graded J and K to see how you feel about color. It's mostly a sensitivity issue and personal tolerance. Also, remember you won't be wearing the stone, she will and so paying attention to her sensitivity is IMO, more important.

When we were looking at stones I had everything from a J and K GIA stone to look at, an M AVR (branded cut), and eventually ended up with an H because the others had too much color for me. Now I have an I with medium fluorescence and love the effect, but that's just as low as I can personally go. You have to find your own tolerance levels (or rather hers).
 
I would also recommend proposing within the 60 day return window, just in case she's a lot more color sensitive than you think, so you have a chance to get something else.

I'm not trying to be a downer on color, but I'm speaking from experience of having first assumed I was not color sensitive (watched videos and all that) to finding out what my own color tolerance is, was a journey. Video's don't really capture it IMO. When you look at them up close and in real life you'll find out what you need to know about your own opinions on color.
 
bastetcat - I will definitely be proposing in plenty of time to return the diamond if the color or anything else is unsatisfactory to my girl, thanks for the good advice.

Niel - I asked JA about that setting in in 14K, and they said they can do it, they are getting me a price quote, thanks for the idea. I do like that setting a lot too, about as much as the B2C setting. Both are similar with the basket style with small diamonds underneath and I really like that style.
 
jjspierx|1366312673|3429957 said:
bastetcat - I will definitely be proposing in plenty of time to return the diamond if the color or anything else is unsatisfactory to my girl, thanks for the good advice.

Niel - I asked JA about that setting in in 14K, and they said they can do it, they are getting me a price quote, thanks for the idea. I do like that setting a lot too, about as much as the B2C setting. Both are similar with the basket style with small diamonds underneath and I really like that style.
Click to expand...

Oh cool! I'd advise getting them in the same place just because if for some reason (though I doubt it) she needed to return it for some reason, its all from home place.
 
bastetcat|1366308991|3429906 said:
I would also recommend proposing within the 60 day return window, just in case she's a lot more color sensitive than you think, so you have a chance to get something else.

I'm not trying to be a downer on color, but I'm speaking from experience of having first assumed I was not color sensitive (watched videos and all that) to finding out what my own color tolerance is, was a journey. Video's don't really capture it IMO. When you look at them up close and in real life you'll find out what you need to know about your own opinions on color.
Click to expand...

I agree with b cat that you should see these colors for yourself. The videos convinced me it wasn't bad to go that low, then seeing them in color confirmed for me that Ilike them. But again popping into a local store and asking to see gia triple excellent stones in that color should be relatively painless, then you have that....
 
I have that JA K stone on hold for me, while I wait for them to quote me on a 14K version of the filigree basket setting. I am frustrated though because I REALLY like the setting from B2C:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/Diamond-Accent-Settings/Cathedral-Diamond-Accent-Engagement-Ring-14K-White-Gold-8250-1.aspx

And I even have one of their free demo versions of the setting that they sent me, so I have inspected it up close and am very pleased with it. Also,the price point is great for that setting.

I just really wish I could get idealscope images for B2C diamond, because it would be so much simpler for me to be able to order a stone and setting from one place and have it set before being sent to me.

So as I see it I have the following options:

1. Order a known good stone through JA, and get a setting that I like, but don't love, and overall spend a few hundred more dollars

2. Order the stone through JA, the setting through B2C, and having it set separately, but deal with the hassle of paying extra to get it set, and possibly, if having to send it back, sending to 2 different places.

3. Order a unknown stone through B2C, but ensuring it has Excellent cut, polish, symmetry, and a very good or excellent HCA, and also get the setting I really want through B2c, but know that without an idealscope image I could be getting a diamond that I end up having to send back.

I am starting to lean towards option #3, even though I know both of you have advised me against it. With option 3, I can get out with a nice ~0.75-0.80 carat diamond and setting for about $2500. I think I will look through some more B2C diamonds, and look for ones that are VS1-SI1 (not S12 like I was before) and slightly less color (I was looking at H, I before) and see what I come up with. Thanks again for all your help, I won't purchase anything until I've seen your responses, and I am still open to change, but option #3 is what I am beginning to lean towards. I am thinking even if I do get a diamond that isn't quite what I wanted (and more importantly what she wanted) they have a 30 day return policy. Also, I know my girl won't be picky in the slightest, she is not a diamond type of girl, she loves simple and mostly locally made jewerly and she will think any ~0.75 carat diamond is amazing and much more than she expected. I highly doubt she will notice any color or inclusions in a H,I,J,K or SI1/SI2 diamond. It is me the engineer that is super picky and technical about any purchase, especially an expensive one like this.
 
Have you explored the option of buying the. Ja stone and having them send it to b2c to have it set? Maybe they won't charge you to set an outside stone? Worth asking.
 
This seems to be a good one on B2C, based on numbers.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-1-2530493-0.81-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-SI1-clarity.aspx

I calculated HCA to be 0.8.

It is a 0.81 carat, J color, SI1, Excellent cut diamond for about $2000 with bank wire transfer and PS discount.

I know you guys highly recommend seeing an idealscope, but with an excellent cut, and an HCA of 0.8, is it not fairly certain it will be fairly low light leakage stone? It is SI1, so I don't expect it to be completely eye clean, but I would think it should look pretty good. I know there is know way to make a risk-free decision without seeing the stone and an ideal-scope, but would you at least rate this as low-risk?
 
Don't settle. I think si1 is a good choice for you, but they're are si1 eye clean stones out there. So try and avoid an si1 stone that isn't eye clean. BUT with that stone maybe this one is. Will they check it out for you??
 
I think so, I am speaking with a representative now who is going to have it checked for me. This seems to be a pretty good diamond at a pretty good price if it is eye clean.
 
I agree I like the table and its not too deep. The crown angle could be a twinge better but that's nit picking slightly. And the type of inclusion make me optimistic that it could be eye clean. Twinning wisps are usually a good sign
 
They will update me with a gemologist review tomorrow and possibly a picture, but they can't always get a picture or idealscope. There gemologist reviews seem pretty honest, at least from the the review they gave above in this thread that talked me out of the previous SI2 stone I was looking at, so hopefully this will be an honest review and it will come back eye clean. If it does come back eye clean, do you think it is likely it will also be a low-leakage stone based on the excellent cut and HCA of 0.8 even if I don't get an ideal scope image?
 
I think a J stone will be a good option for you and there are many SI1 stones that are eyeclean, so maybe this one will work! The HCA is certainly promising but of course doesn't necessarily indicate performance. I have purchased diamond studs (loose diamonds) on-line with no pictures and it turned out pretty good. I don't think I would do that again without pictures, etc., but BC2 definitely has some of the lowest prices. Obviously Blue Nile and BC2 wouldn't exist if people didn't buy from them! In my opinion, don't feel bad if you want to buy from them to get the setting you want (I like the setting) and it is very possible you will have luck with the diamond! Worst case you can return it!
 
these things are all tools to tell you if it will perform well to your eyes or not. So, if you can get those tools, youll have rely more on your eyes. If you trust what the gemologist says, ask them to be honest and tell you if its a top performing stone, or if you could do better.

and of course, get it home and look at it. you can always return it
 
The more I look at the setting:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/Diamond-Accent-Settings/Cathedral-Diamond-Accent-Engagement-Ring-14K-White-Gold-8250-1.aspx

The more I love it. I know my girl will be in love with it the moment she sees it. The sample they sent me of the setting is just as beautiful as the 3D rotating image. I am certain now this is the setting she has to have. I am hoping the review tomorrow says the stone I am looking at is eye-clean, and if so, I am going to purchase the combo.

Thank you so much to all of you who have had input in this thread. It has helped me immensely in determining the setting and stone I purchase that will affect me and my future fiance for the rest of our lives. Pricescope is an amazing resource! Thank you, Thank you !!!
 
I hope it comes back eye clean too! Please post picks if you get this one I've never seen a setting like that before.
 
Still haven't heard back from B2C, I might have to contact them again to make sure they haven't forgotten about me. It has been less than 24 hours though, so I suppose I should be a bit more patient.
 
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