Lower color diamonds

[carina]

I love diamonds so I love to read this site and give my opinion if nobody minds.
I stop in alot of jewelers all the time and talk to the sales people who have time to talk and enjoy explaining to me that the G H I color SI - S2 are the best diamonds to buy of course because as everyone knows their close to white looking and eye clean and the SI1 SI 2 brings the price down dramatically. Most jewelers don''t have vvs or better on hand. What''s wrong with a diamond that has a hint of yellow and is VVS, I have been told by many jewelers that my diamond is a very good cut and is very clean with tremendous fire and brilliance - it''s a K VVS2. When I hold it next to the numerous loose diamonds that they like to compare by diamond to - even though their diamonds are whiter, my diamond doesn''t really look less rich and elegant, as a matter of fact the diamonds that are of higher color and a very good cut have such fire and brilliance that when I put them next to my K the difference of hue is so slight and the fire and brilliance looks either the same or mine has a more warm firery brilliance. And because my diamond is so big 2.29 ct and so well cut it''s just has a more substantial heavy rich look. The 1 ct - 2 ct whiter diamonds look like light little crystal drops. I feel proud of my big K VVS which is opposite of the majority desire but if you did what I did you might feel the same way and get a much bigger bang for your buck.

 

[headlight]

I couldn''t agree with you more! It is really personal preference. Obviously, any "hint" of warmth in your stone does not deter from the beauty of the stone in your eyes (nor would it in mine, I am certain!), or it isn''t "enough" to make you want to give up size or clarity. Obviously, you, as I have, have found a way to get yourself into a large stone, which was a priority to you. And your clarity is superb!
My 3.29 is not ideal cut, but only premium, as well as it being SI2 and H color (realistically an I). When I go into the stores and compare it to the ideal cuts, it "performs" on the same level. The biggest factor in what catches people''s attention, of course, is the size.
So, I think that for those of us who want to get into a bigger stone and can tolerate going a little lower in the comfort level in various categories, they can get a "honker" that is still beautiful. No one sees the papers on my ring, nor do they care, nor would they understand it, nor is the difference between one set of numbers apparent when the stone is mounted in a setting and sitting on the finger!!!
Would love to see pics of your ring!

 

[blueroses]

There are some GORGEOUS K and J stones floating around on PS....a good cut plus a wamer color can be stunning!!

 

[codex57]

Well, I think the reason you don''t see many low colored diamonds w/ high grade clarity is because not many people want those stones. Like you said, many people sacrifice color b/c face up, it looks pretty white still. Accordingly, SI 1''s often can be eye clean as well. That way, you can afford a bigger stone by sacrificing color and clarity.

However, the only people who would get a lower colored stone w/ high clarity is someone that likes to see a little "warmth" in their stones. Most buyers want their stone as white as possible. If they''re willign to sacrifice color, they''re more than likely going to sacrifice clarity as well. At least to the VS range since you can''t see the difference btw a VS stone and a VVS stone w/ the naked eye.

That means, if you liek those stones and find one, it''s good for you cuz you''ll have less competition to buy it and you can take more time checking it out w/out having to worry as much about someone swooping in and buyign it.

 

[sjz]

I would "sacrifice" color much easier than I would sacrifice clarity. I know that if you can't see it with the naked eye, most people don't mind inclusions. I do! I frequently look at my stones with a loupe, and if I know there are inclusions, I "think" I can see them with my naked eye! I would also sacrifice size for clarity, too. Lucky for me, I prefer the smaller, warmer diamonds. But I would never be able to buy a diamond with anything less than a vs clarity. I have a very hard time seeing inclusions in a vs stone even with a loupe, so to my mind...they don't exist.

Today I was at the jewelry store to buy a ring with a colored gemstone. While I was there, my friend showed me a 1.5 carat L color vvs radiant cut. It was gorgeous! I might have to start socking away some more pocket money and saving up for that stone. The price was only $5700 because of the color. Can't beat that! I looked at it for several minutes with the loupe, and the ONLY inclusion I could find was a tiny pinpoint looking through the pavillion. It wasn't even visible looking at the stone face up. And when I compared the stone to some G and H stones, the color difference was barely perceptible to me (granted, I was in a jewelry store with their "special lights...lol). But set in yellow gold, I'm thinking that stone would be pretty spectacular.

 

[codex57]

Date: 3/14/2005 9:17

1 PM
Author: sjz
I would 'sacrifice' color much easier than I would sacrifice clarity. I know that if you can't see it with the naked eye, most people don't mind inclusions. I do! I frequently look at my stones with a loupe, and if I know there are inclusions, I 'think' I can see them with my naked eye! I would also sacrifice size for clarity, too. Lucky for me, I prefer the smaller, warmer diamonds. But I would never be able to buy a diamond with anything less than a vs clarity. I have a very hard time seeing inclusions in a vs stone even with a loupe[/b], so to my mind...they don't exist.

That's why I don't mind sacrificing clarity. Even with a loupe, it can be pretty tough finding inclusions on a VS stone. Thus, going up to VVS is unnecessary for even more people. The market just keeps getting smaller and smaller. Thus, low colored stones (smaller market) that have clarity in teh stratospheric VVS range (smaller market) have a very small market indeed once you combine all those factors. Absolutely nothign wrong with that market, it's just small. Kinda like people who buy big D IF stones.

 

[AChiOAlumna]

Date: 3/15/2005 12:37:32 PM
Author: codex57


That''s why I don''t mind sacrificing clarity. Even with a loupe, it can be pretty tough finding inclusions on a VS stone. Thus, going up to VVS is unnecessary for even more people. The market just keeps getting smaller and smaller. Thus, low colored stones (smaller market) that have clarity in teh stratospheric VVS range (smaller market) have a very small market indeed once you combine all those factors. Absolutely nothign wrong with that market, it''s just small. Kinda like people who buy big D IF stones.

What''s interesting is that I''ve been looking at EC stones ranging from D to F coloring and VVS2 to VS1 clarity and the prices and carat sizes fluctuate a little but not as much as I would''ve thought...maybe because the color on an EC is more noticable?? Just a ventured guess...

 

[Kinger]

It''s funny but the more I read this forum the more I realize:

PEOPLE LIKE WHAT THEY HAVE

!

 

[sjz]

Date: 3/15/2005 12:55:57 PM
Author: Kinger
It''s funny but the more I read this forum the more I realize:

PEOPLE LIKE WHAT THEY HAVE

!

Or, you could look at it another way...most people get what they like, no matter what conventional wisdom says that they are supposed to like...

I think that a lot of people come to forums like this, asking for different opinions, because they either really don''t know, or have never thought about what they should be looking for in a stone. My policy is pretty much look at everything available and go for what pleases YOUR eye. makes YOU happy, and is what YOU can afford.

I knew a little bit about gemstones and diamonds before I came to PS, but I have learned a great deal more from reading the various posts and articles. Sometimes I think I was a happier diamond consumer BEFORE I knew what I know

.

Thinking about some of the crappy stones I''ve had over the years (ones that I was more than happy with before I knew they were crappy), ignorance seemed like bliss...lol! But seriously, I am glad that I know more about what I''m buying now, and at least back when I was gemologically illiterate, I was only spending in the 100''s instead of in the 1000''s like I do now! I''d be really upset if I spent a few grand on a piece of jewelry that was awful. Actually, I did once, and I still have that stupid bracelet with the gray diamonds that I never wear and couldn''t return because I bought it on ebay