I would rather not purchase a diamond without seeing it first, but I feel like I've exhausted my options in the area I live in (DC). The stores that I've felt comfortable in but the diamonds were way over my budget compared to online and the stores that did have what I was looking for in my budget were sketchy.
I was looking mainly at EGL diamonds because I liked the price, but I was finally educated by the last store I was at on why I shouldn't buy EGL. I looked at an EGL H color diamond at one store and thought I could see yellow in it. It could have been the lighting in the store, but she told me because I could see it I was 'color sensitive' and needed to stay at G or above. Now that I've learned how EGL grades, I'm wondering what that actual color grade was and if I really am 'color sensitive.
I'm only looking now at GIA and AGS and I have my ideal specs:
RB
1.83-2.0
Ideal cut only
D-I or J
VS1-SI2
X Polish
X Symmetry
Depth within 59.5-62.8
Table within 53-60
No fluorescence
GIA or AGS certified
These sound solid right? Are there any I could give a little on to lower the price without changing its appearance?
I would like to stay under 17,000, which wasn't a problem with EGL. Anyone know of a reputable place that offers something in line with both my specs and my price range? If it's a B&M dealer near DC, I'll be ecstatic! If not, an online dealer.
If I do have to go online, where should I avoid and should I go up in color of clarity because I'm not able to see it in person?
Also, when you are at a store, is there anything you should do or ask to see while you are there? Example: see the diamond outside and under different lighting types or under a specific magnification? I'm looking at these diamonds and they all look the same to me so I must be doing something wrong. I just see sparkly round things.
I
I was looking mainly at EGL diamonds because I liked the price, but I was finally educated by the last store I was at on why I shouldn't buy EGL. I looked at an EGL H color diamond at one store and thought I could see yellow in it. It could have been the lighting in the store, but she told me because I could see it I was 'color sensitive' and needed to stay at G or above. Now that I've learned how EGL grades, I'm wondering what that actual color grade was and if I really am 'color sensitive.
I'm only looking now at GIA and AGS and I have my ideal specs:
RB
1.83-2.0
Ideal cut only
D-I or J
VS1-SI2
X Polish
X Symmetry
Depth within 59.5-62.8
Table within 53-60
No fluorescence
GIA or AGS certified
These sound solid right? Are there any I could give a little on to lower the price without changing its appearance?
I would like to stay under 17,000, which wasn't a problem with EGL. Anyone know of a reputable place that offers something in line with both my specs and my price range? If it's a B&M dealer near DC, I'll be ecstatic! If not, an online dealer.
If I do have to go online, where should I avoid and should I go up in color of clarity because I'm not able to see it in person?
Also, when you are at a store, is there anything you should do or ask to see while you are there? Example: see the diamond outside and under different lighting types or under a specific magnification? I'm looking at these diamonds and they all look the same to me so I must be doing something wrong. I just see sparkly round things.
I