Mission Impossible? Finding the right diamond...

[Starry]

First, thank you all! I think I found this place just in time before I made some mistakes. Now I''m so educated that finding a stone that makes me happy (and will make her happy!) seems impossible. I growing more comfortable with the internet but I need to see the diamond with my own eyes. I''m in the Midwest and I''m thinking about making a trip to Dimend Scaasi, any feedback? I looked at two diamonds in a very helpful store today but I have reservations over them. The specs are below, do you agree? I think I might have to stick more strongly to GIA, I like around 1carat, E-H, VS1-SI1 (but clean), with ideal cut of course.

Sorry, I don''t have the crown & pavilion angles but they don''t have Sarin reports. Both certs are EGL.
#1
1.00 carat
6.55-6.5 x 3.94
E
SI1
60.4 depth
54 table
15 crown height
43 pav
thin girdle
no culet
VG/EX pol/symm
moderate flour.
the stone has great brilliance but when I look closely I can see the inclusion with my eye, i love the stone except for that
$6,250

#2
1.08 carat
6.51-6.44 x 4.04
G
SI1
62.4 depth
55 table
15 crown height
42 pav
slightly thick girdle
no culet
VG/EX
no flour.
the inclusions are less severe but more spread out and under the microscope the stone has somewhat of a cloudy appearance but it looks good to the eye
$5,280

 

[JulieN]

#1 looks good, and you love it, which is important.

You said you wanted GIA so:
Found a 1.06 E SI1 for you: http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2045495.htm
The inclusion is at 9 o'clock.

1.04 AGS G SI1: http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-703951.htm

I believe there's a 2% discount when you mention you're a PS member.

 

[JulieN]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/1423/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/1445/

med blue flour: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/1890/

 

[diamondseeker2006]

We bought a stone from Dimend Scassi last week. It hasn't come yet (because it is being set), so I can't give a report on the whole experience yet. However, we were very pleased with their service, and I think they do high quality work. If I were within driving distance of Chicago, I'd certainly go there. But I'd call in advance and tell them what you're interested in seeing so they can bring in some stones. I was glad to go with them because they have nice settings. I also felt we got a good price on the diamond. They showed me the stones on the internet via a webcam. That was neat! If you'd like to see my stone, here it is:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/diamond-photo.44204/

 

[Gypsy]

I''ve been impressed with Scaasi''s service so far, although it''s consisted of just an inquiry about a setting-- nothing diamond related. But I would definitely make the trip, they have a nice selection (my friend and I were looking on there for upgrades for her).

Also, I don''t know if this is breaking a PS rule-- but round brilliants are expensive per/ carat. Is there a specific reason your limiting yourself to them? I mean, just as a personal thing, I would prefer to compromise on shape-- and get a better balance of clarity/ size and color. You have a good budget for it. And even though I wasn''t at all personally crazy about the regular radiant''s I''ve seen, my friend and I saw a couple of square radiants (1.00 to 1.01 length to width ratio) and they were surprisingly stunning-- especially for the price (she has a RB and can get A LOT more for her upgrade budget if she gets a different shape). I just did a Scaasi search for them--- and they have a couple of nice (just from a cursory search) of them. If I''ve offended-- or broken an unwritten PS rule I''m sorry... but I am honestly trying to help. *shrugs*

 

[Starry]

Thank you for the great help! I''m checking out the suggestions. Thank you also for the feedback on Dimend Scaasi. Gypsy, thank you for the advice on shape, I was limiting myself to round mostly because it seems to be the easiest to evaluate. Can anyone give me the proper specs for a radiant (I would want it to be square)? Thanks again!

 

[JulieN]

Rounds because they're the best performers

http://www.diamondexpert.com/diamonds/dbs.cgi?sf=detd.setup.cgi&active=active&stock=RB30106001&submit_search=1
>http://www.elmyrservices.com/stone.asp?id=20CF7C7EC1B18AB56CFFD742DDFC8421

http://www.diamondexpert.com/diamonds/dbs.cgi?sf=detd.setup.cgi&active=active&stock=RB30105041&submit_search=1
>http://www.elmyrservices.com/stone.asp?id=6BD33229C855B9403A024D3873E5128E

 

[Gypsy]

www.radiantcut.com and do a PS search for it.

But I didn''t mean for you to look only at those. Emerald cuts (not square emeralds though... too expensive), cushion cuts, ovals they are all lovely. I just wanted to give you other options. I know it''s more research, but then it''s worth it (IMO)-- and it won''t hurt to get some specs as guidelines and go in to look at them in person to see if you like the look of the other cuts. RB are great performers and lovely, but they are more commonly seen and maybe your girl is like me and likes the less common. Just something to consider.

Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The only thing is, most fancy cuts such as princess face up smaller than rounds per carat because they carry more weight in their depth (sorry if I am not using precise terminology!). So you have to get a larger carat size princess, for example, to appear as large as a round. RB's are easiest to evaluate..however after my new RB, I'd certainly love to have an asscher and a cushion!

One more note about Dimend Scassi:
I had them bring in 3 ideal cut stones to look at. They told me the least expensive of the three was the best performer (most beautiful visually). I have to respect that.

 

[Starry]

Thanks for the input on shapes. Please keep me posted on your Dimend Scaasi experience. By the way, how long does it take them to set your diamond and finish your ring off? Thanks!