My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions please

[platinum350]

Hello,

This is my first post but I've been reading quite a bit of info on here and decided to ask for some help form someone experienced. I'm ready to propose to my wonderful g/f and want to give her a beautiful diamond. Going with a solitaire setting in white gold. Lately, I've been driving myself crazy over analyzing all these diamonds. I was hoping to stay around the 1.30 carat mark but may have to sacrifice size for quality to fit in my budget.

I found these 6 stones, could anyone tell me if they like one more than another or just recommend something completely different.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1526192.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1534325.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Round-Diamond-1524054.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1511458.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1539596.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1539593.asp

Thank you all for your help so far, this forum has been very educating!

 

[04diamond<3]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

Hi! What's your budget? What are your priorities? So far, I like the I VS2 the best...although the first one's ok. I'd probably get rid of the last one, and the one before the I VS2. You don't want a diamond that's too deep, I think 62 or 63 is too deep. And you'll want a table somewhere between 55 and 57.

 

[platinum350]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

Hi! What's your budget? What are your priorities? So far, I like the I VS2 the best...although the first one's ok. I'd probably get rid of the last one, and the one before the I VS2. You don't want a diamond that's too deep, I think 62 or 63 is too deep. And you'll want a table somewhere between 55 and 57.

Hi, thank you for responding! My budget was $6,000 but is now being pushed around the $6,500 at max. I need to still pick out a setting which will be additional to that $6,500. My priorities are Cut, Carat, Clarity and then Color. Good to hear, I also favor those two out of the bunch. I like the weight of the first one and everything else about the I VS2.

I've been using the following for search criteria for depth and table:
Depth: 59 - 62.7
Table: 53 - 57

You think I should change that to:
Depth: 59 -61 ?
Table: 55 - 57?

Thanks again for the help!

 

[04diamond<3]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

Hi! What's your budget? What are your priorities? So far, I like the I VS2 the best...although the first one's ok. I'd probably get rid of the last one, and the one before the I VS2. You don't want a diamond that's too deep, I think 62 or 63 is too deep. And you'll want a table somewhere between 55 and 57.

Hi, thank you for responding! My budget was $6,000 but is now being pushed around the $6,500 at max. I need to still pick out a setting which will be additional to that $6,500. My priorities are Cut, Carat, Clarity and then Color. Good to hear, I also favor those two out of the bunch. I like the weight of the first one and everything else about the I VS2.

I've been using the following for search criteria for depth and table:
Depth: 59 - 62.7
Table: 53 - 57

You think I should change that to:
Depth: 59 -61 ?
Table: 55 - 57?

Thanks again for the help!

I guess it's personal preference... I understand the 1.25 looks more appealing but the I VS2 is more budget friendly. You could, however, get the 1.25 and put it in a solitaire setting and still be within your budget and maybe upgrade the setting over time. The J also looks beautiful for being a J! Up to you, they're both pretty good.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

Table: 54-58, Depth 60.0-62.3, crown angle 34-35.0, pavilion angle 40.6-41.0...these usually get you into ideal cut territory.

Your 1.11 ct., I VS2 falls into these parameters. I would prefer I color over J, and I'd prefer I VS2 over H SI2. The price of that stone is $5703 if you mention you are a pricescope member and pay by wire transfer ($5790 with PS discount alone). You should get James Allen to provide you with an idealscope image and tell you if the stone is eyeclean (which it should be).

I would recommend putting this stone on hold because there are lots of lurkers on this site!

 

[platinum350]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

Hi! What's your budget? What are your priorities? So far, I like the I VS2 the best...although the first one's ok. I'd probably get rid of the last one, and the one before the I VS2. You don't want a diamond that's too deep, I think 62 or 63 is too deep. And you'll want a table somewhere between 55 and 57.

Hi, thank you for responding! My budget was $6,000 but is now being pushed around the $6,500 at max. I need to still pick out a setting which will be additional to that $6,500. My priorities are Cut, Carat, Clarity and then Color. Good to hear, I also favor those two out of the bunch. I like the weight of the first one and everything else about the I VS2.

I've been using the following for search criteria for depth and table:
Depth: 59 - 62.7
Table: 53 - 57

You think I should change that to:
Depth: 59 -61 ?
Table: 55 - 57?

Thanks again for the help!

I guess it's personal preference... I understand the 1.25 looks more appealing but the I VS2 is more budget friendly. You could, however, get the 1.25 and put it in a solitaire setting and still be within your budget and maybe upgrade the setting over time. The J also looks beautiful for being a J! Up to you, they're both pretty good.

Yea, it's tough call, it seems the general consensus is recommending the 1.11 I VS2 more than anything. Thanks for your suggestions, I also think they look very nice.

Right now I have it narrowed to:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1526192.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1534325.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1539596.asp

 

[platinum350]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

Table: 54-58, Depth 60.0-62.3, crown angle 34-35.0, pavilion angle 40.6-41.0...these usually get you into ideal cut territory.

Your 1.11 ct., I VS2 falls into these parameters. I would prefer I color over J, and I'd prefer I VS2 over H SI2. The price of that stone is $5703 if you mention you are a pricescope member and pay by wire transfer ($5790 with PS discount alone). You should get James Allen to provide you with an idealscope image and tell you if the stone is eyeclean (which it should be).

I would recommend putting this stone on hold because there are lots of lurkers on this site!

Thanks for those parameters and advice! I had no idea PS memebers get a discount, that's great news - thanks! What percent off do we get?

Curious, to an untrained eye what would be more noticeable in a solitaire setting: The fire and or scintillation of the 1.11 I VS2 Vs larger 1.30 (that is listed above), which is also excellent cut but one grade lower in color, J? After looking at several diamonds in person today, I feel like the size would be most noticeable, but then again..I could be way wrong.

I took your advice and put 3 stones on hold, having a gemologist go over them and provide me with an idealscope image.

 

[JulieN]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

Yea, it's tough call, it seems the general consensus is recommending the 1.11 I VS2 more than anything. Thanks for your suggestions, I also think they look very nice.

Right now I have it narrowed to:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1526192.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1534325.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1539596.asp

JA will give you 3 Ideal Scope pictures and they can advise you further. I like the 1.29 J and the 1.11 I.

 

[madelise]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

Yea, it's tough call, it seems the general consensus is recommending the 1.11 I VS2 more than anything. Thanks for your suggestions, I also think they look very nice.

Right now I have it narrowed to:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1526192.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1534325.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1539596.asp

JA will give you 3 Ideal Scope pictures and they can advise you further. I like the 1.29 J and the 1.11 I.

I love me my warmer colors, since I'm a size ho vs. color ho..
But if you're buying an e-ring for a gal that hasn't shown "leniency" for color, I'd go for the I>J. Safer!

 

[04diamond<3]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

Yea, it's tough call, it seems the general consensus is recommending the 1.11 I VS2 more than anything. Thanks for your suggestions, I also think they look very nice.

Right now I have it narrowed to:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1526192.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1534325.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1539596.asp

JA will give you 3 Ideal Scope pictures and they can advise you further. I like the 1.29 J and the 1.11 I.

The 1.29 is stunning!!!

 

[platinum350]

Thank you very much ladies, all your help is appreciated!

I'll post the results when I get them.

Hope your all ready for part2, the setting lol....that should be fun!

 

[platinum350]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

When buying a diamond online like I am, should I send this diamond to another company prior to buying it for an unbiased review and appraisal? I'd like to also have this insured and know that I will need an appraisal to do so. My thoughts are I could kill two birds with one stone (no pun intended), have the diamond gone over and have it appraised. Is this common practice?

Lastly, do we know if JA will allow it to be sent to another company prior to me purchasing?

 

[platinum350]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

I'm getting closer to having all this figured out. The best pick diamond so far is one from the original list (atop of this thread), the 1.11 carat I VS2.

My problem is I'm not sure if I should try to find a larger diamond than the 1.11, something like a 1.30 with similar qualities as the 1.11. Or is the 1.11 big enough? Any thoughts on this?

I'm including the Idealscope on the 1.11 too, let me know your thoughts on this as well:

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

The idealscope looks great. As far as size, do any of her sisters or friends have diamonds yet? Obviously you can buy her whatever you want, but it sometimes helps to know what others in her close circle wear. If they all have 1.5 cts and up, then yes, I think you should try to go larger if possible. If they all wear under a carat or around a carat, then she would likely be comfortable with the 1.11. Obviously some girls express preferences and that makes it easier. But when you don't know, I would try to get it in the comfort zone similar to the ones she sees on her family and friends. With a budget of $6500, I don't see you going up to 1.3 unless you really drop color and clarity, and I personally wouldn't feel comfortable with that.

 

[platinum350]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

Great suggestions, I recently brought up the topic about diamond size and asked what some of her friends have. She didn't know but I think around a carat, maybe a little more. I'd say between 1 and 1.5 at the most. I was contemplating stretching my budget to about $7,500 for the diamond which may get me close to the 1.30 but I'm wondering if a 1.30 would look much larger than this 1.11? I know it's hard for you to say, but do you think there would be a noticeable difference?

I thought the Idealscope looked good but reassuring to hear from someone else! BTW DiamondSeeker, looks like I'm going with that setting from JA, the knife edge handmade one. They're going to do a custom order and put a 4 prong head on it for me being she's set about the 4 prong.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

A 1.3 is bigger than a 1.1ct, but honestly not much! You could only notice wearing them side by side if you really look hard. When worn on a moving hand, both will read as "big I think its worth going a weensy bit smaller but higher in color with the 1.11 I VS2 as long as that under table inclusion in the ideal scope is really and truly not visible to the naked eye. In my opinion, after carat and cut quality, color is the next most obvious trait about a diamond.

 

[platinum350]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

I think your right and can't imagine there would be a very noticeable difference between the two, obviously the cut would make a difference. I am just so hung up on the whole carat thing. I'm being introduced tomorrow to a guy that works with jewelers and travels weekly to diamond district in NYC, he's a diamond broker. He's going to present to me several I & J color 1.20-1.30 diamonds, I'll be able to get a better idea of size difference then.

One of the problems I have when viewing these diamonds in person is they honestly all look the same! I can tell color differences, I can pick up on inclusions but can't really tell about cut....especially with all the bright lights these jewelry stores have. I think what I'll do is get a copy of their GIA certificates and see how they do on the HCA tool to see how well they could perform.

 

[fanofhardrock]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

I'm getting closer to having all this figured out. The best pick diamond so far is one from the original list (atop of this thread), the 1.11 carat I VS2.

My problem is I'm not sure if I should try to find a larger diamond than the 1.11, something like a 1.30 with similar qualities as the 1.11. Or is the 1.11 big enough? Any thoughts on this?

I'm including the Idealscope on the 1.11 too, let me know your thoughts on this as well:

The idealscope looks pretty good, but there is some light leakage - what did the feedback say? The symmetry looks reasonable, but could be that the diamond is a little tilted. Are there crystals on the table? Not a problem, but just wondered.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

Idealscope is fine. As Dreamer said, be sure it is eyeclean, but hopefully it is. I think you are choosing a very nice setting! It will work with a lot of wedding bands which is nice! I will take a quick look at diamonds and be back.

I looked in the 1.2 range and just didn't see any well cut I VS2's that looked as good as the one you have that would keep you under $7500. So you are probably wise sticking with the one you have already picked. It sounds like it will be just the right size anyway!

 

[platinum350]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

fanofhardrock - the gemologist said it was her top choice of the three and it performed very well with lots of fire and scintilation.

She also verified with me that it is eye clean

Thanks for taking a look for me DiamondSeeker, I truly appreciate the help! Thanks for the suggestion on the setting, the gemologist really liked and recomended that setting too! I was searching earlier for something around 1.30 just so I knew what my larger options are and how the costs compare to the 1.11. Here are the only three I could find that I think are nice, what do you think of these:

(Of course I'd have to verify they were eye clean and find out if they're closer to an I or on the lower side of J)

Option 1) 1.30 J VS2 HCA 1.8 GIA triple excellent
Table: 57
Depth: 61.8
Crown Angle: 36.0
Pavillion Angle: 40.6

Option 2) 1.31 J VS2 HCA 1.4 GIA Triple Excellent
Table: 57
Depth: 61.6
Crown Angle: 35.5
Pavillion Angle: 40.6

Option 3) 1.40 J SI1 HCA 1.4 GIA Triple Excellent
Table: 55
Depth: 62
Crown Angle: 34
PavillionAngle: 41

Thoughts on these larger stones? I could stretch my budget to fit this if I decided to go larger than the 1.11.

 

[Laila619]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

The numbers on all 3 look good. With the 35.5 crown and 40.6 pavilion, that one should show a lot of fire.

 

[platinum350]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

Thanks for the suggestion Laila, I like this particular stone myself. I'm hoping it doesn't show a lot of color and it's on the more colorless side of J!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

I am just not personally a fan of J color, so I usually don't recommend going below I color unless the recipient has expressed that the greatest size is the most valued spec and color or clarity don't matter.

But I will look them up...it will help me to see the pictures and the diameter measurements.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

I couldn't find those stones. Are they not on James Allen?

Here are some potentially good ones:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1466607.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1452006.asp

 

[platinum350]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

Sorry, here are the links:

1)http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1490959.asp

2)http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1521391.asp

3)http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1538129.asp

So far I like option 2, what do you think DiamondSeeker? Can you tell anything about color?

 

[platinum350]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

Those stones look nice DiamondSeeker, what did you think of the ones I posted?

 

[platinum350]

Re: My diamond search is making me crazy - suggestions pleas

I need some more advice here, please bear with me as I try to wrap this diamond hunt up. Besides, I'm getting close to the proposal date! Anyway, here is the tough spot i'm in. I thought I had it all figured out, picked out a stone (a nice I colored 1.11 carat VS2 XXX cut) and had finally decided on a handmade knife edge setting that I liked, both were coming from JamesAllen. Then I found a larger stone (see couple comments above) which is 1.31 J VS2 XXX that I am waiting for a gemologist at JA to go over and verify that it's eye clean. As long a the larger stone checks out well, I think I'll pick that one.


Now here is where my problem comes. A friend of the family introduces me to a diamond broker the other night and he has been trying to find me a stone to gain my business. Turns out he finds me a stone cut almost precisely as the 1.31 I found on JA (mentioned above). His stone is also a 1.31 J XXX but an Si1 clarity. They explain they can make my setting same as the one I already like and to just show them pictures. I'm torn here, not sure where to go...do I go with JA get the slightly nicer diamond (according to the paper stats) and get the setting I found or should I go with the broker and trust they can make me what I want and have the benefit of a local jeweler taking care of me but slightly less clear diamond?

Regarding differences between the two diamonds:
JA Diamond:
1.31 J VS2
triple X cuts
GIA Comments:
Clouds are not shown
Pinpoints not shown
Small inclusions plotted on diagram:
Crystal
Feather
Needle

Broker Diamond:
1.31 J Si1
Triple X cut
GIA Comments:
Pinpoints are not shown
Surface graining not shown
Inclusions plotted on diagram:
Twinning wisp
Feather
Small Etch channel
Needle

Again, these two are cut almost identical but I think the VS2 has it's advantages with clarity. Price difference is less than $100.