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Need advice on a nice round brillant diamond

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azhawk

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 15, 2007
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So I am looking to buy a nice round brillant diamond and I am getting confused (or perhaps the word is "overwhelmed"). Thanks to the wealth of information on this website I am well educated on the subject, but I am also feeling like I may know too much to make a damn decision.
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The Facts (based on what little I know):

Type: Round
Budget: My target is $9K, but I can spend up to $12K.
Size: No smaller than 1.25 ct
Color: No lower than H
Clarity: No lower than SI1
Certification: GIA; (possible EGL-USA, or AGS-0)
Cut: Ideal, Excellent

Where I need help is trying to figure out what combination of the above is the best way to go. Is it better to drop the clarity a little since most of the imperfections cannot be seen without a loop while color can be seen easily? Should I increase the size at the expense of color or clarity? Is 1.25 ct too small for my gf who is petite with a size 5?

I am also curious for adivce on the best place to shop online and your personal experience (lessons learned). I am nervous about spending $10K online - how do I know what diamond shows up is what I paid for? Do these online places negotiate on price? Is it just safer in the long run to buy locally knowing what the online prices are as a point of negotiation.

Like I said... I feel overwhelmed and figured those with experience can point me in the right direction in terms of shopping experiences and the diamond I should be seeking. Thanks everyone!
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Welcome Azhawk

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Here is a 1.51 carat SI1 h for 9, 495
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-140223.htm

here is a 1.51 carat SI1 H for $11,845 hearts and arrows.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-231904.htm

here is 1.25 vs2 h color. hearts and arrows for $8K
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-273568.htm

1.23 SI1 color h hearts and arrows for $7,432 hearts and arrows
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-210369.htm

Whiteflash has a lifetime upgrade. I bought my ring online and couldn't be happier; I know it is scary but you can return it if you don't like it.

Read the FAQ on this site and ask questions. Hang in there; you will find a great diamond! Let us know if you have anymore questions
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You can use this tool to find a wonderfully cut diamond. http://www.pricescope.com/sift.aspx
Above is what I came up with from the search.
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Thanks for the advice on whiteflash. Now I read about hearts and arrows and to be honest it does not make sense in terms of is it good or bad? Life time upgrade is a good thing assuming the place remains in business. I will read the facts on the store policies and I guess the important thing is that a local appraiser confirms the stone is whats on the cert - perhaps for peiece of mind.
 
I am also concerned that an SI1 requires more concern when buying online vs say a VS1/VS2. Any thoughts?
 
No, I don''t think 1.25 is too small for your petite girlfriend. My girlfriend is tiny as well, with a 4.5 finger. I''m looking at .75-1 carat for her. Take a look at the finger size/carat size chart on the forum. That helped me out alot. I would post the link, but i can''t find it at this time. sorry.
 
1.25 on a size 5 will be pretty darn big! I wear a 6.75 and have a 1ct princess, about 5.4mm square. I think it''s the perfect size, covering about 1/3 of my finger width. I actually think the size you''re looking at would be too big if it were me (and if I had a size 5 finger...1.25 on my finger now wouldn''t be a bad size at all), but most people here would say "the bigger the better."

H/SI1 is a great combination. An ideal-cut H will look colorless from the top, and SI1 is the lowest I would comfortably go to get an eye-clean diamond (maaaaaaybe some SI2s would work, such as having an inclusion hidden by a prong, but I''m a little wary). I actually prefer VS clarity just because it''s pretty much guaranteed to be eye-clean. I wouldn''t want something defined by someone else to be eye-clean end up having an inclusion visible to me.

Whiteflash is my choice for online shopping...they have excellent customer service and post tons of info about their diamonds. They also have a brief trial period and a lifetime upgrade policy. Their custom setting work is great, and their stock settings aren''t bad either. Good Old Gold is another similarly reputable site. The online vendors that are well known around here are very safe to buy from and don''t negotiate because their markup is already minimal compared to B&M stores. Unless I can get a B&M to match an online store''s price (unlikely!), I will always favor the online store.
 
By the way, the last diamond Skippy posted looks great to me. You really can't go wrong with an ACA diamond.

Here's the full URL since it got cut off in Skippy's post:
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-273568.htm#

Although it doesn't matter much because it's also the 3rd diamond in Skippy's earlier post!

Edit: The other ones Skippy posted look nice too, except that I don't like the first one because of the way the arrows seem to blur at the tips.
 
Thanks for the chart... I take it the red zone is the preferred ct size. I figured I was okay with a 1.25-1.5 size now its just a function of deciding on where to compromise - size, color, or clarity (I will not compromise on the cut). Can someone explain whether or not I want the hearts and arrows? I read conflicting articles about this type of cut.
 
Date: 7/15/2007 7:17:26 PM
Author: azhawk
Thanks for the chart... I take it the red zone is the preferred ct size. I figured I was okay with a 1.25-1.5 size now its just a function of deciding on where to compromise - size, color, or clarity (I will not compromise on the cut). Can someone explain whether or not I want the hearts and arrows? I read conflicting articles about this type of cut.
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I guess it depends on you. Also, size is personal preference too. Best wishes. Some people love perfect hearts and arrows.
 
 
From James Allen I like:

1.30 G SI1 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=1069043
1.33 D SI1 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=1072521
1.32 F VS2 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=1064638
1.36 G VS2 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=1072535

I like James Allen because the customer survice is wonderful and the website is user friendly. I also like to see pictures of all the diamonds
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. But Whiteflash is well known and sells some amazing diamonds so you can''t go wrong there.

Color and clarity are very personal things. I am more particular about color now and less about clarity. I have a G VS2 and if I had to do it again, I would go for at least a G (maybe F) and SI1 or 2 because it allows you to spend more on size
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. i have a size 5 3/4 ring and a 1.28 carat diamond and I love that size. 1.25- 1.50 would look great with size 5 fingers I think.
 
When the girdle is "Medium to slightly thick" is that something to worry about? Should I be looking for anything specific here?
 
"Medium to slightly thick" is just fine. The things you want to avoid are a girdle that's very thin (because it can chip) or one that's very thick (because you're paying for that carat weight but you can't "see" it). Also, any girdle that has a huge amount of variation (so, e.g., very thin to extremely thick) is not good either.

I'm very sensitive to colour, so my sweet spot is E, SI1... if it's eye clean, you'll never know the difference with the clarity, but you WILL see the difference in the colour if you're sensitive to colour at all.

In terms of SI1 buying on line, make sure the store has a generous return policy, and then you can see it with your own eyes before you commit. Also, most GIA stones have the certificate number engraved with a laser on the side so you know it's the stone you bought. Just to address your worry about getting 'the right stone' if you buy on line.

If you invest in a loupe (I paid about $10 for mine) you can see the cert number yourself without visiting a jeweler. You can also see the inclusions!
 
Awesome advice everyone. I already feel like I am more educated on diamonds than 1/2 the sales people I met at the B&M stores. If anyone has an opinion on the links I posted above please let me know. Unless I am missing something it sounds like I should look for VS2/SI1, ideal cut, , GIA or AGS, and a color no less than G.

The jury is still out on the hearts and arrows thing.
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Use the Holloway Cut Advisor on all of the diamonds you are considering!!! It seriously will help you purchase a stone that will perform well, judging them by the 4 C''s is simply not enough.

Holloway Cut Adviser
 
HCA - I had read a little about it but never found the calculator for it. Thank you very much. I now feel I am prepared to at least sound smart while shopping.
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Date: 7/15/2007 10:42:12 PM
Author: Sledneck27
Use the Holloway Cut Advisor on all of the diamonds you are considering!!! It seriously will help you purchase a stone that will perform well, judging them by the 4 C''s is simply not enough.

Holloway Cut Adviser
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Sled posted the link for you. Right there! Happy shopping.
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With your budget, I''d certainly go with F or G color and VS clarity. I think a hearts and arrows stone would certainly be desirable since it would be possible with your budget. Here''s another ACA that I would consider:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-273552.htm# ( 1.27 G VS1 $10,164 with pricescope/wire discounts)

I think WhiteFlash and Good Old Gold have the best trade-up policies, and I have bought from both and have been totally pleased.
 
Date: 7/15/2007 11:36:30 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
With your budget, I''d certainly go with F or G color and VS clarity. I think a hearts and arrows stone would certainly be desirable since it would be possible with your budget. Here''s another ACA that I would consider:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-273552.htm# ( 1.27 G VS1 $10,164 with pricescope/wire discounts)

I think WhiteFlash and Good Old Gold have the best trade-up policies, and I have bought from both and have been totally pleased.
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Diamondseeker - when I viewed this diamond I noticed it has a girdle that''s "thin to medium faceted." I am under the impression that if the girdle is too thin its more likely to chip. The fluorescence is negligible which I don''t believe is a concern. Now when the culet is "pointed" how do I use that on the HCA calculator? I used "0" for the culet and derived an HCA of 0.8 which is nice. I think my main concern is the girdle, but I am still a rookie.
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Date: 7/15/2007 11:06:12 PM
Author: azhawk
HCA - I had read a little about it but never found the calculator for it. Thank you very much. I now feel I am prepared to at least sound smart while shopping.
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No problem. I just bought a diamond from James Allen a couple of days ago. I had already done a ton of research and thought I had found some great stones at several websites. Then I found Pricescope, and learned so much info is such a short amount of time, nearly all my other research was in vain, I couldve learn everything I needed right here. Plus, I found the HCA, and realized that all of those D/VVS1 Ideal/Excellent cut stones I was looking at were not nessessarily going to perform like I would have hoped. I ended up finding a stone that had an HCA rating of 1.0. I guess its just added "peace of mind" that your stone will perform great by confirming the quality of its dimensions on the HCA. Good luck.
 
Date: 7/16/2007 12:07:18 AM
Author: azhawk

Diamondseeker - when I viewed this diamond I noticed it has a girdle that's 'thin to medium faceted.' I am under the impression that if the girdle is too thin its more likely to chip. The fluorescence is negligible which I don't believe is a concern. Now when the culet is 'pointed' how do I use that on the HCA calculator? I used '0' for the culet and derived an HCA of 0.8 which is nice. I think my main concern is the girdle, but I am still a rookie.
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Click to expand...

Here, give this a read, Girdle Thickness, the navigation column on the left will lead you to more info than you ever wanted to know about diamonds.


"The best girdle thickness is Thin, Medium or Slightly Thick."
 
Diamondseeker - when I viewed this diamond I noticed it has a girdle that''s "thin to medium faceted."

No worries - it is very thin you need to be wary of.
 
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