Need advice on smaller H&As and sellers

[pixelbender]

Hey All,

After many a sleepless night on pricewatch, buying 2 rings, we've finally decided on putting a diamond in a ring I gave her on her 21st. (18kt wg, art nouveau, early 1900s). From what I've been told by a local custom jeweler it should hold about a 1/2 carat, 5.1 to 5.1mm. First, should I get a second opinion as to the size? You cannot really change the size of the setting (although at worst I should be able to return the diamond).

Which brings me to my next issue. I am really liking James Allen (maybe because of their useful, easy website), but is there any reason to pick one above the other between JA and GOG and WF?

Also, on some pictures of stones (particulary on the JA site, maybe I've just been looking there more than others) it seems like some of the H&As aren't very symmetrical from a top-down perspective. Is this just because the picture was taken off-center? Also, on some of the inside lines (what would be the outside of the table) looking top-down there are what looks like "burn" marks around the lines. What are those?

Lastly, when looking for a H&As I am finding many that have a less than zero spread. Is this bad? How will this affect performance when all other stats are excellent on the HCA?

Thanks for any help. Its been a long road and I feel I'm in the home-stretch. I'm just having a hard time finding that "perfect" H&A stone. BTW if anyone can help I can spend $1500-2000, and am looking to get as close around 5.3-5.4mm as possible. (OOPs, forgot to mention I'm looking for an F-H and VVS2-VS2, SI1 if its very clean).

 

[Unearthed]

It you are into James Allen and want to purchase from them:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=53&item=981039
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=53&item=955707

Whiteflash has about 10 stones that match your needs in their ACA section.

 

[JulieN]

why are you trying to get something 5.3-5.4 when ithe setting is made for a 5.1?

JA, GOG, WF...whatever, as long as they have the stone with the sepcs you wawnt.

spread less than 0 is fine. DOn't like to go below -3, personally. You wno't be able to see the diff anyway.

 

[pixelbender]

Date: 3/5/2007 11:58:35 PM
Author: JulieN
why are you trying to get something 5.3-5.4 when ithe setting is made for a 5.1?


JA, GOG, WF...whatever, as long as they have the stone with the sepcs you wawnt.


spread less than 0 is fine. DOn''t like to go below -3, personally. You wno''t be able to see the diff anyway.

OOPS! Sorry, meant to say 5.1-5.5. He said do not go smaller than 5.1. But that large of range to me is why I asked if I should have another jeweler take a look?

 

[pixelbender]

Date: 3/5/2007 11:57:44 PM
Author: Unearthed
It you are into James Allen and want to purchase from them:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=53&item=981039

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=53&item=955707


Whiteflash has about 10 stones that match your needs in their ACA section.

On the picture of the first one is that "burnt" look I was talking about. Is this just an effect of the camera?

 

[JulieN]

Date: 3/6/2007 12:06:51 AM
Author: pixelbender

Date: 3/5/2007 11:57:44 PM
Author: Unearthed
It you are into James Allen and want to purchase from them:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=53&item=981039

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=53&item=955707


Whiteflash has about 10 stones that match your needs in their ACA section.

On the picture of the first one is that ''burnt'' look I was talking about. Is this just an effect of the camera?

meh? i think it looks amazing!

 

[Lorelei]

The ''burnt'' look seems to be a common feature of the type of photography used for magnified image JA diamonds and is nothing to worry about, seen it lots of times and it does throw people!