Need advice on

[manki]

Hehehe thanks Hest88

Chrono,

I don''t think she will do an upgrade. She''ll probably want a new one. She is a pretty sentimental person so I suppose she would want to keep the original engagement ring. But thanks for the advice anyway

 

[jayreneepea]

She''s closer to her 30''s than her 20''s!! I would strongly suggest splitting the difference and getting her 1.5 cts D E or F and VS2 or higher in clarity.

Something like this...

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-256912.htm

Or these...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3020/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3010/

So many combinations of ways to spend your $20,000!! I would love to see you maximize and balance your chunk of change!!

 

[Fly Girl]

I agree. An F VS stone gets you a colorless, clean stone and allows for more size. That really is the sweet spot!! (Yes, I do own one, and I love it

)

 

[Kay]

Date: 7/27/2007 12:11:30 PM
Author: jayrenay9
She''s closer to her 30''s than her 20''s!! I would strongly suggest splitting the difference and getting her 1.5 cts D E or F and VS2 or higher in clarity.

I agree -- buying a 1 carat stone now is really going to cost you in a few years. I''d be happier with a larger stone and VS1 or VS2 clarity, but I wouldn''t compromise on the D/E/F color range. Since your girl likes "mind clean" stones, VVS1 or VVS2 clarity is very clean, but allows you more size than IF. With a 20K budget, you could probably get a D or E color and VVS1 clarity in the 1.2 - 1.5 carat range. (Unfortunately, I can''t find one online right now -- inventory changes regularly.)

If you want a 1 carat stone, save yourself some money now (for the setting, earrings or eventual upgrade). This stone is 1.08, D, VVS1 for $13,780. It has a great spread (6.7mm) and beautiful IS image. http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-63696.htm#

 

[Pandora II]

I''m super obssessive about things and I will notice flaws where other people won''t, but if I was buying a diamond I would go for an F VS2 - I might even go as far as an SI if I had had it checked by someone I trusted as being completely eyeclean.

You would be hard put to really tell the difference between an F and a D once they are set to be honest.

I also think that people who don''t know much about diamonds will tend to be more worried about clarity and want a higher grade than those who know more and will be able to judge what is a noticeable defect to them.

I would drop the colour and clarity to at least an F VS2 and concentrate on size. Cut is a given as numero uno...

Good luck

 

[manki]

Thanks for all the advice guys

Finally bought the ring. I got the original stone that I picked. Although there was one that I really liked - 1.5 ct, F/VS1, Ex cut that was selling for $16,000.

In the end, I went for the smaller one as this is what I think my gf will really like. I was paying more attention to her engaged friends and most of them are wearing 1ct diamonds. After bargaining for an hour, I managed to get $500 off hehehe, final price - $19,500 for a 1.07 ct, D/IF, Ex cut stone (I used the Holloway Cut advisor and it scored 1.5 and within AGS and GIA Ideal Cut range).

I''ll post pictures once I get the chance

 

[manki]

here are the pics....sorry I''m just using a compact camera

 

[manki]

more light...

 

[manki]

Even more light...

 

[manki]

...

 

[chrono]

Manki,
You are blinding me.

I''m glad you found exactly what you wanted (AND a sparkly one to boot).

 

[manki]

...

 

[manki]

last one, up close...

 

[manki]

Thanks Chrono

Hehehe yeah I''m enjoying looking at it right now..it really does go bling bling if the cut is excellent...Cut is King

Really appreciate the advice you gave