Need classic looking round

[jenreber]

I''m in the middle of trading up my yellow gold E-ring to a three stone with diamond in middle and sapphires on either side.
I''ve already met with local jewleler and have setting style decided on.. just a classic looking style in white gold.
I want to purchase the center stone from an online vendor because I feel I can get a better deal. Then I''ll have jeweler set and sell me the sapphires.
I''m extremely nervous about where to start....here''s the scoop:
I''d like to spend about $2500 on a .80 carat stone. I''m really liking the softer look of I or J''s. Being eye perefct doesn''t matter too much to me. Possibly SI1 range??
Where''s a good place to start this search?
Please help!!!
I''d appreciate any words of advise, I''ve been at it since last fall and have been stcuk at this point because I''m terrified of making a bad decision.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/5/2008 7:23:03 AM
Author:jenreber
I'm in the middle of trading up my yellow gold E-ring to a three stone with diamond in middle and sapphires on either side.
I've already met with local jewleler and have setting style decided on.. just a classic looking style in white gold.
I want to purchase the center stone from an online vendor because I feel I can get a better deal. Then I'll have jeweler set and sell me the sapphires.
I'm extremely nervous about where to start....here's the scoop:
I'd like to spend about $2500 on a .80 carat stone. I'm really liking the softer look of I or J's. Being eye perefct doesn't matter too much to me. Possibly SI1 range??
Where's a good place to start this search?
Please help!!!
I'd appreciate any words of advise, I've been at it since last fall and have been stcuk at this point because I'm terrified of making a bad decision.

Welcome Jen!

Not to worry, we will soon get you on track! Great that you love I or J colour and SI1 or even a verified eyeclean to your standards SI2 could be a good choice if the cut is good. Check out some of the trusted vendors such as -

www.whiteflash.com

www.winkjones.com

www.goodoldgold.com

www.jamesallen.com

These guys carry in house diamonds often with the cut analysis done for you. If you see which vendors you like then they could suggest some stones which might suit you. Some examples are below.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4464/

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1255840.htm#

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1255835.htm

 

[Ellen]

Hi jen,

I understand being scared, but if you purchase fropm a reputable vendor all should be fine! We've all been there.

I poked around briefly, and this is what I found. Not sure what your top budget is.


Bankwire price is discount.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4728/


This would be discounted some with PS discount, not sure how much.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-609783.htm


2930.00 with bankwire

http://www.niceice.com/certcopies2007/ags0009034805/index.htm


This one is from Winfield's, and it's a I1, but sometimes even they are eyeclean, plus you said it didn't have to be eye perfect. So this one might work. It's 2147.00

http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid%5b%5d=428&src=loupe


I would recommend any of these jewelers, they are all reputable.

 

[jenreber]

Thank you both so much for taking the time to get me started on my search.
Ellen - about that Winfield''s I1 diamond.
Is it correct that if it''s a well cut diamond the inclusions are far less visible?
Should I have anyreservations about them in this stone?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 9/5/2008 9:19:05 AM
Author: jenreber
Thank you both so much for taking the time to get me started on my search.
Ellen - about that Winfield''s I1 diamond.
Is it correct that if it''s a well cut diamond the inclusions are far less visible?
Should I have anyreservations about them in this stone?

You''re welcome!

It is true that a well cut stone will help mask inclusions, but cut can only do so much. At I1, the grade making inclusion(s) is fairly large, so many times (probably more often than not), they are visable . But sometimes you get lucky and they are not, or they might take some scrutiny to see. I definitely think it''s worth a phone call to find out! Wink (the great guy who owns the place) will be totally honest with you about the stone, and he won''t mind any questions. Give him a call!

 

[glitterata]

I own one of Wink''s I1 Crafted by Infinity diamonds. It''s gorgeous, and with my middle-aged eyes I can''t see the inclusions at all without a magnifier.

Here''s a link to a thread with pictures:

.73 J I1 in antique deco setting--thanks, Wink & Paul!

 

[glitterata]

A picture of my .73 J I1 Cut by Infinity from Wink:

 

[jenreber]

What an Absolutely Stunning ring Glitterata.
The center diamond is Mesmerizing!!
Thank you for your input.
It has helped a great deal with my decisions.
I''m hoping to finalize things soon.

 

[Ellen]

Good luck jen, and let us know how things go.

 

[jenreber]

Thanks Ellen. I e-mailed Wink and this was his response to the stone''s appearance:

While I agree that the diamond is an I1 technically, it is eye clean to all but the most thorough up close examination. The inclusions are colorless and while I can see them easily in the loupe, it is only with difficulty that I can see them without the loupe at close range, and not at all at an arm''s length viewing.

How''s that sound?
Any other pertinent bits of info I should ask him?

 

[JulieN]

If I were buying an I1, I''d definitely try to get an Infinity first. Just remember that it''s I1 for a reason!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I bought two I1 stones--one from Wink (Infinity) and one from GOG (Cut by Tolk.) They are as Wink describes--and honestly I cannot see the inclusions unless I am looping the stones.

Good luck!

cheers--Sharon

 

[Ellen]

Date: 9/5/2008 1:18:11 PM
Author: jenreber
Thanks Ellen. I e-mailed Wink and this was his response to the stone's appearance:

While I agree that the diamond is an I1 technically, it is eye clean to all but the most thorough up close examination. The inclusions are colorless and while I can see them easily in the loupe, it is only with difficulty that I can see them without the loupe at close range, and not at all at an arm's length viewing.

How's that sound?
Any other pertinent bits of info I should ask him?

It sounds pretty darn good for an I1! However, does it sound like something you could be comfortable with?

Ask if the clarity is affecting the performance. If not, it's just a matter of whether you think you want it. If you're still hesitant, you could always purchase it and have it sent to you first to check out yourself. If you like it, great. If not, just return. You would only be out shipping.

I think it's worth a try.

 

[glitterata]

Some people here don''t like the idea of flaws in their diamonds, even if they can''t see them. The thought of it bugs them. Would you mind knowing there was a flaw in your diamond? It doesn''t bother me one little bit--I actually like knowing there are teeny, tiny diamonds inside my diamond--but some folks here need their stone to be "mind clean."

Wink has a good return policy and a great upgrade policy for his Infinity stones. You can take a look at it and return it if you''re not delighted. But I bet you will love it.

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 9/5/2008 1:55:26 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 9/5/2008 1:18:11 PM
Author: jenreber
Thanks Ellen. I e-mailed Wink and this was his response to the stone''s appearance:

While I agree that the diamond is an I1 technically, it is eye clean to all but the most thorough up close examination. The inclusions are colorless and while I can see them easily in the loupe, it is only with difficulty that I can see them without the loupe at close range, and not at all at an arm''s length viewing.

How''s that sound?
Any other pertinent bits of info I should ask him?

It sounds pretty darn good for an I1! However, does it sound like something you could be comfortable with?

Ask if the clarity is affecting the performance. If not, it''s just a matter of whether you think you want it. If you''re still hesitant, you could always purchase it and have it sent to you first to check out yourself. If you like it, great. If not, just return. You would only be out shipping.

I think it''s worth a try.

HI:

Good advice. I think the AGS0 rating bodes pretty well in the performance realm.....but "would" you be happy with it, only you can know.

Ask Wink if he can do the video conferencing with you--a virtual appointment. (or maybe he cannot/doesn''t do this anymore...). Or as Ellen suggests, buy the stone, see it IRL, then decide.

cheers--Sharon

 

[jenreber]

One last question...Is this a fair asking price for the quality of diamond ($2147)?
Thank you all so much for the great info...you guys "Rock."

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/5/2008 1:55:26 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 9/5/2008 1:18:11 PM
Author: jenreber
Thanks Ellen. I e-mailed Wink and this was his response to the stone's appearance:

While I agree that the diamond is an I1 technically, it is eye clean to all but the most thorough up close examination. The inclusions are colorless and while I can see them easily in the loupe, it is only with difficulty that I can see them without the loupe at close range, and not at all at an arm's length viewing.

How's that sound?
Any other pertinent bits of info I should ask him?

It sounds pretty darn good for an I1! However, does it sound like something you could be comfortable with?

Ask if the clarity is affecting the performance. If not, it's just a matter of whether you think you want it. If you're still hesitant, you could always purchase it and have it sent to you first to check out yourself. If you like it, great. If not, just return. You would only be out shipping.

I think it's worth a try.

Absolutely worth a try!!! Wink is an excellent and honest vendor as we all know, and there are eyeclean or pretty close to it I1's out there, well worth investigating this diamond!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/5/2008 1:36:38 PM
Author: JulieN
If I were buying an I1, I'd definitely try to get an Infinity first. Just remember that it's I1 for a reason!

I also have 2 I1's which are considerably bigger than the diamond in question which are eyeclean, so they are out there.

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 9/5/2008 3:21:35 PM
Author: jenreber
One last question...Is this a fair asking price for the quality of diamond ($2147)?
Thank you all so much for the great info...you guys ''Rock.''

You can do a search by price going to the prices tab and searching for stones with similar color/clariy/carat weight. I think it''s a fine price though. Since you are going with the stone online, why not just buy a setting and sidestones from them too?! They are very trustworthy and can source some beautiful sapphires. It would give me peace of mind to have the same person set my stone that I purchased it from in case something goes wrong (small risk though).