Need diamond advice

[lburn]

Hi,

I am looking for a 1.5 - 2 carat diamond. I of course would like a big as possible but do not want to sacrifice quality. I have narrowed down to G - I color SI1 - SI2 clarity but must be eye clean. And must have excellent cut and sparkle. I do know that there are alot of other variable out there and that''s where I''m hoping to get some advise. I know that if you compare different size stone sometimes they can look the same size, even though one weighs more. I did find this one on BN here is the link.
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-si1-clarity_LD01476340

please tell me if this is a good deal for $11,400.

My budget is between 9000 - 11000.

I also like this one on good old gold but it is smaller than the 1st stone, but quite a bit less. Here is the link to that one.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/5200/

Thanks so much for your help.

Laura

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Laura and welcome!

With the BN diamond, I would personally want an Idealscope image to check that angle combo out, it could be fine but I would want an IS image to check - however BN don't supply them to the best of my knowledge.

The GOG diamond looks good, check it is eyeclean to your standards by asking the vendor, Jon or one of his staff.

 

[Ellen]

Ditto Lorelei.

I know you put I as the stop point, but to get more size, a J would help. In a very well cut stone, there''s not much difference between I and J. Just a thought!

Here''s one I found that''s slightly larger if you would consider (not much out there in this range of specs/price), but I understand if you aren''t interested.

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1204625.htm#

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/27/2008 10:11:02 AM
Author: Ellen
Ditto Lorelei.

I know you put I as the stop point, but to get more size, a J would help. In a very well cut stone, there''s not much difference between I and J. Just a thought!

Here''s one I found that''s slightly larger if you would consider (not much out there in this range of specs/price), but I understand if you aren''t interested.

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1204625.htm#

 

[mirachelo]

 

[lburn]

Thanks for the advise. I really hadn''t thought a j color diamond. Will this appear yellow at all in a white gold setting? I would love to see some comparisons. This is my 10th anniversary present and I want it to be just perfect. I currently have a GIA 1.03 H S12 stone which is very nicely cut. I am upgrading and would like to see noticeable size difference if possible. That''s why I was thinking of sacrificing the clarity as long as it is eye clean. I thought this would be a good way to get into a bigger stone with my budget. Will this J stone really appear white to the eye?

Thanks,
Laura

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/27/2008 10:45:48 AM
Author: lburn
Thanks for the advise. I really hadn't thought a j color diamond. Will this appear yellow at all in a white gold setting? I would love to see some comparisons. This is my 10th anniversary present and I want it to be just perfect. I currently have a GIA 1.03 H S12 stone which is very nicely cut. I am upgrading and would like to see noticeable size difference if possible. That's why I was thinking of sacrificing the clarity as long as it is eye clean. I thought this would be a good way to get into a bigger stone with my budget. Will this J stone really appear white to the eye?

Thanks,
Laura

A well graded J colour will still look very white, I was examining one in person with a top cut quality GIA graded recently myself and it was stunning! It is possible you could notice a tiny tint of warmth from the side in some lights, but this doesn't seem to be an issue with the J owners here - but if you could check some out in person of known cut quality such as AGS0 or Hearts on Fire of similar size, then you can get a better idea.

Here is a thread with J colour in plat, I don't recall a thread with J in WG - but diamond colour or lack of can't be depicted accurately on a computer monitor, but it is good to look at nevertheless.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/j-color-stones-in-platinum.24731/

 

[Ellen]

Date: 12/27/2008 10:51:04 AM
Author: Lorelei

A well graded J colour will still look very white, I was examining one in person with a top cut quality GIA graded recently myself and it was stunning! It is possible you could notice a tiny tint of warmth from the side in some lights, but this doesn't seem to be an issue with the J owners here - but if you could check some out in person of known cut quality such as AGS0 or Hearts on Fire of similar size, then you can get a better idea.

Here is a thread with J colour in plat, I don't recall a thread with J in WG - but diamond colour or lack of can't be depicted accurately on a computer monitor, but it is good to look at nevertheless.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/j-color-stones-in-platinum.24731/

Which basically look the same. I have both WG and Plat rings, there really isn't much of a difference in metal appearance.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/27/2008 11:12:49 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 12/27/2008 10:51:04 AM
Author: Lorelei

A well graded J colour will still look very white, I was examining one in person with a top cut quality GIA graded recently myself and it was stunning! It is possible you could notice a tiny tint of warmth from the side in some lights, but this doesn''t seem to be an issue with the J owners here - but if you could check some out in person of known cut quality such as AGS0 or Hearts on Fire of similar size, then you can get a better idea.

Here is a thread with J colour in plat, I don''t recall a thread with J in WG - but diamond colour or lack of can''t be depicted accurately on a computer monitor, but it is good to look at nevertheless.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/j-color-stones-in-platinum.24731/

Which basically look the same. I have both WG and Plat rings, there really isn''t much of a difference in metal appearance.

Yiss - nice new av BTW!!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 12/27/2008 11:26:22 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 12/27/2008 11:12:49 AM
Author: Ellen

Which basically look the same. I have both WG and Plat rings, there really isn''t much of a difference in metal appearance.

Yiss - nice new av BTW!!

Why fank you.

 

[oldminer]

I am looking for a 1.5 - 2 carat diamond. I of course would like a big as possible but do not want to sacrifice quality. I have narrowed down to G - I color SI1 - SI2 clarity but must be eye clean. And must have excellent cut and sparkle. I do know that there are alot of other variable out there and that''s where I''m hoping to get some advise.


Above is what you said, but it couldn''t be what you mean. I think we understand what you want is a beautiful diamond, in the upper range of the sizes you stated that is not compromised by visable problems with color or clarity while keeping to high standards of cut quality. What consumers must avoid are inclusions which might easily lead to fragility and breakage or inclusions which have a negative impact on appearance. Cut parameters which might lead to fragility such as very thin girdle zones, or very shallow crown angles are best avoided, too. Also one wants to avoid very thick girdles, large cuts, and over depth. These are subtle problems which don''t necessarily hurt apparent beauty, but do actually have quite a negative impact on appearance and value. Your willingness to sacrifice "quality" down to "I" color or "SI2" clarity is certainly an accepted norm, but it is a big sacrifice of absolute quality when it comes to diamonds. Sacrificing that much with cut quality would be much more of a problem in most grading structures. A little compromise on cut quality may work very well for you if getting to 2 carats means a great deal to you. None of the grades are all or nothing situations. The grades for diamonds are finely divided, so take your time and find out what you can do before making a decision.

 

[lburn]

David,

Thank you for your help. Do you think I should give the diamond at blue nile in my original post a chance? It seems like a good deal compared to what I have seen so far.

Thanks,
Laura

 

[oldminer]

The blue nile stone has a slightly thick girdle and a bit more crown angle than I prefer, but it is a very nice diamond, for sure. I sort of object to the wording blue nile uses:

Cut: Ideal This diamond is cut to the finest proportions as determined by its face-up appearance, design, and craftsmanship. It reflects nearly all light as fire and brilliance as determined by the GIA. The GIA certificate lists the cut as Excellent, which is the equivalent of an AGSL or Blue Nile Ideal cut grade.


Few folks in the know would agree that GIA and AGSL grading of their top quality diamond categories are the same. They are not equivalent categories.

The Good Old Gold one has what seems to be somewhat preferable angles and there is no question it is a very fine stone for cut. It is likely eye clean although one can pick out an inclusion under the table which might be a very tiny eye visible spot sometimes with excellent vision. Jonathan could tell you his own opinion.
He may have access to a slightly larger diamond of similar nature which would please you more.

Both diamonds seem like satisfactory stones. You just need to settle on one and go for it. Keep the mlounting cost in mind so you retain your budget range, too.