Need expert opinions/help immediately!

[golfnut]

my other thread is lost and cluttered now, so i thought i'd just make this nice n clear. I'm down to 2 stones that are both right in my budget, and just need help choosing one to complete my order!

I'm looking at blue nile:

Frontrunner
http://www.bluenile.ca/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-i-colour-vs2-clarity_LD02406178
HCA 1.8
AGA 1A

vs

Competitor
http://www.bluenile.ca/diamond-search?pt=findsimilar#diamonds_pid=LD02423845
HCA 0.9
AGA 1A



i do like that the 2nd diamond is a signature ideal, although not sure HOW much better it could be vs the 1st stone. However, the 2nd stone is an Si1, and has a feather inclusion, while the 1st is a VS2 and only has a cloud inclusion. Other than that, prices are basically the same, same color, and about the same dimensions/ct weight.

what would you choose and why?

Thanks PSers!

 

[JulieN]

Prob won't be able to tell the difference. The first has strong fluoro and the second has medium. I'm tempted to go with the Signature Ideal.

 

[golfnut]

Prob won't be able to tell the difference. The first has strong fluoro and the second has medium. I'm tempted to go with the Signature Ideal.

im starting to like the signature ideal as well. i know those are guaranteed eye clean but am i going to run into any issues with having a feather inclusion and the si1 clarity?

 

[golfnut]

can anyone else provide some wisdom to sway me to finally choose a stone?

 

[Mrs.W 514]

I also prefer the signature ideal. It scored better on the HCA and it should be eye clean. I am also going to guess it is less expensive but i'm not sure because the prices don't show up on the website.

 

[golfnut]

the prices are pretty much the same actually. 1496 for the signature ideal, 1505 for the ideal. the only differences really were the clarity and cut. color and size/ct weight were essentially the same. ive read the article on here to not shy away from feather inclusions, but since its in the signature collection i am thinking it should be fine? eye-clean should be good enough for us, especially at only a half carat size. i dont know how often if ever my SO will be looking at the stone with a loupe or microscope...

 

[Dreamer_D]

I also prefer the signature ideal. It scored better on the HCA and it should be eye clean. I am also going to guess it is less expensive but i'm not sure because the prices don't show up on the website.

Just a note, any score below 2 on the HCA is considered a "pass" worthy of further consideration, beyond that, the specific score is inconswquential. So both diamonds are scoring the same on the HCA

I cannot access the stones being outside of the US, but a feather in an SI1 stone is not usually a concern. Call BN to ask them about it. You can also have an appraiser look at it locally when you get it to set your mind at ease. BN has a very good return policy.

Have you seen a stone with fluor in person?

 

[golfnut]

I also prefer the signature ideal. It scored better on the HCA and it should be eye clean. I am also going to guess it is less expensive but i'm not sure because the prices don't show up on the website.

Just a note, any score below 2 on the HCA is considered a "pass" worthy of further consideration, beyond that, the specific score is inconswquential. So both diamonds are scoring the same on the HCA

I cannot access the stones being outside of the US, but a feather in an SI1 stone is not usually a concern. Call BN to ask them about it. You can also have an appraiser look at it locally when you get it to set your mind at ease. BN has a very good return policy.

Have you seen a stone with fluor in person?

i have not been able to see a fluor stone in person...or maybe i have. the diamonds ive seen at local mall stores etc are just whatever they show me. definitely dont dive deep into the specs as i would like. with that being said, i have seen some threads on here showing fluorescence and i actually think it looks quite cool.

i spoke with 2 different reps at BN, and here is what ive gathered...

1) suggested that they would go with the signature ideal. slightly better cut, and guaranteed eye clean.
2)suggested that even though it is eye clean., theres no guarantee that there are no visible inclusions under close scrutiny, and to go with a vs2 or better if i was worried about that.

of course if that just means under a scope or loupe, that is fine with me. im leaning pretty heavily on just going with the signature stone...

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

No chance of you having both sent at the same time to see IRL--and returning the one you don't prefer?

cheers--Sharon

 

[golfnut]

HI:

No chance of you having both sent at the same time to see IRL--and returning the one you don't prefer?

cheers--Sharon

i thought about this idea however i am in canada. id have to pay shipping both ways for the return, and i need the ring set and completed for the 20th of this month when we leave for vacation where i am planning to propose.

to be honest, i think i am overstressing about something that wont be that big of a deal. i know she will love either, and we can always upgrade down the line as well. i am about 90% on the signature ideal now...

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

No chance of you having both sent at the same time to see IRL--and returning the one you don't prefer?

cheers--Sharon

i thought about this idea however i am in canada. id have to pay shipping both ways for the return, and i need the ring set and completed for the 20th of this month when we leave for vacation where i am planning to propose.

to be honest, i think i am overstressing about something that wont be that big of a deal. i know she will love either, and we can always upgrade down the line as well. i am about 90% on the signature ideal now...

Gotcha.

What is the "10%" holding you back??

cheers--Sharon

 

[golfnut]

the hold back is the fact that my other diamond choice was a better clarity and only a very slight decrease in cut...just tough to make a decision lol!

 

[marygrace]

Be sure to use the coupon!
https://touch.livingsocial.com/cities/12/deals/260764-200-to-spend-on-jewelry

I think I'd go with the Signature because it is "eye clean". Though, VS2 should be eye clean. I wish the GIA reports had plots of the inclusions.

 

[golfnut]

Be sure to use the coupon!
https://touch.livingsocial.com/cities/12/deals/260764-200-to-spend-on-jewelry

I think I'd go with the Signature because it is "eye clean". Though, VS2 should be eye clean. I wish the GIA reports had plots of the inclusions.

i saw that coupon and unfortunately cannot use it since it says only good for us orders, however i have an ama/caa membership that i can use to get 10% off of the band setting so already saving $130. excited to order...i think im going to go with the signature and im sure she'll love it!

 

[golfnut]

Has anyone taken a look at the GCAL report for the signature diamond i had listed?

It shows a picture at 10x from top and bottom view. As a diamond noobie..i honestly am having a hard time spotting the inclusions:

GIA listed as - Crystal-Feather-Cloud.

Can anyone point them out to me from the photomicrograph pictures in the GCAL report if thats at all possible?

Also, from reading another thread on here, is the GIA inclusions listed as - grade setting inclusion first, then less severe ones?

GCAL report here:

http://www.bluenile.com/certs/22023...0NSZsYWI9Z2NhJnNpemU9MTYwMCZjdXJyZW5jeT1DQUQm

 

[Dreamer_D]

OK didn't realize the links were to the Canadian site.

Both diamonds are cut equally well. Ignore the "signature ideal" label, it is not really meaningful, just marketing. Means BN owns the stone and has it in their possession rather than being a drop shipper for the stone.

I like the I VS2 because the dtrong fluor will make the diamond look whiter in many lighting environements, VS2 is more valuable than SI1 so this stone being the same price makes it a better deal. I also prefer the longer lower girdle facets, it will make the stone very bright white and sparkly (assuming with rounding it is actually longer lgfs).

 

[golfnut]

OK didn't realize the links were to the Canadian site.

Both diamonds are cut equally well. Ignore the "signature ideal" label, it is not really meaningful, just marketing. Means BN owns the stone and has it in their possession rather than being a drop shipper for the stone.

I like the I VS2 because the dtrong fluor will make the diamond look whiter in many lighting environements, VS2 is more valuable than SI1 so this stone being the same price makes it a better deal. I also prefer the longer lower girdle facets, it will make the stone very bright white and sparkly (assuming with rounding it is actually longer lgfs).

haha way to throw a bone at me! like i said i was about to pull the trigger on that one anyways, and it being a vs2, i should be able to sleep a tiny bit easier sight unseen. i also really like your arguments on it on why i should go with it. nice part is that it is just as readily available as the signature ideal as far as drop shipping is concerned.

thanks for that mini education, i think you make some very good educated points. i do have to try and remember that these were the same price only because of the signature ideal branding. i probably could save a few hundred getting a regular ideal si1 but dont wanna do that. looking at the 0.58 having an inclusion of only a cloud, does anyone think having a cloud in the table will be noticeable or is a cloud something easily livable with no matter its location?

 

[golfnut]

last question i promise!!

i've read a few threads on here already that a cloud-only inclusion also being the grade setting inclusion, should NOT be a problem in a VS2 GIA stone. can anyone verify this? ive read that clouds don't affect light return etc, so just wanted to have a few more opinions on the subject. going to pull the trigger on this one at lunch today...so excited!

 

[slg47]

last question i promise!!

i've read a few threads on here already that a cloud-only inclusion also being the grade setting inclusion, should NOT be a problem in a VS2 GIA stone. can anyone verify this? ive read that clouds don't affect light return etc, so just wanted to have a few more opinions on the subject. going to pull the trigger on this one at lunch today...so excited!

you should be fine with vs2 cloud.

 

[golfnut]

thank you! and thanks to everyone else too. i think its time to finally just order the damn thing. I've probably over thought this entire process, but in the end i think ill feel better knowing i did as much research and learning as i could. i know she's going to love it!

 

[Dreamer_D]

With any diamond bought online, and setting for that matter, there is always a small possibility that you won't like what you ordered, that you will see inclusions of some other aspect of the purchase -- size, color -- will not please you.

That said, with a VS2 stone, and especially in this size and cut quality, you are about as safe as you can get with respect to clarity I think color is also not much of an issue either, especially with the flour and the way light return works in under 1ct diamonds. I think you have made a good educated buy! Now you have to see it with your own eyes to be 100% sure.

 

[golfnut]

With any diamond bought online, and setting for that matter, there is always a small possibility that you won't like what you ordered, that you will see inclusions of some other aspect of the purchase -- size, color -- will not please you.

That said, with a VS2 stone, and especially in this size and cut quality, you are about as safe as you can get with respect to clarity I think color is also not much of an issue either, especially with the flour and the way light return works in under 1ct diamonds. I think you have made a good educated buy! Now you have to see it with your own eyes to be 100% sure.

that is completely correct. i know the risks of buying online, especially as a canadian buyer as well, we don't get the perks of the company paying return shipping etc if the order isn't exactly how i want it. however, when comparing what i can get online vs what i was finding at local jewelers, there just isn't any comparison that can be made. My coin locally does not go even 3/4 as far as what it can fetch me online, and i'm definitely willing to take the risk of buying it basically sight unseen to try and get quite a bit more for the same cost.

like you said, in a smaller stone like this, i should be FINE, and hopefully everything works out. With both of us not being diamond experts anyways, i think we'll both be very happy with the purchase. In the odd case that maybe it doesn't turn out as nice as i hoped, i'm prepared to eat the shipping costs, but even then its still a worthwhile gamble with the odds probably in my favor.

to be honest we have looked at similar diamonds locally, and everything that we were being shown in our budget have been SI1/SI2's, uncertified, probably average-good cuts, and she could not tell the difference anyways. It was hard for me to spot inclusions unaided even in SI1/SI2 because i have no idea what i'm looking for anyways, so i'm hoping that going with the specs that i have chosen that it will be a fine enough quality stone all around for me . i will definitely post back up in the bling show off forum when it arrives!

 

[golfnut]

ugh. i gotta stop doing diamond searches. i took what Dreamer_D had to say in mind and decided, maybe i SHOULD just step up 1 more clarity grade just to have that much better a chance at loving the ring on the initial purchase than risk having to pay to ship back and return.

I took a look and found a similar stone...

http://www.bluenile.ca/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-i-colour-vs1-clarity_LD02282221

scores well on the HCA and AGA (1.0 HCA although i dont know if i have to enter the small culet, or how?, and a 1A AGA)

I then also step up to VS1. The last and only issue i have now is the color. my gf has never seen a color comparison in real life, and i have maybe 2 or 3 times. I personally thought "I" would still be very acceptable to a diamond amateur, but of course my mind is just running wild. I looked at diamonds i could maybe stretch the budget for to get to an H color, but for another $300, is it really that noticeable to only go up by 1 grade? (Blue nile has told me that they would reccomend getting the I instead of spending more for the H since it wont really be that noticeable).

This diamond does not have fluor, so it wont "mask" any slight tinting of the I color. Am i going to have issues with a 0.57ct I color being yellow at all?

Just looking for a quick response if this diamond is a better buy than what i was about to go with:
http://www.bluenile.ca/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-i-colour-vs2-clarity_LD02406178

the price difference is within my budget, but i can rest a little easier knowing its a VS1. I want to order at lunch time (within the next hour) so quick responses are greatly appreciated! I PROMISE this is the last time!

 

[golfnut]

nevermind everyone! decided to just bite the bullet and buy it.(had to sometime) decided to go with the new one that i had found, 0.57 VS1, I color, triple excellent, 1.0HCA, 1A AGA. Being a VS1 i can sleep a little easier knowing that it shouldn't be a noticeable inclusion (cloud/pinpoint). Along with her favorite setting, the ring still came in at budget and should be here this week. Can't wait to get it, and will definitely post it up along with my proposal plans to share with all!

 

[Dreamer_D]

LOL... nooooo my comments were not meant to scare you off the VS2. I think VS2 is the perfect clarity for diamonds, a nice balance of budget and totally mind clean for me! I buy VS2s and don't even think about the clarity.

Your new one is very nice too. No fluor which could be good if you ever decided to resell and upgrade (heaven forbid, right ) because it makes marketing simpler. VS1 is great. Can't wait to see it!

ETA: What setting did you get? I also want to say my sister in law wears a stone that size and it is divine! Looks wonderful on her hand.

 

[golfnut]

LOL... nooooo my comments were not meant to scare you off the VS2. I think VS2 is the perfect clarity for diamonds, a nice balance of budget and totally mind clean for me! I buy VS2s and don't even think about the clarity.

Your new one is very nice too. No fluor which could be good if you ever decided to resell and upgrade (heaven forbid, right ) because it makes marketing simpler. VS1 is great. Can't wait to see it!

ETA: What setting did you get? I also want to say my sister in law wears a stone that size and it is divine! Looks wonderful on her hand.

haha i know dont worry its not your fault! its my own mind playing tricks on me but like i said, the price increase was small and still in my budget so i don't mind. It had a better HCA score for whatever thats worth and like you said no fluor. Plus, if i tell her its a VS1 she will be very impressed...mind games!

This one is actually going to get to me very fast, they say it will ship out tomorrow and be here for wednesday. the Rep i spoke to on the phone to place the order was very helpful, and told me not to worry 1 bit about getting an I color. Said i would be blown away with how nice it'll look that once i see it i wont even care anymore. Could be a sales pitch but it was exactly what i liked to hear lol.

the setting its going into is: http://www.bluenile.ca/build-your-own-diamond-ring?forceStep=STYLE_STEP&offer_id=19842

we couldn't find anything like it locally, never seen an engagement ring with a full eternity band. wasted diamonds on the bottom? yes of course, but its specifically what she wanted and i'm glad i could get her exactly whats on her list! so eager to see this thing!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Very pretty. Good to get her what she wants!

Just as an FYI, that style of ring needs to be worn with some care or she will lose diamonds. There is the potential the band will become misshapen too with wear, because it is so thin. She should not wear it to sleep, do dishes or other chores using the hands, to the gym, walking the dog where she holds the leash... or if she does, then she should accept that she might/will likely lose diamonds that will need replacement. Is she sentimental? I personally like to wear my jewelery and enjoy it, so would just wear and enjoy and if it needs repair, repair it or replace it. But if she is sentimental, then she might be very upset to have setting that is delicate or might not last her lifetime. A plain platinum or gold setting is much more durable!

 

[golfnut]

i figured that a band like that will probably require some care. I guess myself would have preferred something more durable, but there really is no denying getting it if she wants it! lol. im sure she'll take care of it in the sense that she's not going to baby it to death, but at the same time i want her to not be scared to wear it as thats what it was meant for!

 

[Lotus99]

Congrats on pulling the trigger. I'm sure she'll love it!

 

[golfnut]

here's the pictures that i promised if you're still interested in taking a look! she absolutely loves it! i proposed in palm springs during our vacation and we went to disneyland a few days later!