Need help/advice on choosing a diamond

[puzzledazn]

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking around this forum and I'm in the phase of getting a diamond. My gf has selected a Verragio (http://www.verragio.com/Verragio-Engagement-Rings/Insignia-Engagement-Rings/INSIGNIA-7046) mount.

My budget for the diamond is from $10,000-12,000.
Carats: 1.25-1.5
Cut: Very good or ideal (excellent)
Color: G (am open for opinions on a H as well)
Clarity: VS1 (am open for opinions for a VS2)

1. Where would you suggest I start looking for diamonds? From my knowledge, I'm only aware of bluenile, but if you have any other recommendations, please let me know.
2. Is it worth it to go for a ideal cut? I know if I select very good, I can get a bigger carat for the same price. What is your advice on that?
3. Is my color and clarity okay for this type of diamond that I am looking at?
4. I welcome any opinions/advice!

I want to thank you in advance and Happy Father's Day!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If you want Verragio, I highly recommend WhiteFlash as they carry Verragio settings and outstanding diamonds! Their ACA line are top cut quality hearts and arrows ideal cuts, and their Expert Selection stones are usually also ideal cut. If you don't require the perfection of the ACA's you certainly can go with an Expert Selection or even their Premium Select which may have something as minor as excellent for polish instead of ideal! I would never buy from a vendor who does not provide pictures and idealscope images of the diamond. Too much money to buy blind! I'll take a look and see what they have.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, G-H VS are great specs and that is also my preferred range. They have several and I am posting a few. The best one probably is the 1.34 H because it is larger and there are fewer stones in the 1.3-1.49 range. I would just question them to be sure any stone is eyeclean from the top and sides.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2680535.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2890105.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2684404.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2640831.htm

Be sure the Pricescope/wire price shows up when you open the pages. It does for me, but that may be because I registered on the site at some point.

 

[teobdl]

1. Where would you suggest I start looking for diamonds? From my knowledge, I'm only aware of bluenile, but if you have any other recommendations, please let me know. If you want to have a good sense of what you're purchasing, I like looking at Brian Gavin Diamonds, Crafted by Infinity diamonds, WhiteFlash, Good Old Gold, and James Allen. They provide info to varying degrees, and at minimum, they all provide an idealscope image so you can evaluate the diamond so you can make a more informed decision about that specific diamond). Blue Nile, to my knowledge, does not provide idealscope images. Not sure what other vendors do.

2. Is it worth it to go for a ideal cut? I know if I select very good, I can get a bigger carat for the same price. What is your advice on that? This is my thinking: the difference between an expensive crystal that looks pretty good in some situations vs a beautiful diamond that draws people in is cut. Cut is what brings out just about everything that people love about diamonds. A VG diamond can look great! But there will be certain things about it that make it not sparkle as much as it might otherwise sparkle if it were cut better. You don't want to crap-shoot this, and if you buy a branded diamond (Brian Gavin Signature, A Cut Above, Crafted by Infinity, etc etc) then you're pretty much guaranteed to not miss in this department. People may comment on size, but they stare, ooh and ahh at extremely well-cut diamonds.

3. Is my color and clarity okay for this type of diamond that I am looking at? ---It's fine. VS2 is fine, too. Heck, go as low as you want, as long as you can't see it, and it doesn't bother you.

4. I welcome any opinions/advice!
This is what you do: go to the vendor's sites and put your 4C's parameters in. Sort it by price, and see if anything falls in your range. Start with the cheapest, and eliminate until you find a few that are acceptable to you. Happy hunting!

Here are two good looking Brian Gavin diamonds that are just under 1.25 cts with perfect images.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.232-h-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104054185007
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.233-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104063650004

 

[pomellina]

I would never buy from a vendor who does not provide pictures and idealscope images of the diamond. Too much money to buy blind! I'll take a look and see what they have.

Remember you can always return your diamond to Blue Nile if you decide to go down that route.

If you want to be 100% certain that you get it right first time, go with one of the other vendors who can provide you with lots of information.

If you are happy to make an educated guess and return if you're unhappy, Blue Nile is great for that.