need help buying a stone

[cali6869]

guys I''ve been lurking around this boards for a while now... but Im still not sure how to buy stones confidently.

Now the time has come, and I need to buy a round stone for an engagement ring. Im Looking in spending $5500 - $6000 for the stone alone.
I''ve seen some stones 1.5 cts I-J SI1 - SI2... are those good stones? I kinda like the size, but not sure about the quality.

Can you guys help me out?

 

[LesleyH]

Hi cali6869:

Welcome to Pricescope! If you would please post the stats on some of the diamonds you are considering, we can give you feedback.

Thanks!

LesleyH
www.whiteflash.com

 

[Mara]

Here are some from DirtCheapDiamonds. I didn't find anything else from the other vendors yet. You may end up getting a not quite 'ideal' stone but one with a very good cut. Since you want that larger carat weight, cut may have to be slightly sacrificed along with color and clarity to get it. If that is okay with you...here are some that are listed as 'premium' DCD stones. 2 have blue fluor which will assist in the stone color and the others have nice girdle, table, depth and diameter numbers for their size..but you'd need to get more information on any you consider. Get the copy of the cert as well as crown and pavilion angles (not %s!).

http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=1584724
1.56 J SI2 with strong blue flour

http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=1801929
1.5 I SI2 with medium blue fluor

http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=2489006
1.55 J SI2 with good numbers

http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=2489007
1.60 J SI2 with good numbers

 

[cali6869]

I like the stones that I see, however... with an SI2 would it have stuff inside the diamond? Can they be seen with the naked eye?
Also Do J diamonds really show color... Seems like I dont have much color.. is that true?
Seems like an I SI1 of SI2 would be ideal...
Mara I know you are really detailed about your diamonds... Would you buy a J SI2 diamond for yourself? or you think that is not that good?

 

[cali6869]

does this seem to good to be true?
http://www.abazias.com/database/rapinfo.asp?stock=8224123&flag=ps
http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=2248076&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps
Why is it so cheap.... but this are a well known vendor isnt it?

What do you guys think of this ones?

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=2638623
http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=2155845&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps

 

[Mara]

not all SI stones are created equal. Some are going to be absolutely eye-clean and others will have 'stuff' you can see in the diamond. This is where a good vendor comes in. You have to trust them to be your eyes while you are searching out a stone such as an SI.

I would buy an SI2, hands down. I think it's the best deal out there (or an eye-clean I1!!!) As for color...I would probably buy an I colored stone, preferrably with fluor or a J with a strong fluor. The larger the stone the more color and clarity can be tricky, but if you don't see much color in I stones..then you should be fine with an I or even a J with fluor.

 

[cali6869]

http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=2489007&ref=PS622

is this the same one that Mara showed?
do you think there is anything that you can see with the naked eye?

If I want more info on this stone... what im I supposed to ask for? those red pictures with hearts and arrows. right?

 

[Mara]

Ask for:

copy of lab certificate
sarin report (showing crown and pavilion angles)
picture of the stone (ideally with inclusions magnified)
idealscope or lightscope or firescope image to show light return
hearts and arrows images if possible (though this may not be a H&A stone, so there may not be images available)

 

[cali6869]

Mara, do you really like this stone?
I guess will have to wait for the certificates and pictures...