need help choosing a Round Diamond...

[mobiletto]

Hello all,
I''ve been reading a lot on this Forum lately, but this is my first official post.
I am hoping to get some help from experts like you, regarding teh selection of a Round Diamond for the engagement ring I''m planning on purchasing in the next 1-2 weeks.
First of all, I would like to get a Round Diamond as close as possible to the 1.00 ct and up.
My budget is around $5000-$6000 (for the diamond only)

I have been looking around, but the more I look the more I get confused...
Should I go with a slightly smaller stone but HIGH grade (IF, VVS1) or a bigger stone and mediocre grade (SI1 or VS2) ??


I found the following stones so fare, but please by all means ... if you know of other options do not feel shy and reply :

ITEM #1

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/diamond/124701.html

Item # : 124701
Carat : 0.92
Clarity : SI1
Color : F

GIA Specifications
Certificate Number : 15870476
Measurements : 6.27 - 6.3 x 3.87
Depth : 61.6
Table : 54%
Girdle : Thin to medium
Culet : None
Polish : Excellent
Symmetry : Excellent
Clarity Characteristics : Feather, needle, cloud
Fluorescence : None

==========


ITEM # 2

http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=8010806&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps

Stock Number 8010806
Certificate EGL
Cut ROUND BRILLIANT
Carat 1.01
Color G
Clarity VS2
Price $ 3743.06
Measurements 6.49 x 6.51 x 3.92 mm
Depth Percentage 60 %
Table Percentage 58 %
Crown Angle
Pavilion Percentage %
Pavilion Angle
Girdle M
Culet N
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT
Fluorescence NONE


=======


Now ...
how good is ExcelDiamonds compared to USACERTED ? any experiences with these vendors ?

Where is the best place to acquire both the stone and the ring setting ? Exceldiamonds, WhiteFlash, Bluenile ??

I am so confused.... HELP HELP HELP !!!

Thanks all in advance!

 

[sapient007]

check out whiteflash. it seems to be mentioned as the site to buy on a daily basis here. suppose their "a cut above" line will face up to larger sized diamonds. many sr posters swears by them

 

[mobiletto]

It seems that WF is way more expensive ..
I could not find anything decent below $6000 ...

Anyone can comment about the 2 diamonds I posetd above ?

And does anyone have any feedback on exceldiamonds?

 

[Kelli]

I will tell you from recent experience, find out the crown and pavilion angles and run the stone through the HCA. That''s one thing I failed to do before buying. I like my stone a lot, but it is not totally "ideal" on cut even though it''s GIA excellent cut grade. Cut is the most important factor to most, but I would be thrillied with a near-colorless, vs/si stone. Why buy perfection that you can''t see anyway? See what looks good to you (or fiance) in person before you buy. I''m not color sensitive I guess because I love my I color and my VS2 is totally eye clean from the top. I can see a cloud in it from the side, but I like that because that''s how I know it''s mine when jewelry stores take it to the back to clean it. It''s all preference but I think MOST girls would want size over perfect clarity as long as it''s eye clean.

 

[sapient007]

Date: 5/28/2008 2:50:21 PM
Author: mobiletto
It seems that WF is way more expensive ..

I could not find anything decent below $6000 ...


Anyone can comment about the 2 diamonds I posetd above ?


And does anyone have any feedback on exceldiamonds?

i initially thought the same thing for WF and GoG. but they do offer you a piece of mind especially over the internet and the prices are really pretty low compared to b&m retail. their stones are quality and they have pictures to show you. at the end you have to ask yourself if you feel safe clicking on the buy button for a 6k stone that you have not even seem a picture of.

 

[mobiletto]

thanks to all for the replies!

I found the Ring settings my fiance is going to lve... (see attachment)
So now I just need to select the right stone..

again, I am looking at the same place where they sell the ring.. that is James Allen ..
Any feedback from past customers ? Are they any good?


Let me know.
Tahnks

 

[JulieN]

James Allen is great. They have lots of stones.

 

[honey22]

Welcome! Firstly, VS and SI1 grades are not mediocre - why pay big bucks for something you can''t see? Money that could be put into more diamond

Stones in the VS range are 99% eyeclean, and many SI1 ones are totally eyeclean too, which means you can drop to these clarities without even noticing anything. You will however, need to check SI stones on a case by case basis with the vendor to be assured that they are in fact eyeclean. IMHO IF and VVS are a waste of money.

That EGL certed stone is rather cheap, which sets of alarm bells, the table size is a bit big for my liking. If you stick to the best cut you ca, the stone will sparkle more and face up white.

These examples are a smidgy over budget, but you can ask for a PS discount

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636622.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-737788.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-608088.htm

Check out GOG too. Either vendors will have beautiful diamonds and they have settings too, or if you don''t find something you like, you can have them make something custom.

Good luck!

 

[mobiletto]

what do you think about this diamond ?


Shape: Round
Carat weight: 1.13
Cut: Ideal
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: AGS

Depth: 60.7%
Table: 55.0%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: 1.2%-4.2%
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.77*6.75*4.10

Price is $6500

 

[JulieN]

angles? pictures?

 

[mobiletto]

I requested more information and they are going to email me the pictures and the AGS Reports... will post here once i have it.


One more question..
I was checking a local retailer (Damiani Jewellers, in Toronto - Canada) and I noticed they have decent prices on Canadian Diamonds...

i.e.


Round 1.01ct 58918
Certificate: GS707858
Cut: Ideal (Hearts & Arrows)
Carat: 1.01
Colour: H
Clarity: VS2

Price: $5,323.00

Measurements: 6.56X6.55X3.97
Depth %: 60.6%
Table %: 54.9%
Crown Angle: 34.60°
Pavilion Percentage: 43%
Girdle: thin
Culet: N
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Ideal
Fluorescence: No Fluorescence
Clarity-Enhanced: NO
Canadian: YES



how GS certification (Canadian diamonds) compare to AGS or GIA ?
Because this price is quite interesting ... for an Ideal H&A ...

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 5/29/2008 11:17:33 AM
Author: mobiletto
I requested more information and they are going to email me the pictures and the AGS Reports... will post here once i have it.


One more question..
I was checking a local retailer (Damiani Jewellers, in Toronto - Canada) and I noticed they have decent prices on Canadian Diamonds...

i.e.


Round 1.01ct 58918
Certificate: GS707858
Cut: Ideal (Hearts & Arrows)
Carat: 1.01
Colour: H
Clarity: VS2

Price: $5,323.00

Measurements: 6.56X6.55X3.97
Depth %: 60.6%
Table %: 54.9%
Crown Angle: 34.60°
Pavilion Percentage: 43%
Girdle: thin
Culet: N
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Ideal
Fluorescence: No Fluorescence
Clarity-Enhanced: NO
Canadian: YES



how GS certification (Canadian diamonds) compare to AGS or GIA ?
Because this price is quite interesting ... for an Ideal H&A ...

hmmm.....don''t know about GS cert,but this diamond sounds too cheap. price on a top cut GIA/AGS H&A stone cost more like $6300-$6500 ?