Need Help Finding A Diamond 3 Carat

[Arkitekt]

I am looking for a 3 karat diamond for an engagement ring and I feel lost! I would like to have the following specs. GIA certified. H or better. SI1 or better, prefer VS2. Also a Very Good cut. My price range is no more $45k and that is pushing it, I prefer to stay in the 40k range. Could you kindly recommend anything? Your help and insight is greatly appreciated!!! Any jeweler recommendations in the bay area are greatly appreciated as well. Please help...

 

[RNgemlover]

I think you should be able to come up with something. I checked Diamonds.com and found a BUNCH of 2.8 - 3.2 H SI1''s easily in your price range. You''ll have to have these guys help you with cut most likely... lol! But it appears your options are enormous.

 

[RNgemlover]

Here is one I found... See what everyone thinks...

http://diamonds.com/Main/DiamondDetail.aspx?lotid=18448607

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/diamond.php?diamond=TBH3265 H SI1 aproximately $37,500 scores very well on the cut advisor HCA of 1.0 right in the AGS Ideal range.



http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond.php?d=3922&shape=1&ctMin=2.8&ctMax=3.3&resultsColumns=268435471&singleResult=1 1,500 more than you wanted to spend. . H SI1 ideal hearts and arrows.

Personally? I'd call Pearlman's on the 3 carat they have if it's eye clean, and pocket the change.

 

[Arkitekt]

Thank you Shaunrice for your recommendations. I am really unsure of the specifics to look for. I have been looking around this forum for answers and it seems like everyone here is very helpful and informative. So happy I found pricescope!

 

[Arkitekt]

Thank you Gypsy! I was told to watch for feather style inclusions close to the edge, because it could potentially lead to diamond breakage or cracking. Is this correct information? Does the diamond you recommend have that type of inclusion? I consider myself somewhat clueless when it comes to diamonds.

 

[Arkitekt]

What is your opinions on this one!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1202378.asp

Or this.

http://www.abazias.com/database/NewDiamondInfo.asp?stock=52525945&src=builder

 

[Gypsy]

They both have a feathers close to the girdle, at least from the GIA plots, I couldn't tell you if they are a dangerous ones though. Generally feathers are safe unless they break the surface of the diamond and the only person that would be able to tell you if that's the case is the jeweler looking at the stone under the loupe. Fortunately, both Goodoldgold and Pearlmans are great and honest jewelers.

I would trust them if they told me the stone was safe. With the amount of money you are spending I would also get the stone independantly appraised as well. You can have both sent to an independant appraiser and have them tell you what they think of each. (Independant is the key. Please do a search for the meaning of this, and for appraisers near you if you are interested). 150 bucks is a small price to pay for some peace of mind.

Of course you have to get insurance, no matter what stone you get ultimately. Any diamond can break, given the right circumstances. Yes, some inclusions do pose a greater risk than others, but the right wack could split an IF diamond in two.

Also, if you are very concerned, I would try to get the diamond and the setting in the same place, so that no matter what happens in the setting process the jeweler is responsible for it, and there is no finger pointing.

Finally, in the clarities you are looking at, you are more likely to see inclusions at the girdle. A high SI will have the inclusions period, so will a VS2. It's actually preferred to have them on the outside instead of under the tables where they are more noticable. In addition, the size makes it harder to find a diamond without feathers. 3 carat's in your price range aren't that plentiful.

 

[Regular Guy]

Arkitekt,

Welcome.

I suggest you read up here on both AGS vis-a-vis cut optimization for grading...and also, HCA

The Pearlman''s diamond mentioned scores 3.6 on the HCA, and the JA diamond a 2.5 (not necessarily too bad...but there will be other options between 0 - 2 available you would prefer, sight unseen).

I might check out this one on BN. It''s AGS, but I chose it to make my life easier, not have to run the HCA, and see with it''s zero it will be cut well. There are a couple of others, but without other info, I fear their plot is too clean.

 

[Gypsy]

The James Allen one also has a feather near the girdle. It''s a little deep. And scores over 2.0 on the HCA (2.5). Over all, it''s worth buying if the price is right. It''s not my first choice though. The GOG one would be better than this, I think.

The Abazias doesn''t have the certificate posted, so I can''t tell you anything about it. You can request the certificate then post it and we''ll be able to help you.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 1/25/2009 1:34:22 AM
Author: Regular Guy
Arkitekt,

Welcome.

I suggest you read up here on both AGS vis-a-vis cut optimization for grading...and also, HCA

The Pearlman's diamond mentioned scores 3.6 on the HCA, and the JA diamond a 2.5 (not necessarily too bad...but there will be other options between 0 - 2 available you would prefer, sight unseen).

I might check out this one on BN. It's AGS, but I chose it to make my life easier, not have to run the HCA, and see with it's zero it will be cut well. There are a couple of others, but without other info, I fear their plot is too clean.

IRA, I got 1.0 on the Pearlman's one... what are the numbers you are running?

The certificate says:

57% table

60.5 depth

33.5 crown angle

41.0 pavillion angle.

HCA = 1.0 NOT 3.5

I can't open the Sarin file though. Is that what you using for your numbers on the Pearlmans diamond?

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 1/25/2009 1:37:12 AM
Author: Gypsy

The GOG one would be better than this, I think.

Yes, that one''s nice, though costs a bit more. You''ll be paying there for some unique evaluation skills, not easily duplicated.

Alternately, to save a bit, JA has this one. Generally, you''ll want an eye clean stone...and for any SI, you''ll need to seek to confirm this.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 1/25/2009 1:41:13 AM
Author: Gypsy

IRA, I got 1.0 on the Pearlman's one... what are the numbers you are running?

Well...not sure now what I was looking up, as I can no longer find the very different dimensions I just ran. (60, 60.1, 34, 41.2)

My bad. You data is correct, sorry.


Ok, got it...these are the numbers instead on the diamonds.com diamond featured also above. That one's 3.6 on the HCA.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 1/25/2009 1:49:05 AM
Author: Regular Guy

Date: 1/25/2009 1:41:13 AM
Author: Gypsy

IRA, I got 1.0 on the Pearlman''s one... what are the numbers you are running?

Well...not sure now what I was looking up, as I can no longer find the very different dimensions I just ran. (60, 60.1, 34, 41.2)

My bad. You data is correct, sorry.

Thanks Ira. I think the Pearlman''s has nice numbers. But it also has, from the plots, the most inclusions. On the other hand, it''s at Pearlmans and I trust them to tell the truth about any inclusions and to stand by their items. So I think it''s definitely worth a call to get A) the feather''s looked at carefully by them and B) actual pics of the diamond under magnification.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 1/25/2009 1:55:24 AM
Author: Gypsy
But it also has, from the plots, the most inclusions.

Not sure, but for an SI, this might be relatively good news, with respect to a) not actually being able to see any of them and b) having no worries vis-s-vis effects on light performance.

 

[Arkitekt]

I was looking at the GIA Cert for the GOG one and it seems like there are quite alot of inclusions (feathers). Am I crazy? Should I be concerned about that? And it is a little more than I wanted to spend. This process has been very painful thus far, prior to pricescope, however you all are making me feel much more comfortable. Thank you soo much.

 

[Gypsy]

The plots are only part of the puzzle. They are good for A) telling you what type of inclusions your diamond has and B) identifying your diamond.

The number of inclusions in an SI stone or even a Vs2 don't really mean anything. You can have ONE inclusion on a VS2 that breaks the surface of the diamond on one hand, 9 inclusions on and SI2 that are safe on the other. I'd take the SI2 as long as it was eyeclean, or if the ivisible nclusions could be safely hidden by a prong.

You have to deal with the diamond on in front of you, and at the total picture. Any only a person looking at the diamond can tell you the truth about that stone. Which is why it's so important to be dealing with a vendor that has an impeccible reputation.... like GOG or Pearlmans.


Looking at the plots, and the pictures of the stone on the GOG site, actually that's the one I would guess (and it's only a guess) has the 'best' inclusions. But again, I'm only guessing... like I said it only takes ONE inclusion. The plots can't tell me whether the incliusion is a dangerous one. Only how many there are and where they are located. Which... is only part of the puzzle. And not the most important one.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/25/2009 1:20:30 AM
Author: Arkitekt
What is your opinions on this one!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1202378.asp

Or this.

http://www.abazias.com/database/NewDiamondInfo.asp?stock=52525945&src=builder

Welcome arkitekt,

The JA diamond might be fine ( depth is within good range) if you ask them for an Idealscope image. It is a borderline steep deep so an Idealscope would reveal any leakage if present. Check that the very thin area of the girdle isn't a potential durability issue, it isn't always the case if the very thin part is in the microns in a small non vulnerable area, each VT girdle needs evaluation on each separate diamond. The Abazias diamond report isn't clear so I can't read the angles.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 1/25/2009 1:07:15 AM
Author: Gypsy
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/diamond.php?diamond=TBH3265 H SI1 aproximately $37,500 scores very well on the cut advisor HCA of 1.0 right in the AGS Ideal range.



http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond.php?d=3922&shape=1&ctMin=2.8&ctMax=3.3&resultsColumns=268435471&singleResult=1 1,500 more than you wanted to spend. . H SI1 ideal hearts and arrows.

Personally? I''d call Pearlman''s on the 3 carat they have if it''s eye clean, and pocket the change.

the GOG stone is beautiful and eye clean too!!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/25/2009 2:05:11 AM
Author: Arkitekt
I was looking at the GIA Cert for the GOG one and it seems like there are quite alot of inclusions (feathers). Am I crazy? Should I be concerned about that? And it is a little more than I wanted to spend. This process has been very painful thus far, prior to pricescope, however you all are making me feel much more comfortable. Thank you soo much.

Hi Ark,

That GOG stone would be stunning. It's actually a branded stone that just isn't advertised as one. (Isee2) They cut very tight, truly stunning stones. As for the inclusions, you simply can't tell by the plots, they aren't representive of real life. They need to be eyeballed in person.

GOG is closed on Sun. and Mon. If you are interested, contact them Tuesday and ask for Jon, he's the head honcho, and a great guy to work with. Tell him you are interested, but the stone goes slightly over your budget. I think you might be able to work something out.

Also, Jon will be quite honest about the inclusions, whether it is eyeclean, and whether they pose a problem or not. I kinda doubt they will though, as he sells quality pieces.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 1/25/2009 7:44:29 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 1/25/2009 2:05:11 AM
Author: Arkitekt
I was looking at the GIA Cert for the GOG one and it seems like there are quite alot of inclusions (feathers). Am I crazy? Should I be concerned about that? And it is a little more than I wanted to spend. This process has been very painful thus far, prior to pricescope, however you all are making me feel much more comfortable. Thank you soo much.

Hi Ark,

That GOG stone would be stunning. It''s actually a branded stone that just isn''t advertised as one. (Isee2) They cut very tight, truly stunning stones. As for the inclusions, you simply can''t tell by the plots, they aren''t representive of real life. They need to be eyeballed in person.

GOG is closed on Sun. and Mon. If you are interested, contact them Tuesday and ask for Jon, he''s the head honcho, and a great guy to work with. Tell him you are interested, but the stone goes slightly over your budget. I think you might be able to work something out.

Also, Jon will be quite honest about the inclusions, whether it is eyeclean, and whether they pose a problem or not. I kinda doubt they will though, as he sells quality pieces.

Oooh... Isee2??? That''s the jackpot.

Definitely call Jon! Ellen''s advice is golden!

 

[Arkitekt]

Thank you for your input everyone! Ellen I appreciate your advice. I really would like to get the GOG stone but I am afraid it may just be a little too much even if I get a better price. I'll try though. The Pearlman's stone is good too but truth be told I am really digging the GOG one. What do you all think? Should I spend the extra money or what? Any other stones that I should be considering? Opinions?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/26/2009 2:55:52 PM
Author: Arkitekt
Thank you for your input everyone! Ellen I appreciate your advice. I really would like to get the GOG stone but I am afraid it may just be a little too much even if I get a better price. I''ll try though. The Pearlman''s stone is good too but truth be told I am really digging the GOG one. What do you all think? Should I spend the extra money or what? Opinions?

Maybe think of it in these terms....If you love the GOG diamond, it may be a bit more expensive but if you can afford it, weighed up over time it doesn''t work out to be much of an extra expense over the years and you may be glad you spent the extra for the joy the diamond could give you long term.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/26/2009 2:55:52 PM
Author: Arkitekt
Thank you for your input everyone! Ellen I appreciate your advice. I really would like to get the GOG stone but I am afraid it may just be a little too much even if I get a better price. I''ll try though. The Pearlman''s stone is good too but truth be told I am really digging the GOG one. What do you all think? Should I spend the extra money or what? Opinions?

Well, I don''t want to say anything to make you go in debt! All I will say is, it''s a fabulous stone. I own one also, I know how well cut they are. You would never be sorry, that''s for sure. However, there are other stones that will be very pretty that could be more in budget.

I suggest calling and talking to Jon, and tell him Ellen said to give you a good deal. See what can be done, or not first, then go from there.

 

[Arkitekt]

I will do that Ellen! I''ll let you know how it turns out after I call tommorrow. Lorilei I was thinking along the same lines as you! Great minds think alike! I just want to make sure I can afford it.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/26/2009 3:14:56 PM
Author: Arkitekt
I will do that Ellen! I''ll let you know how it turns out after I call tommorrow. Lorilei I was thinking along the same lines as you! Great minds think alike! I just want to make sure I can afford it.

Please do, and I hope everything works out!!