Need help finding a good stone

[canuks]

Ok, so now that my guy has finally asked me to marry him, we need to find a nice ring. New to this site - have gotten lots of terrific information here so far. Have been to Tiffanys & Birks but having trouble justifying the premium pricing. Local merchant in the diamond district (in Toronto) has showed us a few stones, but so far hasn''t produced the AGS certificates. I am feeling a bit nervous about him, especially when he told us that AGS cert is better than GIA - true? He didn''t provide us with as much info on the stone we are looking at as we would have liked, but if we get more info on it, it might be a decent deal? It''s 1.01 c, F , VS2, ideal cut, ideal symmetry - when I plug the numbers into the Holloway cut advisor (I have nicknamed it the "sparklemeter") I get very good in all 4 categories - is this a deal at $7800 before tax?

We are nervous about buying through the internet, but are now seriously considering it (Bue Nile, GOG, Whiteflash?) because I think we can do better - so.... here''s what we are looking for:
a great cut diamond (thanks, learned that from you all!), F-G color, VS2- SI1 (as long as eye clean) - size, well we are flexible here - if we can get a great deal (ie. under $4500) would take something in the .90-.1 c range; otherwise, would go up to about $6800 for something at or over 1 c. Any great finds?

Thanks for any and all help!!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Hi Canuks! Welcome!

From what you have stated I gather that have not developed the ever important trust factor with your jeweler. Given that you are skeptical, I might suggest either looking elsewhere or checking online. Unless you are in love with the 1.01 ct F, VS2, I would argue that you might be able to do better than VG on the "sparklemeter" ... How about Ex??

With regards to AGS or GIA certs, both are reputable grading labs. I guess some might contend that AGS is the strictest grading lab, therfore, "better", however, I believe that both AGS & GIA graded stones are going to be accurately graded stones, whereas, an EGL Israel certed stone may not be, for example. As long as you are getting a diamond that matches what it is stated to be on the grading report, you''re good, right? Providing that you know which specs to look for with regards to "ideal" cut, you should be able to obtain a "superior" AGS OR GIA graded diamond.

I ran a Cut Quality Search for you and found the following stones that you may be interested in from PS trusted online vendors.

1.08 G VS2, Whiteflash Expert Selection - $7,174 Bank wire price
0.91 G VS2, Good Old Gold - $5,148.30 Bank wire price
1.01 G SI1, Good Old Gold, - $5,815.15 Bank Wire price

Like any of these?

 

[hedarud]

here is a bargain stone
http://www.angara.com/shop.do?pID=201073#

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/15/2008 1:19:53 AM
Author: hedarud
here is a bargain stone
http://www.angara.com/shop.do?pID=201073#

Looks like a nice find!!

Canuks, welcome!
If you read this info on grading reports, you should find it useful.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/grading.asp

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 1/15/2008 1:19:53 AM
Author: hedarud
here is a bargain stone
http://www.angara.com/shop.do?pID=201073#

Hi Hedarud,

I can''t take that option to report check. Are you just hoping it''s nice, regardless of parameters, or do you see crown & pavilion info somewhere?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 1/15/2008 11:05:24 AM
Author: Regular Guy

Date: 1/15/2008 1:19:53 AM

Author: hedarud

here is a bargain stone

http://www.angara.com/shop.do?pID=201073#

Hi Hedarud,


I can''t take that option to report check. Are you just hoping it''s nice, regardless of parameters, or do you see crown & pavilion info somewhere?

You can click on the GIA cert and see all the angles, etc.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/15/2008 11:15:16 AM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 1/15/2008 11:05:24 AM
Author: Regular Guy

Date: 1/15/2008 1:19:53 AM

Author: hedarud

here is a bargain stone

http://www.angara.com/shop.do?pID=201073#

Hi Hedarud,


I can''t take that option to report check. Are you just hoping it''s nice, regardless of parameters, or do you see crown & pavilion info somewhere?

You can click on the GIA cert and see all the angles, etc.

Yep, Ira, click on show by GIA and it should come up.

 

[canuks]

So the local jeweler calls back this morning to say "ummm - don''t have a AGS report on that diamond, just a "Gemscan" which is very good, very reliable, etc. etc." - what is that?

Hmmm - I kinda like the 1.01 c at GOG that Sparkalicious pointed me to. Re the Angara stone, the price looks great , but I haven''t heard of these guys before - thoughts on them? To be honest I have a huge knot in my stomach thinking that we might buy something this expensive, sight unseen, over the internet! Sounds crazy when I say it out loud but looks like many of you have done it with good results. My biggest concern if we do, is getting it set. I understand that if we ship a loose stone to Canada there''s no
customs or duty to deal with (just federal and provincial sales tax) but if we have it set and then shipped, it becomes jewelery and we then have pay duty and customs. Does anyone know more about this? And how do I find a jeweler here I trust to set it - any recommondations in the Toronto area? Thanks for all the help.

 

[cinnamon013]

This stone is a beauty.

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-540919.htm#

0.94 ct I VVS2 Round Ideal Cut
$4,700.00 Item Available - Ready to ship



Item Code: AGS-9222403
. Report: AGS
. Shape: Round Ideal Cut
. Carat: 0.940
. Depth %: 62.7
. Table %: 55.8
. Crown Angle: 34.9
. Crown %: 15.5
. Star : 53
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Pavilion %: 43
. Lower Girdle %: 78
. Girdle: Thin to Slightly Thick
. Measurements: 6.21-6.24X3.90
. Polish: Excellent
. Symmetry: Excellent
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

 

[canuks]

That one looks great except I just don''t think I want to go down to an I - I have slowely moved from F as my minimum, down to G or, if I really have to, H.
What do folks here think of this one? http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-584869.htm#

Can I call Whiteflash and do they have it on site so they can look at and tell me if it''s eyeclean ?

 

[secondhandnews]

Nice find!! If you feel comfortable with an H, this would be a beautiful stone. Yes, it''s an on-site ACA so they will be able to look at it and answer your questions regarding eye clean. Just be sure when talking with anyone to give them your definition of eye clean and ask what they mean by eye clean. Not everyone has the same interpretation of eye clean. WF will be very honest about the stone. I have had an H and was very pleased with it. I had a G before it and I really couldn''t tell the difference. Either I am not color sensitive or they are very close in look - especially once set into a ring.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Here are three, all AGS 0''s, ideal, H/A; first one availble thru Winfields:

=108&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=108&src=loupe

This one thru Nice Ice:

=113&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=113&src=loupe

This one thru Diamend Scassi:

=135&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=135&src=loupe

The excise tax was dropped on jewellery in May 2006. I have made many purchases of set jewellery across the border, and have paid nothing but the GST (PST for other Provinces) and shipping. Moreover, if you are interested in buying online but want to see your diamond locally beforehand, there is a vendor whose office is in ON (Thornhill), and is called USA Certed Diamonds. Check out vendors on the top toolbar (toggle resources) and you''ll find them advertized there along with the other vendors I posted stones for.

cheers--Sharon

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 1/15/2008 5:46:10 PM
Author: canuks
That one looks great except I just don''t think I want to go down to an I - I have slowely moved from F as my minimum, down to G or, if I really have to, H.
What do folks here think of this one? http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-584869.htm#

Can I call Whiteflash and do they have it on site so they can look at and tell me if it''s eyeclean ?

Looks lovely! Nice size ... I think that 1.25 ish range is really good bang for your buck!

Whiteflash will absolutely pull it and tell you if it is eye-clean to their standards. If you are really particular about eye-cleanliness, you may want to express to them your expectations so that you ensure you are both on the same page.

Looks like you are closing in on a winner!

 

[cinnamon013]

Nice stone, good price. Confirm the clouds not shown aren''t an eye clean issue, as well as any other inclusions.