Need help in choosing diamond

[lakss]

Hi All:
Have been shopping for my 10th anniversary. My criteria is good balance between brillance and size. I am looking ofr 1- 1.3 carats range. Budget $10K -$13K. I am ready to be flexible on the budget. Based on various articles and your feedback in the forum, it seems like G/H, VS2, Ideal Cut with AGS certification is a good balance.

Here are couple of choices I looked at:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2721317.htm
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11747790&whse=BC&Ne=5000009+4000000&eCat=BC|108|28447|55926&N=4041850

Questions:

• Is G/H, VS2, Ideal Cut with AGS certification is a good filter to apply for max brilliance and bigger size?
  Could you look at the above choices and let me know your feedback (any alternate suggestions)?
  Costsco seems to be cheaper (VS1 for almost same size) is almost $1000 less? Why is that? Is it because excellent cut is not same as ideal cut?

Regards,
Laks

 

[farmer gal]

The difference in price is the grading. The costco ring is graded by IGI so you are not really buying what you think you are buying.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Definitely search for GIA and AGS. Many more stones are graded by GIA than AGS.

 

[Dancing Fire]

The difference in price is the grading. The costco ring is graded by IGI so you are not really buying what you think you are buying.

this stone comes with both GIA and IGI report.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Hi All:
Have been shopping for my 10th anniversary. My criteria is good balance between brillance and size. I am looking ofr 1- 1.3 carats range. Budget $10K -$13K. I am ready to be flexible on the budget. Based on various articles and your feedback in the forum, it seems like G/H, VS2, Ideal Cut with AGS certification is a good balance.

Here are couple of choices I looked at:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2721317.htm
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11747790&whse=BC&Ne=5000009+4000000&eCat=BC|108|28447|55926&N=4041850

Questions:

• Is G/H, VS2, Ideal Cut with AGS certification is a good filter to apply for max brilliance and bigger size?
  Could you look at the above choices and let me know your feedback (any alternate suggestions)?
  Costsco seems to be cheaper (VS1 for almost same size) is almost $1000 less? Why is that? Is it because excellent cut is not same as ideal cut?

Regards,
Laks

b/c the WF stone is a branded H&A stone.

 

[lakss]

Thanks everyone. Any feedback on the stone and teh criteria I am using to narrow down?

 

[TitanCi]

Sigh... as much as I hate to... I guess I can post up this stone for you:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1497694.asp

This is a nice stone!

HOWEVER, someone has it on hold (released this AM and then snatched up, keep checking in on it). It fits the bill (budget, size, color, clarity, CUT), but it's GIA. Perhaps you can keep an eye on it!

 

[lakss]

Thanks for the suggestion. What is the difference between AGS and GIA certification? What is the difference b/w excellent cut and ideal cut (H&A)? H&A seems to be expensive. Is it worth going for H&A?

 

[lakss]

Have shortlisted three. Could you please suggest which one should I go with?
Diamond # 1395824 : 1.24 Carat G-VS2 Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Round Diamond ; Pricescope Member Price : $ 12,770

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1395824.asp



Diamond # 1493045 : 1.27 Carat G-VS1 Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Round Diamond; Pricescope Member Price : $ 13,600

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1493045.asp



Diamond # 1445277 : 1.26 Carat G-VS1 Ideal Cut Round Diamond; Pricescope Member Price : $ 10,740

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1445277.asp

 

[06pvc]

See what the gemologist says but I would choose the 3rd one. Your paying a $2000 - $3000 premium for the H&A brand. That is a lot of money and an AGS 000 is going to be great.

 

[TitanCi]

See what the gemologist says but I would choose the 3rd one. Your paying a $2000 - $3000 premium for the H&A brand. That is a lot of money and an AGS 000 is going to be great.

I second that. Use the extra money for a setting. No. 3 faces up the largest also. Plus, it gets a 1.2 on the HCA, always a good thing. I don't know if you really need an IS image for the stone since it's an AGS 000, but the report isn't the platinum report which has the comp. generated ASET image. I guess for peace of mind...

Get this stone if you want to save a little cash and use it for something else!

 

[lakss]

Thanks a lot. Could you please elaborate on IS image and platinum report? I am relatively new to this space. What is IS image/platinum report? How do I get that?