Need help in choosing please (carats,clarity,agi,egl?)

[jared]

Hi guys,

First post here.

I'm currently looking at a $4,500 budget. Only option is a solitaire setting.

I'm looking at the highest carat possible (1.3 up) (since gf has size 10 ring size), with the highest cut rating (ideal or excellent), and am willing to compromise on color and clarity. I prefer the warmer colors (I-M) since I'll set it in yellow gold band anyway. clarity, i can go as low as I2, as long as the inclusions are not that obvious.

I've gone for days looking online, and have come up with the following choices. The thing is, they are not in-house, and hence, all i have are the certificates. All of them are in the 4,200 to 4,500 mark.

Could you check their certificates out, and let me know your opinions? Your help will be much appreciated. I also don't know whether to trust GIA or EGL more (note EGL diamonds below are way bigger, but at the same price range, i don't know if this is too good to be true)


GIA reports

1.31 / m / if / excellent / medium fluorescence (this is my current preference, but bothered with med fluorescence as I don't know if this will look "milky")http://www.diamondimports.com/certs/12/2151039259.pdf

1.56 / m / si2 (preferable for size, but bothered about "clouds" as i don't know how they'll look like) / excellent / no fluorescence) http://certs.rapnet.com/userfolders/21571/Certs/X5G2-52.jpg

EGL reports

2.02 / L / I1 / "select ideal" according to union diamonds, but "very good" according to egl report http://www.diamondstar.com/Certificates/831R2.jpg

2.49 / M / si2 / "select ideal" according to union diamonds, but "very good" according to egl report http://certs.rapnet.com/userfolders/74581/Certs/31639.jpg


Thank you in advance,
Jared

 

[Cricketcat]

This is just my opinion - I would ONLY look at diamonds with GIA or AGS grading reports.

 

[tyty333]

If you cant see the stones then the only one I would consider is the first one (the IF). Really anything, VVS would be safe.
VS would probably be ok too.

 

[jared]

Thanks for the response! Will consider!

 

[msop04]

IF/VVS/VS is overkill if you're looking for the biggest stone (eye clean) for your budget... I'd search high and low for an eye clean SI2 in lower color.

Would you be open to pre-loved? How about in a different shape (marquise and ovals face up larger...)?

I'd have JA look at this one for you... if the inclusions don't compromise the integrety of the stone, then it's the best of both worlds -- and an I color!!

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...t-i-color-i1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-289153 $4020

 

[msop04]

OMG, this!!!! Make an offer!!
http://loupetroop.com/listings/loos...ced-1-dot-36ct-transitional-slash-oec-diamond $4200

Chip in the girdle, but you could bezel it (adding to the diameter as well) -- this has really nice faceting!!

 

[John P]

I'm looking at the highest carat possible (1.3 up) (since gf has size 10 ring size), with the highest cut rating (ideal or excellent), and am willing to compromise on color and clarity. I prefer the warmer colors (I-M) since I'll set it in yellow gold band anyway. clarity, i can go as low as I2, as long as the inclusions are not that obvious.

Hi Jared.

Great attitude and approach; not minding warmer colors. Be aware that some SI and I clarity diamonds can have inclusions which interfere with performance or transparency. More on that RE the 1.56 below.

RE I-M: That's a pretty wide range. When graded by a reputable lab well-cut I-J diamonds face up with very little tint. In fact, diamonds are graded face-down looking through the pavilion because top cut-quality gets light in and out of a diamond faster (it doesn't bounce around inside); ergo the body color is illuminated less. Top-cut Js can "face-up" several colors higher. When considering KLM a warmer tone than near-colorless will certainly be detectable, and exaggerated when viewed from the side. Those grades are also wider than (example) HIJ, meaning the difference between K and M in terms of visible saturation is greater then H-J.

To compare apples-to-apples try and view GIA-graded diamonds only. Check out J next to M. If you're comfortable with all of it you're extending the possibilities your budget will allow.

RE Your search for the highest cut rating.

GIA reports

1.31 / m / if / excellent / medium fluorescence (this is my current preference, but bothered with med fluorescence as I don't know if this will look "milky")http://www.diamondimports.com/certs/12/2151039259.pdf

Promising numbers, but the proportions-combination is on a "cliff" between AGS0 and AGS4. Depending on how GIA rounded the numbers, as well as details not-shown such as cut-consistency and optical precision it may be a grand-slam or it could be average. More information needed. BTW, M IF is a tough combo to move. It would be a nice sale for the owner.

1.56 / m / si2 (preferable for size, but bothered about "clouds" as i don't know how they'll look like) / excellent / no fluorescence) http://certs.rapnet.com/userfolders/21571/Certs/X5G2-52.jpg

It's a middle-Excellent combination. Predicted as AGS2. Again, depending on rounding and details not-shown it could have nice quality or be an average performer. Good call about the clouds. They are the grade-setters. Some SI diamonds with grade-setting clouds are "sleepy" because those pinpoint clusters interfere with the optics.

EGL reports

2.02 / L / I1 / "select ideal" according to union diamonds, but "very good" according to egl report http://www.diamondstar.com/Certificates/831R2.jpg

EGL L I1 could be a bit lower if held to GIA standards - risky with that I1. It's also a diamond that was cut to yield 2.02, but at 8mm it only has the spread of a well-cut 1.85ct. It's a rare candidate with a very shallow pavilion. On its face GIA would give it VG but with proper cut consistency, precision, indexing and minor facet choices it could be an AGS0 in performance, though the lab might penalize it due to the weight versus spread. The issue you would face with the 40.2 pavilion angle is obstruction at close viewing; Meaning, when viewed up-close the pavilion will become shadowed and dark more than a steeper pavilion angle would.

2.49 / M / si2 / "select ideal" according to union diamonds, but "very good" according to egl report http://certs.rapnet.com/userfolders/74581/Certs/31639.jpg

Same comment as the above about color-clarity. EGL inconsistency makes in-person viewing a must. The cut here is pretty commercial. Again there is a weight discrepancy, because at 8.58-8.63 mm It's a 2.49 which faces-up like a 2.30. Kind of a disappointment all-around, since the cutter's goal (no doubt) was to preserve 2.50. The pavilion and crown data translates to 41.4 and 34.9 degree angles. Combined with the 57% table it would get EX from GIA, predicted AGS4 in performance, but both labs would penalize it to VG/AGS5 due to the overweight/spread issue.

Hope the above is interesting.

 

[jared]

I'm looking at the highest carat possible (1.3 up) (since gf has size 10 ring size), with the highest cut rating (ideal or excellent), and am willing to compromise on color and clarity. I prefer the warmer colors (I-M) since I'll set it in yellow gold band anyway. clarity, i can go as low as I2, as long as the inclusions are not that obvious.

Hi Jared.

Great attitude and approach; not minding warmer colors. Be aware that some SI and I clarity diamonds can have inclusions which interfere with performance or transparency. More on that RE the 1.56 below.

RE I-M: That's a pretty wide range. When graded by a reputable lab well-cut I-J diamonds face up with very little tint. In fact, diamonds are graded face-down looking through the pavilion because top cut-quality gets light in and out of a diamond faster (it doesn't bounce around inside); ergo the body color is illuminated less. Top-cut Js can "face-up" several colors higher. When considering KLM a warmer tone than near-colorless will certainly be detectable, and exaggerated when viewed from the side. Those grades are also wider than (example) HIJ, meaning the difference between K and M in terms of visible saturation is greater then H-J.

To compare apples-to-apples try and view GIA-graded diamonds only. Check out J next to M. If you're comfortable with all of it you're extending the possibilities your budget will allow.

RE Your search for the highest cut rating.

GIA reports

1.31 / m / if / excellent / medium fluorescence (this is my current preference, but bothered with med fluorescence as I don't know if this will look "milky")http://www.diamondimports.com/certs/12/2151039259.pdf

Promising numbers, but the proportions-combination is on a "cliff" between AGS0 and AGS4. Depending on how GIA rounded the numbers, as well as details not-shown such as cut-consistency and optical precision it may be a grand-slam or it could be average. More information needed. BTW, M IF is a tough combo to move. It would be a nice sale for the owner.

1.56 / m / si2 (preferable for size, but bothered about "clouds" as i don't know how they'll look like) / excellent / no fluorescence) http://certs.rapnet.com/userfolders/21571/Certs/X5G2-52.jpg

It's a middle-Excellent combination. Predicted as AGS2. Again, depending on rounding and details not-shown it could have nice quality or be an average performer. Good call about the clouds. They are the grade-setters. Some SI diamonds with grade-setting clouds are "sleepy" because those pinpoint clusters interfere with the optics.

EGL reports

2.02 / L / I1 / "select ideal" according to union diamonds, but "very good" according to egl report http://www.diamondstar.com/Certificates/831R2.jpg

EGL L I1 could be a bit lower if held to GIA standards - risky with that I1. It's also a diamond that was cut to yield 2.02, but at 8mm it only has the spread of a well-cut 1.85ct. It's a rare candidate with a very shallow pavilion. On its face GIA would give it VG but with proper cut consistency, precision, indexing and minor facet choices it could be an AGS0 in performance, though the lab might penalize it due to the weight versus spread. The issue you would face with the 40.2 pavilion angle is obstruction at close viewing; Meaning, when viewed up-close the pavilion will become shadowed and dark more than a steeper pavilion angle would.

2.49 / M / si2 / "select ideal" according to union diamonds, but "very good" according to egl report http://certs.rapnet.com/userfolders/74581/Certs/31639.jpg

Same comment as the above about color-clarity. EGL inconsistency makes in-person viewing a must. The cut here is pretty commercial. Again there is a weight discrepancy, because at 8.58-8.63 mm It's a 2.49 which faces-up like a 2.30. Kind of a disappointment all-around, since the cutter's goal (no doubt) was to preserve 2.50. The pavilion and crown data translates to 41.4 and 34.9 degree angles. Combined with the 57% table it would get EX from GIA, predicted AGS4 in performance, but both labs would penalize it to VG/AGS5 due to the overweight/spread issue.

Hope the above is interesting.

WOW! THIS IS REALLY INFORMATIVE! That significantly narrows down my choices to the AGI rocks.

And, with what you said about the AGI rocks, I am now looking at something else, focusing on cut and perhaps light performance.

MANY THANKS!

(the other diamond i've been led to look at is subject of another post, since it has great cut and proportions, but with an inclusion that i can't decide if a dealbreaker or not)