Need help! just reserved a diamond, should i return...

[jackk]

I purchased a .42 carat F AGS 0 H and A from James allen for $860, $1110 total(with white gold basket ring) 3 weeks ago.

Yesterday I found a .608 carat J AGS 0 ACA H and A from Whiteflash for $1294, just under $1500 with the ring 6 or 4 prong tiffany ring included

Here is the whiteflash, http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636701.htm

The james allen has 62% depth, 54.2% table, 33.9% crown angle, 40.8 pavillion angle and scores 1 .1 on the HCA.


Light Return Excellent
Fire Very Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 1.1 - Excellent
within TIC range


The whiteflash diamond scores a
Light Return Excellent
Fire Very Good
Scintillation Very Good
Spread
or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 1.9 - Excellent
within TIC range


Should I return the James Allen and get the whiteflash because its quite a bit bigger. The price difference would hurt a little but I could manage it. Its a clean SI1 (I called). Any advice would be greatly apprecciated. It seems like a .60 for $1294 is a steal. Should I worry about the I. Every theard I have seen says It shouldnt look yellow.

thanks! (btw the James Allen is beautiful! Its just that this is so much bigger). I have the diamond on reserve for 24 hours.


ps. The james allen looks bigger than a .42 to me, I heard the wire basket makes it look bigger. Will there be a noticeable size difference?

 

[shimmer]

Jack, Your post does us no good without pictures. How could we possibly advise you without seeing said ring?

Joking, I have just been waiting for pics from you, I love that setting...

I think there would be a noticable difference in size. However, I prefer the JA setting to the WF tiffany (I have the 6-prong). Maybe you can just do a stone switcheroo? My diamond is an I color ACA and I don''t notice any difference face-up from my sisters F color, from the side and in certain lighting you can see a little "color", but I love it. It''s certainly NOT yellow.

In whatever you decide I wish you the best and I''m sure she''ll love it! Good luck! And post some pictures

 

[jackk]

Thanks Shimmer. Im glad to hear I color should be pretty good. I'll post pictures once I decide (I need to find my digital camera too). I'm mostly worried about the difference in the HCA score and it seems like there is alot of leakage from the WF one.

Here is the idealscope image of the new one.

http://www.whiteflash.com/pimg/IdealScope/IS_AGS-9408504.jpg

It seems to have a lot of leakage...(I think)

I know the goal of HCA is to get under 2 but why does the 1.9 only come in at very good for a few places?

The James Allen is veryyyy sparkly in good light, though in my kitchen not many sparkles. Anyone else have opinions? Small better quality stone or slightly worse big stone?

Thanks for any advice! Im stuck!

 

[shimmer]

How do you feel about upgrading? If you want this to be a forever ring, I would go for the larger stone. It looks very nice and the white areas in the idealscope image show that there will be contrast around the edges, which is a good thing. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in with the explanation.

 

[cutes814]

i would definitely go for the bigger diamond since i''m all about size!!!

have you tried calling JA to see if they have a stone with that specific color and clarity for around that price like the WF one? i''m sure they can pull something up.

since you already ordered the ring 3 weeks ago, i''m assumming it''s almost or probably done? will you lose any money for returning the ring since it''s set?


i would say call JA and see if they can get a stone similar to the WF one and giving them a shot at it first. i just believe if you''ve worked with one vendor for so long and are almost done with the ring, it''ll be respectful to give them a shot to earn your business if you wanted a bigger stone. IMHO


good luck!

 

[jackk]

Thanks for all the advice. I thought about it long and hard and have decided the best decision is to buy the ring I can afford which is the one I have. Its a very nice ring and it sparkles like crazy. Thanks a lot for all your advice! This is a great forum and community! I will definetely post pictures but I may wait untill after I propose to do so. Thanks again

 

[cutes814]

great! i can''t wait to see the pictures! good luck with the proposal!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Jack, because the James Allen upgrade policy is limited, I would encourage you to look at WF again before your return period is up. I think the stone you were looking at is now reserved by someone, but for a very small amount more, you really could get a larger stone. I just hate to see you with a .4 stone that can't be easily upgraded. A stone close to .60 would be a really nice size.

Or the other option is to go with a larger stone from James Allen but go down to maybe H color. That might be easiest.

Here's a nice one at $1200:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1122698.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

 

[jackk]

Date: 3/7/2008 10:30:44 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Jack, because the James Allen upgrade policy is limited, I would encourage you to look at WF again before your return period is up. I think the stone you were looking at is now reserved by someone, but for a very small amount more, you really could get a larger stone. I just hate to see you with a .4 stone that can''t be easily upgraded. A stone close to .60 would be a really nice size.

Or the other option is to go with a larger stone from James Allen but go down to maybe H color. That might be easiest.

Here''s a nice one at $1200:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1122698.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Haha, man I just can''t make up my mind. The White Flash ring is coming in the mail tommorow. I will compare and the one I like the least I''ll send back.


also- i called james allen and talked to them about it too

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 3/7/2008 5:35:51 PM
Author: jackk

Date: 3/7/2008 10:30:44 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Jack, because the James Allen upgrade policy is limited, I would encourage you to look at WF again before your return period is up. I think the stone you were looking at is now reserved by someone, but for a very small amount more, you really could get a larger stone. I just hate to see you with a .4 stone that can''t be easily upgraded. A stone close to .60 would be a really nice size.

Or the other option is to go with a larger stone from James Allen but go down to maybe H color. That might be easiest.

Here''s a nice one at $1200:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1122698.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Haha, man I just can''t make up my mind. The White Flash ring is coming in the mail tommorow. I will compare and the one I like the least I''ll send back.


also- i called james allen and talked to them about it too

Now that sounds like a plan! Just so you know, we actually sent for two diamonds from Good Old Gold to choose from (for an anniversary). It really does help to see them at the same time. I did choose the larger of the two I sent for, so I am betting you just may choose the .60 stone! We''ll look forward to hearing what you think about the two rings!