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Need Help with Choosing the Rock!

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rodrunner79

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 27, 2013
Messages
9
Hello All,

I've been lurking around pricescope for the past few days--ever since I got suckered into buying an engagement ring thru Robbins Brothers-- and finally decided to register to post some questions that's been troubling me. First, I am no diamond expert; as a matter of fact, I've only started reading about them the past few months but on and off. I do, however, kind a have an idea about the whole 4Cs thing and little bit of the other tech specs. So let me cut to the chase and give you some details about the lemon that Robbins Brothers sold to me about 2 weeks ago.

Carat Weight: 1.7
Clarity: SI2
Color: H
Cut: Ideal (supposedly, they only sell ideal equivalents or higher)
Price: $15,500
Certificate: IGI
Symmetry: Good
Polish: Very Good
Flurouscent: Faint Blue
Girdle: Medium to slightly Thick
Table: 56%
Bottom Total: Setting ($800) + Prong ($300) + Some Cleaning BS ($129) + the Rock ($15500) and taxes of 8% (Orange County, CA), I closed at a bit over $18,000.

Now, after very much diligent research the past two weeks, I conclude that I got ripped off. I have two weeks left to return for a full refund, though I will probably keep the setting because my girlfriend really likes it.

I am really gearing towards just buying ONLINE/Internet to save me some money on the tax and use that savings to buy a much better stone. However, this is where I am having a hard time deciding. Though I buy virtually every thing thru Amazon, I just never consider buying a diamond that expensive off the internet. I've gone through Whiteflash, Bluenile, ERD, Ritani and James Allen and all can provide much better diamonds than the lemon that I bought. But I'm confused with all these selections and the process.

I think I've narrow down what me and my girlfriend's both want (we are both shopping for her ring):
Carat: 1.5 - 1.7
Cut: Hearts and Arrows or Super Ideal or whatever.
Clarity: VS1-VS2
Color: D-G
Price: $18K Max for the diamond?

I have potential candidates and thought I'd share them here to get some feedback and also get some questions answered. Attached are the potential candidates.

So here are my questions:
1) What do you think about these rocks?
2) What is the difference with Ideal (Whiteflash), H&A (ERD), True Hearts (James Allen) and Signature Ideal (Bluenile)?
3) Which of these online vendors is best to go with? (Personally, I like BlueNile's 12-month zero interest offer--just as if it was cash payments).
4) What is an ideal table width and depth for the stone?
5) Does having a strong and/or blue flourescent bad and very noticeable with a naked eye?
6) What is the process for buying online to getting it set to the final finish engagement ring?
Do I: 1) Buy the rock, 2) insure the loose rock, 3) Get it set, 4) Get it appraise, 5) update insurance?

I'll probably have a few more questions after but these are it for now. Sorry for the long post and so many questions. I am trying to get my head around this and make a decision because I want to pop that magical question no later than end of March.
 

Attachments

THe original H SI2 is overpriced, but not sure why an ideal cut H SI2 GIA/AGS is not good enough? You could get 2 cts for !8000...
 
Yes, if you liked an H that was graded IGI, you should really like an H GIA or AGS! If you want to maximize your size, go with H VS2!

I would not use a vendor that does not provide pictures and idealscope images. Those are needed when buying over the internet.

I'll look at your attachment now.

(Oh, and the RB ring is a rip off! I'd return the whole thing and wait and see where you are buying the stone and try to buy a setting there. You might find a better one!)
 
diamondseeker2006|1362015113|3392275 said:
Yes, if you liked an H that was graded IGI, you should really like an H GIA or AGS! If you want to maximize your size, go with H VS2!

I would not use a vendor that does not provide pictures and idealscope images. Those are needed when buying over the internet.

I'll look at your attachment now.

(Oh, and the RB ring is a rip off! I'd return the whole thing and wait and see where you are buying the stone and try to buy a setting there. You might find a better one!)
Click to expand...

Huge +1. I'd check out JA or any other of our vendors. BN also doesn't give you ideal scopes or aset images (which at least an ideal scope image is necessary if you're buying a round online).
 
 
I liked the 1.68 H VS2 from GOG that Diamondseeker posted. And GOG makes great videos of stones you are interested in.
 
Thank you, all, for replying.

Those are all beautiful stones, Diamond Seeker. Have anymore? :twirl:

The 1.7 is not the max suze my GF would want to have but it's the max I can probably get with my budget and for the specs that I am asking for. Dare you to prove me wrong otherwise.
 
I agree that all of the stones posted are beautiful. Do you live in the Ny area? If so, you could see them in person. Well, I forgot that WF isn't in the NY area. But a trip to GOG would be nice, or JA.
 
No, I live in Los Angeles. Have any recommended diamond shops in LA?

babs23r|1362067727|3392605 said:
I agree that all of the stones posted are beautiful. Do you live in the Ny area? If so, you could see them in person. Well, I forgot that WF isn't in the NY area. But a trip to GOG would be nice, or JA.
Click to expand...
 
Adiamor is a price-scope sponsor. I have never purchased from them, but they have an A plus rating from the BBB.
Perhaps some other PS 's have purchased from them.
 
Checked out Adiamor and their prices are about the same as everyone else in the internet.
 
I think I may have found it.
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.75-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-sku-133761
Which is the last stone on DiamondSeeker's list.

Although I wish the color was a level higher, the additional carat weight can compensate I guess.

My girlfriend really wants a 1.7 and nothing below so the true Hearts and Arrows with the specs she wants is not reachable within my budget for the diamond itself. I spoke with a rep from James Allen and was told that Ideals usually have H&A but not as perfect and true as H&A graded stones. Nevertheless, I think this is a beautiful stone that fits my budget.

Just a couple of questions:
1) When I finally purchase the loose diamond and have it set by a local jeweler, does one usually get to see or watch them set it?
- My GF is worried that they might try to swap the diamond for something similar but of less quality and value that's not visible to naked eye.

2) Should I insure the diamond before I get it set or after the final product? Or does JamesAllen warranty covers the setting/mounting should damage occur?
 
It is has some minor leakage, needs an Ideal Scope.

This is needs to be checked if eye-clean: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.83-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-159814

They don't want you to watch any work. The process can sometimes look much more violent than consumers know, and it may cause anxiety.

If you are worried about switching, you should ask for a loupe or microscope to identify any inclusions before and after. One of the positives of buying an eye-clean SI stone. But you shouldn't worry about it.

You should get the diamond set at JA if at all possible, their insurance will not cover other's work. If not, you should ask your jeweler who is responsible in case something goes wrong.
 
rodrunner - your stone scored a 4.0 on the HCA (which is horrible) and JulieN's stone scored a 1.7....so I'd put hers on hold and request an idealscope image.
 
JulieN and 04Diamond,

Thanks to both of you for that tool. I've been hearing about the HCA and finally did some research and found the utility available here in PS. Really neat stuff. I also found this article about HCA from GOG that may be useful for those newbies (like me) that are starting to get into diamonds: http://www.goodoldgold.com/Technologies/AConsumersGuidetotheHCA.

JulieN, what a trip, as I saw your post for that stone, my GF was texting me the same exact one. I e-mailed the rep at James Allen and ask if that was eye-clean. Are their specific images/reports I should be asking for to validate this?
 
Eye-cleanliness is an opinion, so it can vary. Something that is 100% eye-clean to somebody may be 90% eye-clean to someone else.

I would guess it is not, but I can't see it, JA can.

As your gf wants 1.7 minimum, I would look into SI1.
 
Well, I hope the rep gets back to me today with regards to the rock being eye-clean. From looking at the 40x magnified image at JA, it appears to have a tiny cloud near the center--which is still far smaller when compared to the fishbone (feather) that's on the RB diamond that I have. As you said, eye-clean is on the eyes of the beholder but if the rep says it is, I'll take the risk with this one and return if it doesn't turn out to be. I really want to get this finalize [the whole RING buying experience] as I need to start working on the proposal plan. :twirl:

Thanks,

Rod
 
Ok I've pulled the trigger on the 1.83 H VS2 GIA certified that JulieN suggested. According to JamesAllen's gemologist review, the rock faces up completely eye-clean and it has a great amont of light performance that is well balanced (those were the exact words). I attached the Idealscope image that I received from them.

The price they gave me is $17,600 for the loose diamond only and that's with a pricescope discount. I am looking to get the diamond inspected and appraised through a local jeweler who also sells settings and/or custom design ones.

I just have a few questions about the inspection/appraisal process:
1) Do I tell the appraiser that it is a GIA diamond or let them give me their input first and then compare it with what's on the report just so they can give me their unbiased review and opionion?
2) Are appraisals usually done in front of the customer (ME) where the rock is visible in the customer's line of sight 100% of the time? (I'm scared that they might pull a fast one)?

gia183.jpg
 
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