Need some advice on diamond quality

[ctopher2391]

My budget is 7-9K. I have been looking around for a few months but I can''t decide which route to go. I am definitely getting a round in the 1 - 1.25 carat range. I need some help with cut and color. I''m no expert, so I''m just looking for high-level advice for now. Once I figure out this question I''ll move on to depth and table and all of the advanced stuff. I have not looked at and compared a lot of diamonds, so I''m having a hard time figuring out which is more important - a little larger diamond, or a little better quality. Is the difference from say E to G color, and Ideal to Signature Ideal very drastic, or worth the extra price? These are two that are in the arena that I''m looking for. These 2 are not the final 2, I''m just trying to narrow it down and then start trying to find the one to buy.

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-signature-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01484760

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-e-color-vs1-clarity_LD01557907

 

[ImpatientOne]

I'd stick to a vendor that provides more complete info. Here are a couple of examples:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4878/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4676/

I'd also search Whiteflash and Brian Gavin's inventory. You can also use the search button above...

 

[yssie]

Ditto on the vendors who can provide images.

Date: 12/30/2009 8:43:19 PM
Author:ctopher2391
My budget is 7-9K. I have been looking around for a few months but I can't decide which route to go. I am definitely getting a round in the 1 - 1.25 carat range. I need some help with cut and color. I'm no expert, so I'm just looking for high-level advice for now. Once I figure out this question I'll move on to depth and table and all of the advanced stuff. I have not looked at and compared a lot of diamonds, so I'm having a hard time figuring out which is more important - a little larger diamond, or a little better quality. Is the difference from say E to G color will be barely visible in this size range - E is definitely not worth the premium unless you want a high colour for the sake of having a high colour - you won't see any performance difference, and Ideal to Signature Ideal very drastic, or worth the extra price? I don't think BN claims that its Signature range is H&A? If not, - well, I wouldn't use BN at all, but if you must - they're generally very nicely cut stones, but you can find an equally nicely cut stone if you're willing to scour the regular inventory yourself. These are two that are in the arena that I'm looking for. These 2 are not the final 2, I'm just trying to narrow it down and then start trying to find the one to buy.

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-signature-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01484760

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-e-color-vs1-clarity_LD01557907 You didn't ask, but I don't like the table on this one, and I wouldn't trust that crown/pavilion combo without an IS.

If you're looking to save a little or stretch your budget to a bigger stone definitely consider lowering your size and clarity minimums. A well-cut H will be very very white, and a G will be almost indistinguishable from an E - unless you have super-vision you really won't see the difference unless they're sitting right next to each other face down. In fact, I would recommend looking at GIA/AGS graded Is and Js too - if you go to your local jared's and look at different colours in their peerless collection, you might get some better idea of just how subtle these nuances are - and what your individual tolerance is.

An eyeclean SI (definitely possible in this size range) will look the same as a VS or VVS - without the price premium.

 

[Dreamer_D]

For your budget, the safest specs are G-H color and VS2-SI1 clarity. These color grades will appear very white/colorless to most people and if bought from a trusted vendor, those clarity graded are more than adequate to be inclusion free to the naked eye.

Blue Nile is a drop shipper and so does not have the diamond in house. That means that you cannot really know for sure what you are getting because they do not assess the diamonds before you get them.

I would recommend that you go with some PS recommended vendors who have diamonds in house:

www.jamesallen.com
www.whiteflash.com
www.goodoldgold.com
www.briangavindiamonds.com

From James Allen you can get non-H&A diamonds that will perform very well and save a little money. From the latter three vendors you can get signature/branded diamonds that will be gorgeous, but you pay a slight premium. Basically, you can select an ACA from whiteflash, a signature cut from GOG, or any of BGD''s diamonds and know you are getting a top cut diamonds. Takes the thinking and worry out of it. Also, these vendors have great return policies and after care policies. So if you don''t want to become a diamond expert yourself, this is an easy way to go.

Some examples:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2219627.htm#
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4878/ (same as Impatient one)

BGD''s website isn''t up and running to select diamonds, but these are listed in their inventory:
AGS-1040381680029 Brian Gavin H&A 1.227 G SI1 $7,643.00
AGS-1040381680024 Brian Gavin H&A 1.212 H VS2 $7,705.00

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Seconding Dreamer, yssie, and impatientone

A vendor with better return policy and consistent stones will help you get a great diamond. IMO the Whiteflash ACAs, Brian Gavin H&A and GOG signature cuts take a lot of the work out of the selection process. Your budget should let you get a GREAT diamond.

What kind of setting are you thinking of?

 

[ctopher2391]

We went and looked today and decided on a pave cathedral 4 prong. Now it''s on to the diamond! What do you guys think of this one?

http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?search_type_id=2&action_type_id=2&context=&rb_flow_type=&rb_action_type_id=&item_id=AB606583#