Need some advice

[pagnotar]

I am looking to take the plunge and purchase an engagement ring. Being an engineer, I think I am able to put emotion aside and look for "the best deal". I never thought I would get so caught up in this...but I have and need some help!

I am looking for a (approx) 1.0 ct RB (anything >0.95 will work). Spend around $5,500 on the rock (less prefered...additional for the setting).

So far, I have located these.

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01467417?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193887.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-924921.asp


Thoughts?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/30/2008 3:11:19 PM
Author:pagnotar
I am looking to take the plunge and purchase an engagement ring. Being an engineer, I think I am able to put emotion aside and look for 'the best deal'. I never thought I would get so caught up in this...but I have and need some help!

I am looking for a (approx) 1.0 ct RB (anything >0.95 will work). Spend around $5,500 on the rock (less prefered...additional for the setting).

So far, I have located these.

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01467417?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193887.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-924921.asp


Thoughts?

Welcome!

They all look great, well done! It depends on what you prefer as they are all well cut, with the 2 JA diamonds check they are eyeclean to your standards by asking the vendor. I don't know if you might want to upgrade in future, JA do have an upgrade policy whereas BN do not, just something to consider. The second diamond also has an AGS report which some prefer, but you have three good stones to choose from.

 

[pagnotar]

Thanks. Would you reccomend trying to upgrade to VS2 and downgrade a little on color?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/30/2008 3:18:04 PM
Author: pagnotar
Thanks. Would you reccomend trying to upgrade to VS2 and downgrade a little on color?

You are most welcome!

It depends on what you prefer, there are certainly eyeclean SI1 out there - just make your expectations clear to the vendor you are working with, for example if you don't want to see any inclusions at all at close scrutiny from any angle, make sure you tell them that so you are both on the same page. With colour, GIA or AGS H will still be very white. As long as the cut is great and the diamond eyeclean then any colour or clarity grade is going to look its best as the cut is what gives a diamond beauty.

 

[pagnotar]

Maybe something like this? Is I too much a downgrade on color? (Its bigger too!)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1180459.asp

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/30/2008 3:31:05 PM
Author: pagnotar
Maybe something like this? Is I too much a downgrade on color?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1180459.asp

Not in my opinion, an I will still be very white ( GIA/ AGS graded). You might notice a very slight hint of warmth from the side in some lights, but this may not be an issue - if you are unsure see if you can view some similarly graded I colour in person, AGS0 cut grade which Jareds stock or Hearts on Fire if there is a dealer closeby, so you can get an idea of what appeals to you. Make sure the diamonds you compare if you decide to do so are similar size and shape as well as lab grade.

With the diamond above, I would ask for an Idealscope image as it is borderline steep deep with the angles, GIA round them so it may not be a problem and according to which way they are actually rounded there might not be any light leakage as a result, but an Idealscope will let us know more.

 

[pagnotar]

What do you mean by "lab grade"? I am unfamiliar with this term

Thank you!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/31/2008 9:19:23 AM
Author: pagnotar
What do you mean by 'lab grade'? I am unfamiliar with this term

Thank you!

No worries! When we say lab grade this refers to the laboratory which produced the grading report such as GIA, AGS, EGL etc. So when we say to make sure the diamonds have the same lab grade, make sure you are comparing like with like such as the comparion diamonds all having GIA or AGS lab reports so you know they will be accurately graded, and that the diamonds compared are of similar size and shape etc.