Need some PS advice on a diamond!

[labratmat]

Hi All,

I''m looking to purchase a round brilliant diamond, and after visiting some BM stores, realized that PS really is the way to go... I''ve been trying to learn as much as possible from PS, but am VERY nervous about buying a diamond online sight unseen (and spending that much money on the internet). I was hoping that my fellow PSers might be able to help me find the best diamond possible that fits within my criteria. I''m looking to spend $5500 including taxes and shipping (to Canada), so it''s likely around a list price of around $4500 max. My dream diamond would be G colour (though H would be OK), VS2 clarity and between 0.9-1ct in size. The diamond also needs to be within 6.3-6.8mm in diameter to fit within an existing setting. I''ve been looking a bit on James Allen, but any suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[D&T]

here is one option.... just did a quick search


http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2192270.htm

oops- it just sold

ETA:

ok here is another one

http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-2145455.htm#

 

[stone-cold11]

These 2? Request from JA an Idealscope image if you are interested in it.

Deleted links.

 

[labratmat]

Those look like excellent suggestions- thank you for taking the time to help me in my search!

For the James allen H VS2 diamond stone-cold suggested, would those inclusions in the middle of the table be visible by the naked eye? I see one of the inclusions is ''natural'', though Im not sure what that means!

Would ordering from somewhere like Blue Nile be realistic? I know that they''re a wholesaller and dont look at the diamonds individually...

 

[stone-cold11]

VS2 are usually eye-clean. You can get JA's gemologist to take a look at it for you to check if eye-clean and discuss about the natural, but that should be at an even smaller clarity level, probably VS1, as inclusion are listed in order from the most serious to the least.

Bluenile do no provide any images so we are not that fond of using them, also their prices are usually about the same as JA.

 

[labratmat]

Date: 10/2/2009 6:28:10 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
VS2 are usually eye-clean. You can get JA''s gemologist to take a look at it for you to check if eye-clean and discuss about the natural, but that should be at an even smaller clarity level, probably VS1, as inclusion are listed in order from the most serious to the least.

I''m learning more and more every day- thank you!
Do you know if there is a way to put a diamond on hold with JA? I worry it could get scooped up over the weekend!

 

[stone-cold11]

Call them up?

EDT:
Argh, slightly too late. Copy the links and then I will take them off? Call them again tomorrow morning, 10am.

 

[CJS924]

Wow...what a coincidence. I am also a Canadian getting learned on PS about diamonds as I plan to buy one online from WF probably (damn that excise tax though). I basically have the exact same criteria and budget as you do I''m not buying quite yet, so for now, I just search!

Best of luck to you!

 

[labratmat]

CJS - thats something Im trying to figure out currently... say a diamond is $4000 USD, how much would that cost with tax/shipping/any other fun stuff to get it sent into Canada?

ETA: JA has a calculator that breaks a $4040 USD diamond down as such:
Subtotal: 4423 CAD
Duty: 531 CAD
Shipping: 131 CAD
Grand Total: 5086 CAD

Does this sound about right, or is there some key tax I'm missing that will add an extra grand or some other surprise?

 

[labratmat]

Date: 10/2/2009 6:38:58 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
Call them up?


EDT:

Argh, slightly too late. Copy the links and then I will take them off? Call them again tomorrow morning, 10am.

They''ll answer the phone on a Saturday? Now that''s customer service! Lol!

 

[stone-cold11]

Their office hours are 10 - 6 on weekends.

 

[labratmat]

Thanks for all your help stone-cold! I''ve copied your suggestions down just in case
I''ll be sure to call them first thing and see about getting an idealscope image.

 

[CJS924]

Hmmm...I''m not exactly sure on the final cost and how it''s all calculated. PST (I''m in BC)/GST/excise? Maybe some other Canadians who have purchased online from the US can chime in?

 

[stone-cold11]

Good luck.

 

[labratmat]

One last question (I promise!), from the angles on the GIA, does the diamond look OK? I''m hoping to get an idealscope, but need to act somewhat quickly so might have to go without it... Can you tell if the diamond would perform well from the angles alone?

 

[JulieN]

post the numbers here.

 

[labratmat]

Oops! Sorry about that...

ROUND BRILLIANT

Measurements: 6.42 - 6.44 x 3.88 mm
Carat Weight: 0.96 carat
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade: VS2
Cut Grade: Excellent

PROPORTIONS:

Depth: 60.3%
Table: 58%
Crown Angle: 33.5°
Crown Height: 13.5%
Pavilion Angle: 41.4°
Pavilion Depth: 44.0%
Star length: 55%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted (3.0%)
Culet: None
FINISH:

Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None

 

[JulieN]

let''s try to find a different stone.

 

[stone-cold11]

I am betting the large lower facet will overcome the larger than ideal pavilion angles here, which is why I need the IS. If not, the 0.91 G VS2 is safer.

 

[JulieN]

I'm going to bet not, but I didn't see the picture. Can I?

 

[labratmat]

These are the stats on the other one Stone-cold suggested... I''ll see if I can get the idealscope for both!

ROUND BRILLIANT

Measurements: 6.31 - 6.33 x 3.81 mm
Carat Weight: 0.91 carat
Color Grade: G
Clarity Grade: VS2
Cut Grade: Excellent
PROPORTIONS:

Depth: 60.3%
Table: 58%
Crown Angle: 33.0°
Crown Height: 14.0%
Pavilion Angle: 41.2°
Pavilion Depth: 43.5%
Star length: 55%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted (3.0%)
Culet: None
FINISH:

Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 10/2/2009 8:28:10 PM
Author: JulieN
I''m going to bet not, but I didn''t see the picture. Can I?

Here.

 

[JulieN]

yeah, picture looks alright

http://www.bluenile.ca/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-h-colour-vs2-clarity_LD01146075?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0#grading_report

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/2/2009 8:42:43 PM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 10/2/2009 8:28:10 PM
Author: JulieN
I'm going to bet not, but I didn't see the picture. Can I?

Here.

If you want a top cut stone this isn't it, it looks ok in the photos but also a pavilion angle that steep can lead to other issues - plus the LGF's won't necessarily save it, if you want a top cut diamond go for one which has better proportions than this in the first place and definitely a less steep pavilion angle which can cause various unwanted issues that IS won't necessarily show.