Need Thoughts on 3 Diamonds

[Fatoons]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and would love to have your help. I have been doing research for over a month now and it has come time to make the big decision.

One of my requirements was to purchase from a local jeweler who has been a round a long time.

Anyways, I am going with a Tiffany setting inspired look: round diamond, solitaire, low-profile (non-cathedral) platinum setting. (The setting will cost me around $1,000 )

My carat range was 1.5-2.0 with a budget between 15,000 and 20,000 (out the door) and was willing to sacrifice on clarity. After reading numerous posts (thank you all!!!) I decided to go strictly with GIA. (GIA b/c I want to know exactly what I was getting)

I have settled on the following 3
1.52 G VS1 All three Excellent GIA ~ $16,000 (haven't negotiated yet)
1.72 H VS1 All three Excellent GIA ~ $20,100 (haven't negotiated yet)
1.75 G SI1 All three Excellent GIA ~ $18,500 (negotiated loose price from 22 down to 17.5)

Now, those first prices include the setting and taxes (like the price out of the door). You can take $1k off (for the setting) the total to compare the loose diamond prices.

They are all tremendous stones, but in your opinion (as experts) which one provides the best value?

Thanks!

 

[Fatoons]

Anyone

 

[hoynnij]

Hi
Based on the 4C's alone, they sound like ok prices (not a complete rip off, but still not great). However, the 4 Cs do not tell you much about the brilliance, scintillation or fire of the diamond. Not all GIA XXXs were created equal.

So, in terms of value? Hard to say without more info - have a look at the Holloway cut advisor (under the 'tools' tab). If you have access to the certificates, then this may help you.

I would also suggest that if you really want to go down the local store route, then look at lots of diamonds so that you can 'train' your eye to what a good diamond looks like. Look at the diamond in question under lots of different lighting situations (eg direct sun, diffuse light, downlights). I think its easy to buy a not-so-great diamond, particularly if you havent really looked at many before - at first they all look very sparkly and nice (at least, that's what I found). Took me a few months to really be able to say 'this is a good/bad diamond'.