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Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!!!!

Which stone should I choose??!!

  • 2.04, D, SI2, EX, VG, VG

    Votes: 2 14.3%

  • 2.12, F, SI1, EX, EX, EX

    Votes: 12 85.7%
  • Total voters
    14
G

galatie

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 16, 2012
Messages
160
As seen in my original post, I am trying to decide between 2 round brilliant, GIA certified rings:

1. 2.04, D, SI2, excellent cut, very good polish, very good symmetry - $23, 063
2. 2.12, F, SI1, excellent cut, excellent polish, excellent symmetry - $28,886

To the naked eye, both of these stones look the same, so think I'd be happy with either, just trying to get the best stone for my money. I think the 2.12 looks nice, but I initiallly was only looking at getting a D colour diamond, which the 2.04 has. I am also including the GIA reports, can anyone please tell me if these are good stones, and if so, which one is the best choice? I don't know much about diamonds, am hoping the table, diameter, paviillion, etc are all good. Need to decide within next 2 days, thanks! :love:
 

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Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

In my unprofessional opinion, I would go with the F. It is larger and, more importantly, an SI1.
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

Using HCA tool, the D diamond scores:
2.1 - Very Good - Worth buying if the price is right.
Using HCA tool, the F diamond scores:
4.5 - Good - Only if price is your main criterion.
I'd skip both and start a new research, but If I was forced to choose between these two, I'd choose the D...I'd skip the F diamond also because of the large table.
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

purplesilk|1326898334|3105836 said:
Using HCA tool, the D diamond scores:
2.1 - Very Good - Worth buying if the price is right.
Using HCA tool, the F diamond scores:
4.5 - Good - Only if price is your main criterion.
I'd skip both and start a new research, but If I was forced to choose between these two, I'd choose the D...I'd skip the F diamond also because of the large table.
Click to expand...


Agreed. If you are set on one of those two stones- as long as the D stone is eyeclean, I would pick that one- better cut and better price. If you ate open to continue looking I would get a better cut stone.
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

purplesilk|1326898334|3105836 said:
Using HCA tool, the D diamond scores:
2.1 - Very Good - Worth buying if the price is right.
Using HCA tool, the F diamond scores:
4.5 - Good - Only if price is your main criterion.
I'd skip both and start a new research, but If I was forced to choose between these two, I'd choose the D...I'd skip the F diamond also because of the large table.
Click to expand...

I withdraw my vote for the F.
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

hmm, if we wanted to purchase one of these stones, would have to be done in next 2 days.

We aren't getting engaged until the spring though, so suppose could take more time to look around if need be.

Are the HCA really a good indication of the quality of a stone? Doesn't the fact that they're graded excellent cut by GIA generally make them a good stone?

I was trying to use the HCA calculator to do the measurements myself... think I am entering in the wrong figures, can someone please be kind enough to show me what figured were used to compute the figure?

Many thanks!
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

galatie|1326908489|3105944 said:
hmm, if we wanted to purchase one of these stones, would have to be done in next 2 days.

We aren't getting engaged until the spring though, so suppose could take more time to look around if need be.

Are the HCA really a good indication of the quality of a stone? Doesn't the fact that they're graded excellent cut by GIA generally make them a good stone?

I was trying to use the HCA calculator to do the measurements myself... think I am entering in the wrong figures, can someone please be kind enough to show me what figured were used to compute the figure?

Many thanks!
Click to expand...
GIA excellent cut grade covers a wide range of cuts- when buying sight unseen GIA excellent is at times not enough to make a decision.
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

May I ask why the two stones must be purchased within 2 days? That sounds a little strange.

Yes, the HCA helps you select a truly excellent stone. GIA excellent is a very broad category, and you may as well get one of the better ones. I honestly would not buy either of these stones. If you will tell us your budget when you are ready to buy, we'll be glad to show you some good examples!
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

diamondseeker2006|1326909154|3105955 said:
May I ask why the two stones must be purchased within 2 days? That sounds a little strange.

Yes, the HCA helps you select a truly excellent stone. GIA excellent is a very broad category, and you may as well get one of the better ones. I honestly would not buy either of these stones. If you will tell us your budget when you are ready to buy, we'll be glad to show you some good examples!
Click to expand...

Yes- I'm wondering why you must buy one of this stones within two data. Don't buy something when you are under pressure-
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

Numbers from your 2nd certificate:

D color diamond:
depth(%): 61.4
table(%): 59
crown(°): 35.0
pavilion(°): 40.8
culet: 0

F color diamond:
depth(%): 59.8
table(%): 60
crown(°): 32.5
pavilion(°): 41.6
culet: 0

For each diamond, enter its numbers and then click on GO.

HCA is only a rejection tool, it helps to skip bad performers:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/how-important-are-hca-factor-grades-in-assessing-diamonds.150674/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/how-important-are-hca-factor-grades-in-assessing-diamonds.150674/[/URL]
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

If you want to make your search easier, here are some parameters for stones that will score well:

table: 54-58

depth: 60.-62.3

crown angle: 34-35 (sometimes the 33 range is okay)

pavilion angle: 40.6-41.0

girdle: should be thin, medium, slightly thick
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

Hello all!

Thank you for your replies so far, very helpful! I am a novice when it comes to diamonds, and my boyfriend is even worse!

We both live in london, and have been shopping for an engagement ring over the last two months. We have looked at stores in both antwerp and london, and it seems that stones are prettt pricey here. I have a friend who recommended her jeweler in new york to me. Her family gives him a good amount of business, and therefore, he only charges wholeprice price for the stone, with only a 5 percent mark-up. Consequently, his prices are significantly cheaper than what I've been seeing her in europe. Anyways, my friend is in town next week, and if I want her to bring the ring, I have until fri to purchase the stone and have the ring set in time for her to bring for me on her visit. If not, we are planning our engagement by april, so have a few more months to search.

I believe that the 2.04d and 2.12f are good prices. I was getting quoted a similar price in gb pounds for nearly identical stones here. Howevern if HCA us ot good, maybe ww should keep looking. Ideally, I am looking for a 2.0 or greater round brillant stone, D-F in colour, excellent cut, and SI2 or above in clarity. I am not too picky on clarity as long as inclusions cannot be seen with the naked eye. Our budget is around 35.000 usd, give or take a bit higher if we find a really nice stone. I had never considered buying from the internet before, but maybe james allen woud have some good stones that fit my criteria?

Can someone please try to help us source a stone which fits within those parameters and budget? Many thanks!!
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

galatie|1326932969|3106287 said:
Hello all!

Thank you for your replies so far, very helpful! I am a novice when it comes to diamonds, and my boyfriend is even worse!

We both live in london, and have been shopping for an engagement ring over the last two months. We have looked at stores in both antwerp and london, and it seems that stones are prettt pricey here. I have a friend who recommended her jeweler in new york to me. Her family gives him a good amount of business, and therefore, he only charges wholeprice price for the stone, with only a 5 percent mark-up. Consequently, his prices are significantly cheaper than what I've been seeing her in europe. Anyways, my friend is in town next week, and if I want her to bring the ring, I have until fri to purchase the stone and have the ring set in time for her to bring for me on her visit. If not, we are planning our engagement by april, so have a few more months to search.

I believe that the 2.04d and 2.12f are good prices. I was getting quoted a similar price in gb pounds for nearly identical stones here. Howevern if HCA us ot good, maybe ww should keep looking. Ideally, I am looking for a 2.0 or greater round brillant stone, D-F in colour, excellent cut, and SI2 or above in clarity. I am not too picky on clarity as long as inclusions cannot be seen with the naked eye. Our budget is around 35.000 usd, give or take a bit higher if we find a really nice stone. I had never considered buying from the internet before, but maybe james allen woud have some good stones that fit my criteria?

Can someone please try to help us source a stone which fits within those parameters and budget? Many thanks!!
Click to expand...

just fyi SI1 and SI2 stones have to be examined on a case-by-case basis, as they may have inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye.

you could call and ask about this one? ask if it is eye-clean to your requirements, whatever those are (from the side and from the top, or top only? from 12 inches or 6 inches?)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.015-f-si2-round-diamond-ags-104051364009#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/4/

this one also looks nice and is VS2 so you shouldn't have to worry about inclusions
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1398453.asp
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

I really urge you not to rush. That is a LOT of money to spend on a stone and I would think you would want a really excellent one.

Of all the ones posted, I would choose the James Allen F VS2.
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

Both of the diamonds you chose are GIA Ex cut grade. That means they are better cut than the vast majority on the market. Neither is a "bad choice" and neither will look bad in person in terms of cut (clarity is another issue). In fact, I wager both of your choices will look better than the majority of diamonds you will see, or have seen, in your daily life.

THe HCA is ONE tool to use, among many, to help you select a diamond.

Among the others to use are the cut grade by the lab, your eyes, an appraiser's eyes, and other imaging tools.

The more tools you use, the more precise your choice will be and the more likely you are to have a truly amazing stone.

ON PS, we tend to want to hit a very small target in terms of cut quality, so we use as many tools as we can to help us select.

But for many people, simply using the GIA cut grade of Ex as their selection tool is sufficient. YOU need to decide which tool you want to use. So take comments that these are poor stones with a grain of salt 8) Educate yourself and make your choice based on what your needs are.

I do not personally think you will have made a horrible purchase if you buy either of the stones you started out with.
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

Perhaps you could check out Infinity Diamonds here: http://www.bestdiamonds.co.uk/ they are in London.
 
Re: Need to decide on engagement ring in next 2 days - help!

Just in case...

You will need to add an extra 25% onto the price as that is what customs will charge you to bring it into the country. Hence why diamonds look more expensive in the UK.

It used to be that the dollar exchange rate still made it worthwhile buying diamonds in the USA, but today it's not so much difference.
 
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