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Ryon

Shiny_Rock
Joined
May 25, 2009
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227
So nobody understands the numbers more than you guys and I am trying to decide on what stone to purchase for a half cart e-ring that I have intentions of upgrading after I graduate.

My choice for vendor is JamesAllen.com

They have a ton of H&A G SI1 diamonds in the .5-.55 range

Which one really grabs your eyes the most? Also, should I move up to an F or E?

Clarity does not bother me as long as its eye clean I could care less.
 
Numbers on the first JA stone are good. IS shows a tiny bit of leakage, but is still very good overall. Not liking the numbers or photo on the second stone so much.

Why James Allen? Not that they aren''t a good vendor, they definitely are, but since you already plan on upgrading there are several vendors that have better upgrade policies, including Good Old Gold, Whiteflash, Brian Gavin Diamonds and High Performance Diamonds.

If you do decide to purchase from JA, make sure you fully understand their upgrade policies in advance.
 
If I was going to upgrade I''d want more flexibility.

You might consider this one. 0.5ct I SI1
 
ryon,

can i suggest you give brian and lesley from Brian Gavin Diamonds a call? their prices are great right now, they''ll give you all the expert advice you need - as good as you will get anywhere, and they''ll work with you till you get exactly what you want. comparing stones dollar for dollar, comparing upgrade policies, and comparing expert advice and service, i really think that BGD are the best around right now. if you''ve been on pricescope much, you''d have come across White Flash many times. brian was co-founder of WF and, while there, developed the A Cut Above diamond. perhaps because he''s setting up a new business and is trying to get together a good client base, his prices are REALLY competitive right now.

they''re making a pair of earrings for me for my anniversary in september, and their prices are considerably lower than anything i can find anywhere else of comparable specs. so i suspect you''d be well served to give them a call.

his web page is brianthecutter.com and his contact number is in the top left hand corner.

i read in Colored Stones that you had to give up your aqua to concentrate on your engagement ring project. you might be able to get a little more ring for your money going with brian and lesley. definitely worth a call at least.

good luck!
 
Thanks guys. I picked James Allen because they are a ton cheaper! Plus are very good to PSers. They are offering an extra 1.5% bank wire to all PSers on top of their unbeatable H&A prices right now.

I can get a whole ring set and ready for 1.5k and upgrade to the 3k ring I want later =)

I have came in contact with GOG a long time ago, they have great service, but the prices are a lot higher. I couldn''t commit to them with better deals out there. They do have a better upgrade policy, however there prices are so far apart from JA that it will become an issue.

Also I will look into Brian Gavin, I remember checking a week or so ago and the cheapest diamond he had on sale was 4k. So maybe I should contact him and see what he can do.

BTW what is IS??? I''m suprised the second diamond dominated the other on the cut advisor and something else turns it around the other way.
 
Date: 6/14/2009 6:52:54 AM
Author: Ryon
Thanks guys. I picked James Allen because they are a ton cheaper! Plus are very good to PSers. They are offering an extra 1.5% bank wire to all PSers on top of their unbeatable H&A prices right now.

I can get a whole ring set and ready for 1.5k and upgrade to the 3k ring I want later =)

I have came in contact with GOG a long time ago, they have great service, but the prices are a lot higher. I couldn't commit to them with better deals out there. They do have a better upgrade policy, however there prices are so far apart from JA that it will become an issue.

Also I will look into Brian Gavin, I remember checking a week or so ago and the cheapest diamond he had on sale was 4k. So maybe I should contact him and see what he can do.

BTW what is IS??? I'm suprised the second diamond dominated the other on the cut advisor and something else turns it around the other way.
Click to expand...
Idealscope image. This page explains

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance
 
Also if the .57 G SI1 is going to be about as good as I can do, I will probly just take it!

Cut is the most important thing to me though.
 
Thanks, I never really understood those, I was only looking at the pattern not the colors.
 
Date: 6/14/2009 6:59:15 AM
Author: Ryon
Also if the .57 G SI1 is going to be about as good as I can do, I will probly just take it!

Cut is the most important thing to me though.
Click to expand...
This one looks like a nice diamond, check it is eyeclean to your standards by asking the vendor.

Glad that tutorial helped!
 
Date: 6/14/2009 6:52:54 AM
Author: Ryon
Thanks guys. I picked James Allen because they are a ton cheaper! Plus are very good to PSers. They are offering an extra 1.5% bank wire to all PSers on top of their unbeatable H&A prices right now.
Click to expand...

The problem with JA is that they do not supply hearts image that is necessary for the determination of a H&A diamond, you are only depending on their word for it and paying a premium for it. If you are not looking for a H&A, I would suggest JA, but if an authentic H&A I would go with a vendor that provides hearts images.
 
hi again ryon :)

just to let you know -

brian gavin offers a wire discount also, and his entire inventory is not up, just a selection. do give him a call - they'll work with you and it costs you nothing.

hope it all goes well!
 
Hi, Ryon,
May I make what may sound like a goofy suggestion? Choose the diamond for this ring based on who you''d like to work with when you upgrade. If you''ve read much at all on Pricescope, you''ve no doubt come to realize that people are fiercely loyal to one vendor or another (though everyone is very good about not disparaging other vendors who also have good reps on this site). This purchase you are making is the beginning of a long relationship, so I think it''s important for you to go with a vendor that you feel comfortable working with in the long run, not just on this ring. If it''s JA, great -- I''ve worked with them, they are excellent. However, their upgrade policy is one of the more restrictive ones of the vendors recommended here. While you''re looking at what the diff. vendors have in stock in the .50 range, also take a look at some of your "upgrade size" stones, too, and see what you think. I can tell you from my own experience that working with JA requires a bit more self-research and digging through their listings, while GOG, HPD, and Whiteflash (as will Brian Gavin''s new site) have lots more information posted on individual stones. This makes searching and comparing a lot easier and less time-consuming.
 
Date: 6/14/2009 6:52:54 AM
Author: Ryon
I''m suprised the second diamond dominated the other on the cut advisor and something else turns it around the other way.
Click to expand...
Any diamond that scores under 2 on the cut advisor may be worth pursuing further with IS or ASET images. A lower score is not necessarily better.
 
Date: 6/14/2009 1:09:20 PM
Author: jet2ks

Date: 6/14/2009 6:52:54 AM
Author: Ryon
I''m suprised the second diamond dominated the other on the cut advisor and something else turns it around the other way.
Click to expand...
Any diamond that scores under 2 on the cut advisor may be worth pursuing further with IS or ASET images. A lower score is not necessarily better.
Click to expand...
Ditto, also the HCA is used for elimination, not selection.
 
Have you thought about getting a cushion instead of a rb?

Seems like since you had to return your aqua and that was a nice chunky cushion you may want to look at cushions for around the same price range?
 
Date: 6/14/2009 7:38:28 AM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 6/14/2009 6:52:54 AM
Author: Ryon
Thanks guys. I picked James Allen because they are a ton cheaper! Plus are very good to PSers. They are offering an extra 1.5% bank wire to all PSers on top of their unbeatable H&A prices right now.
Click to expand...

The problem with JA is that they do not supply hearts image that is necessary for the determination of a H&A diamond, you are only depending on their word for it and paying a premium for it. If you are not looking for a H&A, I would suggest JA, but if an authentic H&A I would go with a vendor that provides hearts images.
Click to expand...
This is a good point, I hope that I am not getting fooled into getting something that really isn''t what it is claimed to be. JA just have such good prices and I really like the interview with him. He was really honest and seemed like a nice guy.
 
Why not just get an ideal stone then? Are you going to buy it loose, send to an appraiser and then back to JA to set? If not, there is no way to check if it is a H&A as the only way to see the hearts image is from the pavilion up and there is no way to do that once it is set.
 
Date: 6/14/2009 9:15:26 AM
Author: sarap333
Hi, Ryon,
May I make what may sound like a goofy suggestion? Choose the diamond for this ring based on who you''d like to work with when you upgrade. If you''ve read much at all on Pricescope, you''ve no doubt come to realize that people are fiercely loyal to one vendor or another (though everyone is very good about not disparaging other vendors who also have good reps on this site). This purchase you are making is the beginning of a long relationship, so I think it''s important for you to go with a vendor that you feel comfortable working with in the long run, not just on this ring. If it''s JA, great -- I''ve worked with them, they are excellent. However, their upgrade policy is one of the more restrictive ones of the vendors recommended here. While you''re looking at what the diff. vendors have in stock in the .50 range, also take a look at some of your ''upgrade size'' stones, too, and see what you think. I can tell you from my own experience that working with JA requires a bit more self-research and digging through their listings, while GOG, HPD, and Whiteflash (as will Brian Gavin''s new site) have lots more information posted on individual stones. This makes searching and comparing a lot easier and less time-consuming.
Click to expand...
I agree with you 100%!

The diamond I wanted down the road is from JA, so their policy is not to strict for me, but just right.
GOG has the best service though, I wish there prices were the same =)

GOG and Whiteflash do provide a ton more info, but I don''t mind digging for some from JA.
 
Date: 6/14/2009 6:59:27 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
Why not just get an ideal stone then? Are you going to buy it loose, send to an appraiser and then back to JA to set? If not, there is no way to check if it is a H&A as the only way to see the hearts image is from the pavilion up and there is no way to do that once it is set.
Click to expand...
I wish I could borrow your brain haha!

That is an amazing idea!
 
Date: 6/14/2009 3:59:33 PM
Author: giraffecushion
Have you thought about getting a cushion instead of a rb?

Seems like since you had to return your aqua and that was a nice chunky cushion you may want to look at cushions for around the same price range?
Click to expand...
Well they are nice, but a round will be a ton bigger at the top in diameter.
 
I think I will go with a James Allen diamond and have it checked out to see if it has the hearts pattern, then buy it with the setting.
Thanks for the help everyone, I just hope that .57 G SI1 (Will check to see if its eyeclean) is really about as good as I can do when it comes to cut =/
 
Sounds like you''ve made the right decision for you! James Allen does have great prices, and if you''re willing to search a bit, you can find some great deals. Their gemologist will be honest with you on the clarity. Let us know how it checks out!
 
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