New here....almost ready to buy! Now the color vs clarity question...

[Shady]

Hey guys, thank you for keeping such a helpful forum around! So glad I found this place. I'm sure you get tons of questions like this but please just bear with me.

I've really been serious about getting an engagement ring for a few days now and I've been researching all over. For now, I think I settled on the Vatche Swan setting as swans have a special meaning for my girlfriend and I, and it's just an elegant, beautiful setting. This makes it rather difficult, however, as the setting itself is kind of pricey and it's being offered only at about 3 places - Whiteflash, Excel Diamonds, and Since1910. Now on to the diamonds...

I've been researching about all the possible color vs clarity vs cut combinations and I settled on somewhere between F-H and VS2-SI1 as I feel this is the most practical for someone who doesn't have too high of a budget and it doesn't sacrifice the beauty that much. My budget is around $3000, although I'd like to spend as little as possible. Right now, these are the 2 diamonds I'm looking at:

Diamond 1:
Carat : 0.65
Clarity : VS1
Color : E
Measurements: 5.63 x 5.6 x 3.4
Depth: 60.6
Table: 58%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: N

Diamond 2:
Carat : 0.72
Clarity : SI1
Color : G
Measurements: 5.78 x 5.74 x 3.59
Depth: 62.3
Table: 56%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: F

I know I said I'm trying to settle on the F-H color clarity and VS2-SI1 but I figured that first diamond might be worth upgrading the color/clarity even if it's smaller. So should I go for the bigger one but G/SI1? Also, someone please let me know if 0.65-0.72 carats is enough for the Swan setting...I don't want it to look ridiculously small.

Also if you have any suggestions at all - about another place to buy this from, other diamond selections, anything - please share! I think I'll be going with Excel Diamonds as I found it to be the cheapest.

 

[jet2ks]

Do you have crown and pavillion angles for these two diamonds? Star and lgf% numbers would be helpful, as well, but the angles are critical to how the diamond performs. Color and clarity mean little if the diamond is not well cut.

 

[Shady]

Hmm, that''s all the information that Excel Diamonds is giving me. Both diamonds were listed as "ideal cuts" though.

 

[jet2ks]

Ideal is just a label--there are many diamonds labelled ideal that do not have top notch performance.

You can find the numbers on the grading reports or alternatively, if they are GIA graded, enter the report # and weight here.

Excel is used to providing this information if you ask them for it. Judah is a regular poster on PS.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Oh, goodness, I would not even consider an E VS1. Stick with G-H to get more size. Brian Gavin Diamonds has a .82 H VS2 around $3000 wire price and they can probably get that setting for you. They have a couple others within your parameters in the .7-.8 range. I''d definitely plan to spend the full $3000 on the stone. Since you are getting a very nice setting, you want the stone to look good in it.

 

[Shady]

Ok I just emailed Excel Diamonds to get the GIA report numbers.

You think 0.7-0.8 would be enough for a setting like this? I wish I could spend more on the diamond but the setting alone is $1000! Engagement rings are soo expensive.

 

[stone-cold11]

WF and GOG are also vendors of Vatche, they should be able to order in the Swan if you ask them. Vatche designed the swan from different size stones, so not to worry about the stone being too small.

 

[Shady]

Ok the crown angle is 36.0 and the pavilion is 41.0 for that 0.72 G/SI1 diamond. I don''t know what these numbers mean though, are they any good?

I think I''m gonna try to go as big as I can while maintaining at least G/SI1. I''m afraid I won''t be able to go above 0.7-0.8. I really hope this will be okay on the ring. I tried navigating through Good Old Gold but it was kind of confusing, I''m gonna email them right now.

 

[Shady]

I''m almost thinking of going with a different setting just to pay more for the stone...any suggestions similar to the Vatche Swan?

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 1/18/2010 3:38:45 PM
Author: Shady
Ok the crown angle is 36.0 and the pavilion is 41.0 for that 0.72 G/SI1 diamond. I don't know what these numbers mean though, are they any good?

Not a very good angle combo, I would pass on that one. The angles are a bit too steep to compliment each other and the diamond will most likely leak light and not perform the best.

If you don't mind sharing your budget, maybe some of us could recommend a few well-cut diamonds. I know you put $3k in the first post, but is that just the stone or the whole ring?

 

[Shady]

Ah yes I just used the cut adviser. I agree, I'll be going with something else. Ok then...I think I'm gonna look around for a different setting. Need something elegant that's similar to the Swan. My budget is about $3000 for both the stone and the setting...if I don't find anything I want then I will increase it as needed but I'd really like to stay under this range.

 

[jet2ks]

What are you being quoted for just the setting?

 

[Kaleigh]

FYI the Vatche settings are $$$. I''d put most of the money towards the stone and put it in a simple solitaire setting for now and upgrade the setting later?? Just a thought.

 

[Shady]

That''s a good idea. I''ve been checking out bluenile.com and I just saw a 0.79 carat G/SI1 stone with the following details:

Depth: 61.2%
Table: 56%
Crown Angle: 34.5°
Crown Height: 15.0%
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Star length: 55%
Lower Half: 75%
Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted (3.0%)
Culet: None

for $2900. Paired with a simple setting it comes out to roughly $3300 which is fine - however, I really don''t like any of their settings. They''re just too simple and not as elegant as the Swan. I''m gonna have to sacrifice something here though..

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Hi Shady,

I love the swan setting personally, and I think you can get a gorgeous stone to go in there. Here's an option that falls well within your budget...(if the links don't work just cut and paste them into your browser...I'm on a mac and it does weird things...)

https://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2231062.htm (if I had not just bought a pair of earrings and used all my fun money for quite some time, I would buy this stone in a heartbeat! I think it's a great deal.)

Here's one at JA (but really, I'd get the WF): http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1272651.asp

If you have extra money left over you could get your FI a beautiful pair of bezel studs or a pendant as a wedding present.

 

[Shady]

I tried James Allen just now. I found this 0.8 carat G/SI1 diamond:

Depth: 62.3%
Table: 56%
Crown Angle: 35.0°
Crown Height: 15.5%
Pavilion Angle: 40.6°
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Star length: 50%
Lower Half: 75%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted (4.0%)
Culet: None

for $2750. They are also able to provide me with a 10% discount on the Vatche Swan. What do you guys think?

 

[jet2ks]

Numbers on the JA stone are good. Ask them if it is eye-clean to your standards, and if so, then ask for an IS image. JA also has a discount on their diamonds for PS members, just make sure to mention it.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Hi,
Just wanted to comment on the color/clarity question. I have an E VS2 that I''m going to trade in for a lower color/clarity. The E is beautiful, but really the color is too colorless for me. I think going down to a G makes more sense to get a larger stone.

 

[Shady]

Wonderful thanks guys! I will definitely mention the PS discount and I''ll ask if it''s eye clean. I hope it ends up looking amazing and she loves it.