New member saying Helloo to all. Advices are appreciated.

[owram2]

Good day to all,

I''m trying to get a proposal ring for my GF and have been doing a fair bit of reading on diamonds all over the net. Visited GoG website and yes, there are tons of information there. But too much info by different author confuse me with different terms.

Finally i came across Pricescope and decided to voice out my excitement here, hoping to gather some advices and views at the same time.

I am thinking of getting a diamond ring with the following spec:
Carat: ~0.8
Colour: D or E
Clarity: IF to VVS2
Cut: GIA Triple Ex or AGS Ideal(I''m a bit confused here, basically the best cut available)

HOWEVER, I''m still not sure I should be going for the round or cushion for the ring.
I can''t be asking her directly since it going to be a surprise!

Out of the 4C''s, i would like to place Carat as the least priority.
The following is what i have in mind at the moment.
If its a round, its either going to be a H&A (Brilliant cut?) or a Solasfera.
If its a cushion, I quite keen on the Jubilee and the square H&A (Forgot the name)

Is there any other outstanding cuts i should be considering? I am not in the States, so i can''t drop by GoG to see the gems myself. Therefore, would like to listen to the experts around.

Cheers~

 

[yssie]

how does she feel about placing carat as the last priority

those are four very different looks you're considering. I think GOG has some movies of those shapes that might help you get started. If you're thinking of buying from GOG make your life easy and just tell them your budget and desires and he'll take care of you

 

[CharmyPoo]

You are looking at very different shapes and I think you need to decide on that firts. Jubliee and square H&A are deeper cut stones so they will face up looking even smaller. Did you also look at the August Vintage Cushion while on the website? They have a large following here but I suspect not exactly what you want based on the other choices.

To be honest, I think you should stick with a Round Brillant. Do you mind me asking where you are located?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Have some fun looking through these videos, maybe it will help narrow your choice.

http://www.vimeo.com/diamondinfo/videos

 

[Natylad]

yssie you''re so funny

 

[owram2]

yssie, well.. she did mention something about quality matter more when i tried to act like a idiot trying to dig some info on what''s her preferences. But some busybody interrupt the session, so i didn''t get the answer i need..

Charmypoo, I tot Jubilee have the similiar diameter face up when compared with the H&A? I will take a look at the August Vintage Cushion when GoG website is up again. It has been down for 2 days now... I am located in small place, Singapore.

Dreamer_d, thanks for the link to the videos! Helpful to me as the GoG site is down.


The main problem now is that i dun know what shape i wan (she wans). She did mention she wants a emerald cut. But i wasn''t sure if she knows what she is talking about. When i asked her why emerald, she replied that it easy to spot the inclusion in an emerald..

Then i was interrupted.

Right here, there isn''t a lot of choices, no Solasfera or Jubilee. The best i can find is GIA triple Ex H&A. But there''s no addition info like ASET or any other equipment. Just H&A viewer at best.
And its hard to locate dealers with good quality diamond. I was given a dirty look and then brushed aside when i request for more information for its light return.

I was planning to buy from a reputable dealer online. But i guess i will need to narrow down a bit more first before i approach them..

 

[Stephan]

Date: 3/21/2010 11:58:09 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
Jubliee and square H&A are deeper cut stones so they will face up looking even smaller.

Jonathan says that the Jubilee faces up as big as a round, correct me if I''m wrong.

 

[Maisie]

I would recommend contacting Jonathon at Goodoldgold. He will be able to give you all of the information you require and also send you a video with the stones you like so you can compare them.

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Owram and welcome!

Have you considered a top cut h&a round? The Solasfera are a beautiful diamond and are sometimes known as a ' ten ten' ( 10 hearts and 10 arrows). They are quite a ' busy' and ' glittery' cut too due to the faceting and are definitely an option, I just wanted to bring up the more traditional h&a cut too for your consideration.

StoneCold - 11 is a Singaporean, he might know of some places you could look that have decent cuts, he could be around any time now but if not, he should be along sometime today. He might say he doesn't know of anywhere in Singapore but its worth asking him!

 

[Lula]

Date: 3/22/2010 2:45:33 AM
Author: owram2

Right here, there isn't a lot of choices, no Solasfera or Jubilee.

I think it will be very helpful to ask GOG to make a video for you comparing several types of stones -- Jubilee, Solasfera, round brilliant. Decide on shape first.

Also, Jonathan or his sales staff may be able to give you some more information about the availability of Solasfera or Jubilee cuts in the size you are looking for if you contact them directly.

 

[stone-cold11]

Singaporean here, but never bought any stones while in Singapore.

Vivodiamonds should have IS, H&A images for their signature diamonds, which are AGS0. Maybe do a shopping trip there?

Else get you own IS/ASET scope (IS for round and ASET for fancies shapes) and practice with it then go shopping with it? Not that expensive and is shipped internationally.

If she is looking for emerald, maybe get the Octavia from GOG designed by Karl and cut by Diagem on PS, that is a unique cut and you will probably be the first person in Sg that owns one as it just became commerically available at then end last year.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/22/2010 8:57:44 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
Singaporean here, but never bought any stones while in Singapore.

Vivodiamonds should have IS, H&A images for their signature diamonds, which are AGS0. Maybe do a shopping trip there?

Else get you own IS/ASET scope (IS for round and ASET for fancies shapes) and practice with it then go shopping with it? Not that expensive and is shipped internationally.

If she is looking for emerald, maybe get the Octavia from GOG designed by Karl and cut by Diagem on PS, that is a unique cut and you will probably be the first person in Sg that owns one as it just became commerically available at then end last year.

Thanks Stone!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/22/2010 2:45:33 AM
Author: owram2
yssie, well.. she did mention something about quality matter more when i tried to act like a idiot trying to dig some info on what''s her preferences. But some busybody interrupt the session, so i didn''t get the answer i need..

Charmypoo, I tot Jubilee have the similiar diameter face up when compared with the H&A? I will take a look at the August Vintage Cushion when GoG website is up again. It has been down for 2 days now... I am located in small place, Singapore.

Dreamer_d, thanks for the link to the videos! Helpful to me as the GoG site is down.


The main problem now is that i dun know what shape i wan (she wans). She did mention she wants a emerald cut. But i wasn''t sure if she knows what she is talking about. When i asked her why emerald, she replied that it easy to spot the inclusion in an emerald..

Then i was interrupted.

Right here, there isn''t a lot of choices, no Solasfera or Jubilee. The best i can find is GIA triple Ex H&A. But there''s no addition info like ASET or any other equipment. Just H&A viewer at best.
And its hard to locate dealers with good quality diamond. I was given a dirty look and then brushed aside when i request for more information for its light return.

I was planning to buy from a reputable dealer online. But i guess i will need to narrow down a bit more first before i approach them..

Just to address this, normally it can be advantageous to go for VS or above for clarity in these shapes as it is true they can show inclusions more easily.

 

[owram2]

Hi all,
Thanks for all the inputs. I''m pleasantly surprised by the number of replies.

The standard H&A is one of the first few diamond i''ve seen locally. There is a small shop that offers only GIA Triple Ex at a reasonable price. Not sure why they do not have AGS000 grades.
-I know AGS grading is stricter than GIA. But does AGS000 means its perfect?

-Is there anything else i need to worry about when someone shows me a AGS000 diamond?

-Btw anyone heard of Destinee10? Is it the same as Solasfera?

H&A or any cut that gives a fair bit of glitter is nice. But its almost the same thing when my girlfriend ask me, ''Honey, which dress is nicer?''... err....

Stonecold, you dun buy in Singapore? Where did you buy them? I have visited Vivo site already. For some reason, i can only locate round diamonds. Nothing else. Is it a norm for a jeweller to deal with only 1 kind of stones?

As all of diamonds are unique in their own way, i will be interested to get something that is not available in Singapore.

I can be asking GoG to make movies for me??

Who is going to be the star??

 

[stone-cold11]

I am working in the US now, so bought the e-ring in the US. :p

Vivo Signature is only round brilliant as far as I know.

From GOG, I would definitely consider get an Octavia in the movie.

 

[Gypsy]

It sounds like she wants a rare stone... and would prefer to put clarity and color over size. I think that you should get her that. If she wants a stone to showcase clarity and color... a step cut is a great choice for that. It is true that EC show inclusions and color more readily than brilliant cuts so I say, go for a lovely emerald cut. They are very elegant and to me... it sounds like she knows exactly what she wants.

Give Good old Gold a call, they find some beautiful emerald cuts. And if it were me, I''d go with a classic emerald cut. When a lady who is reticent about naming something DOES name what she wants, that''s what she really wants. So, for your lady and emerald cut is what you should go for, in my opinion.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/23/2010 2:51:00 AM
Author: Gypsy
It sounds like she wants a rare stone... and would prefer to put clarity and color over size. I think that you should get her that. If she wants a stone to showcase clarity and color... a step cut is a great choice for that. It is true that EC show inclusions and color more readily than brilliant cuts so I say, go for a lovely emerald cut. They are very elegant and to me... it sounds like she knows exactly what she wants.

Give Good old Gold a call, they find some beautiful emerald cuts. And if it were me, I''d go with a classic emerald cut. When a lady who is reticent about naming something DOES name what she wants, that''s what she really wants. So, for your lady and emerald cut is what you should go for, in my opinion.

I agree.

 

[owram2]

Finally cleared another doubt.
Destinee10 is a 10 H&A RB diamond. It has 71 facets.
Solasfera is a 10 H&A RB diamond. It has 91 facets.

Maybe i can have a chance to compare traditional H&A with modified H&A in Singapore!!
I am personally quite sold on a Solasfera for some reason.

The different Asscher and Octavia are breathtaking. But the down side is the smaller face-up.. So i guess is one of the reason which RB are so popular..

Where can i get a idealscope in my location in the shortest time? I been to www.idealscope to check already. Which to buy?

 

[stone-cold11]

get the ASET as you are most likely going to be hunting for a fancy cut from the sound of it.

 

[owram2]

Stonecold, looks like fancy cut it is.. I chance upon a video comparing a Emerald with H&A.. Goodness.. the differences is HUGE..

On the Solasfera, is there such thing as a ''bad'' Solasfera?
I see some Solasfera with a ''not so nice'' ASET image. But i''m not too technical incline too tell yet..

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/24/2010 12:32:26 AM
Author: owram2
Stonecold, looks like fancy cut it is.. I chance upon a video comparing a Emerald with H&A.. Goodness.. the differences is HUGE..

On the Solasfera, is there such thing as a ''bad'' Solasfera?
I see some Solasfera with a ''not so nice'' ASET image. But i''m not too technical incline too tell yet..

Jon from GOG can probably best answer that one.

 

[owram2]

I was told this from someone. Please help me understand this.

"The thing with H&A diamonds is that there is nothing to compare but the size/color/clarity. The cut is always consistent"

Is it true? From my understanding after all the reading, isn''t that the exact opposite?

 

[yssie]

Date: 3/24/2010 10:09:28 PM
Author: owram2
I was told this from someone. Please help me understand this.

''The thing with H&A diamonds is that there is nothing to compare but the size/color/clarity. The cut is always consistent''

Is it true? From my understanding after all the reading, isn''t that the exact opposite?

if you''re looking at one specific very consistent brand of H&A it''s true enough - there''s variation, but not much.


definitely not true for all brands of H&A across the board, so evaluate each stone unless you have total trust in the brand''s consistency of precision

 

[stone-cold11]

Ditto.

H&A image is just a means of measuring the optical symm and just for a small range of parameters, it does not take into account of the angles which determines the optical performance. A stone displaying H&A symm can still have poor optical performance if the angles are bad.

 

[owram2]

I was pretty disappointed when I saw the reply. I somehow felt that it wasn''t a truthful comment. It was more like a sales talk.

It is because I wanted to make a sound decision when I''m choosing my diamond that bring me to Pricescope as some of the local jeweler I''d seen are unable to provide me with additional information and thus unable to convince me into buying their product cos they themselves may not know what is a good diamond.

I have always imagine my smaller diamond having a
-AGS 000 or GIA triple ex grading,
-very nice ASET image with symmetrical optical patterns,
-superb Gemax for optical performance and
-when view with a H&A viewer gives a breathtaking picture.
-gives a smile to my gf face everytime she look at it.

I think i''m starting to understand the meaning of mind-clean now..

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/24/2010 10:33:38 PM
Author: yssie

Date: 3/24/2010 10:09:28 PM
Author: owram2
I was told this from someone. Please help me understand this.

''The thing with H&A diamonds is that there is nothing to compare but the size/color/clarity. The cut is always consistent''

Is it true? From my understanding after all the reading, isn''t that the exact opposite?

if you''re looking at one specific very consistent brand of H&A it''s true enough - there''s variation, but not much.


definitely not true for all brands of H&A across the board, so evaluate each stone unless you have total trust in the brand''s consistency of precision

Perfectly said.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

It seems to be true that a lot of brands are now under price pressure because H&A''s is no longer ''special'' since many manufacturers produce them as a by product of best practice.

owram2 we can get an ASET for fancies or ideal-scope for rounds to you pretty quick from Oz - Arthur who manages orders and delivery is also from Singapore!

But why focus on very hi color and clarity?
I know it is traditional in SE Asian society for people to ask these details, just as people in the West only usually care or remember the carat weight.
But from all I know about Japan, when Diamonds became very important during the 1980''s they demanded top quality (just as they do in Scotch and cognac etc). However now they prefer top color eye clean big as possible!
I predict the same for your market since F SI1 = D IF to me or any other expert in a social setting. That turns a 0.80ct D IF into about 1.20ct - and that is a differnece you CAN SEE!

 

[Stephan]

Great post Garry.
I feel safer with IF-VS1 stones.
For my eyes, some VS2 are not eye clean and SI is even worse.
It happened to me to see eye clean SI1, but when wearing it day after day, I eventually saw the flaws.
I understand the pleasure of owning a diamond that looks flawless with a loupe.
I also admire people who dare to buy SI2 diamonds, because they are clever enough to know that without closer observation, the flaws won''t be visible.

 

[owram2]

I compared a AGS000 H&A with a Destinee10 in person sometime last week.

The Destinee10 (71 facet with 10 arrow and hearts) does not shine as much as i thought.
It does gives more fire and scintillation though.

I know Destinee10 its not exactly the same as a Solasfera but i did try to use my imagination a bit to give the Destinee a bit more shine.. haha.. But with 71 facet, the flashes are small. I guess Solasfera should be even smaller as it is with 91 facets.

I also employed two pairs of ladies eyes to help me pick the one they prefer, without knowing the difference between the two.. Results: Traditional H&A at 0.8 carat wins both vote.

Sooo.. for the weekend, she was out of town, and i have time to look through all the cuts again and reconsider all the points again.

- H&A is too common. Hope to get something different. Something with character..
- H&A was prefer over a modified round because of the bigger flashes. Assher has huge flashes.
- She did say she wanted an Emerald cut.. Asscher and Octavia is consider as a type of emerald cut too?
- The problem with Asscher against Rounds is that the face up diameter is smaller at the same carat. About ~13% or more.
- Asscher are commonly not as bright as Rounds. But Octavia look good.
- H&A is very common and hence much easier to locate the 4Cs you wanted.
- I am looking for something with the following qualities
Carat: 0.77 (if possible, its the date we got together

)
Color: D,E,F
Clarity: VS2 and above preferred
Cut: ??

Octavia is coming into the choices now.

Qns:
- Does Asscher look nice in the small carat?
- How is the premium loading of Octavia vs H&A? Are the premium the similiar?

I found myself looking at clips of Octavia over and over again..

(Stonecold caused this!)
The flashes are quite appealing to me. I was also looking for something special and Octavia fits the bill. Not always you can speak to the Designer or Cutter of the diamond you bought!
Octavia are in limited pieces now, there is a .91 available at the point of writing. However, i''m not comfortable with the colour.

Since the originator of Octavia might be around, can i ask if there is any Octavia in the pipeline that might fit my bill??
It will be cool if there''s might some below the 1 carat range.

 

[stone-cold11]

Asscher is a branded cut as much as Octavia. GIA will not name a stone Asscher cut, usually described it as square emerald cut.

Size wise, the dimensions are going to look smaller, but the way the measurement is taken is different. A round is the diameter, but for a square cut is the length and width, not the diagonal. A well cut Step cut is always going to have a smaller surface area compare with a well cut brilliant cut.

Octavia is always going to be more expensive because of how it is shape, due to it''s higher crown a larger portion of the rough is going to be polish away to get the final stone, while other cuts, usually the top of the rough can be sawed off and polish as a smaller stone.

Just ask GOG what is in the pipeline.