Newbie Diamond Query

[sparlesthering]

Hi Everyone!

I love this forum. I''ve learned so much from reading (as a lurker). I''ve finally settled on a ring that I think might be "the one." I was hoping for some input from the wise posters on this forum.

I''m actually thinking of purchasing it tonight (online).

Thanks!

Here are the specs:

.81 carat
G
VS1
ideal cut (AGSL)
ideal symmetry and polish
depth: 61.9%
table: 55%
girdle: thin to slightly thick
culet: none
fluorescence: negligible
measurements: 5.97 x 6.00 x 3.70 mm
price: 3601 USD

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 7/23/2009 9:12:29 PM
Author:sparlesthering
Hi Everyone!

I love this forum. I''ve learned so much from reading (as a lurker). I''ve finally settled on a ring that I think might be ''the one.'' I was hoping for some input from the wise posters on this forum.

I''m actually thinking of purchasing it tonight (online).

Thanks!

Here are the specs:

.81 carat
G
VS1
ideal cut (AGSL)
ideal symmetry and polish
depth: 61.9%
table: 55%
girdle: thin to slightly thick
culet: none
fluorescence: negligible
measurements: 5.97 x 6.00 x 3.70 mm
price: 3601 USD

So the missing information from the equation is the crown and pavilion angle, so I ran a quick search so that I could add it to your post:

Crown angle: 34.4 degrees
Pavilion angle: 40.7 degrees
Primary inclusions: cloud, needle.
Overall cut grade: AGS Ideal 0 (polish, symmetry, proportions, light performance)

Looks promising!

 

[sparlesthering]

What is promising, Todd? Would the inclusions be visible to the naked eye? The stone will be set in 18k yellow gold...so going up in colour didn''t make much sense. As for clarity, I wanted as few inclusions (to the naked eye) as possible. My biggest concern was the cut of it. I want the most brilliant diamond I can get (for my budget).

Any more responses?

And thanks for taking the time to look that info up, Todd!

 

[jet2ks]

What is promising is the potential of that stone.

The angles are great. They compliment each other well so should produce good light performance.

VS1 is very safe for not seeing inclusions with the naked eye. With VS clarities, inclusions are by definition difficult for a trained grader to find under 10x magnification, so you will be in good shape.

G is a great color choice for most people. It is still very white, but avoids the price premium of colorless grades.

You made a fabulous choice!! (any chance of pictures?)

(Todd, thanks for looking up the angles)

 

[sparlesthering]

I don''t have pics of the actual stone. If I go ahead and get it, it should be in my possession within the next two weeks. I will post pics as soon as I get it!

Would the beauty of the ring be compromised if I went down in colour (I or J) and clairty (VS1 or less maybe)? I am set on getting ideal cut and idea/excellent polish and symmetry. Does this sound right?

Thanks for responding!

 

[Lula]

The angles of the stone compliment each other well, as Todd mentioned. If you find a stone with similar angles/proportions that is lower in color and clarity, it will still be a beautiful stone.

Color: Most people have color preferences/sensitivities, and you and your future spouse may be comfortable with lower colors (I, J) that appear very white when well cut. You may also be people who are color sensitive and prefer to stay with stones G, F, E, and D. It''s really about preference, since colors in these ranges won''t affect the stone''s performance; cut does.

Clarity: Clarity is also a personal preference. You''ll see the terms "eye clean" and "mind clean" on this forum. Many PS''ers are happy with a stone if they cannot see the inclusions when looking at the stone from a normal viewing distance. Others want to know that the inclusions would be difficult to find under a 10X loupe. And there a few posters who actually want to see an inclusion or two because they believe it''s part of a stone''s natural beauty. However, there are some inclusions that may affect the stone''s durability, and most vendors on this site are able to take a look at the stone in question (they have it in stock) and advise you of any potential issues.

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 7/23/2009 11:18:09 PM
Author: sparlesthering
I don''t have pics of the actual stone. If I go ahead and get it, it should be in my possession within the next two weeks. I will post pics as soon as I get it!

Would the beauty of the ring be compromised if I went down in colour (I or J) and clairty (VS1 or less maybe)? I am set on getting ideal cut and idea/excellent polish and symmetry. Does this sound right?

Thanks for responding!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I or J color will not compromise beauty, if well cut. They will be more of a warm white color that many people, including myself, find very attractive. As long as you are working with a vendor who can examine the diamond before shipping to verify it is eye-clean (not seeing inclusions with the naked eye) then you can certainly drop in clarity, as well. You definitely want to stay with well cut diamond to achieve maximum brilliance. The nice part about going a little lower in color and clarity is that you can purchase a larger stone.

The I and J range seems to be the point where most people can start to detect a hint of color viewing the diamond from the side--from the top, it is much harder to see the color in well cut stones. As I mentioned before, some like this warmth, others prefer colorless. The only way to really know what you like is to look at well cut diamonds in person. If you have a Jared''s near you, their Peerless collection is a good place to start, all of those are AGS0 diamonds.

 

[sparlesthering]

Thanks for all the responses. I love how fast the response time is here! You are all very informed and helpful. I''m very glad I registered!

I would like to get the largest stone I can get without compromising beauty (naturally). I will ensure that I stick to the ideal cut with the ideal/excellent polish and symmetry (as I said before). I''ll most likely be ordering online (from Bluenile).

Do you think a warmer colour will look nice in yellow gold?

 

[Lula]

When you say "warmer color" are you talking about an I or a J? If so, you can find some pictures on the Show me the Ring forum of J-colored stones set in platinum -- and yellow gold, too. Search for "Show me your J-colored" and see what you think.

Others may disagree, but I think I, J, and K stones can be set in either white or yellow metals and look just fine. I have a J colored diamond and it is set in platinum. It would have looked wonderful in yellow gold, too. I think the I-J-K stones are a great value and very versatile because they are not bright white and they are not by any means yellow, they are a nice creamy color that I find appealing.

But I do agree with the advice you got earlier about going to a store (like Jared''s) that carries ideal cut stones to look at the different color options.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/23/2009 11:46:07 PM
Author: sparlesthering
Thanks for all the responses. I love how fast the response time is here! You are all very informed and helpful. I''m very glad I registered!

I would like to get the largest stone I can get without compromising beauty (naturally). I will ensure that I stick to the ideal cut with the ideal/excellent polish and symmetry (as I said before). I''ll most likely be ordering online (from Bluenile).

Do you think a warmer colour will look nice in yellow gold?

I or J colour looks great in YG, any colour grade does to me as I am a fan of YG.

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 7/23/2009 11:46:07 PM
Author: sparlesthering
Thanks for all the responses. I love how fast the response time is here! You are all very informed and helpful. I''m very glad I registered!

I would like to get the largest stone I can get without compromising beauty (naturally). I will ensure that I stick to the ideal cut with the ideal/excellent polish and symmetry (as I said before). I''ll most likely be ordering online (from Bluenile).

Do you think a warmer colour will look nice in yellow gold?

As sarap and Lorelei mentioned, I or J can look good in any metal.

Just a couple things about trying to get the largest stone. If you are going to look at SI clarities, Blue Nile may not be the best vendor to use, as they are a drop shipper and unable to verify whether a diamond is eye-clean. There are many other quality online vendors that are able to do this for you. If you do decide to use BN, I would recommend staying with VS2 clarity and above.

With polish and symmetry, you could include Very Good as well, as the naked eye cannot tell the difference between VG and EX or Ideal.

 

[sparlesthering]

Would you say this stone is better?


Carat weight: 0.76
Cut: Ideal
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Depth %: 62.0%
Table %: 55%
Symmetry: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Girdle: Medium to thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.82 x 5.86 x 3.62 mm

I'm not sure how I go about finding the other details.

Thanks again, guys!

BTW: my fiance is going to NYC in a few days. Are there any places he can visit to find a good deal...or is the diamond-district-deal a myth?

As an aside, we're getting married soon and looking for my engagement ring. We'll be purchasing it soon.

 

[Lorelei]

Can you post the crown and pavilion angles please?

 

[stone-cold11]

Ditto, need crown and pav angles at least. Is that an AGS graded stone? If you can't find the numbers, just post the report number and the exact carat weight here or use the report check for the respective lab.

http://agslab.com/verify_diamond_grading_report.php
http://www2.gia.edu/reportcheck/index.cfm

In NYC, I think there are 2, Exceldiamond and EngagementRingDirect. I think JamesAllen also have a store there. If you can travel out of city a bit, GoodOldGold is in Long Island. Best to call them up and make an appointment.

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/

http://www.jamesallen.com/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/28/2009 7:12:31 PM
Author: sparlesthering
Would you say this stone is better?


Carat weight: 0.76
Cut: Ideal
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Depth %: 62.0%
Table %: 55%
Symmetry: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Girdle: Medium to thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.82 x 5.86 x 3.62 mm

I''m not sure how I go about finding the other details.

Thanks again, guys!

BTW: my fiance is going to NYC in a few days. Are there any places he can visit to find a good deal...or is the diamond-district-deal a myth?

As an aside, we''re getting married soon and looking for my engagement ring. We''ll be purchasing it soon.

Be very careful in the DD, it is a minefield for the rookie. Mark at www.engagementringsdirect.com is reputable as are

www.exceldiamonds.com , www.jamesallen.com have offices in NYC but with all you will need an appointment.

If your fiance fancies a trip out to LI, Jon at www.goodoldgold.com sees clients by appointment, he also has the most divine pizza restaurant nearby I am told so you could do lunch too......