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Newbie Help/ Advice!!!!

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bigbg25

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 11, 2014
Messages
4
Hi Everyone,
So I'm new to the site and have read many post on this and other pages. I am the type of person to research and try to learn as much as possible before making a large purchase.
I have been referred to a jeweler through a friend who isn't close by. I have gone to look at diamonds once already. We narrowed down my search to rounds only because cushions just dont seem to compare for size and brilliance in my price range. They seem reputable and have been very helpful thus far.

Goal: maximize size with an eye clean, near colorless. From my visit, it seems like I'm going to be in the 1.5 + or - carat SI I-J range. Budget- $6,500 with some wiggle room for the stone itself.

I am totally fine with the cert as long as I love the diamond itself. The problem is, from what I saw- EGL USA and Euro, the best stones were near yellow. Now I know that I'm no expert, but from what I have read, J's should be slightly tinted, not yellow. I was slightly put off by being showed these and made to feel as if they were the best I was going to get for my money. I know EGL is different, but I just felt I was being sold a stone trying to be made a near colorless, when in fact it had color.

Since then, I researched online and felt the stones looked like a Gia K or L. I have since been looking online for sites with pictures only and came across a few that appear to be decent deals. I was hoping to get some input on this stone..

http://www.overnightdiamonds.com/Catalog/ViewDiamond/36600522

Now with the stone above, I know my budget is dictating everything not be ideal, so I'm trying to get the largest stone, that will still look amazing. I know that another 2k, or a 1.4 would obviously change things.

So my plan is, give them another shot to pull some stones similar to what I'm looking for and see if things improve. Now, if they don't, is it out of line to ask them if they would have a problem mounting a stone I found online? It seems like on the site above, there are numerous other stones that seem closer to what I'm looking for- in terms of size, color and alleged clarity.

So two things- thoughts on the link, and buying online if round 2 doesn't seem productive>?

thanks to all!!
 
A few things.

First, I understand what you are looking at.

But are you buying for yourself or for someone else?


If you are buying for someone else I would probably go no lower than I. MAYBE a J, with fluorescence preferrably. I would not go to K in a modern round brilliant for someone else.

That what are the priorities of the person you are buying for?

Finally,

Here is some information for you.

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough.
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. James Allen and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.
 
Hi!! :wavey:

I just finished months of shopping and amateur diamond research and have to say that I think buying online is a great way to get a fair price and the most "bang for your buck!" In general, you get what you pay for... I personally would not sacrifice the most amazing possible cut because that is the most important factor- the BLING SPARKLE factor!!!! I went to every store imaginable and tried to learn as much as possible and ended up choosing a ring from an online vendor; I was lucky that I happen to live in the same city as Brian Gavin Diamonds and Whiteflash and was able to see with my own eyes that their top of the line cuts are SPECTACULAR!!!! (I shopped at Cartier, Tiffany, DeBeers you name it!!)

That being said, would you consider a halo style? I HATE most halos, but I love the one below (for your budget I chose a round diamond with .646 center, but it is so well cut it will actually look bigger than a poorly cut larger diamond!!! Also, the Brian Gavin and Whiteflash people that I got to meet in person are so sweet and nice, it would be great to call them and get different options for your budget, they may even offer some wiggle room on the price- i got a discount at Brian Gavin for being a pricescope member... I KNOW they would be happy to help!!)

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/sarah-halo-platinum-5493p
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.646-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-c-104069378128#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/2/

About the diamond you chose online- it looks appealing in print but with EGL you are not necessarily getting what you think you're paying for in terms of color/clarity- a huge risk without seeing it in person! I tend to trust the websites that post a ton of un-photoshopped photos and videos of each stone- they have nothing to hide! Also, your stone has medium fluorescence...not sure if that's something you wanted? Brian Gavin has a line of round diamonds with fluorescence that he screens for quality (no milky or adverse effects) that could offer more size for the price!! Here's a cool video!! Anyways, GOOD LUCK!!!! :appl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lzkPLyqZVg
 
Also. If your lady wants a cushion: SO NOT BUY HER A ROUND.

We can find her cushions to compete with rounds.

But do NOT buy a woman looking for a fancy a round diamond because of your research.
 
Hey Guys.
thanks for the info thus far.. Will be buying for future FI.
To clarify, she has always been interested in rounds, but saw a cushion she liked that was shaped very closely to a round so I investigated them. Based on what I've seen, they just don't face up the same w my budget. (I know that's a broad generalization so don't crucify me.)

I also understand that I'm sacrificing an ideal stone for size. I'm really just trying to get the best 1.5 for my money. A 1.2 or 1.3 just isn't going to cut it.

With that being said, and assuming the link I posted wasn't photoshopped, would it be a decent stone to consider? Anywhere I buy will have a 100% return guarentee so I'm not scared of having to return it if needed.
 
bigbg25|1393479025|3623915 said:
Can I get some opinions on these? These are quite cheaper and better quality than the stones I'll likely be showed this weekend in a B & M.


I know these aren't perfect, but would these both be eye clean? Have they been changed for the photo to make them appear different?

http://www.enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R150-DPJTK2

http://www.enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R150-DPJTK2

thanks!!
Click to expand...


EGL is listed at a discount because well, they kinda suck. READ THIS: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/[/URL]




Go back and read my last post to you. See where I say that even GIA Ex isn't enough?

Yeah, EGL is a nice way to rip yourself off.
 
bigbg25|1393217547|3621652 said:
Goal: maximize size with an eye clean, near colorless. From my visit, it seems like I'm going to be in the 1.5 + or - carat SI I-J range. Budget- $6,500 with some wiggle room for the stone itself.

thanks to all!!
Click to expand...
Hate to tell ya, but $6500 is not going to buy you a nice 1.5ct I/J stone.
 
bigbg25|1393479025|3623915 said:
Can I get some opinions on these? These are quite cheaper and better quality than the stones I'll likely be showed this weekend in a B & M.


I know these aren't perfect, but would these both be eye clean? Have they been changed for the photo to make them appear different?

http://www.enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R150-DPJTK2

thanks!!
Click to expand...
besides the over grading by this lab... :knockout: A well cut 1.5ct should be closer to 7.4mm in diameter.
 
bigbg25|1393479025|3623915 said:
Can I get some opinions on these? These are quite cheaper and better quality than the stones I'll likely be showed this weekend in a B & M.


I know these aren't perfect, but would these both be eye clean? Have they been changed for the photo to make them appear different?

http://www.enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R150-DPJTK2

http://www.enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R150-DPJTK2

thanks!!
Click to expand...


EGL stones are a great way to rip yourself off while thinking you are getting a 'good deal'.

I would not buy an EGL stone (not without a lot of caveats).

STICK TO GIA or AGS ONLY
 
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