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Tiger95

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 6, 2008
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Been lurking around here for the last few weeks and am very appreciative of all the knowledge that everyone is willing to share. I''m doing my research and starting my search and wanted to get some input. I''m looking for an ring and have a budget of around 25-28K. I want a RB in the 2.0 - 2.5 ct range. Can you help?

Obviously cut is crticial (I''ve been reading all your posts), but I''m thinking something in the G-H color range. But as a way to stretch my budget: Can I consider an I color? What if instead of getting an H&A type, I go with a AGS0? Thoughts?
 
my suggestion is to buy from a cut focused vendor like GOG or Whiteflash (particularly for rounds). I think the H&A is kind of waste of $ --I have many friends with stones from 2 to 3.5 carats (not one is specialty cut) and have done much research before purchasing. i would buy a stone vetted by say Whiteflash and an I would be fine..........Tiffany sells I''s...I have seen stunning and huge J''s and K''s as well
 
Date: 11/6/2008 10:20:47 AM
Author:Tiger95
Been lurking around here for the last few weeks and am very appreciative of all the knowledge that everyone is willing to share. I'm doing my research and starting my search and wanted to get some input. I'm looking for an ring and have a budget of around 25-28K. I want a RB in the 2.0 - 2.5 ct range. Can you help?

Obviously cut is crticial (I've been reading all your posts), but I'm thinking something in the G-H color range. But as a way to stretch my budget: Can I consider an I color? What if instead of getting an H&A type, I go with a AGS0? Thoughts?
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Welcome Tiger!

We can certainly suggest some diamonds if you would like us to. You could also consider an I colour or even J if you wanted to make the most of the budget, some may notice very slight warmth from the side in these colours, but this often isn't a concern and these diamonds can face up very white if well cut - many happy I and J owners here. Of course there is nothing like seeing some in person, so try to see if you can find some similar size, shape, lab grade and cut grade diamonds in person of these colours - see if you can view some AGS0 or Hearts on Fire to see what colour grades appeal to you, that way you are comparing diamonds of known cut quality.

An AGS0 can be an super choice, so you can certainly consider these or some GIA Excellent cut grade. GIA Excellent can allow for some less desirable combos so you need to evaluate each carefully. If you especially wanted a H&A then look at some branded cuts such as A Cut Above from WF or Cut By Infinity from Wink Jones.
 
Thanks for the comments. I have checked out HoF at my local dealer and looked at the AHA and other similar cuts online. Itend to agree with you about the H&A concept. While they certainly are stunning, I don''t think I need to spend the extra money and would be happy with a AGS0 or GIA excellent type stone. Do others agree with this thinking? I have seen some I stones that are beautiful, but my bride to be is defnitely a bit more color sensitive.

Based on what I have read on this site I have checked out WF, GOG online. I guess I now in the choice of getting a G-VS2 closer to 2ct or go for a H-VS2 that is a bit bigger. Planning on putting in a very simple solitare platinum band.
 
As others have mentioned, it is important to view stones in person to understand her sensitivity to color (especially in larger carat weight stones where the color tends to show more). I would sent up an appointment with a local jeweler and ask to see stones in your carat weight range, that are ideal cut, in colors ranging from F to K.

For my fiance and I, we could notice a hint of warmth starting at J, so we would not go lower than I color (in a 1.5 carat stone).

I personally have G and H color stones in my 3-stone ring (.85 carat center and .50 carat sides) and I can see a slight difference in color with her I color stone, in certain lighting conditions.

Also if possible, as the jeweler to show you some H&A stones. When viewing them, you definitely notice the symmetry in the contrast patterns. Some people like this, others don''t.

I think a safe combination would be an H/SI in a larger carat Ideal RB stone, but you have to find out yourself.

Good luck!
 
Thanks- would certainly be open to your recommendations. I would appreciate any suggestions for RB in my price range, G-H color, VS2, AGS0 (or similar)- does not need to be a H&A.
 
Date: 11/6/2008 10:36:10 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 11/6/2008 10:20:47 AM
Author:Tiger95
Been lurking around here for the last few weeks and am very appreciative of all the knowledge that everyone is willing to share. I''m doing my research and starting my search and wanted to get some input. I''m looking for an ring and have a budget of around 25-28K. I want a RB in the 2.0 - 2.5 ct range. Can you help?

Obviously cut is crticial (I''ve been reading all your posts), but I''m thinking something in the G-H color range. But as a way to stretch my budget: Can I consider an I color? What if instead of getting an H&A type, I go with a AGS0? Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Welcome Tiger!

We can certainly suggest some diamonds if you would like us to. You could also consider an I colour or even J if you wanted to make the most of the budget, some may notice very slight warmth from the side in these colours, but this often isn''t a concern and these diamonds can face up very white if well cut - many happy I and J owners here. Of course there is nothing like seeing some in person, so try to see if you can find some similar size, shape, lab grade and cut grade diamonds in person of these colours - see if you can view some AGS0 or Hearts on Fire to see what colour grades appeal to you, that way you are comparing diamonds of known cut quality.

An AGS0 can be an super choice, so you can certainly consider these or some GIA Excellent cut grade. GIA Excellent can allow for some less desirable combos so you need to evaluate each carefully. If you especially wanted a H&A then look at some branded cuts such as A Cut Above from WF or Cut By Infinity from Wink Jones.
Click to expand...
Thanks- would certainly be open to your recommendations. I would appreciate any suggestions for RB in my price range, G-H color, VS2, AGS0 (or similar)- does not need to be a H&A.
 
 
Date: 11/6/2008 12:25:14 PM
Author: Lorelei
Here you go, I had a look and found the following. Also with SI clarities, make sure your vendor understands your expectations concerning an eyeclean diamond.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1466927.htm

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4884/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5023/

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1466924.htm#

And an I colour also

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1466930.htm#
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Thanks for your suggestions- those are very nice. They are all H&A type, correct? I wanted to do something that wasn''t quite a perfect H&A, but still something along the lines of a ASG0. This might be able to get me more value, right? Any suggestions if I wanted to go that route?
 
 
Date: 11/6/2008 10:20:47 AM
Author:Tiger95
Been lurking around here for the last few weeks and am very appreciative of all the knowledge that everyone is willing to share. I''m doing my research and starting my search and wanted to get some input. I''m looking for an ring and have a budget of around 25-28K. I want a RB in the 2.0 - 2.5 ct range. Can you help?

Obviously cut is crticial (I''ve been reading all your posts), but I''m thinking something in the G-H color range. But as a way to stretch my budget: Can I consider an I color? What if instead of getting an H&A type, I go with a AGS0? Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Tiger95- How do you feel about Blue Nile? I was looking at the search here but the results were fairly limited.

2.45 F/SI1 8.70 x 8.85 x 5.22 mm scores a 1.1 on the HCA ex/ex/vg/ex If it is eye clean then it would be below your budget at 24, 581 and would be towards the higher end of your ct weight range.

Even if this one is not to your liking it may be worth doing a diamond search there and then running the numbers through the HCA when you find one you like.

PS my stone is from Blue Nile and it is 100% eye clean.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions! It is so nice to have a resource to turn to.

A couple of questions...
How do people feel about the different online brokers? I had read a lot of great things about WF and GOG, but am not familiar with people''s feelings about BN or JA.

Would it make more sense to move to a SI1 and get a better color? Obviously it all depends on whether it is eye clean, etc. But am curious with diamonds in this size whether color or clarity start to take preference of the other. I had been pretty set on a VS2 or better, but am open to other possibilities
 
I bought my fiance''s center stone (1.5 carat Ideal Cut I-SI) and my center stone (0.85 carat Ideal Cut H-SI) from James Allen and was very pleased with the service, the information they provide (including IdealScope Image) and the price.

I bought my fiance''s setting from Whiteflash and my custom ring (including side stones) from Whiteflash. Whiteflash is great to work with, very responsive, and delivers high quality jewelry.

For me, if I can find an eye-clean stone in SI1 (or even SI2) I''ll go for it. Why pay more for something you cannot see. Diamonds are a gemstone and are not perfect, as long as those imperfections are not visible to me and do not degrade the performance of the stone, I''m happy.

In my opinion, the larger the carat weight, the more color becomes an issue. A J color may not be noticeable in smaller carat weights, but may be more noticeable when you''re in the 2 carat range.
 
Something about the symmetry seems a bit off to the eye.
 
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