Newbie Needing Some Advice

[SLS1547]

I am excited that I finally have something to post about here.

I have been reading some posts on here for quite a while but my fiance and I had decided to hold off on the ''real thing'' up until recently. He is deployed overseas with the national guard and he wanted to surprise me the first time around when he was home on R&R but he didn''t have the oppurtunity to research diamonds or to talk to me about what is most important to me since it is a pricey investment and he wanted ot be sure I''d love it forever even though anything he would have chosen (or will choose) I would love!

Well the time has come and now I (we) have some questions. The stone will be set in a 6 prong, white gold tiffany style setting. We are looking at Round Brilliant Cut shaped diamonds around .75 carats since that is the size and setting I am currently wearing and I like the simple yet elegant way it looks.

Ok-- so I guess thats enough of me babbling. Here are the two stones we are looking at. I would greatly appreciate any feedback you all might have. I keep reading info from websites and everything but I am convinced that all it has done is confuse me more

. Thanks in advance!!!

BTW- They are EGL Certified and the

prices include the setting.
-------------------------
Diamond #1: $2,360
.79 Carats
Shape: Round Brilliant
Shape and Cut Measurements: 6.03-5.94 x3.61mm

Total Depth: 60.4%
Table Width: 60%
Crown Height: 13%
Pavillion Depth: 44%
Girdle Thickness: Medium, Faceted

Polish: Good to Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Cutlet: None

Clarity Grade: VS1
Graining: Nil
Color Grade: J
Fluorescence: None
cut: Excellent

"Premium Cut" - The proportions of this diamond are within the tolerance
of those of the Premium Cut, thus achievcing a harmonious balance between proportions & the display of brilliance.

-------------------
Diamond #2: $2,630
.81 Carats
Shape: Round Brilliant
Shape and Cut Measurements: 5.87-5.83x3.70mm

Total Depth: 63.2%
Table Width: 56%
Crown Height: 15%
Pavillion Depth: 43%
Girdle Thickness: slightly thick,Faceted

Polish: Good to Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Cutlet: None

Clarity Grade: VvS2
Graining: Nil
Color Grade: J
Fluorescence: None

-"TOLKOWSKY CUT"-The proportions of this diamond are within tolerance of
those proposed by Marcel Tolkowsky, as the ideal balance between brilliance
and dispersion.

---------------
So whats your opinion? Thanks Again!

 

[JulieN]

At first, they looked overpriced, but it includes setting.

Maybe http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=895822

 

[SLS1547]

Thanks. I was just browsing around some more in the FAQ section of the forum and i thought I should add that these are stones we are looking at online and that price is also with shipping and shipping insurance included. So you get the setting, sizing, and shipping. It also includes life-long free trade up. It is through a military website -- so it can be trusted.

Are these decent stones? For months now I have been trying to learn about diamonds and gemstone grading and it seems that every time I need ot sit down and seriously look at something, my mind goes blank from everything I have learned.

 

[JulieN]

I think they're pretty expensive for what they are.

The numbers are too imprecise to get a good prediction of performance, in my opinion.

Also, a higher color, lower clarity combination may be a better choice.

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome to PS

The first diamond is a 60 60 ( depth and table) which has many fans, the second is too deep for my liking. You can also drop the clarity, VVS is very high unless that is what you want, you could drop to an SI clarity and still have a clean diamond in many instances and choose a higher colour if you wish.

I would advise you to take your time and read the tutorial on cut, this is so important as it is what makes a diamond beatiful. Then once you know what to look for you can start shopping. EGL can be said to be looser on grading than other labs in some instances, and this can depend according to which division does the grading, EGL USA is thought to be the strongest out of the EGL labs, however these diamonds can carry a lower pricetag. I wouldn't choose either of these diamonds, I would read the knowledge section and keep looking.

 

[SLS1547]

Thanks! ANd one of my concerns/confusions is in regards to the different labs. I''ve read that EGL is lower so thats why I am unsure. And thats why I''m so glad there is a place like this to come get some clarification. We are still looking but of the ones we''ve come across in the last few months, these are the ones that we keep going back too. And I am not ''set'' on the clarity so thanks for the tip about going down to to an SI level. Every bit helps! I appreciate it!