Newbie needs advice - HCA of 2.3. Value?

[nycguy2]

Hi all - new to all of this so thanks for any advice! I'm looking at ring and I'm wondering two things: a) should I buy (due to HCA of 2.3); b) what's the approximate value?

Thanks

61.8% depth, 56% table, 35° crown angle, 41° pavilion angle
Round Brilliant 1.2, G, VVS2, Excellent cut grade, excellent finish, excellent polish, Platinum Solitaire setting

 

[msop04]

Hi all - new to all of this so thanks for any advice! I'm looking at ring and I'm wondering two things: a) should I buy (due to HCA of 2.3); b) what's the approximate value?

Thanks

61.8% depth, 56% table, 35° crown angle, 41° pavilion angle
Round Brilliant 1.2, G, VVS2, Excellent cut grade, excellent finish, excellent polish, Platinum Solitaire setting

You should look for an HCA of <2, HOWEVER... if you have the stone and it looks great to you, then that's all that matters. 2.3 is very close... if you're wondering about prices of similarly spec'ed stones, go to James Allen and put in the criteria for a search. The value is whatever price someone is willing to pay for something.

Also, VVS is overkill... so if you'd like to maximize your budget, you could go down to H and VS or even SI (eye clean, of course)... H will be very white -- you won't be able to tell the difference in G and H. Some people even go down to I, but it's not for everyone. Personally, I have a J and love it, but the color you can go down to depends a lot on the setting. H would be totally safe regardless of setting, though.

 

[msop04]

What were the dimensions (mm diameter) of the stone?
And your budget?

 

[nycguy2]

6.82 x 6.87 x 4.23. Budget is $20k. Thanks for the promptness!

 

[msop04]

6.82 x 6.87 x 4.23. Thanks for the promptness!

No problem!!

This stone looks great: HCA 1.9 (H/VS2, AGS 0 cut, 7.43 x 7.45 mm) @ $14,070 -- don't forget JA give a PS discount of 1-5% (more like 1%, but every little bit helps, right??)

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...arat-h-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-202817

This would be my pick: HCA 0.8, H/VS2, GIA X cut, 7.4 x 7.42 mm) @ $13,450
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-230815

Both are great prices, and since you will never be able to tell the difference in 0.01-0.02 mm, I'd get the 1.5 for less money. It also showed better potential for scintillation and light return. You will be able to tell a difference in the 6.82 vs 7.4 mm...

 

[msop04]

6.82 x 6.87 x 4.23. Budget is $20k. Thanks for the promptness!

nycguy2, for $20K, you can get a LOT more stone than 1.5 ct!! Is that the budget for the stone itself or the entire ring? If for entire ring, how much would you like to spend on the setting? If solitaire, then you will have a lot left over for the diamond...

 

[nycguy2]

nycguy2, for $20K, you can get a LOT more stone than 1.5 ct!! Is that the budget for the stone itself or the entire ring? If for entire ring, how much would you like to spend on the setting? If solitaire, then you will have a lot left over for the diamond...

I should say my budget range is $15k-$20k for the stone and ring. Regarding the setting, I prefer simpler so I like a solitaire. Thanks

 

[msop04]

These are a whole 1.0 mm larger than the original G/VVS2 stone!!

If this stone is eye-clean, I would consider it... HCA 0.6 (7.70 x 7.73 mm)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-e-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-233553

I really like this one also... HCA 0.6 (7.68 x 7.72 mm) -- I think the one white inclusion close to the edge could easily be pronged
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-d-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-111167

Remember, these photos are blown up like crazy, so there is a good chance they'd be eye-clean -- JA will let you know that for sure. I would put 3 of these on hold and as for ASET and Idealscope images.

 

[msop04]

A simple solitaire would be gorgeous! Are you thinking 4 or 6 prong? Four prongs will make the stone appear more square or cushion shaped, and a six prong will accentuate the roundness and make the stone appear larger (because the prongs "force" the eye all the way around the diameter, while the four prongs tend to draw the eye to the four corners only).

What metal does she prefer? If you go with white gold, then I'd recommend 14K over 18K for the simple fact that it stays white a lot longer than 18K (less re-rhodium plating) -- and it's less expensive. Then there's platinum and palladium...

 

[nycguy2]

A simple solitaire would be gorgeous! Are you thinking 4 or 6 prong? Four prongs will make the stone appear more square or cushion shaped, and a six prong will accentuate the roundness and make the stone appear larger (because the prongs "force" the eye all the way around the diameter, while the four prongs tend to draw the eye to the four corners only).

What metal does she prefer? If you go with white gold, then I'd recommend 14K over 18K for the simple fact that it stays white a lot longer than 18K (less re-rhodium plating) -- and it's less expensive. Then there's platinum and palladium...

I was thinking 6 prong as she has Tiffany taste but I don't have Tiffany budget! Platinum but I think it depends on the alloy mix; I've been reading about concerns over oxidation and strength depending on alloy.

 

[msop04]

I was thinking 6 prong as she has Tiffany taste but I don't have Tiffany budget! Platinum but I think it depends on the alloy mix; I've been reading about concerns over oxidation and strength depending on alloy.

I hear that!! Preaching to the choir, nycguy2!!

You are right about the platinum alloys... platinum will patina to a grayish color eventually (unless you polish and/or plate it to keep it bright and shiny). Their is a thread discussing this if you'd like to give it a read. It gives arguments and pros/cons of each.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/different-platinum-alloys.115930/

If she wants a Tiffany repro, the absolute best IMO is the Vatche U-113.

 

[msop04]

Last I read, JA was a Vatche dealer... if they are not anymore, then Vatche would need to set the stone.

These thread are very good regarding Vatche U-113:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-1-58-g-vs1-from-gog-in-vatche-u-113-tiffany-repro.171351/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-1-58-g-vs1-from-gog-in-vatche-u-113-tiffany-repro.171351/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-1-93-i-si2-gia-xxx-in-a-vatche-u113-via-idj.181396/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-1-93-i-si2-gia-xxx-in-a-vatche-u113-via-idj.181396/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-98-rb-in-vatche-u113-thanks-to-idj.184808/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-98-rb-in-vatche-u113-thanks-to-idj.184808/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/vatche-tiffany-repro-from-id-jewelry-fun-stuff.168709/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/vatche-tiffany-repro-from-id-jewelry-fun-stuff.168709/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/40k-budget-find-me-a-diamond-t168853-360.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/40k-budget-find-me-a-diamond-t168853-360.html[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-some-decent-pictures.184287/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-some-decent-pictures.184287/[/URL]

Sorry for the bombardment of posts!!!

 

[nycguy2]

Last I read, JA was a Vatche dealer... if they are not anymore, then Vatche would need to set the stone.

These thread are very good regarding Vatche U-113:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-1-58-g-vs1-from-gog-in-vatche-u-113-tiffany-repro.171351/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-1-58-g-vs1-from-gog-in-vatche-u-113-tiffany-repro.171351/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-1-93-i-si2-gia-xxx-in-a-vatche-u113-via-idj.181396/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-1-93-i-si2-gia-xxx-in-a-vatche-u113-via-idj.181396/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-98-rb-in-vatche-u113-thanks-to-idj.184808/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-98-rb-in-vatche-u113-thanks-to-idj.184808/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/vatche-tiffany-repro-from-id-jewelry-fun-stuff.168709/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/vatche-tiffany-repro-from-id-jewelry-fun-stuff.168709/[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/40k-budget-find-me-a-diamond-t168853-360.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/40k-budget-find-me-a-diamond-t168853-360.html[/URL]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-some-decent-pictures.184287/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-some-decent-pictures.184287/[/URL]

Sorry for the bombardment of posts!!!

Thanks for the info; all good! How do you like H.L. Gross & Bro. for stones? Decent prices and are they fair/honest?

 

[msop04]

Thanks for the info; all good! How do you like H.L. Gross & Bro. for stones? Decent prices and are they fair/honest?

I really can't speak for that company, as I haven't dealt with them at all and not heard of them on PS... Is that someplace that you can go in and see the stones and/or see pics of the actual diamonds online like JA? I can only speak for the PS vendors that have been proven fair, honest, and have great prices. Those most commonly recommended are James Allen, Whiteflash, Brian Gavin, and IDJ. I really like JA because I can see the inventory in photos and video. Whiteflash and BG show photos of their in-house stones. I would trust these vendors to assess stones and point me in the right direction. IDJ is known for working on a budget, and is good as well.

PS... there have been too many thread to count on which Tiffany 6-prong repro looks most like the blue box setting... Vatch wins time and time again. However, BG does some really beautiful solitaires as well!

 

[msop04]

This is an excellent stone at a great price!!!! HCA 1.1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2972968.htm

Whiteflash carries Vatche.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Check out this stone.

Meets all of your criteria, and is under budget:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.507-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104064812028

 

[msop04]

Check out this stone.

Meets all of your criteria, and is under budget:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.507-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104064812028

This is a great stone -- and love the fluoro!!

 

[nycguy2]

Crazy thing is that she won't even wear the ring that much because of her job! She's Asian and has small hands too....wondering how these 1.5s to 1.7s will look on her

 

[msop04]

Crazy thing is that she won't even wear the ring that much because of her job! She's Asian and has small hands too....wondering how these 1.5s to 1.7s will look on her

One word... Awesome.

 

[starrylight]

If I wasn't able wear them that often, I would actually prefer an eternity ring if those are an option to wear at work and then an engraved band for the wedding ring. Maybe similar to the threads below.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-modest-harry-winston-bands.181259/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-modest-harry-winston-bands.181259/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/single-stone-french-cut-eternity-band.122814/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/single-stone-french-cut-eternity-band.122814/[/URL]

 

[Christina...]

6.82 x 6.87 x 4.23. Thanks for the promptness!

No problem!!

This stone looks great: HCA 1.9 (H/VS2, AGS 0 cut, 7.43 x 7.45 mm) @ $14,070 -- don't forget JA give a PS discount of 1-5% (more like 1%, but every little bit helps, right??)

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...arat-h-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-202817

This would be my pick: HCA 0.8, H/VS2, GIA X cut, 7.4 x 7.42 mm) @ $13,450
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-230815

Both are great prices, and since you will never be able to tell the difference in 0.01-0.02 mm, I'd get the 1.5 for less money. It also showed better potential for scintillation and light return. You will be able to tell a difference in the 6.82 vs 7.4 mm...

I've read the bolded above a thousand times recently on PS and wondered where the 1-5% came from. I've purchased a couple of diamonds from JA and my discount was always 1.5%. So, I had wondered if someone had made a typo 1-5% and someone else went off and running with it until it became a popular repeated error.

 

[nycguy2]

If I wasn't able wear them that often, I would actually prefer an eternity ring if those are an option to wear at work and then an engraved band for the wedding ring. Maybe similar to the threads below.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-modest-harry-winston-bands.181259/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-modest-harry-winston-bands.181259/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/single-stone-french-cut-eternity-band.122814/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/single-stone-french-cut-eternity-band.122814/[/URL]

Thanks for the input and I hadn't considered that option. She's a surgeon so she can't wear any rings on surgery days...

 

[Lula]

Hi all - new to all of this so thanks for any advice! I'm looking at ring and I'm wondering two things: a) should I buy (due to HCA of 2.3); b) what's the approximate value?

Thanks

61.8% depth, 56% table, 35° crown angle, 41° pavilion angle
Round Brilliant 1.2, G, VVS2, Excellent cut grade, excellent finish, excellent polish, Platinum Solitaire setting

There's nothing wrong with the proportions of this stone.http://www.acagemlab.com/articles/SweetSpot.htm
And an HCA of 2.3 is not a "bad" score at all.