ImpetuousRacer
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2012
- Messages
- 1
I started looking locally. I never make purchases on an impulse buy. As a child I did, went home, then found out I got ripped.
Now I like to hear what people say, then do the research to confirm.
As I went out to look at diamonds, I started looking online and finding way better deals than local. It progressed to why are the EGL diamonds I am finding are so much cheaper than GIA and AGS? Is there really a difference? That questions then morphed into a multitude of in depth research on every aspect of the diamond. I found some really great resources that helped me that I thought I would share.
Color:
Everyone views the printed color scale on the pamphlet at the jeweler or online. But what does it really look like - in real life?!
Locally going from one jeweler to the next, looking at non certified, no name cert, to brand certs, how could you really get a fair comparison. What about an in depth, close-up look at all GIA Certified diamonds of each color shown side by side? I found it on youtube here: http://youtu.be/vcmSj8dOLRI
Initially, my GF and I were asking one Jeweler why some diamonds looked darker and said do we need to get a better color? He said yes. Looking back now, it had nothing to do with color! It was because it was a crappy cut!
Hearts and arrow
Heats and arrows, Hearts on Fire, A Cut Above. Wow, looks all symmetrical under some microscopic scope. Fantastic. Does that mean anything at all in real life? Am I going to see a visual difference in a room for this money - That's my question!
Well I came across this youtube video which was a huge help to answer that: http://youtu.be/WI6clyVEj94
This DiamondInfoMan on YouTube.com has some fantastic videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DiamondInfoMan
Looks like they are with GoodOldGold.com
I feel like a real SOB because I actually ended up purchasing from WhiteFlash.com
I spent literally hours asking questions with their online chat. Beyond my belief, they never got frustrated or thought any of my questions were dumb.
After 5 minutes at the local jeweler, I got the response "Listen, this is what it boils down to, what looks good to you, forget all the specs" Yeah, fantastic advice. If/When I have to resell the diamond, I'm going to put in the ad... "I1 Clarity, I color, but forget all that, I personally think it looks great so it's worth more!" Now don't get me wrong, viewing the diamond in person is a definite must. Personally, I found I cared more about the color than the clarity. Up close I noticed the color, but only if you were eye effing the diamond would you notice (or might not notice) any imperfection on an eye clean SI1. I appreciated the actual photos on whiteflash.com so I could see the actual close up of the diamond before the purchase. Having direct access to the report was great too!
Carat Size
I would hear the cut effects how the diamond looks in size. I was pretty set on "Carat size" exclusively at first. I really did not understand how really could a better cut diamond look bigger? It made no sense. This video from BlueNile gave a great viewable representation on that. Can skip to 1:29 in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDNMkeWoYRI&feature=player_embedded
In the end, it's a very subjective task on what you personally want. I found it useful to do both local and online research and viewing.
I just wanted to say these forums were also a wealth of information in my research and thanks to everyone! Hope my post may help another newb.
Now I like to hear what people say, then do the research to confirm.
As I went out to look at diamonds, I started looking online and finding way better deals than local. It progressed to why are the EGL diamonds I am finding are so much cheaper than GIA and AGS? Is there really a difference? That questions then morphed into a multitude of in depth research on every aspect of the diamond. I found some really great resources that helped me that I thought I would share.
Color:
Everyone views the printed color scale on the pamphlet at the jeweler or online. But what does it really look like - in real life?!
Locally going from one jeweler to the next, looking at non certified, no name cert, to brand certs, how could you really get a fair comparison. What about an in depth, close-up look at all GIA Certified diamonds of each color shown side by side? I found it on youtube here: http://youtu.be/vcmSj8dOLRI
Initially, my GF and I were asking one Jeweler why some diamonds looked darker and said do we need to get a better color? He said yes. Looking back now, it had nothing to do with color! It was because it was a crappy cut!
Hearts and arrow
Heats and arrows, Hearts on Fire, A Cut Above. Wow, looks all symmetrical under some microscopic scope. Fantastic. Does that mean anything at all in real life? Am I going to see a visual difference in a room for this money - That's my question!
Well I came across this youtube video which was a huge help to answer that: http://youtu.be/WI6clyVEj94
This DiamondInfoMan on YouTube.com has some fantastic videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DiamondInfoMan
Looks like they are with GoodOldGold.com
I feel like a real SOB because I actually ended up purchasing from WhiteFlash.com
I spent literally hours asking questions with their online chat. Beyond my belief, they never got frustrated or thought any of my questions were dumb.
After 5 minutes at the local jeweler, I got the response "Listen, this is what it boils down to, what looks good to you, forget all the specs" Yeah, fantastic advice. If/When I have to resell the diamond, I'm going to put in the ad... "I1 Clarity, I color, but forget all that, I personally think it looks great so it's worth more!" Now don't get me wrong, viewing the diamond in person is a definite must. Personally, I found I cared more about the color than the clarity. Up close I noticed the color, but only if you were eye effing the diamond would you notice (or might not notice) any imperfection on an eye clean SI1. I appreciated the actual photos on whiteflash.com so I could see the actual close up of the diamond before the purchase. Having direct access to the report was great too!
Carat Size
I would hear the cut effects how the diamond looks in size. I was pretty set on "Carat size" exclusively at first. I really did not understand how really could a better cut diamond look bigger? It made no sense. This video from BlueNile gave a great viewable representation on that. Can skip to 1:29 in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDNMkeWoYRI&feature=player_embedded
In the end, it's a very subjective task on what you personally want. I found it useful to do both local and online research and viewing.
I just wanted to say these forums were also a wealth of information in my research and thanks to everyone! Hope my post may help another newb.
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