Hi,
I've been reading around and started my search maybe a month ago. This is a big purchase for me and I'm a bit of a picky shopper by nature so this should be interesting.
Things that I know for sure is that it must be a a cushion cut. I don't think I'm terribly concerned with getting a absolutely high grade stone (VVS, D-F) but more likely looking at a G-I and a VS. As such I have 20k burning a hole in my pocket (including the setting).
Before jumping into the diamond talk... If I buy a loose diamond online, is it fairly easy to get the perfect setting from someone afterwards? I'd preferably like to do a split prong, pave, with halo. or even a pave with halo. Split prong would be icing on the cake but each one I've found online has had a little thing wrong that turned me off from it. Advice here is much appreciated.
Onto the goods... I've checked the usual suspects. BlueNile, GOG, and JamesAllen. Of note, I can make it into the diamond district in NYC so am I wasting my time online? I just feel a stigma of shadiness when I think about taking a trip there. Should I?
My current cushion contenders are the following:
#1.... $17,580
Carat weight: 2.40
Cut: Ideal
Color: I
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 67.7%
Table: 55.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick, faceted
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 8.50*7.55*5.11
Ratio: 1.13
#2.... $16,203.00
Carat : 2.3
Clarity : VS2
Color : I
Measurements: 7.76 x 7.4 x 4.83
Depth: 65.3
Table: 60%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very good
Fluorescence: N
#3.... $19,553 (or $19,260 bank wire)
Carat weight: 2.38
Cut: Very Good
Color: I
Clarity: VVS1
Depth %: 66.4%
Table %: 56%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick
Culet: Medium
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 8.63 x 7.66 x 5.09 mm
LW ratio: 1.13
#4.... $16,024 (or $15,784 bank wire)
Carat weight: 2.30
Cut: Very Good
Color: I
Clarity: VS1
Depth %: 65.9%
Table %: 64%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Medium to Thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 7.40 x 7.40 x 4.88 mm
L/W ratio: 1
There is also a GOG contender (I see people love their documentation, etc.) but for a little over 20,000 they have a 2.02 I, VS2. To me, I'm not sure how I can justify the price increase over the above for less carat with seemingly similar characteristics.
Any thoughts? Things that I should look for to help me decide?
I've been reading around and started my search maybe a month ago. This is a big purchase for me and I'm a bit of a picky shopper by nature so this should be interesting.
Things that I know for sure is that it must be a a cushion cut. I don't think I'm terribly concerned with getting a absolutely high grade stone (VVS, D-F) but more likely looking at a G-I and a VS. As such I have 20k burning a hole in my pocket (including the setting).
Before jumping into the diamond talk... If I buy a loose diamond online, is it fairly easy to get the perfect setting from someone afterwards? I'd preferably like to do a split prong, pave, with halo. or even a pave with halo. Split prong would be icing on the cake but each one I've found online has had a little thing wrong that turned me off from it. Advice here is much appreciated.
Onto the goods... I've checked the usual suspects. BlueNile, GOG, and JamesAllen. Of note, I can make it into the diamond district in NYC so am I wasting my time online? I just feel a stigma of shadiness when I think about taking a trip there. Should I?
My current cushion contenders are the following:
#1.... $17,580
Carat weight: 2.40
Cut: Ideal
Color: I
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 67.7%
Table: 55.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick, faceted
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 8.50*7.55*5.11
Ratio: 1.13
#2.... $16,203.00
Carat : 2.3
Clarity : VS2
Color : I
Measurements: 7.76 x 7.4 x 4.83
Depth: 65.3
Table: 60%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very good
Fluorescence: N
#3.... $19,553 (or $19,260 bank wire)
Carat weight: 2.38
Cut: Very Good
Color: I
Clarity: VVS1
Depth %: 66.4%
Table %: 56%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick
Culet: Medium
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 8.63 x 7.66 x 5.09 mm
LW ratio: 1.13
#4.... $16,024 (or $15,784 bank wire)
Carat weight: 2.30
Cut: Very Good
Color: I
Clarity: VS1
Depth %: 65.9%
Table %: 64%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Medium to Thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 7.40 x 7.40 x 4.88 mm
L/W ratio: 1
There is also a GOG contender (I see people love their documentation, etc.) but for a little over 20,000 they have a 2.02 I, VS2. To me, I'm not sure how I can justify the price increase over the above for less carat with seemingly similar characteristics.
Any thoughts? Things that I should look for to help me decide?