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Noob questions

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Newbster

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 23, 2013
Messages
14
Hi Forum,

I am new to the diamond world. Looking to purchase in next month or so for an engagement ring. I am familiar with the basic 4Cs and the HCA but I am still learning. I am looking for a 2.00 carat, D-G, VS2+ GIA3x. I have been looking on bluenile and at local jewelers.
Here are a few questions (I realize they have probably been asked before but didn't find tat much with search, I apologize).

Is bluenile a reasonable option to purchase a diamond of that caliber?
When I walk into a jeweler, what should I specifically look for besides the basic specs?
My budget is $25k, and I may have to make choices between color and clarity. It seems that people typically recommend going for color on this forum as it is more evident visually than clarity, but my question is by how much should color sacrifice clarity? (D VS2 or FVVS1?)

Thank you so much!
 
Good cut is more important than color or clarity to the fantastic light show that only a diamond is capable of.
Picking a well-cut round is easy.
Reject those with HCA scores over 2.0, and get an Idealscope pic on those under 2.0.
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/ideal-scope

Compare it to this chart.


This easy 2-step process may reject a few good ones that experts with years of experience might select, but you and I are not experts with years of experience.

Unfortunately Bluenile does not offer IS pics.
You can buy your own IS here http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_order.asp and examine a diamond from Bluenile and return it within their return period.

Or you can shop at a vendor who offers IS pics:
Briangavindiamonds
Goodoldgold
Whiteflash
Jamesallen

Color and clarity are personal.
Highly educated regulars here have preferences all over the map.
I suspect there is the highest preference around G or H and an eye-clean VS2 or SI1.
That doesn't automatically mean you will fall into this group if you went out to see many diamonds of all grades yourself.

Go out and look at lots of them in person, but don't buy.
Also only look at diamonds graded by GIA or AGS, since many other labs lie about grades so their diamonds SEEM cheaper.

idealscope_ref_27.png
 
Newbster|1377272501|3508658 said:
Hi Forum,

I am new to the diamond world. Looking to purchase in next month or so for an engagement ring. I am familiar with the basic 4Cs and the HCA but I am still learning. I am looking for a 2.00 carat, D-G, VS2+ GIA3x. I have been looking on bluenile and at local jewelers.
Here are a few questions (I realize they have probably been asked before but didn't find tat much with search, I apologize).

Is bluenile a reasonable option to purchase a diamond of that caliber?
When I walk into a jeweler, what should I specifically look for besides the basic specs?
My budget is $25k, and I may have to make choices between color and clarity. It seems that people typically recommend going for color on this forum as it is more evident visually than clarity, but my question is by how much should color sacrifice clarity? (D VS2 or FVVS1?)

Thank you so much!
Click to expand...

Hey Newb! :wavey:

You have a very good budget (lucky girl!!), so I don't think you'll have a problem finding something she'll love! :)) I agree with Kenny, and I would definitely go view some different colors IRL. I believe you'd be totally ok going to an H -- it will be plenty white! Also, you should consider James Allen, Brian Gavin, and Whiteflash. This way, you can see images (and videos with JA). I thought of this diamond when I read your post... It's soooo pretty!! AGS has been known to be softer on color, so I think this may be a "low H," but I still feel it will be white and the optics should be amazing! Also, it is 8.4 x 8.43 mm, so it will be noticably larger than most 2 ct stones (8 - 8.2 mm).

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-145731 $23,850

I had this saved on my computer, but I will keep looking for you! =)
 
JA will let you place up to 3 stones on hold, so if you are interested in one, I'd do so ASAP.

Is your 25K budget for the stone alone or the entire ring? Is this budget firm or is there any "wiggle room" in there? ;))
 
Perfect choice..................................... :appl: :appl: :appl: :appl:
 
Gorgeous pick!
 
Thank you all so much for your help. The budget was for the diamond only. The link here is for a very good cut and i was hoping to go excellent...
Thoughts?
 
Nevermind just saw it was excellent haha. That's a great choice!
 
Wow that last one seems amazing. Only issue is the table diameter seems smaller than the other. Thoughts?
 
I am confused by bc's prices. They seem much cheaper than competition. Also they have a 2.01 F VS1 excellent for a $3k less than a 2.04 G VS2 Very good. What am i missing?
 
B2C does not invest very much in their photography, their IS pictures are practically useless. Many people here would not consider buying a stone without an IS picture. However, they do have free shipping both ways, so if the numbers work, their IS picture does not show glaringly obvious defects, you can always buy your own Ideal Scope if you like to check it out.

58% table is hardly small.
 
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