Obsessing over 1c H&A, need some help

[xzjn9p]

Hi first post here but i''ve been reading this site for the last 3 days. I love the internet, there is a forum for everything and you can obsess about a particular subject with like minds.

Anyway I''m selecting an engagement ring for my GF and I''ve gotten it down to this criteria. ~1c, AGS0/H&A, D-F, Ex/Ex pol/sym, and VS2+. Using the cut selector and a lot of independent reading I''m down to a few different rocks. My inclination would be do go with one of the James Allen diamonds because frankly they''re cheaper than the WF and my only concern would be the GIA cert vs. the AGS for a Whitefire ACA. I''m guessing I probably wouldn''t be able to see the difference between them but I know I want a good H&A.

What do you guys think?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131&item=861663

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131&item=866256

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-55893.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-56039.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-56041.htm

My original budget was less than 10k but I think can get what I want for a lot less. I''m also a rabid deal hunter and hate paying more than I have to. The setting will be a simple classic tiffany style if it matters.

Cheers.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You can''t go wrong with a WF ACA. But this one from James Allen looks really good to me:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131&item=866256

The WF stones are about 6.6 mm and this one is 6.5, but it is hard to justify a $1000 difference in price.

 

[Ellen]

Ditto to everything ds said!

 

[xzjn9p]

thanks for the reply. that''s pretty much what i was thinking. Just didn''t know if i was missing something with the JA stones.

 

[xzjn9p]

ok. Now i''m thinking keeping about going down to a G color to gain .1-.2 in carat. Good or bad idea. It would be roughly the same. Still looking at WF-ACA and JamesAllen H&As

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/13/2006 11:55:47 AM
Author: xzjn9p
ok. Now i''m thinking keeping about going down to a G color to gain .1-.2 in carat. Good or bad idea. It would be roughly the same. Still looking at WF-ACA and JamesAllen H&As

G would be fine in an ideal cut.

 

[xzjn9p]

ah you''re fast. I was getting ready to edit my post to include H into my inquiry.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/13/2006 12:00:49 PM
Author: xzjn9p
ah you''re fast. I was getting ready to edit my post to include H into my inquiry.

lol Ok, I would suggest going to a place that sells ideal cuts, like Hearts on Fire, and looking at different colors. I just don''t feel comfortable after G telling people they won''t see anything, because I have no idea whether you will or won''t. Everyone''s different.

If you could do this, and look at them in daylight, not just store lighting, you might find you can go all the way to J, but you really need to see for yourself what your tolerance level is.

 

[xzjn9p]

ok point taken. If the dropoff is after G that''s where i''ll draw the line. Incidentally I''m about a block from Jeweler''s Row in chicago so maybe i should go for a walk.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/13/2006 12:08:03 PM
Author: xzjn9p
ok point taken. If the dropoff is after G that''s where i''ll draw the line. Incidentally I''m about a block from Jeweler''s Row in chicago so maybe i should go for a walk.

Well, I''m not saying the drop off IS at G, just that, after that is where I suggest seeing things in person. I think you should try and have a look, because every color level you can drop, you''ll go up in size.

 

[xzjn9p]

i went for a look at some ''diamonds'' around here and the quality wasn''t anywhere close to what I wanted to see. I also have the James Allen 1.04 on hold. Thanks for all the help