Opinion on diamond + setting

[blasimon]

Hi everybody!

I think I found the diamond for my special someone. It''s at USA Certed:

Cut ROUND BRILLIANT
Carat 1.19
Color J
Clarity SI2
Price $ 3855.60
Measurements 6.9 x 6.93 x 4.14 mm
Depth Percentage 59.9 %
Table Percentage 57 %
Crown angle 32.5
Pavilion angle 41
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT
Other Notes J++ H&A
HCA: 0.7

GIA Certificate here.

First, what do you all think of this diamond?

Notes: My girlfriend is quite color insensitive. We went to several B&M stores and looked at diamonds with H & I color from certificates I hadn''t even heard of (which I assume would be worst than GIA J), and she didn''t even mind at all. The markings on the diamond seem minimal, and she also said she does not mind if there are small defects. Eye-clean would be better, and maybe this one is. I like the size, and the HCA

Second, I''ve been looking at settings. Any recommendations? Minimal settings. She likes thin bands (2-2.5mm) with a cathedral style setup (4 or 6 prongs). For instance, she really likes the Vatche Caroline Setting (v-187) and Vatche Slim Line X Prong Pave (v-165) the (size 6) but I understand that USA certed doesn''t carry this (and I''m not sure if I can afford/should put $1100 on the setting). Anybody with experience with the settings from USA Certed?

Thanks everybody

P.S. what does J++ mean?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/10/2009 1:56:43 PM
Author:blasimon
Hi everybody!

I think I found the diamond for my special someone. It's at USA Certed:

Cut ROUND BRILLIANT
Carat 1.19
Color J
Clarity SI2
Price $ 3855.60
Measurements 6.9 x 6.93 x 4.14 mm
Depth Percentage 59.9 %
Table Percentage 57 %
Crown angle 32.5
Pavilion angle 41
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT
Other Notes J++ H&A
HCA: 0.7

GIA Certificate here.

First, what do you all think of this diamond?

Notes: My girlfriend is quite color insensitive. We went to several B&M stores and looked at diamonds with H & I color from certificates I hadn't even heard of (which I assume would be worst than GIA J), and she didn't even mind at all. The markings on the diamond seem minimal, and she also said she does not mind if there are small defects. Eye-clean would be better, and maybe this one is. I like the size, and the HCA

Second, I've been looking at settings. Any recommendations? Minimal settings. She likes thin bands (2-2.5mm) with a cathedral style setup (4 or 6 prongs). For instance, she really likes the Vatche Caroline Setting (v-187) and Vatche Slim Line X Prong Pave (v-165) the (size 6) but I understand that USA certed doesn't carry this (and I'm not sure if I can afford/should put $1100 on the setting). Anybody with experience with the settings from USA Certed?

Thanks everybody

P.S. what does J++ mean?

Hi Simon

This could be a nice diamond, I would want an Idealscope image for it though, if you are unfamiliar with IS this page explains.

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance

As to J ++ I assume it is a description of USACerted's or the supplier's to describe a J colour maybe facing up more like an I colour or it is a ' high J' but you would need to check with them.

You would also need to check very carefully it is eyeclean to your standards and as it is purported to be h&a, images of the hearts and arrows will be needed if USAc can supply them. There is also a grade setting cloud plotted, check that this isn't affecting brilliance in any way by asking the vendor to check it.

 

[blasimon]

Thanks Lorelei! Will send them an email about the idealscope and for the images of the H&A, and post here. Any recommendation on a setting for this?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/10/2009 2:31:51 PM
Author: blasimon
Thanks Lorelei! Will send them an email about the idealscope and for the images of the H&A, and post here. Any recommendation on a setting for this?

Most welcome!

The Vatche settings are beautiful, my preference leans toward the Caroline.

If this diamond doesn''t pan out for any reason, maybe we could find some other diamonds that might suit you if you give us your budget for the stone?

 

[blasimon]

Of course that'd be super! I'm hoping to go for $4500, but will go to $5000 if necessary.

I've emailed USA Certed and will post everything once I hear from them.

edit: That's with the setting.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/10/2009 3:20:31 PM
Author: blasimon
Of course that'd be super! I'm hoping to go for $4500, but will go to $5000 if necessary.

I've emailed USA Certed and will post everything once I hear from them.

Ok no problem! I will have a look round and line up some alternatives for you just in case.

http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-2105151.htm $5267 if paying with a bank wire.

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2097590.htm also $5267 if bank wire payment is made.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1244535.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1210052.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1254372.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1254050.asp Check the clouds aren't impacting brilliance by asking the vendor.

Also with the diamonds from JA you would need to request Idealscope images, they will provide up to 3 free of charge.

 

[blasimon]

Thanks Lorelei! The first two diamonds are a little over my budget, as I still need to have some money for the ring.

Of the ones you listed, so far I prefer this one:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1210052.asp
It''s slightly larger at 1.28, and there are no visible clouds. HCA: 1.6. Still according to the cut analyzer, it also has excellent light return, fire and scintillation.

In comparison to the one I posted, It''s .1 carat bigger (1.28 versus 1.19) and "ideal" cut instead of excellent. Its HCA is slightly higher at 1.3 instead of 0.7 (I''m not sure how much of a difference that makes). It''s also about $700 more expensive.

The $700 difference practically means that I can''t use one of the previously mentioned designer settings, but could try this one instead and stay in my budget.

Is it a much better diamond? How much will the setting make a difference, assuming I''m fine defects in both diamonds?

 

[Tuckins1]

The Caroline setting is stunning!!

 

[blasimon]

Date: 8/10/2009 7:37:34 PM
Author: Tuckins1
The Caroline setting is stunning!!

I agree! I haven''t heard from USA Certed yet. Still, it seems that if I select this diamond with this setting the process will be a little tedious:
1. Have USA Certed send the diamond to me.
2. Have the diamond inspected.
3. Find a store that has the Vatche setting, and send it to them. This assumes that they agree to set a store that isn''t theirs.
4. Have them ship it back.

:S

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/10/2009 7:26:01 PM
Author: blasimon
Thanks Lorelei! The first two diamonds are a little over my budget, as I still need to have some money for the ring.

Of the ones you listed, so far I prefer this one:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1210052.asp
It's slightly larger at 1.28, and there are no visible clouds. HCA: 1.6. Still according to the cut analyzer, it also has excellent light return, fire and scintillation.

In comparison to the one I posted, It's .1 carat bigger (1.28 versus 1.19) and 'ideal' cut instead of excellent. Its HCA is slightly higher at 1.3 instead of 0.7 (I'm not sure how much of a difference that makes). It's also about $700 more expensive.

The $700 difference practically means that I can't use one of the previously mentioned designer settings, but could try this one instead and stay in my budget.

Is it a much better diamond? How much will the setting make a difference, assuming I'm fine defects in both diamonds?

Sorry I thought you said $5k was for the diamond only.
The thing is if this one is eyeclean, you would need to check with JA, also a lower HCA score isn't better than a higher one, the aim is to score below 2 then evaluate from there. Find out whether it is eyeclean or not to know if it is even a contender, if so then we can go from there.

 

[blasimon]

Date: 8/11/2009 6:14:33 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/10/2009 7:26:01 PM

The thing is if this one is eyeclean, you would need to check with JA, also a lower HCA score isn't better than a higher one, the aim is to score below 2 then evaluate from there. Find out whether it is eyeclean or not to know if it is even a contender, if so then we can go from there.

The JA diamond is eye-clean, according to their rep Eileen. She said she put the diamond on hold so that she can get me the idealscope within 48h. that's good news!

I emailed USA Certed about 24h ago and still haven't heard from them at all, but will write an update when I do.

Thanks!

 

[blasimon]

Hi! I attached the idealscope to the JA diamond listed here. Their rep said it's eye clean.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1210052.asp

How does it look?

P.S. I'm a little annoyed I still haven't heard from USA Certed. Sent two emails over three days, nobody got back to me. Might call later.

 

[stone-cold11]

IS image looks good to me.

 

[sarah95]

Just a comment in reference to USA Certed. The first time I contacted them, they never replied and I was going to give up, but gave them another chance and they came through for me. I purchased my diamond from them because they offered me the lowest price on the stone I was looking for. The entire process was easy and smooth. After purchasing the diamond, I had it set with a local jeweler. My regret today is that I didn't go with a vendor that has an upgrade policy. Had I put more thought into it, I wouldn't have gone with USA Certed. So, my advice is to take that into consideration if you think you might want a bigger diamond in the future.

 

[blasimon]

Date: 8/13/2009 2:42:16 PM
Author: sarah95
Just a comment in reference to USA Certed. The first time I contacted them, they never replied and I was going to give up, but gave them another chance and they came through for me. I purchased my diamond from them because they offered me the lowest price on the stone I was looking for. The entire process was easy and smooth. After purchasing the diamond, I had it set with a local jeweler. My regret today is that I didn''t go with a vendor that has an upgrade policy. Had I put more thought into it, I wouldn''t have gone with USA Certed. So, my advice is to take that into consideration if you think you might want a bigger diamond in the future.

Thanks Sarah! That''s great advice. I am a graduate student now, so an upgrade in several years isn''t out of the question. Especially that I''ve found very similar rings on JA, now that I''ve spent more time on their site (with lorelei''s help).

For instance, this one:
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 1.20
Cut: Premium
Color: J
Clarity: SI1
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 61.8%
Table: 58.0%
Crown angle: 32 degrees
Pavilion angle: 41 degrees
Light Return Excellent
Fire: Excellent
Scintillation: Excellent
Spread: Very Good
HCA: 1.1
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Slightly thick to thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.73*6.79*4.18

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1114215.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131