"Perfect" 1ct vs. another

[tmozz]

Hello!

I'm buying a diamond for my wife of 5 years and need some objective opinions. I went into my search convinced I was getting a Tiffany. I went down to the store and priced out what I could afford and well, it didn't buy me much. So I've done the search and decided on a reputable online store for the 'stone' (solitare setting not decided yet). I want to buy a diamond my wife can be proud to show off the rest of her life. So, I picked out a round brilliant with the following stats:

1.01 carat, F in color, FL in clarity, Ideal Cut, Depth %: 62.4%, Table %: 55%, Symmetry: Excellent , Polish: Excellent, Girdle: Medium to slightly thick, faceted , Culet: None, Fluorescence: None, Measurements: 6.39 x 6.43 x 4.00 mm.

Is this overkill? Should I ease up on some of the stats in order to afford a bigger rock? Do I need F in color or is G/H good enough? Will lowering to VS1 noticably impact the "sparkle" factor? The one thing I am not willing to change is the cut (Ideal). I'm thinking of sizing up to a 1.5 which would put me in the range of a 1.5, Ideal cut, H, VS1.

Help!

Thanks,
Mozz

 

[IronMikey]

Hey man.

Why not drop down in clarity to a VS1 or 2? You still won''t be able to see any inclusions and you''ll save some money. Some people have sentimental reasons for wanting an IF diamond but if you aren''t one of them you''re just paying for something you''ll never see (with your naked eye).

Best of luck!

If you mention you budget I''m sure some of the experts on here can send you the link to some great stones.

 

[tmozz]

I''m sentimental at times but not for paying for something that doesn''t matter in the end (IF vs VS1). My budget is 12-14k.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 5/4/2008 11:45:04 PM
Author: tmozz
I''m sentimental at times but not for paying for something that doesn''t matter in the end (IF vs VS1). My budget is 12-14k.

If you don''t care drop down to VS2 and save yourself some cash! You can also most likely safely drop down a few color grades too, but that is a more personal thing. But clarity? No one can tell without a loupe.

 

[neatfreak]

If it were *me* I would buy this assuming it is eyeclean:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636607.htm

or this:
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-922672.htm

Best of all worlds. Ideal cut, nice size, and the color isn't anything 95% of people would notice at all. Ever. And nicely within budget!

 

[marcy]

If you want something bigger I would drop the clarity to VS1 or VS2 and the color to a G/H. Definitely stick with ideal cut. Have fun shopping. I am sure she''ll love it.

 

[Heidi137]

I prefer colorless stones so I''d stay with the F color but lower the clarity to VS1 or 2.

 

[honey22]

Lowering the clarity will not impact the sparkle factor for an ideal cut. I would stick in the colourless range (I love the icy white stones) of D-F, and I prefer not to go lower than VS for an ering stone (just my preferences).

If I had to pick one today, I would go this one (but I am a D lover, so very biased!)

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-922675.htm

 

[arjunajane]

Hello,
I agree with the others, you can definately drop in clarity to VS2 and save yourself a bunch of money. At vs1/vs2 you will not be able to see the inclusions, and probably have trouble finding with a loupe. As for colour, that is maybe a lil bit more up to personal taste - may be worth going to a jeweler that can access ideal stones and taking a "colour test" to see how much it matters to you and your girl.

Here is a nice one from GOG http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/4293/

I would ask then what others they have access to in your budget and desired size at the moment. For your budget you'll be able to get a lovely rock!

 

[Hera]

What size diamond does your wife want? Is she color sensitive? You definitely have some wiggle room (maybe even up to 2 carats). If you don''t know, though, you''re in the right range for a 1.5 carat which is a very nice size (it''s what I have too). H vs2 sounds like a great value.

 

[chrono]

You have an extremely healthy budget. For me, I''d get an F VS2 because I like the diamond to be icy white and mind clean. But others like H (still colourless and white but not icy white) and SI1 where many are eye clean but not always mind clean. It depends on your/her preference. The colour and clarity does not have any bearing on the sparkle of the diamond unless it is so included that it becomes just a gray blob aka frozen spit.

It is the cut that make the diamond shine and sparkle. This is the least discussed C in the real world. For searching for round stones, you''ll need to stick to GIA and AGS certed stones where you''ll also need to pay attention to the crown and pavilion angles.

I''d shoot for the following parameters to get a very well cut stone:
table 54-57%
depth 60-62%
crown angle 34-35
pavilion angle 40.7 to 41
polish and symmetry should be at least very good to excellent

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/4/2008 11:27:37 PM
Author:tmozz
Hello!

I'm buying a diamond for my wife of 5 years and need some objective opinions. I went into my search convinced I was getting a Tiffany. I went down to the store and priced out what I could afford and well, it didn't buy me much. So I've done the search and decided on a reputable online store for the 'stone' (solitare setting not decided yet). I want to buy a diamond my wife can be proud to show off the rest of her life. So, I picked out a round brilliant with the following stats:

1.01 carat, F in color, FL in clarity, Ideal Cut, Depth %: 62.4%, Table %: 55%, Symmetry: Excellent , Polish: Excellent, Girdle: Medium to slightly thick, faceted , Culet: None, Fluorescence: None, Measurements: 6.39 x 6.43 x 4.00 mm.

Is this overkill? Should I ease up on some of the stats in order to afford a bigger rock? Do I need F in color or is G/H good enough? Will lowering to VS1 noticably impact the 'sparkle' factor? The one thing I am not willing to change is the cut (Ideal). I'm thinking of sizing up to a 1.5 which would put me in the range of a 1.5, Ideal cut, H, VS1.

Help!

Thanks,
Mozz

Hi Mozz!

You could easily drop to VS clarity and F G or even H will still get you a very white diamond with a superb cut. It may be easiest to use the search tool above, enter your preferred specs and hit search by cut. This will bring up excellently cut diamonds for you to choose from. Alternatively, seach among AGS0 and GIA Excellent cut grade to increase your chances of finding a lovely diamond.