Please help me to choose diamond for pendant

[sklee2]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the world of fine jewellery, and hope that you can give me some suggestion.

I'm thinking to buy 18k white gold diamond pendant/necklace for daily use . I'm a SAHM with 4 and 6 years old kids. I would like sometime that's simple (but sparkle) and can be wear to supermarket or school.

So far I have searched through Bluenile and Jamesallen, and I prefer the price on Bluenile. My budget is max $2000, but like to spend as low as possible. So far I was searching the diamonds around/under 0.5 ct. and may choose double bail solitaire pendant setting like this:
http://www.bluenile.com/au/build-your-own-diamond-pendant/diamond-pendant-white-gold_5138

I have been looking at 2 different diamonds, both are checked and confirm to be "eye-clean" . Bluenile have hold these 2 diamonds for me for 24 hours, so it's currently unavailable at their website.

Diamond #1: $723
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD06568424
Carat Weight: 0.46
Cut: Ideal
Colour: J
Clarity: SI1
Depth: 62.3%
Table: 53
Polish: EX
Symmetry: EX
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Crown: 34
Pavilion: 41
Clarity characteristics: crystal , feather


Diamond #2:: $921
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD06675661
Carat Weight: 0.5
Cut: VG
Colour: I
Clarity: SI2
Depth: 61.4%
Table: 56%
Polish: EX
Symmetry: VG
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Crown: 33.5
Pavilion: 41
Clarity characteristics: feather, crystal

May I know which diamond looks better to you? Is diamond in size 0.46 or 0.5 ct too small for pendant? I was thinking about bezel setting before, but looks like diamond in bezel setting won't be as sparkle as solitaire setting, is it true? Anything else should I consider?

TIA for you help!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Welcome! A half carat is fine for a pendant especially if the diamond is well cut! I am going to give you some numbers to help you find a great stone!

On the first stone, I would be hesitant about a 53 table for a pendant. I'd want it to be brighter and a 56-58 table might be better. Second stone is just vg cut, too deep, and SI2 clarity. I'd stick with I color, SI1 or VS2 clarity (can't do SI2 with BN because of no pictures and it can interfere with light return sometimes), and GIA Excellent cut only.

These are measurements to help you stay in ideal cut territory with a GIA excellent cut stone.

crown angle: 34-35.0

table: 54-58

depth: 60-62.3 (I recommmend less than 60-62 especially for stones this size because greater depth can affect diameter)

pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0)

 

[sklee2]

Welcome! A half carat is fine for a pendant especially if the diamond is well cut! I am going to give you some numbers to help you find a great stone!

On the first stone, I would be hesitant about a 53 table for a pendant. I'd want it to be brighter and a 56-58 table might be better. Second stone is just vg cut, too deep, and SI2 clarity. I'd stick with I color, SI1 or VS2 clarity (can't do SI2 with BN because of no pictures and it can interfere with light return sometimes), and GIA Excellent cut only.

These are measurements to help you stay in ideal cut territory with a GIA excellent cut stone.

crown angle: 34-35.0

table: 54-58

depth: 60-62.3 (I recommmend less than 60-62 especially for stones this size because greater depth can affect diameter)

pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0)

diamondseeker2006, thanks for your reply.

I have did another quick search, how these 2 diamonds look to you?
http://www.bluenile.com/au/build-your-own-diamond-pendant/diamond-details/LD05692711
http://www.bluenile.com/au/build-your-own-diamond-pendant/diamond-details/LD06443356

 

[sklee2]

I have found another 2 diamonds, but they are a bit over my budget, both are 0.61 ct.

http://www.bluenile.com/au/build-your-own-diamond-pendant/diamond-details/LD06414145
Carat Weight: 0.61
Cut: Ideal
Colour: J
Clarity: SI1
Depth: 60.6%
Table: 58
Polish: EX
Symmetry: EX
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Crown: 32
Pavilion: 41.2
Fluorescence: Medium

http://www.bluenile.com/au/build-your-own-diamond-pendant/diamond-details/LD06414146
Carat Weight: 0.61
Cut: Ideal
Colour: J
Clarity: SI1
Depth: 60.9%
Table: 57
Polish: EX
Symmetry: VG
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Crown: 33.5
Pavilion: 40.8
Fluorescence: Medium


Do you think there will be much size difference in real life for 0.47ct and 0.61ct diamond pendant? It's around AuD$700 different in price. Should I better to stick with 0.47ct?

 

[sklee2]

Welcome! A half carat is fine for a pendant especially if the diamond is well cut! I am going to give you some numbers to help you find a great stone!

On the first stone, I would be hesitant about a 53 table for a pendant. I'd want it to be brighter and a 56-58 table might be better. Second stone is just vg cut, too deep, and SI2 clarity. I'd stick with I color, SI1 or VS2 clarity (can't do SI2 with BN because of no pictures and it can interfere with light return sometimes), and GIA Excellent cut only.

These are measurements to help you stay in ideal cut territory with a GIA excellent cut stone.

crown angle: 34-35.0

table: 54-58

depth: 60-62.3 (I recommmend less than 60-62 especially for stones this size because greater depth can affect diameter)

pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0)

diamondseeker2006, thanks for your reply.

I have did another quick search, how these 2 diamonds look to you?
http://www.bluenile.com/au/build-your-own-diamond-pendant/diamond-details/LD05692711
http://www.bluenile.com/au/build-your-own-diamond-pendant/diamond-details/LD06443356

In case the link doesn't work, here is the details:
Diamond LD05692711:
Carat Weight: 0.47
Cut: Ideal
Colour: J
Clarity: SI1
Depth: 61.9%
Table: 57%
Polish: EX
Symmetry: EX
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Crown: 35
Pavilion: 40.8

Diamond LD06443356:
Carat Weight: 0.47
Cut: Ideal
Colour: J
Clarity: SI1
Depth: 61.5%
Table: 57
Polish: VG
Symmetry: EX
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Crown: 34
Pavilion: 41

 

[E B]

Between those two, the first one (LD05692711).

This one has promising numbers too:

http://www.bluenile.com/au/build-your-own-diamond-pendant/diamond-details/LD06682342

A .47 is a fine size for a pendant!

 

[Staceyjan]

I am still a newbie but just ordered one recently from BGD. I am getting DD one and comparing BN to BGD. BN is $100-150 cheaper but I prefer to look at the diamonds. I did want a 1/2 carat for myself but it was not in my budget right now. I do love the upgrade policy that is avail w both vendors. I went with this one for myself:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.351-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-104070421015#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/2/

I also got it in platinum and the bezel setting. I will post pics when I get it, it should be shipped any day. I tried looking for a diamond that did not have any clouds, feathers or crystals only because I still do not know what is the best one of the three to choose. I understand the difference in each but not sure what one does not show as much.

I would also wonder what setting makes the diamond sparkle and looks the biggest.

Good luck with your selection process!