Please help! Sooo many questions.....

[madmarlin]

Hi all. I have a 10th anniversary coming up and, of course, I am going to be upgrading the center stone in my wife''s ring. I have been shopping around locally, but the prices are obviously better on the net. Only problem is, it is hard to buy without seeing, even thought there are return policies, etc. Right now, my biggest problem is cut.

I am looking at a couple of stones. Stats are as follows:

1.15 Carat Round Diamond EGL G VS1 Ideal Cut
Table 63%
Depth 54%
Crown 15%
Pavillion 44%
G Color
VS1 Clarity
Cert = EGL

1.27 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond EGL I VS1
Table 61%
Depth 63%
Crown 14%
Pavillion 42%
I Color
VS2 Clarity
Cert = EGL

Of the two, the first is the beter cut, clarity, color, etc. The second has better size. Trying to decide about the trade-off between quality and size. i.i. how much am I sacrificing in look by going to the larger stone.

Also, I''m a bit concerned about the EGL grading. It lists the first stone as "Ideal" within the parameters of a TIC stone. However, when I use the pricescope cutadvisor, it does not reflect this. So is EGL overstating the quality of the cut? Also, it seems that EGL standards are a bit more relaxed. It scares me that the I VS2 may, if graded by GIA, actually be a J SI1 stone.

Can anyone offer some tips on the above two stones? I have a set budget, but I don''t want to skimp on quality for what I can afford to pay. I want a nice size and a great look. I want her to be happy. Is the second too much of a sacrifice given the cut?

Also, how safe is buying over the net?

Ok, is that enough questions? Can I ask some more??????

Thanks in advance!

Luke

 

[AtlantaC]

I'll leave the specific stone analysis to the experts. Although, on stone #1 are the table and depth % reversed? If they're not reversed, based on table and depth %'s, these two would fall outside my own personal range of Ideal Cut which I established for myself utilizing the info here and at GOG.

Generally speaking, the users here prefer to rely on GIA or AGS grading certificates, as most think they tend to be more critical and more accurate than other labs. My appraiser related a story to me in which one lab (not sure which, but definitely not GIA or AGS) actually issued a "cert" over the phone for a stone they had not even seen.

In my own search, I encountered a number of stones on various sites listed as "Ideal Cut" or "Premium Cut", but you have to know what their parameters are for that label before it can mean anything to you. The actual numbers will tell you more than a label. If the info you are given doesn't jive with the information you can get in the education section here at Pricescope or at www.goodoldgold.com, etc...be wary. It may be a good stone, but you don't want to pay "Ideal" prices for a pretty good stone.

No matter what or where you buy with what certificate, you'll probably want to have an independent appraisal on your own to verify everything. If it works out and you like the rock, keep it and don't look back.

Buying on the web from a trusted source like the folks that hang here at Pricescope makes amazing sense. The possibility of no sales tax. Often there's one free shipping. But make sure you check the reputations of the dealers you consider by using the search function of these forums. Many dealers here are also great responding to information requests for photos and additional details to help alleviate some of your anxiety.

Best of Luck!

Chris