Pls help! Feeling completely overwhelmed with soooo much info

[carriebeary]

Hi I’ve been reading and researching like crazy. I don’t have some of the same options available in Canada to order from and my jeweller has recommended these 2 for my new ring. I’ve used both StoneAlgo that I’ve seen recommended on the forum and Holloway cut advisor.
If you had to chose between these 2, what would you chose?

Thanks!

 

[Dreamer_D]

You may want to hit report concern and ask the mods to move your thread to the lab forum. There are slightly different things to consider when buying a natural versus a lab stone, so it would be good to get opinions from the people who are experts on lab diamonds.

 

[carriebeary]

Rookie move lol I didn’t even see that area

 

[carriebeary]

Bump

 

[Dreamer_D]

There’s no red flags and what you’ve posted. But we can’t really say much more than the information that those graphs provide without pictures And video.

 

[0515vision]

Here's the F:

Loupe360

loupe360.com

Here's the E:

Loupe360

loupe360.com

Are you unable to order online and have it set by a local jeweler? Are you set on using your current jeweler?

Although I prefer the cut on the F, you could do better. There is some graining in both of the stones. But if you have to pick from these two, the F isn't terrible.

@DejaWiz, thoughts?

 

[Dreamer_D]

I like the cut on both. I don’t have a particular favorite. I can’t speak to the quality of the material as that’s not an area of my expertise.

I am Canadian though and I buy from the US all the time. Even with the exchange rate as it is, it’s usually a better deal.

 

[DejaWiz]

Here's the F:

Loupe360

loupe360.com

Here's the E:

Loupe360

loupe360.com

Are you unable to order online and have it set by a local jeweler? Are you set on using your current jeweler?

Although I prefer the cut on the F, you could do better. There is some graining in both of the stones. But if you have to pick from these two, the F isn't terrible.

@DejaWiz, thoughts?

Yep, very grainy!
Here are the videos with a bit of a zoom applied:

Listed at Brilliance for $1929, but they are usually pretty high

Loupe360

loupe360.com

Listed at LooseGrownDiamond for $1485

Loupe360

loupe360.com

Both have shallow PA's, especially the E color which has rather horrible optics.

Welcome to PriceScope, carriebeary!
Please, let us help you find some way better diamonds to pick from...there are a plethora of great sellers that gladly ship to Canada.

 

[carriebeary]

This is the F sitting in an oval setting so not a perfect fit. I saw those 2 stones in person this am and the F looks nicer

 

[0515vision]

The F is definitely the better cut one.

Are those the only two possibilities?

 

[carriebeary]

The F is definitely the better cut one.

Are those the only two possibilities?

I’ve already committed and designed the bands and these were the options I was given

 

[DejaWiz]

I’ve already committed and designed the bands and these were the options I was given

Ask your jeweler if you can bring your own diamond in for mounting to their setting design, maybe?

 

[carriebeary]

Aside from price, what are the main issues with the F? It’s such a rabbit hole to go down lol and the certificate looks great on the surface

 

[DejaWiz]

Aside from price, what are the main issues with the F? It’s such a rabbit hole to go down lol and the certificate looks great on the surface

I'm definitely seeing quite a moderate amount of CVD graining and maybe some over-obstruction due to the shallower PA, but not totally definitive since there are environmental factors such as dark wall paint, camera/phone case, or even clothing that can make a diamond appear to have a dark center and paddling around the perimeter. Please be sure to really scrutinize the diamond in various lighting conditions outside of those intense jewelry store dazzle lights to ensure that it doesn't go hazy/milky/blurry/fuzzy/sleepy in certain lighting from the graining and light scattering.

 

[carriebeary]

This is great information, thank you so much!

 

[Dreamer_D]

What is the price for the stone from the jeweler?

And you are never totally committed. You can always back out if you want.

 

[carriebeary]

What is the price for the stone from the jeweler?

And you are never totally committed. You can always back out if you want.

Where would you suggest I look for better quality stones that will ship to Canada?

 

[DejaWiz]

Where would you suggest I look for better quality stones that will ship to Canada?

I'd suggest you start with LooseGrownDiamond since they will ship to Canada - breanne purchased a killer 3.01 from them some time ago without issues, if I recall correctly.
If you'd like some help finding some great examples, then let us know your carat range, color and clarity preferences, and budget cap and we'll see what we can find!

 

[carriebeary]

I'd suggest you start with LooseGrownDiamond since they will ship to Canada - breanne purchased a killer 3.01 from them some time ago without issues, if I recall correctly.
If you'd like some help finding some great examples, then let us know your carat range, color and clarity preferences, and budget cap and we'll see what we can find!

I took additional pics yesterday but of course I am wearing black and it’s against a black mat etc but the lighting was standard at least

 

[DejaWiz]

I took additional pics yesterday but of course I am wearing black and it’s against a black mat etc but the lighting was standard at least

I'm still sticking by my original statement that it is quite grainy and should be avoided.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Ultimately the decision is up to you. There’s no doubt that it is easier and less stressful to purchase a diamond in person that you see with your own eyes. Maybe those benefits outweigh any compromises that you might need to make to budget, to cut quality, to the quality of the diamond material itself. You should make the decision that’s right for you.

But when I look at the two diamonds you are considering, I see a diamond that is an OK cut. It’s better than most but not as good as you could find. How invested you feel in searching for a better cut diamond and dealing with the importing, finding a jeweler to set it, etc. is your decision. Cost would also be a big factor for me. I would prefer to buy from an online vendor based in the US with the help of people on this forum to select the best option and pay 1000 or 1500 or even $2000 less rather than pay more to buy locally.

Nearly all of the vendors that get talked about on this forum shipped to Canada. I just buy whatever was advised for me to buy from the people who frequent friends like this.

 

[carriebeary]

Ultimately the decision is up to you. There’s no doubt that it is easier and less stressful to purchase a diamond in person that you see with your own eyes. Maybe those benefits outweigh any compromises that you might need to make to budget, to cut quality, to the quality of the diamond material itself. You should make the decision that’s right for you.

But when I look at the two diamonds you are considering, I see a diamond that is an OK cut. It’s better than most but not as good as you could find. How invested you feel in searching for a better cut diamond and dealing with the importing, finding a jeweler to set it, etc. is your decision. Cost would also be a big factor for me. I would prefer to buy from an online vendor based in the US with the help of people on this forum to select the best option and pay 1000 or 1500 or even $2000 less rather than pay more to buy locally.

Nearly all of the vendors that get talked about on this forum shipped to Canada. I just buy whatever was advised for me to buy from the people who frequent friends like this.

This is solid advice and I really appreciate it. I am learning so much from you all!

 

[DejaWiz]

For comparison's sake, here's a GIA graded HPHT with no graining (LooseGrownDiamond has it listed for just under $1790):

Loupe360

loupe360.com

 

[carriebeary]

For comparison's sake, here's a GIA graded HPHT with no graining (LooseGrownDiamond has it listed for just under $1790):

Loupe360

loupe360.com

This is stunning

 

[DejaWiz]

This is stunning

Since the two diamonds that your jeweler offered were listed with numerous online sellers, that tells me that your jeweler is probably accessing the exact same supply database.
So, ask to get this one on a price match (if it's in your budget)?

 

[carriebeary]

I’m going to try lol!!

 

[lovedogs]

Since the two diamonds that your jeweler offered were listed with numerous online sellers, that tells me that your jeweler is probably accessing the exact same supply database.
So, ask to get this one on a price match (if it's in your budget)?

I agree completely

 

[carriebeary]

Ultimately the decision is up to you. There’s no doubt that it is easier and less stressful to purchase a diamond in person that you see with your own eyes. Maybe those benefits outweigh any compromises that you might need to make to budget, to cut quality, to the quality of the diamond material itself. You should make the decision that’s right for you.

But when I look at the two diamonds you are considering, I see a diamond that is an OK cut. It’s better than most but not as good as you could find. How invested you feel in searching for a better cut diamond and dealing with the importing, finding a jeweler to set it, etc. is your decision. Cost would also be a big factor for me. I would prefer to buy from an online vendor based in the US with the help of people on this forum to select the best option and pay 1000 or 1500 or even $2000 less rather than pay more to buy locally.

Nearly all of the vendors that get talked about on this forum shipped to Canada. I just buy whatever was advised for me to buy from the people who frequent friends like this.

Do you recall if there is duty for bringing them over?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Do you recall if there is duty for bringing them over?

In my experience, there’s no duty on natural diamonds or gemstones purchased from the US. All you pay is GST and PST. It’s very simple and if you are charged incorrectly for some reason there are forms you can complete to get refunded by Canada customs.

I’m not completely sure what the rules are for diamonds. If you want to know for sure, you could call Canada customs. Or you could start a thread, asking the question of Canadians who have purchased lab diamonds from the US. They would be the best able to answer.

 

[Garnetgirl]

I am also in Canada. In my 3 experiences, when buying from the US, there was no duty charged on diamonds or gemstones that I purchased
Hope this helps you decide on getting the best possible diamond that you can.