Professional guidance needed

[Tigerbait]

First off, I just stumbled upon this site via another forum where a bunch of LSU tiger fans post. I have been looking for THE ring for quite a while. I've been going to a few local stores in Baton Rouge and they are definitely going to try to give me the shaft so I started browsing online. I've mainly been looking at blue nile and was pretty close on choosing a diamond until I stumbled upon union diamond and this site. I see that I have A LOT to learn and I'm really hesitant on my decision now. To give you guys (and gals) an idea of what I want... I am looking for a round solitaire diamond >1.5-2ctw. I was looking at g color si1 clarity ideal cut yada yada yada.
My first question, where is the best place to buy a loose diamond?
#2, I know people buy from wholesale dealers, I was recently given a number of a guy who I am trying to get in contact with. Is that a good option?
I really want to stay below $10k on the stone and I would like the get the most bang for my buck. Size, fire, brilliance clarity etc. her ring size will be a 4.5 if that helps in anyone's opinion.

Please educate me on what I should and need to know before I make a big purchase like this ($10k is a big purchase for me.. I'm tight as all get up still fishing out of a 1984 boat and driving a 2003 truck with 200k miles )

Thanks for taking the time to read my rambling post

 

[Dancing Fire]

First off, I just stumbled upon this site via another forum where a bunch of LSU tiger fans post. I have been looking for THE ring for quite a while. I've been going to a few local stores in Baton Rouge and they are definitely going to try to give me the shaft so I started browsing online. I've mainly been looking at blue nile and was pretty close on choosing a diamond until I stumbled upon union diamond and this site. I see that I have A LOT to learn and I'm really hesitant on my decision now. To give you guys (and gals) an idea of what I want... I am looking for a round solitaire diamond >1.5-2ctw. I was looking at g color si1 clarity ideal cut yada yada yada.
My first question, where is the best place to buy a loose diamond?
#2, I know people buy from wholesale dealers, I was recently given a number of a guy who I am trying to get in contact with. Is that a good option?
I really want to stay below $10k on the stone and I would like the get the most bang for my buck. Size, fire, brilliance clarity etc. her ring size will be a 4.5 if that helps in anyone's opinion.

Please educate me on what I should and need to know before I make a big purchase like this ($10k is a big purchase for me.. I'm tight as all get up still fishing out of a 1984 boat and driving a 2003 truck with 200k miles )

Thanks for taking the time to read my rambling post

just to give you some examples of the price for a well cut stone...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12606/
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.500-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104069928025
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3236279.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3215929.htm

 

[Tigerbait]

I know the Brian guy does custom cutting and is supposed to be one of the best (esp in our area)... I don't have to have the best of the best of the best. I just want a good, pretty stone for a decent price. Thanks for the suggestions but I definitely don't want to spend that much.
She's definitely no diamond snob and I just want something that I can be proud of and I eventually would like to pass on to one of my children one day.. So I want something nice enough to keep it in the family

 

[Dancing Fire]

I know the Brian guy does custom cutting and is supposed to be one of the best (esp in our area)... I don't have to have the best of the best of the best. I just want a good, pretty stone for a decent price. Thanks for the suggestions but I definitely don't want to spend that much.
She's definitely no diamond snob and I just want something that I can be proud of and I eventually would like to pass on to one of my children one day.. So I want something nice enough to keep it in the family

10K will buy you a pretty stone but not a 1.5ct G SI1 stone.

 

[marymm]

If you want over 1.5ct and are willing to go to H-color with strong fluorescence, Blue Nile has a prospect that may be worth your while to check out further - 1.51ct H-SI1 ($9,699) with Excellent Symmetry/Very Good Polish:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04792323

the HCA score is 1.4-Excellent (https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca)
the AGA Cut Class score is 1A (https://www.pricescope.com/tools/AGA_NAJA_Cut_Class_Grader)

If interested, I'd suggest contacting Blue Nile to request confirmation the diamond is eye-clean (the first inclusion listed is "twinning wisp" which very often are only visible under magnified loupe) and that the strong blue fluorescence is not an issue in this stone (https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-flourescence).

 

[msop04]

If you want over 1.5ct and are willing to go to H-color with strong fluorescence, Blue Nile has a prospect that may be worth your while to check out further - 1.51ct H-SI1 ($9,699) with Excellent Symmetry/Very Good Polish:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04792323

the HCA score is 1.4-Excellent (https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca)
the AGA Cut Class score is 1A (https://www.pricescope.com/tools/AGA_NAJA_Cut_Class_Grader)

If interested, I'd suggest contacting Blue Nile to request confirmation the diamond is eye-clean (the first inclusion listed is "twinning wisp" which very often are only visible under magnified loupe) and that the strong blue fluorescence is not an issue in this stone (https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-flourescence).

That's a really good idea, marymm! H color will still be very white!

OP, I'd definitely consider H and I color (esp if it has fluor)... Also, if you could find an eye clean SI2, that would help out with price as well.

Looking forward to seeing all the LSU Tigers when ya'll come to Jordan-Hare to play our Auburn Tigers!! WAR EAGLE!!

 

[msop04]

OP, have you considered old cuts? They are more forgiving on color (tend to face up whiter than their color suggests). This is a really pretty one, and it allows you to hit the 1.5 mark (in size, anyway -- and that's what she'll see). Actually, it's gonna face up a little larger than a 1.5 ct typically does.

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-...-44ct-transitional-cut-diamond-gia-i-vs1.html $9595 (7.48 x 7.58 mm)

 

[Tigerbait]

I'm not looking forward to that game as long as we have dummy at head coach that doesn't want to let the kids play we are going to really really struggle. Our remaining sec schedule is going to be really interesting

On the diamond topic, one that I've been looking at on BN scored a 2a on that cut scale. Is that good?
How do you do the other one? I was able to do the cut grade bc of the direct link

I read this on here, would you guys agree?

Depth 60-62
Table 54-58
Crown 34-35
Pavilion 40-41

^^what benefits does this give me? Why would I want a table <60%

 

[swingirl]

If you are looking at a specific stone why don't you post the link so it can be evaluated. The numbers have to all work together.

 

[msop04]

I'm not looking forward to that game as long as we have dummy at head coach that doesn't want to let the kids play we are going to really really struggle. Our remaining sec schedule is going to be really interesting

On the diamond topic, one that I've been looking at on BN scored a 2a on that cut scale. Is that good?
How do you do the other one? I was able to do the cut grade bc of the direct link

I read this on here, would you guys agree?

Depth 60-62
Table 54-58
Crown 34-35
Pavilion 40-41

^^what benefits does this give me? Why would I want a table <60%

All those numbers work together...

Personally, I have no problem with larger tables in 60/60 stones... as long as it doesn't negatively affect the performance. I don't usually look at BN a lot for the simple fact that you can'y see the actual diamonds. That would be perfectly okay if you were getting a VS, but since you'd like to maximize your budget (hey, who doesnt, right??!!), then it may be a good idea to stick with sites that offer images, videos, ASET, or other means to see if the stone is clean and how it performs. I try not to get wrapped up in all the numbers as much as I used to. My diamond is a 2.43 ct 60/60 stone, GIA J/SI1 with an HCA of 2.7 -- and would be scoffed at by many PS members by the numbers alone. But it sparkles like crazy and I love it! Admittedly, if I had been shopping with/by only numbers and plots (like on BN), then I would've turned it down... but I was able to see it, and I didn't care what the numbers said!

Now back to football... JUST KIDDING!!

I'll keep looking for you...

 

[msop04]

Here is an AGS Ideal, so you don't have to worry about numbers -- it'll be a great cut! I don't know if you'd be willing to go to an I color, but Ritani will ship any of their diamonds to a Ritani vendor for viewing -- might be worth looking into...

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-46-Carat-I-color-AGSL-certified/D-16FR6N $9139 (7.18 x 7.16 mm)

FWIW, the old cut stone is by far my favorite so far...

 

[Tigerbait]

That is a pretty stone! What do you mean by "old cut"? Are there variations to shy away from?

 

[msop04]

That is a pretty stone! What do you mean by "old cut"? Are there variations to shy away from?

Stones used to be cut by hand and had different faceting patterns than they do today. The stone I linked to is an Old European Cut. Instead of "hearts and arrows" of the Modern Round Brilliants (MRB), the OEC's have beautiful flowery and checkerboard patterns. They are really cool and have made a big comeback within the last 10 years or so. I like them because they face up whiter than MRB's of the same color grade and have a high crown. For example, I don't think I would tolerate a K in a large MRB, but I wouldn't hesitate to look at Ks or Ls in OEC's.

Here's an old post that Dreamer did...
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/dreamers-old-cut-guide.178095/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/dreamers-old-cut-guide.178095/[/URL]

 

[msop04]

The one I posted is a transitional cut -- in between the OEC and MRB... just for clarification.

 

[AprilBaby]

Rule number one: don't buy from A friend or a friend of a friend.

Rule two: you can't buy from a diamond wholesaler no matter what they claim.

Rule three: for a heirloom stone don't skimp on specs for size,

I doubt you will get what you want at your price range. Something's gotta go and it should be size.

 

[msop04]

Rule number one: don't buy from A friend or a friend of a friend.

Rule two: you can't buy from a diamond wholesaler no matter what they claim.

Rule three: for a heirloom stone don't skimp on specs for size,

I doubt you will get what you want at your price range. Something's gotta go and it should be size.

I agree with you, aprilbaby, but... Why does it have to be size that he has to compromise on? As long as it's eye clean and the cut is good, why not see if she is opposed to a lower color? Most ppl buy H-J colors anyway (bc the certain are crap).. LOL

At that size, an H is gonna be really white -- maybe even an I if the sides aren't totally exposed...

OP, what type of setting do you plan on getting?

 

[AprilBaby]

Msop04 I totally agree. But if he wants an H, the size has to go. I would go lower to get bigger.

 

[msop04]

Msop04 I totally agree. But if he wants an H, the size has to go. I would go lower to get bigger.

Amen to that!!

 

[msop04]

I think an I would be a good compromise. I had a 2 ct I/SI2 picked out originally, and it was very white facing. It didn't even show body color in a 6 prong.