Purchase to be made soon...

[sydney80]

Hi all,

I''ve been visiting this website regularly for the past year (or even two, come to think of it) and it''s coming down to crunch time. I''ll probably look to purchase an e-ring in the next month or two. I have a few questions/comments/requests...

I''ve researched most buying options and as many others have found - an online vendor from the US seems to provide the best bang for buck. More specifically, I''m leaning towards Whiteflash and Good Old Gold as they seem to attract the most kudos.

I''d like to open the floor up to diamond suggestions, as I''ve found that PSers seem to enjoy the odd diamond hunt!

Here are my details:

- I''m based in Sydney, Australia so a vendor that can eyeball a diamond, potentially provide a video and provide phone/e-mail support is a must.
- My budget is AUD$15k (total), which currently converts to US $13,100. If we reserve 10% for GST, and say ~US$1000 for a platinum ring setting that leaves me ~$US11k for the diamond.
- I''m after a round solitare, with:
- High cut quality (I guess 2 and under on HCA)
- F-H colour
- VS1-SI1 clarity (but must be eyeclean), and
- 1.2-1.5 carat weight.
I was originally set on a 1.5 carat diamond but my gf has quite dainty hands/fingers, so I''m wondering if it will look out of proportion on her fingers. A decent stone at this size might have been out of my budget anyway.

A quick search (I''ve been doing this every few days for a while now) reveals a few likely contenders... but there always seems to be something ''wrong'' - usually imperfections right in the middle. Is this because other people are as picky as me and ''good'' diamonds get snapped up as soon as they show up?

For instance, I might have considered stretching my budget for this:
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1148586.htm#
except for the imperfections right in the middle.

Also, does the search app on Pricescope list ALL diamonds on the vendor sites, or should I be checking them independently?

I should get back to work, but I look forward to seeing any diamonds unearthed... and I thank you all in advance for it!

 

[Cleo]

Hello!

Congrats on getting close to making your purchase.

FWIW I absolutely *love* the diamond that you posted the link to. It's an awesome cut, great colour... and is quite possibly eye clean.

I guess what you have to get your head around is that all diamonds have inlusions at some point (even IF ones, if look under higher magnification!). SI1 diamonds will have inclusions that you can see with a 10x loupe.

Diamonds are graded with a 10x loupe. The Whiteflash photo of the diamond is taken under 40x .... that's some serious magnification.

Many of us on PS are happy to live with inclusions we can see with a 10x loupe- as long as we can't see them when we look at the diamond with the naked eye.

Now, each SI1 and SI2 diamond has to be treated individually - but there are many eye clean SI1 (and some S12) diamonds around.

You need to call Whiteflash and tell them your definition of eye clean (ie from what distance and angles etc) and then ask them to look at the diamond for you. They will tell you, honestly, if they think it'll suit you.

x x x

*ETA* 1.214ct G VS1

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 8/21/2008 12:32:14 AM
Author:sydney80
Hi all,


Here are my details:

- I''m based in Sydney, Australia so a vendor that can eyeball a diamond, potentially provide a video and provide phone/e-mail support is a must.
- My budget is AUD$15k (total), which currently converts to US $13,100. If we reserve 10% for GST, and say ~US$1000 for a platinum ring setting that leaves me ~$US11k for the diamond.
- I''m after a round solitare, with:
- High cut quality (I guess 2 and under on HCA)
- F-H colour
- VS1-SI1 clarity (but must be eyeclean), and
- 1.2-1.5 carat weight.
I was originally set on a 1.5 carat diamond but my gf has quite dainty hands/fingers, so I''m wondering if it will look out of proportion on her fingers. A decent stone at this size might have been out of my budget anyway.

Hello, how exciting!
Just fyi, you will need a little more than the 10% GST - just didn''t want any surprises for you, as there''s also 5% duty and some import charges applicable -

here is an info page from Customs telling you exactly how to calculate your taxes http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5549

 

[Lorelei]

Good advice ladies! Welcome Sydney!

 

[arjunajane]

hey again sydney,
I have more time to answer now, lol

I ditto everything Miss Cleo has said about clarity - those magnified pics are great for us fussy PS'ers, but please don't let them put you off a potentially great diamond!
Again, your definition may be different to mine, or to the vendors - both WF and GOG are well known for being v. honest about clarity, but you need to be on the same page - if eyeclean means to you "no inclusions on close-up inspection from any angle", then just mention it.
These true ideal cut stones are great at performance, but another advantage, imo you can effectively "drop" your colour and clarity levels as they are effective at masking inclusions/warmer colours. It is often said here that a well-cut J si2 will kick the pants off a lesser cut D IF any day

Fwiw, I have an SI1 from GOG that is completely eye clean, and I have trouble finding the inclusion with a 10x loupe - it is right in the middle under the table, but does not bother me a bit.
There are very few occasions where you will analyze the inclusions in your diamond at length - pretty much just: when you are purchasing it, and then when you do some huge macro photos to satisfy your PS friends

Unless you or your girl are in the habit of wearing a loupe, an AGS or GIA Si1 should be great for you.

As to the diamond search, seeing as you have a pretty good idea of what you're after, I would email these specs to both WF and GOG, and see what they come up with. To my knowledge, their inventory is all listed on the PS search - but you never know, they could be expecting new stock or a trade-in, or could source something for you special. Then you have the advantage of the pro's being able to eyeball a candidate for you and report back - nothing beats "face to face" time with the diamond to really judge it!

Here are a few from GOG you could consider:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4679/ 1.22 G si2 - I know you said you want to stick to <SI1, but this stone will be hot if eyeclean - just ask, looks promising (and a good price!)

1.2 G vs2 http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4737/

1.29 I Si1 http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4604/ if you are open to considering an I, it will maximise your budget further. They will still be v. white.
I have a GOG K colour, and its white as can be

Don't know what those bits in the pic are - but not inclusions.

1.22 H si1 http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4433/

1.23 g vs2 http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2688/


Couldn't find much in the 1.3, 1.4ish range in your specs. This will be a popular size, best to check with Jon and WF if can get something in..

hth,

 

[sydney80]

Thanks all for the responses. So nice to have people to bounce ideas off, since I''m keeping this little project a closely guarded secret!

And thanks for the note about customs duty - I remember reading about the additional 5% before but had forgotten. I assume I can just buy the ring, and when it comes in Customs will contact me - I pay via the net/phone etc - and then they release?

As for eyeclean - my definition would be similar to suggested: "no inclusions on close-up (say 10cm) inspection from any angle".

Anywho, I will do as suggested and get in direct contact with GOG and WF.

Cheers!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/21/2008 9:00:40 PM
Author: sydney80
Thanks all for the responses. So nice to have people to bounce ideas off, since I''m keeping this little project a closely guarded secret!

And thanks for the note about customs duty - I remember reading about the additional 5% before but had forgotten. I assume I can just buy the ring, and when it comes in Customs will contact me - I pay via the net/phone etc - and then they release?

As for eyeclean - my definition would be similar to suggested: ''no inclusions on close-up (say 10cm) inspection from any angle''.

Anywho, I will do as suggested and get in direct contact with GOG and WF.

Cheers!

Thats fine, make the vendor aware of that when you are considering diamonds, that way you will be on the same page.