Purchasing First Diamond - A Cut Above?

[SinkingFun]

I don't even need to look at the IS or ASET for ACA's because they are all excellent. So it really does boil down to color. I would recommend the H, personally. I think it will be worth it in the long run not to have possible regrets. I color is that borderline color where some people can start to see the tint especially from the side, and in the ones I have seen, they are just a tiiiiny bit less bright looking than a higher color stone. The light performance will be great in both, but in certain lighting, you may prefer the H. But if it causes you to go higher than you budget, then the I color ACA would be a lot better than 90+% of the rest of the stones out there, that's for sure!

What about H vs G?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

G and H are my personal choices for diamonds. They are so close that it is hard to tell them apart! I will tell you that AGS is stricter on cut and clarity grading than GIA in some cases, but they can be a little softer on color grading. That is why I don't go to I color on AGS stones. If someone can afford it and wants the highest color possible, G is great because it is at the top of the near colorless range but saves money over the jump into colorless (D-F). However, H is still at the upper end of near colorless, just has a very slight warmth to it, and a good compromise color. Have I shown you this before? It is the best look at color you can get in pictures:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs/Color/Colorless/

You'll have to go through 3-4 pages to see all the colors.

 

[SinkingFun]

G and H are my personal choices for diamonds. They are so close that it is hard to tell them apart! I will tell you that AGS is stricter on cut and clarity grading than GIA in some cases, but they can be a little softer on color grading. That is why I don't go to I color on AGS stones. If someone can afford it and wants the highest color possible, G is great because it is at the top of the near colorless range but saves money over the jump into colorless (D-F). However, H is still at the upper end of near colorless, just has a very slight warmth to it, and a good compromise color. Have I shown you this before? It is the best look at color you can get in pictures:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs/Color/Colorless/

You'll have to go through 3-4 pages to see all the colors.

That is a great article with great pictures!

I'm at the very least getting the H, but maybe will try and muster up a few more dollars to go G. It's funny how my standards keep getting stricter and stricter.

 

[SinkingFun]

I am pretty sure the edges are more rounded on that. Not completely rounded like their basic 4 and 6 prong settings, but the edges are not sharp like that JA picture at all. If you choose that setting, just tell them that you want the stone set medium height so that it is not set too low down to the shank.

Good info.

And not high because of personal preference?

"I wouldn't ever purposely set a diamond high because there would be a greater tendency to hit it on things as well as a greater possibility of having a prong pulled loose. I think low to medium is just personal preference. Mine is a little too low, so I'd specify closer to medium the next time. "

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yes, I worry about the stone hitting on things when it is set too high. More danger to the stone that way, I think. You could say medium-high even.

 

[SinkingFun]

Yes, I worry about the stone hitting on things when it is set too high. More danger to the stone that way, I think. You could say medium-high even.

If set medium-high, will it still appear large to the wearer?

I don't want it to look like this, which I feel is set too high:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/files/setting_images/thumb/large/5342Y14-15.jpg

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yes, I worry about the stone hitting on things when it is set too high. More danger to the stone that way, I think. You could say medium-high even.

If set medium-high, will it still appear large to the wearer?

I don't want it to look like this, which I feel is set too high:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/files/setting_images/thumb/large/5342Y14-15.jpg

Perfect example of a stone that is set too high, in my opinion! That is not going to make the stone look larger than one set at medium height anyway. I just don't like too low or too high for different reasons!

 

[SinkingFun]

Yes, I worry about the stone hitting on things when it is set too high. More danger to the stone that way, I think. You could say medium-high even.

If set medium-high, will it still appear large to the wearer?

I don't want it to look like this, which I feel is set too high:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/files/setting_images/thumb/large/5342Y14-15.jpg

Perfect example of a stone that is set too high, in my opinion! That is not going to make the stone look larger than one set at medium height anyway. I just don't like too low or too high for different reasons!

Requesting medium-high set will not look like that, will it?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I personally would use the term medium because when you say the word "high" at all, I would be afraid it would end up too high. I used to say medium-low, but I think that turns out lower than I like. So saying medium, at least to me, will put the diamond at a good height. But you never know how the individual setting the stone will interpret the request, so about the only thing you can do is to also provide pictures of a similar ring that has the diamond set at the correct height!

 

[SinkingFun]

I personally would use the term medium because when you say the word "high" at all, I would be afraid it would end up too high. I used to say medium-low, but I think that turns out lower than I like. So saying medium, at least to me, will put the diamond at a good height. But you never know how the individual setting the stone will interpret the request, so about the only thing you can do is to also provide pictures of a similar ring that has the diamond set at the correct height!

Can you share an image with me of a diamond set at the correct height? Please.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, this one is what I consider the correct height for a similar style setting, but this stone is larger than yours. You are going to need to verbalize that you don't want the stone set down into the shank. You want the culet of the stone to be at the top of the shank or a little above. I might be able to look at other sites and find a diamond closer to the size of yours set right, but it might be later this evening before I'd have time to look. It actually would be helpful to have pictures saved like that.

http://highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=store-product-detail&id=167

 

[SinkingFun]

Okay, this one is what I consider the correct height for a similar style setting, but this stone is larger than yours. You are going to need to verbalize that you don't want the stone set down into the shank. You want the culet of the stone to be at the top of the shank or a little above. I might be able to look at other sites and find a diamond closer to the size of yours set right, but it might be later this evening before I'd have time to look. It actually would be helpful to have pictures saved like that.

http://highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=store-product-detail&id=167

Ahh, I see. I'll look as well and see if I can find any.

I've ordered the diamond (0.758ct H VS2) and the setting (contemporary Tiffany 18k YG) and will let them know about the height. Things won't be processed until next week Monday or Tuesday, so I have time to send them pictures if you find some.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Great!!! Congratulations on making the purchase!

 

[SinkingFun]

Okay, this one is what I consider the correct height for a similar style setting, but this stone is larger than yours. You are going to need to verbalize that you don't want the stone set down into the shank. You want the culet of the stone to be at the top of the shank or a little above. I might be able to look at other sites and find a diamond closer to the size of yours set right, but it might be later this evening before I'd have time to look. It actually would be helpful to have pictures saved like that.

http://highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=store-product-detail&id=167

Are any of these a better representation?

If not, I couldn't find any other pictures. :\

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/files/setting_images/thumb/large/5351Y14-15.jpg

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/files/setting_images/thumb/large/5336W18-11.jpg

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Those look maybe med-high. I found lots last night set too high or too low!

Here are a couple that I think are too low (compliments of WhiteFlash):

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Here are a couple that I think are set too high (one from Stuller and one posted on the forum somewhere):

 

[SinkingFun]

Haha, thanks!

No pictures of a stone set perfectly, in your mind?

I'm finalizing the order Monday and need to give them something then.....

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I couldn't find great examples of medium height settings, but I guess these would fall medium to medium high:

 

[SinkingFun]

You are going to need to verbalize that you don't want the stone set down into the shank. You want the culet of the stone to be at the top of the shank or a little above.

Thanks for the photos! I'll show them these as well as verbalize what I want, similar to the quote above. Do you think this is sufficient enough for them to get the stone at a medium level?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think that is about all you can do! Show them too high and too low, and then the ones that are more medium and hopefully they can get it right! And hopefully you'll have some great new pics for us of a true medium height setting!!!

 

[SinkingFun]

I think that is about all you can do! Show them too high and too low, and then the ones that are more medium and hopefully they can get it right! And hopefully you'll have some great new pics for us of a true medium height setting!!!

I'll be more than happy to share pics! I'm more than grateful for all you've done to help me, especially convincing me to go up in size and color and selecting a fantastic diamond. I've never been so excited to spend so much money in my life!

Thanks again!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Awww, I am so happy I could be of help! You know, I have found that when I really get high quality, I have no regrets later. I only have regrets when I settle for lower quality. I have learned the hard (and costly) way and try to help others not make the same mistakes!

You are getting a great ring, and you should be very proud that you did your homework and ended up making a very good decision!

 

[SinkingFun]

It's DONE! Shipping today and I'll get it on Monday at the latest! I'm super excited! Some pictures are below. Can you tell if they set it at a medium level from the pictures?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Wow! It looks gorgeous!!! I think it looks just right and she is going to LOVE it! You really did a great job! Come back and post these pictures and some hand pictures in the Show Me the Bling part of the forum after the proposal!!!

Did you end up with the H color ACA? It looks very white in that setting whatever it is!

 

[SinkingFun]

I'm going to go pick it up now!

It's the 0.758 H VS2 ACA diamond you recommended. I ended up getting $400 off the price of the diamond on some 24 hour sale Whiteflash was having as well as the 6% PS wire discount, so everything worked out perfectly!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yay!!! That is terrific!!! I think you'll be glad you chose the H!

 

[yssie]

Congrats - it looks fantastic!! I can't tell what height they set it at from the photos, but it really does look lovely

Can't wait for your thoughts when you get it, and handshots!!

 

[SinkingFun]

I'm planning on getting this ring appraised for insurance. I live in Minnesota, so would any of the two listed on the pricescope apprasial link be good options?

One is $75 and the other is $85 for the appraisal.

The $75 apprasial is just that, as well as a document of his work on the diamond.

The $85 appraisal is similar to the one above, but he includes several HQ photos of the ring as well.

I can't find any reviews on either guy. What should I do?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You don't need another appraisal. You can use the insurance appraisal that came with your ring or you possibly can use the sales receipt in combination with a copy of the diamond certificate. The downside of using an inflated appraisal is that you'll overpay for the insurance premiums for a few years until the actual value catches up with the appraised value. You know if you lost the ring next week that it would cost exactly the same as what you paid to replace it, so there is no compelling reason to pay for higher premiums.

(I always recommend appraisals on rings with uncertified stones, or those with a cert other than GIA or AGS, or on second hand items. But there is really no reason to have an extra appraisal on a diamond that has already been graded by AGS.)

 

[SinkingFun]

You don't need another appraisal. You can use the insurance appraisal that came with your ring or you possibly can use the sales receipt in combination with a copy of the diamond certificate. The downside of using an inflated appraisal is that you'll overpay for the insurance premiums for a few years until the actual value catches up with the appraised value. You know if you lost the ring next week that it would cost exactly the same as what you paid to replace it, so there is no compelling reason to pay for higher premiums.

(I always recommend appraisals on rings with uncertified stones, or those with a cert other than GIA or AGS, or on second hand items. But there is really no reason to have an extra appraisal on a diamond that has already been graded by AGS.)

I got a letter of verification from Whiteflash, but at the bottom of that document it claims that, "this is not an apprasial." Although there are apprasial prices listed in the body of the document.

I'm going with a local company (Travelers) and I think they want an apprasial, although I can see if they'll take the letter of verification and if not, then the receipt and AGS document.

EDIT:
Might I add, the price of the diamond listed on the letter of verification is $6000, nearly $3000 more than I paid for it! All my actuary training tells me this is bad news.