Questions about buying Three Diamonds for an Engagement Ring

[nv]

I''m planning on buying three diamonds online over the next few days. And I have a few questions that I need to get answers to before I make the purchase:

Here''s an example of what I''m thinking:

Carat Color Clarity Depth Tbl Lab Gdl Cul Sym Pol Flr Measurements Price
Center:
1.02 H VS2 61% 59% GIA md-stk no ex ex no 6.45-6.47x3.94 $5306

Side:
0.40 G VS1 61.3% 56% GIA thn-med,faceted vg vg no 4.74-4.78x2.92 $917

Side:
0.40 G VS1 62.1% 56% GIA thn-med,faceted vg vg no 4.69-4.71x2.92 $917

Should I be overly worried about the diamonds matching (particularly the outer two that should look the same)?

What does it mean when the girdle of a diamond is faceted? Is it bad to mix diamonds that are faceted and those that are not on the same ring? Which is better, faceted or non-faceted and why?

If the Table% of the center diamond is 59%, which is greater than the AGA 1A range of 53%-58%, will it have a noticeable difference?

Thanks very much!

 

[pulp_princess]

I don't think you should be too concerned about the sidestones matching, as long as they're approximately the same size (maybe within 0.02 ct of each other?). Colour I would set at the next priority, but this would depend on how good your eyes are (within 2 colour grades of each other?).

Faceted girdles have been covered on PS before and you can find more info using the search function. Here's another little blurb I found on a website:

"The girdle of diamond can be faceted, polished or rough. Diamonds which has a very beautiful cut have often the faceted girdle. A diamond cutter must work from additional time to facet it, which is not always economically profitable. A faceted girdle does not improve quality of diamond. The GIA evaluates only the thickness of the girdle and not its appearance."

The website was http://www.diamants-infos.com/en/polished/index.php?rub=cut and there's a picture of a rough girdle versus a faceted girdle if you're interested.

If the side diamonds are truly well cut, you might notice a difference between the centers and sides. I would put more emphasis on having a nicely cut ideal in the center than nicely cut sidestones, since that will be the main focal point of your ring. Good luck!

 

[valeria101]

The two sides look pretty well matched

I would take color, size and table into account - like you did - to call them a fit and allow some slack for surprises since you will not see the stones. At the very least ask the seller if these are matched and make sure their return policy works for you. The center may be a tad differently cut - since it does not have a close "peer" in the setting to be compared with... So, all in all, your pick looks good from this side of the screen.

Since PS's practice does require pointing out options, here's another center piece: G-SI1, AGS0 at DCD. There are quite a few with the same grades and matching price where this one comes from as well. And THIS comes with a bit more info via the Expert Selection at WF.

 

[pqcollectibles]

No one can really advise you about the center diamond without more information. It might be a perfectly good performer, but we can't judge without crown and pavillion info. Angles would be best. There are comparably priced diamonds with known potential available. For example, here's another 1.01, H, VS1. Comparably priced at just under $5300 (with the 5% Prics Scope discount):

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-586223.htm

Scores 2.1, VG/VG/VG/VG on the HCA, with the comment of "Worth buying if the price is right."

You could increase the field of candidates and maximize your budget if you would consider SI diamonds as well.

Personally, I'd go a little tighter on the diameters of the side stones. Carat weight doesn't have to match exactly. It's the diameters that will be seen. The diameter variation on the side diamonds you posted, from top to bottom, is right at 0.1mm. That might or might not be noticed.

Here's a recent thread with some info to help you in selecting diamonds for a 3 stone ring:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-stone-size-color-ratio.16766/.

There's a post with pics to give you an idea of the size comparison of sides to center stone. Right now, with the size sides you've selected, your look would be comparable to the pic on the bottom left.

 

[pulp_princess]

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On 7/4/2004 1:41:23 PM pqcollectibles wrote:

Personally, I'd go a little tighter on the diameters of the side stones. Carat weight doesn't have to match exactly. It's the diameters that will be seen. The diameter variation on the side diamonds you posted, from top to bottom, is right at 0.1mm. That might or might not be noticed.
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Definitely agree with pq. I was assuming you were going for the round brilliant ideal cut, but we can't always assume.