My login says it all. I''m a newbie looking for some advice with the first time purchase of a diamond. I''ve done some research online, and then went to visit a few shops in the LA jewelry mart; and then I did some more research online and checked out a couple mall stores like Tiffany''s. I have learned a lot of information from this forum and online. From what I''ve read, generally I''m going with Cut over Color and Color over Clarity. This is what I''ve settled on (I think):
1.2 carat, G, SI1, excellent cut = for about $6K
Here are my questions:
1. The only thing I have a hope of understanding is a GIA report. The best cut level on a GIA report is excellent yet I read about an ideal cut. How can you certify that a diamond is an "ideal" cut?
2. I know this is a broad question and is specific to the diamond but generally speaking, could you experts tell the difference between a VS2 and a SI1 from the naked eye without magnification? What about very good cut vs. excellent cut? I''m only concerned about a diamond being eye clean and I''m wondering if it would be worth the money to go from SI1 to VS2.
3. My girlfriend has small hands and I don''t know her ring size. I think maybe a size 5. I have spent this long struggling with what diamond so I''m not even going to bother with choosing a setting. I''m going with something simple like a thin band 6-prong with the expectation that it will be resized and likely returned and exchanged for something that she can choose later. Is it easier to resize a ring if it is too big or if it is too small? I''m wondering if I should go with my best guess (a size 5) or just getting something bigger knowing that it will have to be resized. Also, do you think it''s a good plan to just go with the most basic band with the expectation that it will be exchanged?
Any comments you have would be appreciated? Thanks very much in advance.
-- J
1.2 carat, G, SI1, excellent cut = for about $6K
Here are my questions:
1. The only thing I have a hope of understanding is a GIA report. The best cut level on a GIA report is excellent yet I read about an ideal cut. How can you certify that a diamond is an "ideal" cut?
2. I know this is a broad question and is specific to the diamond but generally speaking, could you experts tell the difference between a VS2 and a SI1 from the naked eye without magnification? What about very good cut vs. excellent cut? I''m only concerned about a diamond being eye clean and I''m wondering if it would be worth the money to go from SI1 to VS2.
3. My girlfriend has small hands and I don''t know her ring size. I think maybe a size 5. I have spent this long struggling with what diamond so I''m not even going to bother with choosing a setting. I''m going with something simple like a thin band 6-prong with the expectation that it will be resized and likely returned and exchanged for something that she can choose later. Is it easier to resize a ring if it is too big or if it is too small? I''m wondering if I should go with my best guess (a size 5) or just getting something bigger knowing that it will have to be resized. Also, do you think it''s a good plan to just go with the most basic band with the expectation that it will be exchanged?
Any comments you have would be appreciated? Thanks very much in advance.
-- J