I posted here about a month ago and everyone was really helpful in giving me advice on what to consider. I think I’m ready to make a decision, and I’ve got a better idea what I’m looking for. Budget around $6000, setting a simple 4-prong solitaire, maybe knife edge.
Carat I’d like to try and get to about 1.25 if possible, but it’s negotiable. She liked the ones in the store that were one carat and up. Her mom’s is a bit over a carat so I’d like to match that at least, but prefer to exceed it. She does have small fingers though so I worry that if I go too big it won’t look good anymore. Not sure.
Cut obviously I want as good as possible, although I don’t care nearly as much as some here haha. I want it good enough to make it seem bigger, clearer, whiter, etc. but it doesn’t need to match a CBI. Can’t afford one of those in the size I want anyway.
Clarity I was thinking SI1 but she’s mentioned in passing that she wants to see the inclusions under magnification at least once so if it’s SI1 it’s gotta be good - nothing big on the table or obvious streaking. I’ve seen seriously questionable SI1’s so I’d be more comfortable at a VS2.
Color has the most wiggle room. We saw an L in yellow gold and she didn’t see anything odd and didn’t notice anything yellow until they told us the L grade. When the cut is good I can’t even see a J in white gold. I’m looking for an I or J, MAYBE a K if it‘s a high K and looks good in the setting. But I’m wary about a K that I can’t see in person, and also I’m considering putting it in a halo setting later on for an anniversary or something and worry the other stones will make it look too dingy.
Fluorescence I’d prefer to stick to medium and below, don’t know how she’ll react to a blue glowy stone. Lower values shouldn’t even register and may help for the colors I have in mind. Not that we’re ever in clubs and rarely outside so UV rays won’t affect us much.
I know you can’t recommend anything directly if you’re in the industry, but I’d be more than willing to take suggestions on who to work with either as a company or individual. I’ve talked to local independent jewelers and a diamond distributer who’s helped my family. The local guys were obviously better than Kay’s et al but still had outrageous prices. The family dealer had better prices but I didn’t like how he spoke to me on the phone amd was trying to get me to settle in areas that I didn’t want like cut while emphasizing color and fluorescence which aren’t as big an issue to me. In retrospect his prices aren’t too bad but he told me he gets 10% commission on the diamonds he buys which is more than some. Plus his dismissive attitude toward my own ideas and priorities put me off him. I’m sure he helped my cousins who probably just wanted someone else to do the legwork and get them a good stone. I’m sure he did but also those cousins are accountants and work for hedge funds and have more money to work with. As an idea of what he offered here are the specs I got from him. All GIA certs.
1.01 G SI1 exexvg 5400
1.04 E si2 vgexvg 4920
1.05 (didn’t hear color or clarity) exexex 5400
1.12 I SI2 exexex 4700
1.11 j vs2 vgvgvg 4450
So his price point doesn’t actually seem too bad, if I’m not mistaken. But I want the best possible and also not to be talked down to. My mother is convinced that I’ll get ripped off if I buy online and that I should go with him, but I think I can do better. Anyone have either stones they think work for my specs, or possibly a dealer they think I should contact? I know people can’t do self-promotion here but is there any place I could post where the dealers here would seek me out and recommend what they have? Thank you all for all your help.
Carat I’d like to try and get to about 1.25 if possible, but it’s negotiable. She liked the ones in the store that were one carat and up. Her mom’s is a bit over a carat so I’d like to match that at least, but prefer to exceed it. She does have small fingers though so I worry that if I go too big it won’t look good anymore. Not sure.
Cut obviously I want as good as possible, although I don’t care nearly as much as some here haha. I want it good enough to make it seem bigger, clearer, whiter, etc. but it doesn’t need to match a CBI. Can’t afford one of those in the size I want anyway.
Clarity I was thinking SI1 but she’s mentioned in passing that she wants to see the inclusions under magnification at least once so if it’s SI1 it’s gotta be good - nothing big on the table or obvious streaking. I’ve seen seriously questionable SI1’s so I’d be more comfortable at a VS2.
Color has the most wiggle room. We saw an L in yellow gold and she didn’t see anything odd and didn’t notice anything yellow until they told us the L grade. When the cut is good I can’t even see a J in white gold. I’m looking for an I or J, MAYBE a K if it‘s a high K and looks good in the setting. But I’m wary about a K that I can’t see in person, and also I’m considering putting it in a halo setting later on for an anniversary or something and worry the other stones will make it look too dingy.
Fluorescence I’d prefer to stick to medium and below, don’t know how she’ll react to a blue glowy stone. Lower values shouldn’t even register and may help for the colors I have in mind. Not that we’re ever in clubs and rarely outside so UV rays won’t affect us much.
I know you can’t recommend anything directly if you’re in the industry, but I’d be more than willing to take suggestions on who to work with either as a company or individual. I’ve talked to local independent jewelers and a diamond distributer who’s helped my family. The local guys were obviously better than Kay’s et al but still had outrageous prices. The family dealer had better prices but I didn’t like how he spoke to me on the phone amd was trying to get me to settle in areas that I didn’t want like cut while emphasizing color and fluorescence which aren’t as big an issue to me. In retrospect his prices aren’t too bad but he told me he gets 10% commission on the diamonds he buys which is more than some. Plus his dismissive attitude toward my own ideas and priorities put me off him. I’m sure he helped my cousins who probably just wanted someone else to do the legwork and get them a good stone. I’m sure he did but also those cousins are accountants and work for hedge funds and have more money to work with. As an idea of what he offered here are the specs I got from him. All GIA certs.
1.01 G SI1 exexvg 5400
1.04 E si2 vgexvg 4920
1.05 (didn’t hear color or clarity) exexex 5400
1.12 I SI2 exexex 4700
1.11 j vs2 vgvgvg 4450
So his price point doesn’t actually seem too bad, if I’m not mistaken. But I want the best possible and also not to be talked down to. My mother is convinced that I’ll get ripped off if I buy online and that I should go with him, but I think I can do better. Anyone have either stones they think work for my specs, or possibly a dealer they think I should contact? I know people can’t do self-promotion here but is there any place I could post where the dealers here would seek me out and recommend what they have? Thank you all for all your help.
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