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Scared 1st Time Buyer.....Looking for Advice

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larmie44

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Sep 22, 2008
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So I am looking to purchase a loose round diamond, have already selected the setting, just looking for the right loose stone now. I have seen a few stones, and looked online a ton and have some debates ranging around in my head I was hoping someone could help me with.

Here is what Ive figured out
Price range for the stone is $4600-$5300.
Center Stone is going to be between 1.1-1.25c
Must have GIA cert

Here is what i havent figured out...
1. SI1 or SI2? I am looking for something "eye clean" and am not sweating the side view or 10x so much. If I could see them all it would be a lot easier but....

2. Purchase online, or at los altos diamond broker (www.diamondbroker.com) but the store is right down the road. (Is this guy a pricescope dealer?) It says not in house inventory whatever that means. If anyone has used this broker, please let me know if it was a good expirence.

3. If online, Blue Nile or a Pricescope Dealer? Some of the pricescope dealers spook me because their web pages are kind of tacky. Blue nile seems to be massive and helpful, but slightly higher priced?

4. Very Good Cut or excellent Cut? How much of a difference is this really going to make? Going by GIA standards.

5. I want NO yellow hue. Will H get the job done, or should i push to g and count on this?


What ive been finding is some but not the other. I can find an ideal cut SI2 in G in the price range, or a very good cut SI1 G within the range, etc etc but not all 3.

Any advice would just be fantastic. Especially if someone has photos of real diamonds in F,G,H so i can check out what the colors actually look like.

thanks ahead of time!!!!

Chris
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Date: 9/22/2008 3:48:11 PM
Author:larmie44
So I am looking to purchase a loose round diamond, have already selected the setting, just looking for the right loose stone now. I have seen a few stones, and looked online a ton and have some debates ranging around in my head I was hoping someone could help me with.

Here is what Ive figured out
Price range for the stone is $4600-$5300.
Center Stone is going to be between 1.1-1.25c
Must have GIA cert Also consider AGS, along with GIA these are considered to be the top 2 labs.

Here is what i havent figured out...
1. SI1 or SI2? I am looking for something 'eye clean' and am not sweating the side view or 10x so much. If I could see them all it would be a lot easier but....If you work with a trusted vendor who has in house diamonds, then they can tell you immediately if a diamond is eyeclean to your standards, unlike companies which 'drop ship' stones, or have to call them in from the main suppliers.

2. Purchase online, or at los altos diamond broker (www.diamondbroker.com) but the store is right down the road. (Is this guy a pricescope dealer?) It says not in house inventory whatever that means. If anyone has used this broker, please let me know if it was a good expirence. Not in house inventory means the dealer is probably a drop shipper, or would have to call diamonds in as above.

3. If online, Blue Nile or a Pricescope Dealer? Some of the pricescope dealers spook me because their web pages are kind of tacky. Blue nile seems to be massive and helpful, but slightly higher priced? I would consider vendors such as Good old Gold, Whiteflash, Wink Jones, James Allen as these guys are experts and have in house diamonds where often the cut analysis has been done. That way you know exactly what you are buying. BN does not always offer info such as Idealscope, photographs, Sarin reports or any other aids to judge cut quality.

4. Very Good Cut or excellent Cut? How much of a difference is this really going to make? Going by GIA standards. Don't go by GIA labels as such, as they can allow for some less desirable combos at times, evaluate each diamond on its own proportions and visual properties, the Holloway Cut Advisor will help you do this, you can run the numbers through of each diamond to get an idea initially, then once you find stones you like which score 2 or below, then evaluate further with Idealscope, vendor advice etc. Cut quality is crucial for a diamond's beauty, although not everyone wants a top notch superideal, what is called a nice make of stone can sometimes be a good choice, but it depends on your priorities - however cut and proportions are well worth devoting time to researching.

5. I want NO yellow hue. Will H get the job done, or should i push to g and count on this? In my opinion you don't really start seeing yellow until way down the colour scale, a hint of warmth perhaps at I or J onwards, I would think you would be fine at G or H colour.


What ive been finding is some but not the other. I can find an ideal cut SI2 in G in the price range, or a very good cut SI1 G within the range, etc etc but not all 3. We can perhaps find you some examples. Look at some GIA Excellent cut grade ( evaluate each as above) and AGS0 cut grade as this should help you find some good contenders.

Any advice would just be fantastic. Especially if someone has photos of real diamonds in F,G,H so i can check out what the colors actually look like. If you do a search, there are lots of diamonds of these colour grades in the archives, but a pic on a computer monitor won't give you an accurate idea of how these grades actually look, the best way is to see some in person, same shape and size, cut quality, lab grade etc to get a feel for your own preferences.

thanks ahead of time!!!!

Chris
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Click to expand...
 
Wow I just went to good old gold and their photos and explanation of colors is just fantastic. I think H is fine. And it sounds like I will want an Excellent cut, but also want to check into the other reports available.

So now...
1.1-1.25
H
Med to Slight Blue Flor Prefered
GIA or AGS

Si1 or si2 to go. Will post progress.
Checking some more online stuff.
If you purchase online, they send out to you in the mail and you have a warranty period, but they will give you different reports and personal opinion if it is eyeclean or not? I think I can be comfortable with that.
Chris
 
Date: 9/22/2008 4:20:10 PM
Author: larmie44
Wow I just went to good old gold and their photos and explanation of colors is just fantastic. I think H is fine. And it sounds like I will want an Excellent cut, but also want to check into the other reports available.

So now...
1.1-1.25
H
Med to Slight Blue Flor Prefered
GIA or AGS

Si1 or si2 to go. Will post progress.
Checking some more online stuff.
If you purchase online, they send out to you in the mail and you have a warranty period, but they will give you different reports and personal opinion if it is eyeclean or not? I think I can be comfortable with that.
Chris
Click to expand...
Working with vendors such as GOG etc, as they have in house diamonds they will be able to describe the stone very accurately to you, which includes whether it is likely to meet your standards for ' eyecleanliness', so that usually works very well. The vendors work diligently to try to be as honest as possible, the part you need to play is to let them know what your standards are, so that you are both on the same page.

Your specs sound fine also.

Here are some contenders to give you an idea - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4883/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4878/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4732/

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1445153.htm#
 
I really think you should increase your budget. There is almost no stone within your color and size range. You probably need 8k to get to H grade. For you budget, mostly stones in the J range and the occasional I stone.
 
 
If I cant get into that size range for the price, I would just as soon shoot for a 1.05-1.10 if thats what I would have to do...
I want something that doesnt have yellow hues, and is eyeclean, I am not worried about any microscopes. However, I do want it to look beautiful, reflect a lot of light, etc etc.

FWIW 8K would be way over my price range, I am 24, and doing well for myself but thats a lot of dime....
 
The 2 BN stones are unlikely, the inclusion are in the table at SI2 level, it is going to be obvious.

The WF stones there is no way to confirm at the moment, better chance than the BN stones anyway, give WF a call?
 
I think Im going to work with White Flash, and maybe check out the B&M I was talking about. I am moving slowly, still a little spooked but really excited as well.
Chris
 
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1112006.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Try this, looks good in the table, the inclusions are outside the table, and everything is just within you range and A H&A too. Give them a call to check. The only concern I have with this stone is the present of that feather, might cause some structure problems in the future depending on its location and size, best to get it appraised if you are buying it.
 
So basically, when we do look at inclusions, we would rather have them in the outer 1/3 of the diamond because it wont impact light reflection quite as much? I am really suprised James allen has actual pic with virtual loupe, what a great feature!


After looking at a boatload of diamonds on James Allen, I am looking at 9x power. The Hs for sure show a tinge of yellow. Is this going to be clearer at naked eye 10 inches? Or will it be just as obvious as the internet photos?

Seems like I really need to go into a B&M with someone who has time to show me 5-6 diamonds and discuss some of the differences. I was thinking finding an eye clean si1 or 2 wouldnt be terribly difficult but....
 
yap, and the outer 1/3 is where all the minor crown facets are, making it much more difficult to focus on the inclusions.
 
Just a suggestion but if you are 24 and don''t have a huge budget, work with a vendor that has a good upgrade policy. That way you can get stick to your budget and upgrade in a few years if you so choose.

Here is one that is beautiful, in your budget, comes with a lifetime trade-up policy and is very close to 1 ct.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4950/
 
Hi larmie,

Welcome to PS! Having just gone through the same thing that your going through, i know the feeling can be terrifying and exciting. H color will be fine. Keep in mind that color is graded by flipping the diamond upside down and viewed from the side. I couldn't tell the warmth of the diamond next to an F or G Diamond. Also, keep in mind that once its mounted, most of them should face up white. (viewing the diamond from the top)

Also, not all H grades are alike. AGS, GIA have good standards, with IGI and EGL having looser standards. It might be very possible for an IGI or EGL H color to be I or J.

As a guy, we are always conflicted with the size vs quality debate. On these forums, we tend to value cut over color and clarity, as the cut tends to dictate how well a diamond sparkles in the sun, etc. Unfortunately, there isn't a universal standard on cut. However, generally GIA Excellent and AGS 0 are regarded as well cut diamonds (GIA being a bit looser). What companies like GOG provide is additional proof of the cut of diamond, by presenting the H&A pics, DiamXray, Lightscope, Aset Images... all which validate the "excellent" grading by those two houses.

Keep searching and don't feel bad about sizing down. The sparkle alone will more than make up for the slight smaller size. I made the same choice and don't regret it today.

Lastly, Here is the H color diamond that I purchased for my FI.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/1-3-isee2-h-a-on-tiffany-novo-replica.95624/

Hope this helps! Good luck!
 
Wow that thing is beautiful.

So I went to the local B&M and the jewler actually called the diamonds I was looking at "cheap", which pretty much immediately pissed me off.

I have decreased size a bit and am mostly looking at ideal cut H, SI1s or VS2s, around 1.07 c. Want to make sure I get something that really pops but doesnt totally break the bank. Anyways, what a nightmare at the B&M, and I was totally ready to make a purchase!
 
Ah yes, I forgot, budget moved up to 6K prior to the b&m event. Then looking to spend another 1K getting it set into a mark schneider setting she already told me shes dying to have.
 
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1445150.htm This will bust your bank a little after wire transfer. But looks good... If you move your price range a little higher, there will be a lot more choice.

Or you cold try this
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1467014.htm MB fluor if you are ok with it. This will be under your budget but not a H&A or at least not certified as one. It is a new stone, so you will have to call WF up to evaluate it.

EDT
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-737788.htm A smaller stone at 1.02, just under your budget if you wire.
 
style="WIDTH: 99%; HEIGHT: 70px">Date: 10/8/2008 1:04:28 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1445150.htm This will bust your bank a little after wire transfer. But looks good... If you move your price range a little higher, there will be a lot more choice.

Or you cold try this
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1467014.htm MB fluor if you are ok with it. This will be under your budget but not a H&A or at least not certified as one. It is a new stone, so you will have to call WF up to evaluate it.

EDT
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-737788.htm A smaller stone at 1.02, just under your budget if you wire.
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I was looking at the first stone as well, but was a little concerned about the inclusions being right in the middle of the table, and they seem to show up on the IS and ASET. Isn''t that considered undesirable?
 
Looks to me like just some cloud that I can see in the photo. Best to call WF and confirm it is eye-clean.
 
man, it sounds like everyone wants me to spend 6500+ or bring down the carat size, maybe i am just being unreasonable. I just got a visual done at blue nile for a 1.14 si1 ideal h color stone ($5800), and im going to buy it in the AM, it was inspected eye clean with a 8-10 inch definition, and the inclusion is within the table. i will post up photos when i get it along with the cert etc so you can see what i came up with. If i think it looks cruddy, and I would consider myself reasonably picky, I will return it under the 30 day policy and push into an VS2....
 
If you are stretched for budget and still young, why don't you consider purchasing from WF or GOG, who both have great upgrade policies, so if you find that you want to upgrade the size, colour, clarity, whatever down the track, you can trade your old stone in and upgrade to something else.

Don't increase your budget, it's not necessary to go into debt for a ring. You can still get a beautiful smaller stone or an upgradable one.

Good luck!

ETA - I just re-read your last post, please don't panic and DON"T increase your budget. It's up to you what you feel comfortable spending and I really don't like the pressure people are putting on you to overspend. Remember with BN you can't upgrade, so can I suggest you take 24 hours to think this over, and de-stress
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We can find you a gorgeous stone in your parameters, you need a little patience. You dont want to rush this (major!) purchase and regret feeling pushed into it.

We are here for you buddy
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Date: 9/22/2008 5:43:17 PM
Author: larmie44
So basically, when we do look at inclusions, we would rather have them in the outer 1/3 of the diamond because it wont impact light reflection quite as much? I am really suprised James allen has actual pic with virtual loupe, what a great feature!



After looking at a boatload of diamonds on James Allen, I am looking at 9x power. The Hs for sure show a tinge of yellow. Is this going to be clearer at naked eye 10 inches? Or will it be just as obvious as the internet photos?


Seems like I really need to go into a B&M with someone who has time to show me 5-6 diamonds and discuss some of the differences. I was thinking finding an eye clean si1 or 2 wouldnt be terribly difficult but....
Click to expand...

Inclusions very rarely impact light reflection, it''s only in the lower clarities. Don''t go by the inclusions plots, you can''t just tell if a stone is going to be eyeclean or not, people get too hung up on these when purchasing SI clarities online. Your best bet is give WF a call and ask them which stones in your parameters are eyeclean. They will also tell you the best stone for your budget if you like. They really are awesome to work with!
 
Received the stone this morning, and it is just ridiculously beautiful. I cant see the inclusions face up from 4 inches. Can see them if turned over or slightly sideways. H Clarity looks fantastic, not even a little tint of yellow, sort of wish there was small flourescense because i like the slight bluish hue but I truly have nothing to complain about. A local jewler is going to do the mounting and etc for me and looked it over for insurance purposes, she (GIA certified person) said it looked like a VS2 H to her, and it weighed 1.15 on the nose.

I couldnt be happier. I am going to try to figure out how to post the pictures on here, my girlfriend regularly uses the camera so i need to do it on the sly.

YAY!

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So glad you got what you wanted and yes we would love pics if you can!
 
AHhhh,
I forgot to post the stats.
Bank wire price: $5,764

GIA Cert Was Included as Below:


Carat weight: 1.15

Cut: Ideal

Color: H

Clarity: SI1

Price per carat: $5,088

Depth %: 61.6%

Table %: 56%

Symmetry: Excellent

Polish: Excellent

Girdle: Thin to medium

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 6.74 x 6.76 x 4.16 mm
 
pic as attached

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cdldia5.jpg
 
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cdldia1.jpg
 
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cdldia6.jpg
 
so basically the thing here is that i cant take photos of a diamond for crapola. they always end up looking dark, only the longer shot with the hand shows the actual color of the diamond, the photos ended up dark and grainy. the diamond is eye clean, and looks shiny and white, doesnt have any yellow hue. the inclusions can been seen from the side.

the photos are taken at 4-6 inches
 
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