Seeking opinions/recommendations for RB center stone

[mikeyg1]

At last, I have settled on a custom setting. Now I''m on the search for the holy grail, err, I mean diamond

. I have come across some that have caught my eye. However, I''m reaching out to get some other opinions and recommendations. I''m looking for an RB in the D - G color range and no lower than .70 carat for size. I''m willing to go up to SI1 for clarity. And cut is the most important quality for me. My max budget is $3500. Any suggestions/opinions are much appreciated!
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Lorelei]

You can use the Pricescope Your Diamond tool above, punch in your specs to search, I found this lovely example to show you what is out there for your budget. The ACA brand is consistently gorgeous, it depends if you want a branded cut or not, but I am sure you will get plenty of suggestions!!

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-283237.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-232043.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-283289.htm#

Also with SI clarities, make sure the diamond is eyeclean, you need to check with the vendor.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131&item=1060563

 

[mikeyg1]

Date: 9/4/2007 11:34:34 AM
Author: Lorelei
You can use the Pricescope Your Diamond tool above, punch in your specs to search, I found this lovely example to show you what is out there for your budget. The ACA brand is consistently gorgeous, it depends if you want a branded cut or not, but I am sure you will get plenty of suggestions!!

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-283237.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-232043.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-283289.htm#

Also with SI clarities, make sure the diamond is eyeclean, you need to check with the vendor.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131&item=1060563

Thanks Lorelei! I have been using the pricescope tools religiously! Between the forum and the tools, I have learned sooo much. I like all those diamonds you've referenced. Thanks again!!

 

[Lorelei]

You are MOST welcome!! I got lucky and there seems to be some fab selections with your specs and budget right now!

 

[Regular Guy]

A couple of more from WF; Lorelei''s right...you have a number to choose among....

JA has several that seem irresistable-ish, too, colored D, E & F...all at or under your price point, all VS2. For example, this one. If they had AGS certs, I might look there first...and might still check them out. Are they in-house? Do you care? Not sure how much this matters...but it can make a difference.

These are found here...where you can see more.

 

[mikeyg1]

Date: 9/4/2007 12:52:52 PM
Author: Regular Guy
A couple of more from WF; Lorelei''s right...you have a number to choose among....

JA has several that seem irresistable-ish, too, colored D, E & F...all at or under your price point, all VS2. For example, this one. If they had AGS certs, I might look there first...and might still check them out. Are they in-house? Do you care? Not sure how much this matters...but it can make a difference.

These are found here...where you can see more.

Thanks for ideas! Yeah, there seem to be alot of options

. Are there two or three stones that you REALLY like?

 

[Regular Guy]

Hi, Mike.

1) You might want to contact JA for what they can tell you. I''ve just (taken the extra time) to go through their "in-house" db, and see none of the 3 that look still promising are what they call "in-house." But...they''re all better in clarity and in multiple color grades better.

2) Otherwise, Lorelei''s second option is possible, promising, absolutely. The cert looks noisy, and talks about clouds, too (oy vey), but the noise is supposedly good, and blow up the picture, and you don''t see much. Is the ASET a little weird? Also, the .8 from WF has promise (as does the other one I picked out...but they just haven''t loaded the extra info.

3) Consult with WF who CAN pick these three up and talk with you about them.

4) Where are you? If you''re near a lucky appraiser, you could have local good guy help you tell the wheat from the chaff, and might only pay for what you keep.

Just some ideas. You''ve got the cash. We''re rooting for ya...

Regards,

 

[mikeyg1]

Thanks for great information Ira! I'll hopefully start contacting some vendors soon! I've worked with WF before and would not hestitate in working with them again. I'll definitely check with JA and Good Old Gold too, as this one has caught my eye, http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3326/, and some others also. I'm located in Charleston, SC, and unfortunately not near any of the good-guy appraisers. I'll keep ya'll updated. And please, I'm open to any further suggestions/opinions!
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Ellen]

The second and third choices from Lorelei, plus the one you found are all great. Personally, I''d shoot first at the 3rd one from Lore (biggest, cheapest), but eyecleanliness may be an issue, as it may be with the one from GOG. Need to check on that for sure.

 

[mikeyg1]

So far, I received good news about two of these diamonds, http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3326/ and this one, http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-232043.htm. I''m still waiting to here back on one or two more.
Thanks for everyone''s help,
Mike

 

[Ellen]

Let us know what you decide, or help if you can''t!

 

[mikeyg1]

Ok, I''m narrowing my search down. Here are the two that I really like: http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-232043.htm and http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3326/. Any thoughts? If you had to pick one of these two, which one would you pick?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/6/2007 9:36:54 AM
Author: mikeyg1
Ok, I'm narrowing my search down. Here are the two that I really like: http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-232043.htm and http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3326/. Any thoughts? If you had to pick one of these two, which one would you pick?

They are both spectacular diamonds, but if it was me choosing I would pick the first diamond from WF, but have you had the official thumbs up that either of these are eyeclean from the vendors?

 

[mikeyg1]

YES!! I''ve got the official green light on BOTH of these!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/6/2007 9:48:12 AM
Author: mikeyg1
YES!! I''ve got the official green light on BOTH of these!

WHOOP!!! These are both crackers, do you have a gut feeling or preference?

 

[Ellen]

Ok, this is truly spliiting hairs. They are both branded, the same size, same color, same clarity...Cheapest?? (though the price difference is not much either) Honestly, you just can''t go wrong with either...

The only thing I could think of otherwise to decide, is ask GOG to test the color on theirs and see if it comes up a high or low G.

 

[mikeyg1]

Thanks Lorelei and Ellen!! I''m really excited. I''ve got a couple more question posed to both vendors (including the one suggested by Ellen). I''m not leaning towards either one right now as I think both stones are great! Thanks for all the help! I''ll keep you updated!

 

[mikeyg1]

Ellen,
GOG said the color showed it was a G and that the test ended up smack dab in the middle of the scale.

 

[Ellen]

lol Well, that didn''t help did it?

Honestly, flip a coin. They are too close. I wish I could be more help!

Either way, you win.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 9/4/2007 2:11:02 PM
Author: mikeyg1

Thanks for great information Ira! I''ll hopefully start contacting some vendors soon! I''ve worked with WF before and would not hestitate in working with them again. I''ll definitely check with JA and Good Old Gold too, as this one has caught my eye, http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3326/, and some others also. I''m located in Charleston, SC, and unfortunately not near any of the good-guy appraisers. I''ll keep ya''ll updated. And please, I''m open to any further suggestions/opinions!
Thanks,
Mike

Welcome, Mikey! We go to the beach at Wild Dunes a few times a year! Love Charleston, too!

My new ring diamond is from Good Old Gold and it is wonderful! I also have beautiful diamond studs from WhiteFlash. Both of those vendors carry excellent quality stones that are AGS or GIA certified. I did not get an appraisal on either because the vendors are so trustworthy and they have excellent information on the stones already. However, when I had the diamond set, the local jeweler did give me an insurance appraisal which was for more than we paid for the diamond.

 

[mikeyg1]

Date: 9/6/2007 6:39:46 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Welcome, Mikey! We go to the beach at Wild Dunes a few times a year! Love Charleston, too!

My new ring diamond is from Good Old Gold and it is wonderful! I also have beautiful diamond studs from WhiteFlash. Both of those vendors carry excellent quality stones that are AGS or GIA certified. I did not get an appraisal on either because the vendors are so trustworthy and they have excellent information on the stones already. However, when I had the diamond set, the local jeweler did give me an insurance appraisal which was for more than we paid for the diamond.

Thanks diamondseeker. Yes, Wild Dunes and the entire IOP is very nice, as well as Sullivan''s Island. I''m about to make my decision...drum roll please......

 

[mikeyg1]

We have a winner!!! And I can't wait to get it. My ACA .831 ct, G, SI from WF will be here next week!! WOOHOOOOOO

Thanks for everyone's help! I'll keep ya'll posted on the setting and final product. Here's the link to the chosen one: http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-232043.htm
-Mike

 

[Ellen]

Do tell, how did you decide??

And congrats!

 

[mikeyg1]

Coin Flip as you suggested! I did it 5 times, and it landed on WF 4 out of 5 !!! Well that, and this one was slightly larger and cheaper after discount. But like you said, I couldn''t have gone wrong!

 

[Ellen]

Nope, no loser here.

Please let us know what you put that beauty in.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Excellent choice!!! I know you are going to be pleased! Remember to take some pictures for us when it comes!