selecting the perfect diamond

[carottop]

Ed,
I also am new to PS and this is my first post. This thread and some of the comments that people have made upset me to the point that I sent you a PM. Best wishes to you and your girlfriend on a long and happy life together. This forum is a great educator about a lot more than diamonds.

 

[ed.touche]

aljdewey -

Thank you for your support.

What some people will never come to realise is that to me it doesn't matter if there is subtle difference between a D coloured diamond and a G colour. Size is unimportant too. I don't care if *some* people think it is on the small size. What is important to me is that Miss Ed and I know it is a Flawless diamond - no less than I believe she deserves.

It amazes me that some people feel adapt to be my conscience. Everytime she looks into it she will know that I got her the best diamond, most flawless diamond I could afford.

I was always taught quality not quantity is important. As with all things - I'd rather have a little less but of better standard.

When Nicole Kidman inform us in Moulin Rouge that 'Diamonds are a girls best friend' she may not have been far wrong. Size, however, she never made an issue!

Thank you and goodnight

 

[Daniela]

Ed,

You're going to get a beautiful stone for someone who I'm sure is a fabulous girl. May you both enjoy it in good health. Good for you!

While I have never aspired to an IF stone, I am one of the people on the forum who owns an SI-1, which is many people's preferred grade around here as far as value for money goes. I can whole heartedly say that I am itching to upgrade to a VS, a clarity which wasn't in our budget when we bought our engagement stone. But had we had a little bit more money, you can bet that I wouldn't have pumped it into size--I would have hands down chosen to upgrade the colour and clarity.


So from one clarity junkie at heart to another, I salute your choice. And don't let the bullies get to you.

Daniela

 

[strmrdr]

Ed,
Stick to your guns and get what you want to get her :}
You know her better than we do and if a D/IF will make you sleep better at night then go for it.
Id recomend contacting Rhino at www.goodoldgold.com and having him help you hunt down a awesome h&a .40 ish D/if and get you a full workup on it.
That way you will know its the best of the best in cut also if it scores way high on his tests.

 

[Mara]

First off I don't think anyone is bullying anyone else. AGAIN, this is a forum made up of strong willed people who voice strong willed opinions. People come here and they get help, in maybe more areas than they ask for.

Grain of salt.




I'm not a D IF person, but since you aren't one of those people asking for D IF and 1c on $2k...I can respect your choice.

That said...I'll stir the pot a little. You are asking about D IF and saying it's the perfect best (by the way I am going to pee in your Cheerios a bit and tell you that NO DIAMOND IS FLAWLESS...they only appear so when graded under 10x mag

) which you want for your gal, good! But then why try to skimp on the cut which is actually what really makes the diamond POP at you? To me if you are getting a D IF, get the H&A too. Plus it's all romantic and stuff.




Since you are already splurging, my two cents is: don't split hairs between H&A vs 'ideal with great symmetry but not quite hearts and arrows'. The price difference is minimal and then you can really be assured (in a marketing kind of way) that you got the BEST for your small gal!

 

[ChooChoo]

Thank you Mara... as usual I can count on you for a very sane perspective! I was pretty surprised that people thought that I was "bullying" Ed, considering he's hardly a shrinking violet.

I was probably harsher on him than I would be on another poor soul looking for D/IF, but his previous rather mean comment to Kilong and his macho joking about women and cake really rubbed me the wrong way!

And I agree that there's no law that advice here has to be limited to the specific question the guy asks about, especially since most people getting off-topic advice here are appreciative of it. He's welcome to disregard different advice when it doesn't suit him. But again, he rubbed me the wrong way with his rather snobbish and hostile attitude toward people who were simply asking him to think about his gf's perspective, and trying to help him save some money. After all, if he truly doesn't care about how much he spends, he's on the wrong forum here, and should just go to Tiffany and at least get a nice box with that "perfect" diamond.

 

[fire&ice]

Ub boy. I think another poll is in order.

Actually, maybe we should create an archive with each of our point of view about the whole D/IF thing spelled out.

Some people want it because they want it. Nothing wrong with *their* choice. My perspective is that *both* parties should be on board with it. I think that is when it can get tricky.

Why does everyone on the other side of the pond thinks *everyone* in the US supersizes *everything*.

Hope you find the diamond of your dreams.

 

[kimong]

Hee hee, this has been an interesting post (though for all the wrong reasons).

I agree, Mr Ed can more then defend himself so we don't all need to start telling each other off (even in a nice way). And to be honest, he did rub me the wrong way too at one point, but then laughed it off later cause really, it will be him and his future missus who will be getting the "perfect" 0.4 ct diamond.

.

Good suggestion Choo, I think he should get the IF/D, 0.4, Ideal, H&A and only from Tiffany's!!! Otherwise he won't be getting the BEST!

 

[aljdewey]

----------------
On 1/8/2004 4:45:12 PM Mara wrote:







I'm not a D IF person, but since you aren't one of those people asking for D IF and 1c on $2k...I can respect your choice.

But then why try to skimp on the cut which is actually what really makes the diamond POP at you? To me if you are getting a D IF, get the H&A too. ----------------

Exactly my point.....I personally wouldn't buy a D/IF, either, but I'd be quite pissed if a bunch of D/IF devotees decided to start telling me how cheap I was if I decided to choose something I was more comfortable with. Everyone here makes different choices....they key is to help people make them armed with the right information....not to sit in judgment on what someone else values.

Choo....just so you don't feel I'm picking at you....rest assured that I'd be just as vocal if you offered information on why a G/H represents a better value and someone responded by saying that you were just jealous because you couldn't get a D/IF yourself. That would be utterly ridiculous....to assume that you'd be jealous just because you value spending money wisely. It would be out of line (and likely untrue), and if someone said that to you, I'd be equally vocal about it. I'd be pissed that someone had the gall to assume that you were jealous and to make snide remarks about the value you place on getting your money's worth.

Ed, I would also agree with what Mara said about the cut/H&A. If you truly are looking to fulfill your idea of the most perfect diamond you can get her......the H&A superideal is the cut equivalent of D color or IF clarity. If you're looking to get the best, and you can't have all three without skimping, I'd recommend that you don't skimp on the cut.....I'd skimp on the clarity instead.

 

[ChooChoo]

F&I - completely agree with you. I was just concerned that his gf isn't really on board, since he never mentioned how she feels about perfection. He did talk a lot about knowing what he wanted!

 

[kimong]

And did you notice when he said... she know thinks the english way and NO LONGER has that view...(or something like that). Does Miss Ed have all the diamond info at hand to make the choice or just what Mr Ed tells her.

BTW Al, don't bother using the word SKIMP when talking to Ed... he wants the BEST, remember.

 

[ChooChoo]

Not to mention that, unless they have specifically discussed numbers, when she says on the smaller side she could just as easily mean "under a carat" (she is, after all, American) while he hears "under half a carat is fine, dear".

 

[ChooChoo]

To be fair, Al - you're right, I was definitely also rubbed the wrong way by the implication that our American men who buy us the F/G/H VS2/SI1 (or whatever) are any less romantic than Ed!

 

[aljdewey]

----------------
On 1/8/2004 6:25:02 PM ChooChoo wrote:





To be fair, Al - you're right, I was definitely also rubbed the wrong way by the implication that our American men who buy us the F/G/H VS2/SI1 (or whatever) are any less romantic than Ed!
----------------

I can understand that, Choo.....but I don't think he's meaning that anyone ELSE who chooses an F/G/H isn't romantic. He just wants to present his lady with what HE feels he can proud of.

I'm a little nonplussed by some of the supersized comments, etc.....too....but he made them generally, not personally....so I chose to write them off as "not knowing any better and believing the hype" and let it go at that.

On a side note......everyone's definition of romantic is different too. I personally don't think it's horribly romantic to take the trite way out and go to Tiff's for a ring......there are many out there who think *spending a bundle* MUST make them romantic.

My fiance does things like this: he takes the time to clean the snow off my car; he goes out in frigid temperatures just to get us coffee from Dunkin Donuts coffee; and he turns on the bed-warmer at night so it will heat up before I get in so it isn't cold.

To me, that's much more romantic that some guy whipping out his credit card and thinking that's the be-all, end-all. To each his own.

 

[ChooChoo]

Well said, Al - I couldn't agree more. If a man is only capable of one grand, romantic gesture - and not many sweet, little, thoughtful things - he's just not for me! (Disclaimer: the ring should be very nice though, it's a once in a lifetime thing!)

 

[ed.touche]

whatever happened to humour?




The quote I posted about wedding cake was supposed to be a joke. I guess, in this day of political correctness it is better not to jest anymore. There is always some person who you will offend.




Secondly, to set the record straight - I mentioned on one of my post quiet early on that Miss Ed WANTS a smaller diamond. This is not me saying this and this is not her being polite and trying not to offend me. Our relationship is built around being honest and open - even if that does cause the other person to be upset - it works best that way.


Why are there a select few of you trying to make of this what YOU want?




Thirdly, having lived in the States for over a year I can say that my observation IS correct in my eyes. American's do tend to think bigger is better. The cars (and needless to say engines in them) are bigger, houses are bigger, meal sizes are bigger, people are bigger. This is no more speculation than the fact that most British people have bad teeth (luckily I was saved from this fate). You might not like these facts or may even feel insulted about them still it doesn't stop them being true. Let me make it crystal (or IF) clear - I am talking about the mode, not 100% of the population. Also, let me tell you that I think America is built by a people with vision and dream - moreso than any other nation. If I were an America, I would be an extremely proud one at that. Remember I am marrying one! It will be to me a blessing to become one by matrimony.




All I am asking is to let me have my small diamond. Please.

 

[tomatoe]

----------------
On 1/8/2004 8:52:24 AM ed.touche wrote:


In answer to Giangi question - the reason why I want a smaller flawless and perfectly coloured (yes, I'm British) diamond is probably much the same reason as to why I ride a Trek 5900 opposed to a 5500 road bike. To the untrained eye the bikes are very similar. The difference is all in my mind, and to me that is what matters. I know I have a carbon Fiber 110 frame opposed to a 120 version. I don't care too much what other people think. Knowing my lady is wearing what she deserves (something perfect) matters greatly to me. Who cares if someone notes the size? big is not always beautiful (IMO).

----------------

every1 shd just read this part of one of ed's posts and leave him well enough alone. it's his character, his choice and his life to lead, who cares if he is doing or saying something against u or ur ideas. rem ignorance is bliss, if u dont like what he says dont visit this thread. cheers

 

[canadiangrrl]

Ed, all well cut round brilliants will exhibit some form of hearts and arrows pattern. Some have such a precise degree of symmetry that the vendor will brand the stone as Hearts and Arrows and sell it as such. Most are indeed lovely stones, as PQ noted - but not all.

I have seen stones designated as Hearts and Arrows side by each with stones that were not (they were, however, AGS0's, meaning that AGS had issued them their highest cut grade, which is zero.) I could not tell the difference between them with my own two eyes.

If you're looking for light return, you need to look at the angles - the interplay between crown and pavilion angles, specifically. The tutorial on this site provides a great deal of information on that very topic and it's a good place to start.

As a sidenote, there are clearly some cultural differences at play here, as Valeria noted earlier in this thread. Please, please, please....I am not trying to offend the Americans...hell, I'm marrying one next September and if little green Martians invaded Canada tomorrow, you'd be the first ones here to help defend our borders...

....but Ed's right - in general, Americans drive bigger cars, wear bigger rocks, serve larger portions in restaurants - in short, size and overall bling factor can at times be paramount. There's less of an emphasis on size and bling in other countries - particularly in Europe and in Canada - and more of an emphasis on quality. This isn't a value judgment - just a generalized observation from a Canadian with English parents who has spent a great deal of time in both the US and the UK.

And Ed, if a D/IF is your kettle of fish, I hope you find exactly what you're looking for. And by the way, welcome to Pricescope.

 

[ed.touche]

I have found a diamond on Blue Nile and the AGS cert is as follows...


http://www.bluenile.com/certs/386/AGS3958201_zoom.jpeg




Having plumbed the specifics it the formula as listed on...


https://www.pricescope.com/cutadviser.asp




I am returned with a 'score' of Excellent on all accounts. Why then does the seller list it on their web site (http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?shortnamelink=1&pid=LD00679562) as only a 'very good' cut opposed to some of which are listed as 'Ideal'?




Forgive me for making you link chase.


Ed.

 

[kimong]

hey Ed, looks like your planning to buy over the US internet, if so have you discovered the best way to get it to you in UK without incurring the wrath of the VAT??? Is there some smart way...aside from going to US yourself/or a friend!

Sorry, can't answer your question on previous post... me a half newbie.

 

[rocks]

ed,
get what you and your soon to be fiance want. i am definitely a believer in quality over quanitiy (noone knows that my trek was about $2500 years ago...and i really don't care...it's light...it's aerodynamic...and is proportioned just for me...long legs and a short arms). that said, my only reason for suggesting that you consider vvs1 and vvs2 stones was to increase the liklihood of your finding a "perfect" stone in the size and color range that you are focused on. the universe of stones that would qualify your initial criteria is small, and the universe of ideally cut dif's is minute...then add the requirement that they have superior light return, etc.....in order of importance, if purity (tranlsating to clarity) is more important than optics (light return etc) then stick with the if...but if optimal light return is higher in priority...

in london, the only retailer that will have such stones is graff (their focus is d/e and f/if/vvs and fancy color diamonds, though the cut is not always ideal). if you live in or near london, go there and satisfy yourself.....they also stock smaller rings. be prepared...they make tiffany look like zales.....

for me, going to graff is like going to a museum.....

good luck!

 

[rocks]

ed,
in response to your querie (fif):

first, the stone is technically too shallow (59.6 depth percentage), second, the crown angle is alittle off (only 34%), third, the max and min diameter is at the high end for that size stone.

all that said, you don't really know for sure without seeing the stone, and comparing to to others.

good luck!

 

[ed.touche]

the web site www.goodoldgold.com seems to be a good place to start. He seems to anaylis Diamonds to the max - AGS 0, Isee2,Confirmed H&A. It *seems* by this method that there is very little subjectivity left in it making the whole process about as objective as one could imagine.




Do many dealers offer this service? Buying from places such as Mondera, Blue Nile etc don't offer this and I guess it's up to you to use eye power in order to figure it is a excellent diamond? The only problem I forsee with this is that you could end up ordering a diamond, not liking it then having to send it back. How long could this go on for? 5 times?

 

[strmrdr]

Ed,
The often recomended vendors will get you more information on request but dont have it on their website.
That said no one offers as much information as goodoldgold, superbcert comes close, but the others offer enough information that a good decision can be made but it does make it hard to compare at times.

With the rarety of d/if h&a super ideal diamonds like I said earlier Id contact Rhino at goodoldgold and maybe some of the other vendors and set them to
hunting up one for you.