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So Confused, Please Help

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njseeker

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
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I need a lot of help. I really don''t know what to get. I have the suggested numbers for a well cut diamond and I would like to stay within those parameters. Here is some very general information... I would love to hear what everyone''s personal opinion is on what color and clarity diamond I should get.

I have about 18k to spend on about a 1.7 carat round diamond. Assuming the diamond is well cut what color and clarity do people recommend?
 
julie picked a great one nj. If eyeclean, it''s perfect.

Color and clarity are somewhat personal to some folks, so the recommendations can reflect that. For many, a nice sweet spot is the G-H, VS2-SI1 area.
 
Date: 1/13/2009 3:37:36 PM
Author: Ellen
julie picked a great one nj. If eyeclean, it''s perfect.

Color and clarity are somewhat personal to some folks, so the recommendations can reflect that. For many, a nice sweet spot is the G-H, VS2-SI1 area.
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Ditto!
 
great, that diamond looks very nice but I''m too nervous to buy online and I''m not really comfortable with the idea. what do you think about this choice?

G/VS2 vs. H/VS1

Go for color or clarity?


Or is it worth the money to shell out for a G/VS1. I know this is personal but I''d like to hear everyone''s opinions...
 
I also found a 1.7 G/VS2 that scored a 1.99 on the Holloway Cut Advisor it''s also an Ideal cut... does that mean the same thing?
 
Date: 1/13/2009 4:26:46 PM
Author: njseeker
I also found a 1.7 G/VS2 that scored a 1.99 on the Holloway Cut Advisor it's also an Ideal cut... does that mean the same thing?
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Do you mean a 1.9? It doesn't give scores like that. And where did the x fall?


As for what to buy between what you listed, I'd go for the G (or H) VS2.
 
haha, you are exactly right... I must''ve added an extra nine by mistake. The diamond I was looking at was a G/VS2 and scored a 1.9 on the HCA score. The x fell on a red/orange part of the chart... definitely more orange though.

The other two rocks I saw scored lke this: (1) G/vs2 scored a 2.4 and (2) G/VS1 scored a 2.9. Should I be looking for under a 2 score? Is the difference very small?



JulieN - The diamond you picked scored really high on the HCA.. very nice pick!
 
Date: 1/13/2009 5:16:15 PM
Author: njseeker
haha, you are exactly right... I must've added an extra nine by mistake. The diamond I was looking at was a G/VS2 and scored a 1.9 on the HCA score. The x fell on a red/orange part of the chart... definitely more orange though.

The other two rocks I saw scored lke this: (1) G/vs2 scored a 2.4 and (2) G/VS1 scored a 2.9. Should I be looking for under a 2 score? Is the difference very small?



JulieN - The diamond you picked scored really high on the HCA.. very nice pick!
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Yes, under 2 will be the better pick, though you're really not supposed to "pick" one with the HCA. Ideally, once you get a score under 2, you should move on to more info, though if you're working locally, that probably won't be possible. The difference could be slight, or a lot between the scores, but too many variables (unknown) to know.

To get the best contender, the x should fall in the overlap area of the GIA/AGS boxes. That's the best spot to be in, or close to.
28.gif
 
Date: 1/13/2009 3:37:36 PM
Author: Ellen
julie picked a great one nj. If eyeclean, it''s perfect.

Color and clarity are somewhat personal to some folks, so the recommendations can reflect that. For many, a nice sweet spot is the G-H, VS2-SI1 area.
Click to expand...
sounds good to me
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JulieN picked a gorgeous stone!!

What state are you in? There might be good vendor near by?
 
G VS2>H VS1.

You use HCA to reject any stones that score over 2. But once you are under two, you do not use HCA to pick. (a lower score like .6 is not necessarily better than 1.6)
 
First, thank you all for the responses. I''m not sure what I would do without all you guys! So helpful! I wish I could buy you all a drink or something.

Swingirl - I am in New Jersey.




Summation of what I learned so far:

1. Pick a diamond with an HCA score of under 2

2. Make sure the dimensions are good (I think that this falls under HCA score as well).

3. G VS2 is generally better than H VS1 but it depends on how close the diamond is to the different scores.

4. I should check out Goodoldgold.


I am also going to pay an appraiser to help me pick out the stone.

People have mentioned next steps in determining criteria... what else am I missing?
 
Date: 1/14/2009 9:40:19 AM
Author: njseeker
First, thank you all for the responses. I'm not sure what I would do without all you guys! So helpful! I wish I could buy you all a drink or something.

Swingirl - I am in New Jersey.




Summation of what I learned so far:

1. Pick a diamond with an HCA score of under 2

2. Make sure the dimensions are good (I think that this falls under HCA score as well).

3. G VS2 is generally better than H VS1 but it depends on how close the diamond is to the different scores.

4. I should check out Goodoldgold.


I am also going to pay an appraiser to help me pick out the stone.

People have mentioned next steps in determining criteria... what else am I missing?
Click to expand...
If you can get here, you are gold.
2.gif
(no pun intended!) They carry gorgeous stones, and Jon (head honcho) is extremely helpful. If he's got time (make an appt), he'll give you the grand tour with all his gadgets, if you're interested. And then show you whatever you'd like to see. It would be well worth the trip, if it's not too far.


The next steps would be like an Idealscope pic, Sarin report, etc. GOG would have all that and more.
 
Date: 1/14/2009 9:40:19 AM
Author: njseeker
First, thank you all for the responses. I''m not sure what I would do without all you guys! So helpful! I wish I could buy you all a drink or something.

Swingirl - I am in New Jersey.




Summation of what I learned so far:

1. Pick a diamond with an HCA score of under 2 - Yes, then evaluate from there using Idealscope images and trusted vendor/ appraiser input.

2. Make sure the dimensions are good (I think that this falls under HCA score as well). As above.

3. G VS2 is generally better than H VS1 but it depends on how close the diamond is to the different scores. One isn''t better than the other but is up to personal preference and budget, if the cut is good then both will be beautiful.

4. I should check out Goodoldgold. Definitely.


I am also going to pay an appraiser to help me pick out the stone.

People have mentioned next steps in determining criteria... what else am I missing?
Click to expand...
 
njseeker, to be honest, I would be comfortable (if you were choosing only between stones at GOG) with having Jonathan help you make the actual choice (referring back to your other thread with 3 stones you are considering). Certainly an independent appraiser will be helpful to verify your purchase, but you can actually rely on Jonathan''s eyes (and your own - you lucky guy to be able to see them in person!!!) when choosing between the actual stones.

You don'' t have to buy us drinks, but we would appreciate pics when you are done!! :)
 
If I had your budget to spend I definitely would take a little road trip to visit Good Old Gold. They will provide you with all the photos and scans A WELL AS the personal customer service of a B&M. You'll get to see the real thing before you buy. And they have a fabulous selection of well cut stones.
 
I will post pictures if you like when I finally decide what I want which should be soon hopefully. =)

Assuming that the diamond is very well cut and exc polish/sym and has good proportions and all, I would like to know what people would buy for themselves. I know these stats are dependent on each other and affect price but I also know that all of you have a very good idea about prices and all of this stuff...

So if I gave you 18-19k to buy a diamond stone for yourself (assuming you don''t have one) what color, clarity and size would you each personally go for?
 
Date: 1/16/2009 2:04:06 PM
Author: njseeker
I will post pictures if you like when I finally decide what I want which should be soon hopefully. =)

Assuming that the diamond is very well cut and exc polish/sym and has good proportions and all, I would like to know what people would buy for themselves. I know these stats are dependent on each other and affect price but I also know that all of you have a very good idea about prices and all of this stuff...

So if I gave you 18-19k to buy a diamond stone for yourself (assuming you don't have one) what color, clarity and size would you each personally go for?
Click to expand...
Oh, good, just give me the money and I'll show you what I'd choose!
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I currently have a 1.63 H VS1 (that is borderline G-H) from Good Old Gold. I can assure you, you really don't need an extra appraisal for a stone from there as I have never seen so much information in my life as they provide! I imagine that Jon handles more ideal cut stones than most appraisers on a daily basis, so I can tell you that I trust him completely!

So to answer your question, for 18-19k, I'd go as large as I could between 1.5 and 1.9 with G or H color and VS1 or VS2 clarity.
 
So if I gave you 18-19k to buy a diamond stone for yourself (assuming you don''t have one) what color, clarity and size would you each personally go for?
Click to expand...
I''d be looking for something between a F and a J as far as color, and VS1 to SI1 (as long as it is eyeclean) for clarity. I think people are drawn to different types of diamonds, so if you are able to go to GOG go with an open mind and see which diamonds you find to be visually pleasing.
 
GOG actually has 4 stones right now at 1.7 cts. with G-H color and VS1-VS2 clarity, so you'd have a nice selection to choose from! The 1.72 H VS2 is the lowest priced of the 4 and actually has the best diameter, but looking at the stones or having Jon video them for you if you can't travel there would be a good idea!
 
you guys are the best! I am going to have to show my fiancee all of these posts after all is said and done... as long as its not cheesy that she knows how much I spent.... I guess I''ll figure that out if she asks.
 
You tell her that there is a great brides forum here on PS where she can have fun and get support during the wedding planning! We definitely want to see pictures of her hand with the ring, too!
 
oooh that is a fantastic suggestion. I know she''ll absolutely absolutely love that!!!!!
 
Date: 1/16/2009 2:04:06 PM
Author: njseeker
I will post pictures if you like when I finally decide what I want which should be soon hopefully. =)

Assuming that the diamond is very well cut and exc polish/sym and has good proportions and all, I would like to know what people would buy for themselves. I know these stats are dependent on each other and affect price but I also know that all of you have a very good idea about prices and all of this stuff...

So if I gave you 18-19k to buy a diamond stone for yourself (assuming you don''t have one) what color, clarity and size would you each personally go for?
Click to expand...
With that nice budget, I would want it all, meaning size too! I would choose H/I color SI1 GIA Excellent cut or better.
(Very Good Polish/Symmetry at least) and I would get the biggest size this would allow me. I would be looking for a 1.90ct+. If I were going to spend all that money, I would want it to be on attributes I would see with my eyes, not just on paper. I had a VS2 E color stone and found I wished I had gone lower in color/clarity and larger in size, so I did exactly that! Good Luck!
 
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