Some Advice Please - The more I read the more confused I get

cajewel · May 25, 2012

This is such a great forum with many experts having many years of experience that really know a lot about diamonds - I admire you all. The problem I have is I don't have the years of experience and it seems the more I read the more confused I get. I've read about the 4 C's, etc.. but as I continue to research I see there is more to finding a good diamond than just that.

I am wanting to surprise my wife in July or August with a new diamond. We've been married for 16 years and I am finally at a point where I can afford something nicer for her. I'm looking at something in the 2.0 - 2.25 range that gives us the most bang for the buck. I've budgeted $25K for the diamond and setting. If I can get more diamond for this amount that would be really great. I just want something she would be really proud to wear. She likes big and shiny - lol if that makes sense??? Most of my searching so far has been limited to blue nile at the moment.

I guess what I'm looking for is what the ideal specifications for something like this would be. To not only include the 4 C's but the best proportions as well, i.e.table size, depth, measurements. This is where I start getting really confused.

Thanks for any advice you care to share.

Regards -

TitanCi · May 26, 2012

Re: Some Advice Please - The more I read the more confused I

Congratulations, man! I bet she'll be excited to see what you'll be getting her.

Here are a few I found when I searched quickly:

This one looks great, 2.01 ct, H VS2, scores a 1.2 on the HCA, $22k; I'd look into this one if you are OK with those specs.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1495146.asp

AGS Ideal, but you have to ask for the cert $19k, 2.27 ct.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1495341.asp

A super nice WF expert select 2.13 H SI1, $25k
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2400041.htm

Do you have any preferences? Do you want a certain color range? Certain clarity range?

TC1987 · May 26, 2012

Re: Some Advice Please - The more I read the more confused I

H&A RB "cheat sheet" from [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/preferred-specs-cheat-sheet-for-rounds.88548/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/preferred-specs-cheat-sheet-for-rounds.88548/[/URL] :

depth - 60 - 62% - although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%
table - 54- 57%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above

note - with crown and pavilion angles at the shallower ends ( CA 34- PA 40.6) and steeper ( CA 35- PA 41) check to make sure these angles complement in that particular diamond - eyeballs, Idealscope, trusted vendor input - check as appropriate!

You'll find more so-so cuts than great cuts. At 2ct & up, cutters are often cutting to retain weight than get "super ideal" cut, so super ideal cut diamonds of 2ct or more are harder to find and more expensive. Or at least that's how it worked 5-7 years ago.

Table size is kind of a personal preference. I like to stay in the 55%-56% range at most, and have a taller crown w/ a steeper angle because I like fire. Lots of ~2ct diamonds have tables 58% & up and are cut more for brilliance than fire.

cajewel · May 26, 2012

Re: Some Advice Please - The more I read the more confused I

Thanks a lot for the responses.

@TitanCI - Thanks for the links, that helps me in my searching as to what you see as a nice diamond. I'm not sure exactly what color range or clarity. From what I've read G - I seems to be a nice color and SI or VS2 for clarity, both give a good value for a diamond. I like diamonds that really "pop" but not sure what makes that but you all have more to research on that.

@TC1987 - Thanks for the link on table size and what you consider nice. You really hit the mark on something I discovered while searching for diamonds. The way I started my search on 2.0+ diamonds was to compare others to one that cost about $90K, which of course I can't afford, and then brought the color down to the G-I range and clarity to the SI1-VS2 range. It seems to me you are exactly right in the comment of cutter cutting to make the weight in this size range. I guess it's a "common" size people seek to say, hey I have a 2 carat diamond.

So you have me thinking.... would you opinion be to look for something just under 2 carats? It sounds like I'll get a much better diamond and still be able to give her something that appears just a big. The way I understand it is that the table size or "face-up" of a diamond can make it appear larger than what it is.

As a side note - her first diamond I bought her I went for the best quality and sacrificed size. I told her I wanted it to be perfect just like her. While she appreciated that and loved what I gave her, I know she always wanted something bigger. I'm more of a quality type person in anything I buy but she isn't. So because of money, I need to come to a "happy medium". Something I know is nice but also fits her desire to have something big, if that make sense.

Any input on my thoughts are appreciated and again you've been a big helping me to decide on how I should best spend the $25 I have to spend on a diamond.

Regards -

bagelboy · May 27, 2012

Re: Some Advice Please - The more I read the more confused I

Welcome to Pricescope, Well I did a quick search and found a 2.41 ACA at Whiteflash. Looks really nice but over your limit by a thousand, check it out. There a couple more ACA's at 2.18 and 2.19. Both are I color and eyeclean,still over your limit by a few hundred however. Whiteflash has quite a few more diamonds around that size but are little higher. I would check out James Allen, Brian Gavin Diamonds, High Performance and Good Old Gold. Some of ladies here are extremely good at finding really good values. I would try to go big as possible without sacrificing cut quality. I would not go under 2 carats. I would encourage you to look at diamonds in person so you see the different colors. Some people are color sensitive but most are not. I bet your wife is not. So big and well cut and eyeclean would be my goal if I were you. At least that is what I'm getting from your posts. Good luck in your hunt and always smart to start earlier than too late.

angelcityjewelers · May 27, 2012

Re: Some Advice Please - The more I read the more confused I

20k can get u very nice ring. I would go with a 2.50 Ct. Princess Cut Diamond SI1.

Dougsgirl · May 27, 2012

Re: Some Advice Please - The more I read the more confused I

I am certainly NOT an expert, but I am a woman who loves "big and sparkly" and I just bought my "dream diamond" which arrived TODAY!!

We have been married for 18 years, and, like you, it was time!
I, personally, like the cushion cut diamond, and I love the look of the "Old Mine Cuts" because they are big and chunky. Well... after much research I fell in love with the "August Vintage Cushion" or AVC from Good Old Gold. (They also have an August Vintage Round). These are both new diamonds that are cut in a way that is similar to vintage diamonds, but with new technology that gives them ideal "light performance".

Anyway... because I like big diamonds, and I have a budget, (and I did a LOT of research) I learned that I could go down in color and clarity and still have it LOOK perfect. (Why pay thousands more for something you can't detect with the naked eye)?? I also like a slightly warmer diamond (the highest color stones tend to look cold and fake, to me.)
So I ended up getting a 1.87 ct, J colored, SI1 clarity, and I am IN LOVE with it!! It sparkles like crazy and has great "finger coverage". I can not see a single flaw in it.

I first bought an L colored stone, but the tint was a little to yellow for me (it wasn't just "warm" it was slightly lemony). So I am sending that one back. (Wonderful return policy at GOG!!)

So... with all that said...
My suggestion would be to not worry about G color... H, I and J can be very white, and much more affordable! And the only way to tell the difference is to hold them up next to a lighter colored diamond!

Also... If you can find an SI1 that is eye-clean, you will also save a bundle. Again.. I wanted the biggest, sparkliest stone for the money, that was an ideal cut (DON'T sacrifice on the cut!! this will give you the sparkle!!) So I got more carat-weight with a slightly lower color and clarity.

I will try to post a couple pictures for you... Like I said... I JUST received this today, so I am SO excited!! It is not "set" yet, but is in a "tension prong" thing that just holds the loose stone.

Also... check out this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=G_y44frw9I0

This video (and entire website) is great for helping to see the differences in diamond quality that you can't see with the naked eye. (I hope it's OK for me to post this here...)

Good luck with your search. You're wife is a blessed woman, for sure!!