Sooo....I started looking at colored diamonds

[Arcadian]

Don't look at me crazy

I've not bought anything yet, just looking. But I narrowed what I was looking at by 3 stones.

So I found a seller on ebay with a good reputation. Per them, they initially grade in house, however, they can send the stone to IGEC, IGI, AIGS, HKD, GIA

All of these are BIN. They also state that they are natural, not clarity enhanced.

For diamonds, I know its a different horse as far as grading.

Here's what I need to know:

Which one looks good to you

and

best lab to send it to

I'm not looking for super perfect but I don't want no dog either so honest thoughts/commentary are appreciated.

-A

 

[T L]

Don't look at me crazy

I've not bought anything yet, just looking. But I narrowed what I was looking at by 3 stones.

So I found a seller on ebay with a good reputation. Per them, they initially grade in house, however, they can send the stone to IGEC, IGI, AIGS, HKD, GIA

All of these are BIN. They also state that they are natural, not clarity enhanced.

For diamonds, I know its a different horse as far as grading.

Here's what I need to know:

Which one looks good to you

and

best lab to send it to

I'm not looking for super perfect but I don't want no dog either so honest thoughts/commentary are appreciated.

-A

Arcadian,
Those aren't particularly valuable diamonds, so I wouldn't bother sending them to a lab, not cost effective, and I don't think the lower priced labs can test for irradiation (maybe clarity enhancement). They look like real diamonds, and if you're worried about clarity enhancement or irradiation, then send it to the GIA.

I like the rose champagne the best because it looks the least included, and I'm partial to pinkish champagnes.

 

[Arcadian]

Arcadian,
Those aren't particularly valuable diamonds, so I wouldn't bother sending them to a lab, not cost effective, and I don't think the lower priced labs can test for irradiation (maybe clarity enhancement). They look like real diamonds, and if you're worried about clarity enhancement or irradiation, then send it to the GIA.

I like the rose champagne the best because it looks the least included, and I'm partial to pinkish champagnes.

Thanks TL. I'm also liking that one myself.

Being that they are so inexpensive is what made me ask as far as the labs. The fact they will actually send it is also quite nice.
The champagne would fit in a setting, I'm also leaning toward it though I kind of like them all.

So being the setting is white gold, would that make the champagne color stand out more?

-A

 

[missydebby]

If I were you I'd check out both Diamonds By Lauren and Leibish.

http://diamondsbylauren.com/

http://www.fancydiamonds.net/

I have never completed a purchase with either of them, but they both looked for my center stone for my current project, and I've had a lot of email correspondence with both.

Both have a ton of GIA stones, and that's the way to go. Otherwise you have no clue of what you're really buying and therefore no clue if you're even getting a decent price. If I'm being honest with you, I don't like any of the stones you posted... I think you can do better!

Let me tell you about my experiences with both vendors. I found David to extraordinarily nice and really attentive when it came to my questions. He'll take video for you. He'll take more pictures if you need them. His trade in / return policies are superb. And he has a great range of settings and an excellent range of prices.

Leibish has a candy store of great gems and you could easily spend hour upon hour browsing through. They weren't able to provide me video, and not as many photos. For me, that's hard cause I'm overseas. But it's probably fine if you want to have them sent out to you so you can get an idea.

Good luck!

 

[chrono]

I have very little experience with FCD, but based on the pictures, the champagne appeals to me the most. It has the strongest colour, yet isn’t an unattractive brown. Not only that, it’s pretty clean for an I2. I think the cost for a GIA lab memo is around $200?

 

[LD]

I have a number of coloured diamonds and would agree with TL that the ones you have chosen are not particularly valuable so I too wouldn't bother sending to a lab. Don't pay too much for them will you? None of them should be more than a few hundred dollars - even less if I'm honest.

The rose champagne coloured diamond doesn't look rose to me at all. It looks like a warm yellow with slight brown tones. It's a nice shape but a little fat for a pear. If the dimensions are ok (i.e. is it long enough for you?) then it might be worth a look. It has a particularly obvious inclusion at the point and I'd ask the seller about that before buying. Just make sure it's not surface reaching.

I like the marquise but it's only a hint of a tint of yellow and the bowtie completely wipes out the colour in the centre. With a yellow gold setting this one might come alive and strangely is my favourite of the 3.

The last one I'm finding it difficult to critique because (and this is my personal opinion) it really doesn't have a colour that you would look at and go "mmmmm yummy coloured diamond".

These sorts of diamonds often look great set and if you're not paying much then I'd definitely go ahead. I've got a few like this and if you want to see pictures I'd be happy to oblige. I'm pretty sure that TL has lots too that she could show you.

As for DiamondsbyLauren and Leibish? They're in a different league. Add on a few zeros to the price for the start and they will also have highly coloured/saturated diamonds. I've bought from DBL and my stunning Chameleon is from there. However, to try out coloured diamonds I'd definitely start with the ones you've seen so far and if they rock your world then go up the scale from there!

Hope that helps.

 

[Arcadian]

I have a number of coloured diamonds and would agree with TL that the ones you have chosen are not particularly valuable so I too wouldn't bother sending to a lab. Don't pay too much for them will you? None of them should be more than a few hundred dollars - even less if I'm honest.

The rose champagne coloured diamond doesn't look rose to me at all. It looks like a warm yellow with slight brown tones. It's a nice shape but a little fat for a pear. If the dimensions are ok (i.e. is it long enough for you?) then it might be worth a look. It has a particularly obvious inclusion at the point and I'd ask the seller about that before buying. Just make sure it's not surface reaching.

I like the marquise but it's only a hint of a tint of yellow and the bowtie completely wipes out the colour in the centre. With a yellow gold setting this one might come alive and strangely is my favourite of the 3.

The last one I'm finding it difficult to critique because (and this is my personal opinion) it really doesn't have a colour that you would look at and go "mmmmm yummy coloured diamond".

These sorts of diamonds often look great set and if you're not paying much then I'd definitely go ahead. I've got a few like this and if you want to see pictures I'd be happy to oblige. I'm pretty sure that TL has lots too that she could show you.

As for DiamondsbyLauren and Leibish? They're in a different league. Add on a few zeros to the price for the start and they will also have highly coloured/saturated diamonds. I've bought from DBL and my stunning Chameleon is from there. However, to try out coloured diamonds I'd definitely start with the ones you've seen so far and if they rock your world then go up the scale from there!

Hope that helps.

It does help.

I should clarify, the one at the top is supposed to be rose cut champagne diamond and not rose champagne diamond. (oops?) it dosen't look very rose cut to me but thats ok too.

Ok so Ix-nay the cert. gotcha. None of them are terribly expensive, under 500ish. I didn't realize a cert from GIA would even by that much

The round I believe is what they called a J-K color? So its the whitest of them all.


-A

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Out of the three I would choose the pear too, based on color and shape proportions. Knowing about fluor in FCD's is important as it can enhance detract or have no bearing on color (outside at least). A blue fluor can wash out or muddy a yellow/brown diamond. While yellow or other colors can enhance an FCD.

I have bought from fancydiamonds.net (Leibish & Co) and will again (soon ) I also looked into
http://www.starruby.in/store/fancy-color-diamonds for my search and found some decent priced stones but none in the shape I wanted.

For any FCD under .91cts at GIA costs $149 USD.

 

[missydebby]

True dat LovingDiamonds. Sound advice. I don't know how much your diamonds are listed for. So I might be totally off the mark, but here's a few round .50 They are all in house graded so are lower in price

.50 light yellow princess member price $562, plus you can add 3 stones to their summer sale and get even more off
http://www.fancydiamonds.net/view_diamonds/3277.htm

.45 oval $708
http://www.fancydiamonds.net/view_diamonds/3141.htm

.52 light gray $717
http://www.fancydiamonds.net/view_diamonds/3020.htm

.40 brownish greenish yellowish pear $795
http://www.fancydiamonds.net/view_diamonds/2789.htm

.46 brownish fancy pear $771
http://www.fancydiamonds.net/view_diamonds/3230.htm


From DBL
.41 radiant light yellow $649
http://rockdiamond.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-diamond41ct-square-radiant-natural-light-yellow-r3401

.38 light yellow marquise already set in a ring $799
http://rockdiamond.com/index.php/je...arquise-diamond-2tone-gold-diamond-ring-r3404

And maybe he'll give you a discount if you ask, or has something not listed. he's super nice and I think it'd be worth to shoot him an email or call. You never know. Maybe he has something hidden away with your name on it!

love, Debs

 

[LD]

I have a number of coloured diamonds and would agree with TL that the ones you have chosen are not particularly valuable so I too wouldn't bother sending to a lab. Don't pay too much for them will you? None of them should be more than a few hundred dollars - even less if I'm honest.

The rose champagne coloured diamond doesn't look rose to me at all. It looks like a warm yellow with slight brown tones. It's a nice shape but a little fat for a pear. If the dimensions are ok (i.e. is it long enough for you?) then it might be worth a look. It has a particularly obvious inclusion at the point and I'd ask the seller about that before buying. Just make sure it's not surface reaching.

I like the marquise but it's only a hint of a tint of yellow and the bowtie completely wipes out the colour in the centre. With a yellow gold setting this one might come alive and strangely is my favourite of the 3.

The last one I'm finding it difficult to critique because (and this is my personal opinion) it really doesn't have a colour that you would look at and go "mmmmm yummy coloured diamond".

These sorts of diamonds often look great set and if you're not paying much then I'd definitely go ahead. I've got a few like this and if you want to see pictures I'd be happy to oblige. I'm pretty sure that TL has lots too that she could show you.

As for DiamondsbyLauren and Leibish? They're in a different league. Add on a few zeros to the price for the start and they will also have highly coloured/saturated diamonds. I've bought from DBL and my stunning Chameleon is from there. However, to try out coloured diamonds I'd definitely start with the ones you've seen so far and if they rock your world then go up the scale from there!

Hope that helps.

It does help.

I should clarify, the one at the top is supposed to be rose cut champagne diamond and not rose champagne diamond. (oops?) it dosen't look very rose cut to me but thats ok too.

Ok so Ix-nay the cert. gotcha. None of them are terribly expensive, under 500ish. I didn't realize a cert from GIA would even by that much

The round I believe is what they called a J-K color? So its the whitest of them all.


-A

Arc if that's a rose cut diamond you can call me Father Christmas!

In terms of the round - that's no way a J-K colour. It's far too brown to be that high on the scale. For comparison, this is an M (cert'ed). It only shows its colour at either end and has a horrible bowtie BUT this is the sparkliest diamond I own. It's an amazing little fire ball and I love it for that!

 

[chrono]

Arc,
I have an L diamond that looks like the colour of antique lace (off white). I don’t know how something with a colour grading of J/K ended up being a FCD. I also own a J OEC and it’s quite white all the time. Both stones are certified.

Here is my L OMC from GOG, GIA certified


This is my J OEC, EGL USA certified


Based on these pictures showing the stones I have, I highly doubt the stone as shown from the vendor to be a true J/K colour.

 

[Arcadian]

Wow, thanks for that!

Yeah that round one I posted is no J-K for sure! Of the ones I posted its also the cheapest. it does give me something to think about.

So what WOULD you guys call that color?

-A

 

[Dreamer_D]

A J/K color round is not actually fancy colored at all, it is not even in the faint tint range if a J, and the cut does not look so hot and it looks included, so I would exclude it personally.

I like the pear best.

 

[LD]

Wow, thanks for that!

Yeah that round one I posted is no J-K for sure! Of the ones I posted its also the cheapest. it does give me something to think about.

So what WOULD you guys call that color?

-A

Dirty!

No, seriously, it's probably about an S or T BUT the problem is that it has tinges of brown enhanced by the myriad of inclusions. It's not a fancy coloured diamond. Ok, the other two aren't either and are more at the yellow bottom end of the scale but they're more attractive (although I appreciate beauty is in the eye of the beholder) but Arc, in the grand scheme of things hun, I'm not sure this would make your earth move!

 

[Arcadian]

Admittedly I put it in more for price than color (ok it also fits a setting, you know how that is) but I still wanted an opinion. Since I don't really do diamonds all that much, I admit I do find them harder to read. So don't worry no hurt feelings here, and you're right, I would have nixed it anyway.


-A

 

[iLander]

Arcadian,

Drop a quick email to this guy : http://www.selectgem.com/

I have it on good authority that he has some nice colored diamonds, half carat range, cheap. I know he has a pear.

Another PSer bought something from him and loved it. I can't remember which thread it was though.

 

[Arcadian]

Thanks iLander. I've seen that really lovely chocolate diamond at selectgem, which I really love colorwise. sadly though, it won't fit into any setting I have

I certainly plan on getting a diamond that at least fits in a setting I have (hopefully) If go with a pear its got to at least be 5x7 or close enough to it.

I certainly will ask what he has though.


-A

 

[GliderPoss]

Geez Chrono that OMC is O.M.G!!! Yummo.......

Oh and I like the pear the best.