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Stone and Setting help please!

A

annak

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
6
Hi everyone, I'm after some advise on settings and a particular stone please.

Our budget is quite small, about $5000 australian dollars (for engagement, eternity and wedding band), so trying to keep it close to that.

Im also wondering if the seller (MDC Diamonds New York) is in fact reputable and puts out good quality stuff (for the price), as I think they look very pretty. They seem to be fabulous so far with service, and have lots of great feedback, but still worth checking! In regards to settings, we're looking at MDC, would love your thoughts. I've read what I could find on the forums about them and couldn't see anything negative, not sure if I missed something.

We're looking at:

http://www.mdcdiamonds.com/WedAndetails.cfm?Stock=ES332WB&Country=US#
http://www.mdcdiamonds.com/engagementdetails.cfm?Stock=ES926ECBSWG&Country=US

In regards to centre diamond, I'm after an emerald cut, as close to 1 carat as we can afford. It has been explained to me that with this cut, I need to be very careful with inclusions being visible. The lovely lady at MDC has suggested this stone:

EMERALD CUT
Measurements: 6.47 x 4.50 x 2.86 mm
Carat Weight: 0.83 carat
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade: VVS1
PROPORTIONS
Depth: 63.6%
Table: 63%
Girdle: Slightly Thick to Thick
Culet: None
FINISH
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: Medium Blue
CLARITY CHARACTERISTICS
Pinpoint
INSCRIPTION(S): GIA 6127681389
Price: US$2558

My questions are:

Do you recommend MDC considering our budget is quite small?
Do these settings look ok price wise?
As this stone is emerald cut, should I be worried about the pinpoint, or as it is VVS1 will it not be visible to the naked eye?
Should I be concerned about the Flourescence/Depth/Table?
Also, would I get more for my money basically if I went for a different cut as inclusions are less of an issue than with an emerald cut?
Does Inscriptions mean that the GIA is actually lasered onto the diamond itself?

And lucky last, can anyone suggest anything better for my budget? Working on the MDC prices, it looks like we really only have about $2500 to spare for the diamond.

Thank you very much! I am sorry I have many questions for my very first post! :twirl:
 
First of all, congratulations on your engagement!

There's nothing wrong with the rings you picked out. In fact, I really like the second one, but I don't have any experience with this vendor. If I were you and working with a budget of that size for your ring, I wouldn't get such a fancy setting for the engagement ring (setting all that melee requires a lot more labor) and I'd get a plain wedding band that you can upgrade later on (perhaps as a anniversary gift). An eternity band can also be purchased later. I would focus on the diamond right now. To my mind, replacing the settings is a lot easier and cheaper than getting a new diamond in the future if you want to upgrade.

An emerald cut diamond usually requires a higher clarity and color than other cuts, especially brilliant cut stones, IMO. They are also generally deeper than other cuts, so the face up size per carat can be smaller than the same weight in a radiant, for example. Not that there's anything wrong with an emerald cut; my ER is a three-stone EC so I love them too. You've got to decide what your priorities are (weight and face up size vs color and clarity). I wouldn't change to another shape if you really love the EC, but if you like other cuts as well, maybe you should consider them. Another factor to consider is whether a GIA report is important to you. About fluorescence, I can't stand it because the diamonds look like they're surrounded in haze. But that's me, not all people find it that distracting. Have you looked at stones with and without fluorescence in person already? If not, you really should.

If you really want the halo, here's a Daussi ring which is discounted at the moment as a "close out". The diamond is a .71ct EC, has a GIA report, I/VS1, no fluorescence. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they will size the ring, so if you aren't a 6.5, this wouldn't work. Also, it would be harder to find a band that will go with it, but here it is: http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/diamond-halo-ring-71ct-ivs1-daussi-emerald-cut-diamond-gia-work-of-art-r3624

Another way to save a few dollars is to purchase a pre-owned ring. It would be easier to find a band to go with this next ring, but the diamond is a little warmer, but at half the price of the first ring. Also comes with a halo and GIA report stating .60ct, J/VS1, no fluorescence. http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Modern-and-Estate-Pieces/60ct-Emerald-Cut-Diamond-Ring/21134431_qRzFFQ#!i=1684093446&k=gvxxfWL

If you would consider other cuts, here are a few links you might want to check out:
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/square-brilliant-diamond-ring-74ct-halo-ring-r4371
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/ring-109ctw-cushion-3-stone-diamond-ring
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/100ctw-Modern-Brilliant/20392970_VVnDrV#!i=1613673736&k=MMq5QbD
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Modern-and-Estate-Pieces/Tiffany/22226452_X3GFmm#!i=1775150366&k=7CLJZck
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/76ct-Old-European-Cut-Diamond/22306067_Nw8tFL#!i=1809961299&k=7cNGmJq

Best of luck to you. Keep us posted on your progress!

Mikla

edited to correct links
 
Oh wow Mikla, thank you so much for all of your help! I will have a look through all of the links you sent me :)

I really do want a GIA, I guess I just worry about what I might be getting otherwise (could be a pretty piece of glass for all I know haha).

We were thinking we would probably upgrade the ring one day, and I think I would always like to keep the original as well rather than take the diamond out I think, which is why I thought we'd try to get the whole package for under $5000 in one neat little parcel :)

I guess rather than colour so much, or fluorescence, I am most worried about visible inclusions in an emerald cut. At VS1/2 or VVS1/2 are inclusions such as a pinpoint visible to the naked eye?

Thanks!
 
Dear Annak:

You shouldn't have to worry about seeing anything with a GIA clarity grade of VS2 and above. If you are going to buy on-line, it's safest to stick with those grades. However, you might even get away with SI1 or SI2 if the inclusion is hidden in the corners or of a kind that is not black. Here is an example of an F, SI2 Asscher that is actually eye-clean to me (but that is rare): http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-diamond-129-large-looking-asscher-diamond-f-si2-gia

Don't forget to look at polish and symmetry grades as well. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Mikla
 
Dear Annak:

Here's a link to check GIA report information: http://www.gia.edu/reportcheck/
Tutorial about buying emerald cut diamonds: https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/emerald-cut-diamond
And another link discussing feathers: https://www.pricescope.com/journal/diamond_feather_inclusions_durability_risk

Based on the GIA report, there are a few things to consider. Ideal ratio is from 1.5 - 1.75. This one is 1.2 so it's more square than others. The table and the depth are on the higher end of the scale, though this doesn't bother me. Color, clarity, polish and symmetry look good on paper. At the end of the day, you have to see the actual diamond, so without some good photographs I can't really say much else about this stone. Can this vendor send you some close-up shots of the diamond? They may not be able to if they're buying from a list, but ask!

Mikla
 
Congratulations on your engagement! :appl:

Emerald cuts are one of the most difficult cuts to purchase, and you can't do it based on the numbers listed on the report, which are only table and depth. You really need to work with a vendor that can offer you actual magnified images of the diamond and ASET images. There are more EC dogs out there than there are good ones, and you won't be able to tell by just looking at the reports. I'd suggest working with a vendor that can offer you more information on the stones than the ones you have been considering.
 
I found this one, but you would need to ask for some better images. It's hard to get a real good look at all the step the way the light is shining on it, but it looks like it has potential. PSers get an additional discount for diamond purchases, so your wire price would be about $3700 us. There are some really great step cut gurus around here and they will be around shortly to make some other suggestions.


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1424430.asp
 
Thanks Christina! I love the fact that the seller you have mentioned has pics of the actual diamond you're purchasing, a huge difference to what I have been looking at! I'm just about to have a better look at them now :) Thank you!
 
You could check out some other vendors as well. Good Old Gold, Jonathon is great, and offers lots of information about the stones, if you didn't see something on his site that met your needs, he could call some in for you. White Flash and Brian Gavin Diamonds, all have actual pictures of their in house diamonds, as well as ASET images. They would all be worth looking into. If you don't find what your looking for, don't be afraid to contact the vendors directly and ask for help. They are all wonderful to work with and will do whatever they can to help you locate something. =)
 
Well I took your advice and have had a look at some second hand rings and they look great!

I have been offered the following ring for $6500 - thoughts? The valuation seems to value the ring at just over $18,000... but I'm not sure about that, I'm not sure if it's an independent valuation and so possibly blown out...

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/sydney-city/women-s-jewellery/1-61-carat-princess-cut-platinum-diamond-engagemet-ring/1002790165

And the GIA certificate for the centre diamond is attached.

This is a little above my original budget, but as it's platinum and a 1.01 carat diamond it seems like a pretty good deal?

Thank you!

GIA-1.jpg
 
Hi Annak:

So a few things come to mind . . . are you giving up on the emerald cut because this seems like a good deal to you? Be honest with yourself about what you really want. I can tell you that if you buy something now and want to sell it later, you'll get about 50% of retail for it. Exceptions might be named pieces, like Tiffany or Cartier. I sent you a link to an T&Co set in a prior post as an example.

Secondly, an appraisal from someone who has something to gain from the transaction doesn't mean anything in terms of setting prices. I can write you an appraisal if you like. :naughty: A thing is worth what someone will pay for it in an arm's length transaction. Period. However, if you get an independent appraiser, you will get an objective description of the item and verification (hopefully) of what the seller told you. Independent appraisers may be helpful in determining a range of prices for your particular circumstance (if you're the buyer or seller, if it's retail or trade, as examples). Here's one list of them: https://www.pricescope.com/appraisers

Last thing for now, princess cuts are normally quite deep so the face up size will be less per carat than say, a round stone. You should also watch for extinction in the middle of the stone. Unfortunately the stone is already set and in a bezel so you can't get an ASET.

I hope I'm not discouraging you! But don't rush this process because a mistake can be costly. Take your time to make a decision.

Best,
Mikla
 
Thanks! Yes price is a driving factor I'll admit, but it is the style I love, and very similar is close enough :appl:

My worry though is that this second hand ring is much bigger than I would need.... it is currently a size T and I'm a K.... can a ring be made smaller by such a large amount without the stones popping out??

Thanks!
 
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