struggling with details

[chopstixbd]

hi all i'm new to this forum and diamonds! I am looking to purchase an engagement ring but not sure if i have all the details needed to find a perfect ring. This is what i have picked up so far, please can you help in letting me know if my price is realistic and if the details i am looking at are correct.


CUT - Signature or Very Good
COLOUR - G or H
CLARITY SI1 or SI2
CARAT - 1.3 - 1.5 carat (avoid round numbers)

budget around £5,000, could push to £6,000 for the right ring


i have looked online and some in store but when the information about a diamond i get a bit lost and not sure if and what i should be looking for. Worried about buying online in case it isn't as sparkly as i expect it to be!

 

[Alisto]

Looks reasonable. Here's a sample search: https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-search-results/u2ja89xC

 

[rubybeth]

I'd suggest going with a vendor that provides photos and/or videos of the diamond you'd be purchasing. James Allen, Whiteflash, Brian Gavin, Good Old Gold, would all be good choices to search. Also, you want excellent or ideal cut, not "very good." Either AGS or GIA certification.

 

[tyty333]

Your budget/specs are a little tight. I think something is going to have to give. Here is what I found at JA. Need to make sure
they are "eye-clean" enough for you.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-528688
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.32-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-565405

G/H in your budget but smaller...most of the G/H had so many inclusions that I just couldnt even recommend them

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.23-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-524214


You might also check out Enchanted Diamonds or talk to ID Jewelry Online because they are good at working within tight
budgets.

 

[rubybeth]

Also, what kind of ring setting are you looking for? A simple solitaire would cost less, and you could always change the setting later if that will eat up too much of your budget.

 

[chrono]

CUT - Signature or Very Good
This is too generic. Some cut grading is arbitrary and not all GIA 3X are good performers due to the rounding of numbers and being a wider range.

CARAT - 1.3 - 1.5 carat (avoid round numbers)
Staying under the 1.5 ct mark helps you avoid the $/ct jump, which is significant.

depth - 60 - 62%
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

If the crown and pavilion angles at the shallower ends ( CA 34- PA 40.6) and steeper ( CA 35- PA 41), getting the IS and ASET is a must. A crown angle of 34.0, 34.5 or 35.0 is usually safe with a 40.8 pavilion angle. If pavilion angle = 40.6 lean toward a 34.5-35.0 crown. If pavilion angle = 41 lean toward a 34.0-34.5 crown.

 

[chopstixbd]

Thank you for your help all. can you please help me with what yous mean by the following?

• What is the recommended certificates i should look for - GIA, GIA3X and AGS?
  Can you buy an actual diamond itself and pick a ring to place it on? Is this recommended or does it usually work best buying the diamond with the ring?
  Can you recommended a Symmetry, Polish and Fluore Scence and HCA Cut Rank? I have noticed these options available in the advanced search of this site so not sure if these make much of a impact.

I know it would be best selecting the highest choices in all however I need to be careful with budget and also if there is a actual need for the highest as I only need a ring that looks perfect to the eye, not under a microscope


I am going to go to some stores this week to have a real look at some of the diamonds to see what they actually look like, I have collected the following information:

Carat: 1.3 - 1.5 (no round numbers)
Depth: 60 - 62%
Table: 54 - 57%
Crown Angle: 34 - 35 degrees
Pavilion Angle: 40.6 - 41 degrees

A crown angle of 34.0, 34.5 or 35.0 is usually safe with a 40.8 pavilion angle
Pavilion Angle = 40.6 lean towards a 34.5-35.0 Crown Angle
Pavilion Angle = 40.8 lean towards a 34.0, 34.5 or 35.0 Crown Angle
Pavilion Angle = 41.0 lean towards a 34.0-34.5 Crown Angle


if you think i should look out for anything else then let me know and I will add it to my list

 

[chopstixbd]

Hi all,

I have seen this one - can anyone check and let me know their thoughts on it?

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD05725916?click_id=433054214

 

[ecf8503]

Scores well on the HCA (1.6) - that's about all we can say. BN doesn't offer idealscope images that I know of. I'd ask BN to look at it, as I'm concerned that the inclusion under the table will be visible.

 

[solgen]

You can usually google the GIA number and see if it's on other sites that may have pics and further details.

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R133-MPLULN

The inclusion under the table looks like it would not be eye clean. It's also reflected through the pavilion so depending on the setting it could be noticeable. It's well cut but I'd ask for an ASET to see how the light performance is.

 

[rubybeth]

Thank you for your help all. can you please help me with what yous mean by the following?

• What is the recommended certificates i should look for - GIA, GIA3X and AGS?
  Can you buy an actual diamond itself and pick a ring to place it on? Is this recommended or does it usually work best buying the diamond with the ring?
  Can you recommended a Symmetry, Polish and Fluore Scence and HCA Cut Rank? I have noticed these options available in the advanced search of this site so not sure if these make much of a impact.

I know it would be best selecting the highest choices in all however I need to be careful with budget and also if there is a actual need for the highest as I only need a ring that looks perfect to the eye, not under a microscope

The two most reputable certifications in the US are GIA and AGS. GIA triple excellent stones are just types of stones, not a separate certificate type.

Best way to buy an engagement ring is to get the diamond and the setting from the same place, because the vendor (seller) will assume the risk of setting the stone into the ring. You can always buy a loose diamond and have someone else do the setting work, but that gets complicated and you'd be wise to have insurance during the process, which adds time, hassle factor, and cost.

For symmetry and polish, I think you'd want very good or excellent. Fluorescence is a personal thing--some people love that their diamonds fluouresce under some lighting conditions, and it can make some stones appear "whiter" than their color grade. Sometimes there are drawbacks to fluor, though--can appear milky or hazy. Best to see it with images, video, or your own eyes. If looking at SI stones, I would go with a vendor who can actually view them in person and tell you if they meet "eye clean" standards (and find out what those standards are).