Thank you Ellen,

[CluelesswithDiamonds]

Ellen

Few weeks ago you kindly made a few good points about the setting I was looking at. Thanks to your input I found the Vatche setting ( X prong) and love it. She could always spice it up with a band, but I am very confident she will be estatic. THANK YOU and everyone who raised the interesting point about the busy setting. The inability to see that exact setting in person also swayed my opinion against it.,

During my two + week search for the setting, the diamond market seemed to dry up a bit. I also found an independent appraiser once I find my rock. Ellen have any input on these two stones?

Thanks again everyone who helped me

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-signature-ideal-cut-d-color-vs2-clarity_LD01323411?div_coll=collReport&div_exp=expReport&cert_icon=gia_zoom#grading_reportonclick=

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4393/

I am leaning towards the blue nile but should I be concerned with the location of the "clouds" on the GIA

TY AGAIN

 

[Ellen]

Wow, what a nice post clueless, thank you!


I'm so glad you found a setting you are happy with, I happen to like that one very much too.

As for the diamonds, the BN definitely has potential, and the GOG looks great. It's hard to say much about the BN stone, since info is limited, and numbers are rounded. Certainly an IA could tell you for certain if you've gotten a good one for sure. And at VS2, the inclusions are so small, they should not be a problem.

If it were me, I'd be inclined to go with the GOG stone, for a couple reasons. It's bigger, by a noticeable amount. And, I'd bet money it's most likely cut better too. But that is somewhat personal, and I realize not everyone is a cut nut.


Is there a particular reason you were leaning towards the BN stone?


And you are very welcome.

 

[CluelesswithDiamonds]

Ellen

I guess even after seeing all the factors that go into selecting a solid stone I still i have a mental block seeing the color difference D vs F, and all the small inclusions on the top of the GOG stone via the AGS report vs the clouding on the other stone. While the bump up in size is a definite plus, overall i want the shinest rock that screams QUALITY.

From what everyone is saying is the market is tough right now because a lack of inventory and prices are historically higher. ( Figures lol )

Thanks even more.

 

[Eva17]

WOW, that GOG stone is a beauty!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/28/2008 2:10:54 PM
Author: CluelesswithDiamonds
Ellen

I guess even after seeing all the factors that go into selecting a solid stone I still i have a mental block seeing the color difference D vs F, and all the small inclusions on the top of the GOG stone via the AGS report vs the clouding on the other stone. While the bump up in size is a definite plus, overall i want the shinest rock that screams QUALITY.

From what everyone is saying is the market is tough right now because a lack of inventory and prices are historically higher. ( Figures lol )

Thanks even more.

Ok, here's my 2 pennies, for what they're worth. I'm not trying to talk you out of, or into anything, just want to shed some light on things.

Color. Even the (real) experts say almost no one will see a difference between D and F. When you set an F stone in a setting, it's just going to look white, bright, and stunning. And no one but you is going to know what color it is. Most buyers I see who like the higher colors go with F, because it looks like D, without the pricetag. I'll give you the link to some real pics on D, E, and F, and remember, this is face down. Every diamond, even lower colored, looks whiter face up.

http://goodoldgold.com/4Cs/Color/Colorless/


As for the inclusions on the two stones, VS2 is extremely safe. It doesn't matter whether they're scattered about, or all near the edge, they still both got that grade, which means tiny. Only one in 100 people can see a VS2 inclusion. Remember, these pictures are blown up to huge dimensions! You can always call GOG, and ask to have a young pair of eyes eyeball it. Tell them what you want. If you don't want to see anything from any angle at any distance, let them know. They'll be quite honest with you. You can ask BN about theirs, and they'll tell you. But be aware, there have been a few people on here who were told the stone was eyeclean, and it wasn't. But they do have a good return policy.

To me, quality equals cut. That is what truly makes a diamond dazzle you. Much moreso than color OR clarity. (until you get down to a possible SI2 with lots of clouds), and I1 on down. If you want a stone that "screams quality", my money would be on the GOG stone. That stone is cut extremely well. I can't say that about BN, but I know GOG hand picks their stones. I don't know what process/criteria BN uses.

Anyway, I hope I've helped a bit. If you want the BN stone, (and it could be very nice), just be sure to have an appraiser look at it.


I'm going to leave you with a couple pics. I like to post these for buyers, to show them what a quality diamond can look like, at 2.36 cts. J SI2.

Compliments of LynnB.

 

[jstarfireb]

I''m no expert of course, but I''d like to add that buying from GOG is more of a sure bet than buying from BN. There''s a good reason why people around here promote GOG and WF so much. This is not to say that BN doesn''t have some great diamonds, but look how much more info GOG gives you. They are up front with everything, and though I''ve not dealt with them myself, I''ve heard their customer service is excellent. I believe they also have a decent upgrade policy, which BN doesn''t.

The diamond from GOG looks fantastic, and 0.97 is such a good size because it doesn''t carry the >1ct premium. I would choose that stone hands down, if it were just between the two.

But honestly, here''s what I would do. I''d drop the color and clarity a bit to get a less expensive stone. $7k is quite a bit; you can find a 0.9ish ct stone for substantially cheaper. Check these out:
0.93 G VS2
0.904 E SI2 - could be a fantastic price if eye-clean
0.9 F SI1
0.912 H VS1



And in fact, you could go above 1ct with a $7k budget if you drop color and clarity. Just do a search on GOG and you''ll see what I mean.

Good luck!

 

[CluelesswithDiamonds]

It''s comforting to have all these positive reviews about the GOG stones.
I placed a call to them, based on my right hand Ellen

, asking to have someone look at it from all angles. I have my independent appraiser on hold too, Wolf from NY.
Question. GOG will obviously send my appraiser the rock. Once he is done, I guess the best thing is to have him to send the rock back to GOG so they can place the diamond in the setting. I dont want any chippage or risk losing the guarantee if someone else set the rock. Am i right on this?

yee ha. geting excited.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/29/2008 11:44:57 AM
Author: CluelesswithDiamonds
It's comforting to have all these positive reviews about the GOG stones.
I placed a call to them, based on my right hand Ellen

, asking to have someone look at it from all angles. I have my independent appraiser on hold too, Wolf from NY.
Question. GOG will obviously send my appraiser the rock. Once he is done, I guess the best thing is to have him to send the rock back to GOG so they can place the diamond in the setting. I dont want any chippage or risk losing the guarantee if someone else set the rock. Am i right on this?

yee ha. geting excited.

Me too, and I don't even get to wear it!

You are correct, have the appraiser send it right back to GOG to be put in its new home!

p.s. Unless you tell them on the phone you want it, please put that on hold until you decide. That's a very desirable size!

 

[CluelesswithDiamonds]

Well I have it on hold. YIPPEE. Picked the box too! Now the next question is do I get the diamond inscribed? Then it''s off to the appraiser. Thoughts regarding it getting inscribed? What do most do? I am also conducting a search on insurance for the ring in addition to calling my homeowners ins. company to compare the cost and coverage.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/29/2008 1:47:55 PM
Author: CluelesswithDiamonds
Well I have it on hold. YIPPEE. Picked the box too! Now the next question is do I get the diamond inscribed? Then it''s off to the appraiser. Thoughts regarding it getting inscribed? What do most do? I am also conducting a search on insurance for the ring in addition to calling my homeowners ins. company to compare the cost and coverage.

Yay!

For ease/peace of mind, yes, I''d have it inscribed. There is a very good chance you won''t be able to see any of the stones inclusions with a loupe (used as an identifier), so being able to loupe the girdle is the next best thing.

Many diamonds already come inscribed (but it''s not unusal that they don''t). Of those who get one that''s not, it would depend on if there are visable inclusions, and therefore they might not need it inscribed. It''s just what one is comfortable with.