Thinking of pulling the trigger...opinions please!!

SG000 · Jul 3, 2014

Hey guys, I've been browsing these forums for sometime now. In addition, I've been searching for everything from cushion, oval & rounds; and I've finally narrowed it down to rounds! Searching for diamonds has been educational and fun for me, and I can't stop looking. That being said, the search has been exciting (and overwhelming) but it's time to pull the trigger. Being that I've only started looking at diamonds a few months ago, opinions would be incredibly helpful - and more importantly, expert advice!

OK, I've learned enough to scan WF, GB, B2C & JA and find good candidates. After browsing for several days, I found this stone and would like a second opinion before I make my purchase. It's a 2.24 J VVS1 GIA cert. Scores 1.8 on the HCA tool. Looking at the Ideal Scope, it seems to have excellent light return. Opinions Please! Images below.

SG000 · Jul 3, 2014

Ideal Scope.

JulieN · Jul 3, 2014

diamondseeker2006 · Jul 3, 2014

The top images look computer generated and are not the actual stone, I don't think. I do not understand why they would give you that. What jeweler is it? The ASET looks a little funny in the center.

It is probably okay, but my concern is whether you could go to I color and VS clarity instead of paying for VVS1 clarity.

SG000 · Jul 3, 2014

The jeweler is B2C. There is a slight price jump to I color, but I'm not sure whether I'd be able to tell the difference between an I and J...maybe if the stone were an H. But I'll take another look for potential candidates.

These images were provided via the website for this particular diamond....hmm

The stone also has a strong blue fluorescence which could be good or bad.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5076824-2.24-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VVS1-clarity.aspx

Gypsy · Jul 3, 2014

Have them check to see if the stone is hazy from the strong blue.

SG000 · Jul 3, 2014

I actually requested it be examined prior to B2C receiving the stone by a gemologists and have the notes sent to me. I'd hate to receive that 2% of stones with a hazy appearance due to strong fluorescence.

diamondseeker2006 · Jul 3, 2014

I feel better about it having the SBF. I don't think it will be hazy with VVS clarity. SBF can be more problematic in a stone with lower clarity. I'd rather have I color with SBF, but if you can't find a good one, this may be worth a try. I just don't like the images they posted. 62.6 is deep, too. But I can see why the price is appealing. I'd take a look at it.

SG000 · Jul 3, 2014

diamondseeker2006|1404392320|3705915 said:
I feel better about it having the SBF. I don't think it will be hazy with VVS clarity. SBF can be more problematic in a stone with lower clarity. I'd rather have I color with SBF, but if you can't find a good one, this may be worth a try. I just don't like the images they posted. 62.6 is deep, too. But I can see why the price is appealing. I'd take a look at it.

Yeah, I agree. An I with a SBF could possibly face much whiter. I'll keep searching in the meantime. So many to choose from!

SG000 · Jul 8, 2014

So, I passed on the above stone. I just ordered the stone below. Scored 0.7 on the HCA tool.
2.31 ct. J Si1 (eye clean).

8.58 x 8.60 x 5.18

Table : 57%
Depth : 60.4%
Crown : 33.0
Pavilion : 40.8

Eye clean. Pretty excited to see what it looks like in person. I've verified with gemologist that it faces up white, which I expected, and definitely does not look yellow. I looked real hard at the 16-17k price range and I felt this was my top option for cut & size in a J color.

I'll keep you guys updated.

thecat · Jul 8, 2014

Your new stone looks nice

SG000 · Jul 17, 2014

I think the diamond looks fantastic. Here are some pics of the diamond loose and lightly set (the pics really don't do it justice as I took them with my phone). The cut is excellent. It will be totally set in two weeks. I will post more pics when the diamond is entirely finished.

luvdajules · Jul 18, 2014

Holy crap that's gorgeous!!! I'm hunting for a similarly gorgeous diamond

You did great!

thecat · Jul 18, 2014

Lovely. Can't wait to see the completed ring!

SG000 · Jul 18, 2014

luvdajules|1405698269|3715896 said:
Holy crap that's gorgeous!!! I'm hunting for a similarly gorgeous diamond You did great!

Thank You!! I used B2C jewels for my diamond purchase, which I highly recommend! I did use others such as James Allen and Whiteflash, but found if I used the right tools (HCA tool and AGS ideal cut parameters) I could narrow down my results.

Good luck with the hunt!

tyty333 · Jul 18, 2014

Really pretty! You did well!

SG000 · Jul 18, 2014

thecat|1405699263|3715915 said:
Lovely. Can't wait to see the completed ring!

Same here! The band will be slightly thinner (2.2mm sides and bottom, and 2.4 mm up to the head shown in the picture above....but the actual shank will be made no wider than 2mm for my ering) with a three-row micropave in yellow gold. The head will be in white gold. I will definitely post pictures when it's completed!

SirGuy · Jul 19, 2014

Congrats, the one you went with looks very pretty! I know it can be a little exhausting looking at all of the possible stones and comparing numbers and images; it is a nice feeling to commit to one and know it looks great in real life.

Your described setting sounds intriguing. I'm interested in hearing more!

MissGotRocks · Jul 19, 2014

Very nice - you chose a lovely stone! We'll be waiting for those promised handshots!

luvdajules · Jul 19, 2014

Hi OP, I had a question about your stone. The depth provides for a nice spread, how is the fire? I'm sure it's fantastic but wondering your thoughts and insight to your lovely diamond. Still learning myself...curious.

SG000 · Jul 20, 2014

SirGuy|1405779104|3716563 said:
Congrats, the one you went with looks very pretty! I know it can be a little exhausting looking at all of the possible stones and comparing numbers and images; it is a nice feeling to commit to one and know it looks great in real life.

Your described setting sounds intriguing. I'm interested in hearing more!

Yes, the whole process can be overwhelming, but fun as well!

The setting will be similar to a Micheal B setting I stumbled upon on this website involving a 2.32 ct H&A round. This particular Micheal B setting was entirely done in platinum or white gold. The main difference between the setting I'm doing and that one is: a yellow gold shank; diamonds only halfway down the shank instead of 3/4; a 2mm shank instead of a 1.8mm shank; and no diamonds on the head. I will definitely post pictures when it's finished in 2-3 weeks!

SG000 · Jul 20, 2014

luvdajules|1405807936|3716746 said:
Hi OP, I had a question about your stone. The depth provides for a nice spread, how is the fire? I'm sure it's fantastic but wondering your thoughts and insight to your lovely diamond. Still learning myself...curious.

The fire IS fantastic IMO. It has brilliance and sparkle from end to end, and the hearts and arrow are easily discernible. I've attached a video I posted on Youtube for your viewing (I took it with my Samsung S4 so don't expect it to be quite as good as GOG videos but it definitely demonstrates how much fire & sparkle the stone has!). Now, this video was taken under halogen light bulbs I have in my dining area along with other soft white light bulbs (just to get specific). Again, not as good as the spotlighting GOG videos provide but adequate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ98GOH6VD0

luvdajules · Jul 20, 2014

Hi there, unbelievable! That stone sure is sparkly and firey, I saw tons of colored flashes and you're right, the arrows pop. Love it, I can see why you are so excited about it and SHE will absolutely drop her jaw. Can't wait for you. So glad all your hard work has paid off thus far, finding the perfect stone is not easy!

SG000 · Dec 23, 2014

Hey guys, just wanted to up date you as it's been a good while since I've posted on this thread. Here is a link from my previous thread for reference.

I proposed a few months ago and she said yes! The ring came out absolutely gorgeous. Again, the diamond I went with was a J SI1 2.31 ct ordered from B2C jewels. My experience with B2C Jewels was top notch. In addition, I had the diamond set here in town (New Orleans) by a local shop (Boudreaux's Jewelers) who did an outstanding job building the setting - couldn't have been happier with the final product. She is obsessed with the ring, and so am I - still can't stop looking at it till this day. Pictures do not do it justice.

The setting is yellow gold band (1.8 mm), micro-pave, and diamond set in white gold head. Pictures below (they didn't come out the best as I took with my S4 and they loaded sideways).

I can get hand pics if you guys would like them. I have few that are OK if anyone needs them.