This could be the one...!

[monkeyrpn]

Hello all,

I just spoke with my broker today and I think I have come across a stone that gives me what I want and stay within my budget. I want to run it by you guys, more experienced buyers, before I make the final decision.

Here are the specs from the certificate:

Report issued by: EGL
Weight: 1.03 cts
Shape/Cut: Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.41 - 6.35 x 4.06 mm
Total Depth: 63.6%
Table Width: 56%
Crown Height: 14%
Pavillion Depth: 45%
Girdle: Slightly Thick, Faceted
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Cutlet: None
Clarity: SI2
Graining: Slight
Color: G
Florenscence: None
Comments: "Premium Cut"

The broker quoted me @ $3314 CAD, which is about $2850 USD. My main criteria was that it has to be at least 1 ct. This is what he was able to find for me. He also assured me that it is eye clean. From the mapping on the certificate, there are feathers looking from the bottom at the 12 and 6 o''clock positions. I''m thinking I can possibly hide this with the claws from the setting.

I ran the specs thru the cut adviser on this site and the result is that this is a "FAIR" cut stone. Given my limited budget, I was quite excited to come across this stone. In your opinions, should I make the decision to go for it? Thanks so much for all your input.

Monkey.

 

[jet2ks]

I would pass, it is way too deep and will most likely leak light and not perform well. It will also face up small due to the excess depth. Also keep in mind that EGL can be lenient in grading color and clarity, so there is a good chance this SI2 would be rated I1 by GIA and not be eye-clean.

 

[monkeyrpn]

Thanks jet2ks~ I know it''s not the greatest cut diamond out there. But with my limited budget... and still wanting a 1 ct stone... should I still pass this up and still have a good chance of finding something better? Problem is that I''m also getting close to when I want to propose... I''ve been looking for over a month now.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 7/9/2009 2:20:13 AM
Author: monkeyrpn
Thanks jet2ks~ I know it's not the greatest cut diamond out there. But with my limited budget... and still wanting a 1 ct stone... should I still pass this up and still have a good chance of finding something better? Problem is that I'm also getting close to when I want to propose... I've been looking for over a month now.

When you say broker I am not sure who you are referring to a wholesaler? The price is much too cheap for a true GIA graded G colour 1 carat RB unless its really included like an I1 and then it would rarely be eye clean.

You have to decide 3 things so if the broker has a good return policy without cost to you than bring it in and take a look with your eyes and then under a loop.
If they don't have a no hassle no cost return policy I'd pass on it immediately.

If you could get an Idealscope Image which would help us a lot more decide how bad the inclusions are and also how much light leakage there is.

However I would say the following

1) Just by looking at the certificate noone can be sure it will be eye clean. Most Si2 and I1 diamonds certainly are not.
2) You have to decide if lack of symmetry and light leakage will bother you that much. Would you rather have a big dull stone or a slightly smaller very sparkly stone?
3) I would go for a GIA H or I colour you won't tell the difference between it and an GIA G and probably is the same as the EGL G. Especially faceup in a well cut Round.

I would much prefer something like this in your budget http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1231138.asp slightly smaller (0.3 mm smaller) but much more likely to be bright. Well cut stones really stand out and for such a small size difference would be a much better option.

Jameallen will get you an idealscope if you ask and you should but the picture and stats already look much better than your current option.

 

[stone-cold11]

Agrees with CCL, not worth it just to go over the 1ct mark.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Hello Monkey,

Let me first agree with the other posters who advise you not to buy this diamond.

Here is what you have: a diamond that weighs 1.03 Ct, apparently a major positive for you.

The negatives are:
- it has the diameter of a stone well under 1.00,
- with these proportions, the light return will probably be mediocre or less, making that diamond even appear smaller, especially in low-light-conditions,
- the EGL-grade of SI2 will most probably not be upheld by other labs.

The other positive for you, the price, also shows that something in the figures and grades hides a negative that cannot be directly deduced from the paperwork. If all were as stated, that stone would cost more.

In the end, it is up to you to weigh the positives and the negatives. We can only give them to you.

Live long,

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/9/2009 6:33:23 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
Hello Monkey,

Let me first agree with the other posters who advise you not to buy this diamond.

Here is what you have: a diamond that weighs 1.03 Ct, apparently a major positive for you.

The negatives are:
- it has the diameter of a stone well under 1.00,
- with these proportions, the light return will probably be mediocre or less, making that diamond even appear smaller, especially in low-light-conditions,
- the EGL-grade of SI2 will most probably not be upheld by other labs.

The other positive for you, the price, also shows that something in the figures and grades hides a negative that cannot be directly deduced from the paperwork. If all were as stated, that stone would cost more.

In the end, it is up to you to weigh the positives and the negatives. We can only give them to you.

Live long,

Well said.

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 7/9/2009 2:20:13 AM
Author: monkeyrpn
Thanks jet2ks~ I know it''s not the greatest cut diamond out there. But with my limited budget... and still wanting a 1 ct stone... should I still pass this up and still have a good chance of finding something better? Problem is that I''m also getting close to when I want to propose... I''ve been looking for over a month now.

I hate to say it, but sometimes budget and wants run into the hard wall of reality. Your budget really doesn''t allow you to get a well cut stone over 1ct, so you are left with a few choices.

-Wait a little longer to propose, so you can save some more for the ring
-Buy a poorly cut stone (like this one) that is 1ct, but will appear smaller and never really sparkle like a diamond should
or
-Buy a well cut stone that is slightly smaller that will sparkle and perform and face up near the same size as a deep 1ct (there is a pretty sizeable price jump at the 1ct mark, so a very slightly smaller diamond costs quite a bit less)

As Paul said in his excellent post, all we can do is advise. If it were me, I would pick the last option with a vendor that has a good trade up policy, such as Whiteflash, Good Old Gold or Brian Gavin Diamonds. Then you would be able to upgrade to a well cut 1ct at a later date--maybe an anniversary.

 

[tyty333]

How about something like this...its only .9 so doesnt quite meet the 1.0 carat mark but very close. It is
an I1 and probably will not be eye clean but you can ask GOG if the inclusion can be hidden under a prong.
This stone should be a beautiful stone as far as sparkle and brillance - priced at about $2900.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4933/

 

[monkeyrpn]

Thank you all for the great advice~

Yes, I''m looking at diamonds thru a wholesaler here in Canada.

I totally agree with every thing each of you had said. I''m gonna follow the options you suggested. I talked to the wholesaler, they have a good return policy. I put down a refundable deposit today to have the diamond shipped in to have a look in person. If it''s not eye clean like they claim, I can get a full refund.

The reason I''m so set on a 1 ct stone even when my budget won''t allow me to get a better cut stone is that most people aren''t as informed about diamonds as everyone else here are. I didn''t know this much about diamonds before having to look for one and coming to this forum (best thing ever!). I get the feeling that my girl wants to be able to tell people when asked, that her stone is at least 1ct. She''s kinda hinted that. I don''t think she knows ANYTHING about table size, depth, angles...etc. So if this diamond comes in, and it "looks" pretty good to the naked eye... then that''s all I''m asking for.

And our dating anniversary is coming up... my plan is to propose then. But if this diamond really doesn''t work out... then I''ll just prospone it to Xmas or something...

Again~ Thank you all so much for the valuable advices~

 

[ILoveDiamondsToo]

Brian Gavin has a .92 G SI1 (not SI2) listed on his site that is very close in diameter to the stone you are looking at (because it is not too deeply cut). It is sure to be incredible. You could tell her it is just about 1 ct (which it is) and it will have so much more life to it than the other stone. The stone you have ordered in may look beautiful (which is what happened to me) until I had a superideal to compare it to. Then I knew what real beauty was. Brian''s diamond is around $4,300.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 7/9/2009 9:13:51 PM
Author: ILoveDiamondsToo
Brian Gavin has a .92 G SI1 (not SI2) listed on his site that is very close in diameter to the stone you are looking at (because it is not too deeply cut). It is sure to be incredible. You could tell her it is just about 1 ct (which it is) and it will have so much more life to it than the other stone. The stone you have ordered in may look beautiful (which is what happened to me) until I had a superideal to compare it to. Then I knew what real beauty was. Brian''s diamond is around $4,300.

I think this is a very good idea!

You can also consider dropping color to get more carat weight, like this J: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5511/ but it may be out of your price range.

 

[clammer]

I posted about a 1.25 J I1 that is $2990. I think it is a great deal. It didn''t have perfect numbers, but it got AGS ideal performance. Overall, it got an AGS 1 because of excellent polish and symmetry. It is at Knox Jewelers and Brian said that it was within the top 5% of I1''s he had seen. Again, as previously stated, this isn''t a perfect diamond, but I think it is a great alternative for someone on a budget that wants a decent size stone.

 

[treefrog]

I''m so torn... I hate to see you do this. I absolutely have to side with the others and I think you do have options. I do understand you want to be over 1ct and that you say most people aren''t obsessed like us and won''t know the difference. Sure, you can say it is over 1ct but carat is measured as a weight. This diamond may weigh 1ct but it is cut such that it will actually look smaller than a typical 1ct. The weight of this is simply in the wrong areas and the way it is cut will not only make it look smaller that a typical 1ct but it will look worse. It just won''t have the fire and brililance a diamond should have. Additionally, the EGL certificate is likely very lenient. You really can''t assume it is a true G in color and I''d bet the farm bigger labs like AGS and GIA or even an appraiser of your choice would not find it even close to a G or an SI2. That cert says "Premium cut" but that is subjective. What they call a premium is likely no where near what others call a premium. Definition of cut is really meaningless.

Think of it like a car. You found a used a Ferrari. You can even afford it. It''s a used 1972, it''s rusted, and it has a leaky engine from a 1982 Chevrolet Cavalier. It takes more oil than gas and would be hard-pressed to pass a scooter. BUT the title says it''s a Ferrari and you can tell your friends you have a Ferrari. You can''t license it though because it won''t pass inspection. Alternatively, for just about the same money, you could get a 1995 Corvette with a body simply in need of a paint job, the original engine that doesn''t leak oil, and it will still pass most cars on the road.

We''re all truly here to help you. I''d like to see you have something from GIA. Go to the Pricescope.com home page and fill out the search form in the upper left corner. Enter the following:
Carat: 1.01 - 1.05
Color G - H (the one you chose is probably closer to an H - I anyway and an H or I will look fine)
Clarity: SI1 - SI2
Depth: 60-62
Table: 54 - 57
Under lab, check GIA and AGS; uncheck Other
Leave H&A and AGS0 unchecked
Select all and click search.

You''ll get a ton of options. Most are way out of your price range. Go to the bottom of that page and enter a price range of 2500 - 3500.
You''ll see 9 options. These may not satisfy the critics here but you will get a 1+ carat diamond that is cut decently, is fairly accurately reported as far as color and clarity, and it will look like a 1ct diamond. You''ll really be getting much more for your money. Change it to an I in color and you''ll get 2 pages of options. The thing is these all have GIA certificates and will be very close to what they say they are. Additionally, they will actually look the size of a 1ct diamond and their cuts should be "good enough" to perform reasonably well. Given your criteria, it really is a win-win situation.

Please keep us updated.
Treefrog