Thoughts on 1.2 H SI1 (for a friend)

[TreeScientist]

Hi everyone,
So I was just telling one of my friends about my recent e-ring purchase, and he's also about to enter the hunt for a ring (should be an exciting wedding season next year!). Anyway, I thought I could help make some recommendations for him since I just went though the process of learning all about diamonds. He said his budget is around 7-8K and he wants something in the 1-1.25 range.

I found this diamond for him, which I thought was great given the specs. It's a 1.2 carat True Hearts with a fairly good inclusion plot. Just wanted to get the opinion of the community before I sent it to him. So, what do you all think? The only thing that concerns me is the knot, but since it's on the back side of the diamond I didn't think it would be an issue. Could even put a prong over it in the setting.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4301535

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think that is a great choice, but I'd ask the sales person to check with a gemologist as to whether that knot could be at risk if the ring hit against something. Such as, it might cause a crack or something. I am hopeful at SI1, it's not a problem, but I personally would want an expert opinion.

 

[TreeScientist]

Great, thanks for the confirmation! I'll forward this to my friend and let him pursue the knot issue with a gemologist if he wants. I know his (soon to be) fiancee is more on the "blingy" side, so I was looking for something that would maximize carat weight while still staying in his budget.

 

[Vander_25]

Is his budget 7-8 for the diamond or total package? Also, what type of setting? Might not have to go up to an H if it is a solitaire and could also consider flourescence if he isn’t opposed to it

 

[TreeScientist]

$8k for the diamond. It looks like this diamond just increased almost $1000 overnight though (it was listed at $7350 yesterday). Wonder if they realized it was listed too low...

Anyway, I talked to my friend, and he seems pretty set on going to a retail store for his purchase. Well, at least I tried to help. I'm still going to try and convince him to go to a local independent jeweler that he can trust rather than a chain store. I know a local jeweler in our hometown that my parents went to that is very trustworthy. I shudder to think what would happen in he ended up at Zales or Kay...

 

[Vander_25]

I don’t think it’s bad to go to a store. I went to several with my gf (I’m still waiting for the proposal date I have planned, it’s killing me, bought the ring end of November). It gives you a good idea of what you are looking at online. I especially liked comparing diamonds in store that had flourescence to stones without, it’s what led me to an H with strong flourescence that faces up like an F and not being hesitant to do so.

I would tell him to print out several diamonds he is considering so that he can actively compare what they try to sell him and be able to show the dealers what he is looking at.

Also ask him what type of setting. If I had gone with a solitaire I would have probably stayed with a J or an I. I got an H for a halo and I wouldn’t have gone lower seeing it in person. The diamond looks colorless. I can’t see color even at a 45* angle. Had I tried to go with a J in a halo like I originally planned I think it would have shown some color.

If you educate him on the parameters to stay in he can also seem informed to the jeweler. I was looking for <58 table, <62 depth, <35 crown and 40.6-41 pavilion. He can also ask for an idealscope and an ASET.

If he tries to do all of that in store he may quickly realize online is better. He may save a little by waiting for the valentine day rush to die down as prices are jumping up as inventory goes down.

I promise I’m not spamming for ID Jewelry, Yeketiel just hit it out of the park for me. Talked on the phone about 10 times and many emails. They are located in the same building as James Allen in NY I believe and he pulled multiple diamonds for me that were listed on blue nile so I was able to get his thoughts on them and images on the ones we liked next day. Only diamond I bought so only vendor I have experience with to date. Return and upgrade policy isn’t as good as whiteflash or other sites though.

 

[TreeScientist]

Thanks for the suggestions! Yes, I did inform him about the ideal parameters. I think I'm going to print this out for him to take along:

Color: G-I (determine color-sensitivity with the jeweler prior to purchase)
Clarity: SI1 or higher (no sense paying for anything above VS1, and plenty of eye clean SI1's out there. Again, confirm with jeweler)
Depth: 60.0-62.3
Table: 54-58
Crown: 34.0-35.0
Pavilion: 40.6-40.9 (try and match 34 crown with 40.9-41 and 35 crown with 40.6)
Stick to GIA or AGS-graded stones
Avoid "Clarity graded based on clouds/twinning wisps not shown" comments or other inclusions that could ruin the light-performance or translucence of the diamond.

Those basics will give him a great starting point.


And I'll definitely recommend that he cross-check any prices that he receives in the stores with comparable diamonds online prior to purchasing. He's a smart guy, so I don't think he'll get the fleece pulled over his eyes, but I know he likes to see things in person before purchasing. Actually, I don't think the prices would be too much higher if he went to the jeweler I'm thinking of, and I know they wouldn't try to sell him junk either. I understand that paying a slight premium for in-person customer service is worth it to some people, and I totally get it. As long as he goes in armed with knowledge