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Thoughts on these stones and alternatives

L

Lenovo

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 10, 2013
Messages
100
Thoughts on which one of these would be the best? Looking to set in a micropave with a small, skinny shank.

I only had PDFs of the reports. Any input is welcome.

I would also appreciate similar stones - budget is around 15-18 or so.

Going for cut and size first.

All are eye clean from 6 or so inches.

1.82ct. IVS2 at 16,000

1.83 I SI1 15500

2.0 15000

Thoughts? Alternatives?
 

Attachments

Given to work with just these three stones, I would skip the last one based off of proportions only, and would evaluate the first one some more. Maybe the second one too.

Did you run the numbers in the HCA?
 
TitanCi|1390430126|3598892 said:
Given to work with just these three stones, I would skip the last one based off of proportions only, and would evaluate the first one some more. Maybe the second one too.

Did you run the numbers in the HCA?
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Which one can you not open?

first pdf is the i/vs2

second pdf is i/si1

third one is the 2 carat


Can you expand a bit more on what you mean?
Also, are these good prices for these stones? Can I do better?
 
First one and last one have the most promising numbers.
Concern about surface graining and twinning wisps not shown on the report in the 3rd one. These could be affecting brilliance, and can't know this without seeing them.

Also, we can't say anything more about how well they're cut without idealscope images. Can you obtain these from the vendor?

For more options, I'd search brian gavin, white flash, and good old gold. Also give james allen a try.

For parameters,
1. put in your budget,
2. Color--H and up
3. Clarity--SI1 and up

If going to James allen, at bare minimum, get pavillion at 40.6-41.0 and crown at 34.0-35.0. Table should be max of 58. Depth will usually work itself out.
sort by highest carat and go from there. sorry don't have time to look now.
You picked some pretty decent stones (by the numbers) to start off with.
 
For the average joe, myself included, I want the BEST stone for the money. Stones will always look good in stores under certain lighting conditions, so we want stones that will perform the best under any light condition.

So when you have paper reports like you do, the numbers mean something if you've done enough research to understand what makes a stone a potentially good performing stone or a poor performing stone. However, we can get lost in numbers if we don't know what to look for. Fortunately AGS does the guess work for us with their grading scales and light performance maps.

For GIA stones, we have to investigate the stones further as their "excellent" cut range is too broad. Thus, Mr. Holloway, owner of this site, devised a nifty tool called the HCA to help us evaluate stones further.

You plug the numbers in the "tool" and the tool does is algorithm and spits out a result for you. You can find the tool under the tools heading.

When you are looking up stones with nothing but numbers, you want to weed out the potentially bad performing stones. The HCA helps you do that. Once you find a few that fall within criteria, then you need imaging pictures (i.e Idealscope or ASET images) to help you confirm if the stone will perform well, visually, for you based on its cut proportions.
 
Thanks.

All these were recs by vendors from whom I am thinking of getting the ring setting made as well.

I can certainly do my own searches and welcome any input.

BTW, I believe all of these are eye clean.
 
Are these stones you can see? And will they do idealscope images for you? The first one has decent numbers, but with GIA stones it is always best to have magnified images of the stones and idealscope images.

This would be a great choice for you at just under 2 cts:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10549/
 
diamondseeker2006|1390450365|3599221 said:
Are these stones you can see? And will they do idealscope images for you? The first one has decent numbers, but with GIA stones it is always best to have magnified images of the stones and idealscope images.

This would be a great choice for you at just under 2 cts:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10549/
Click to expand...

Gorgeous. 8mm spread. Absolutely.

Titan, great posts.
 
Ladies!!! So good to see you again! Gypsy and DS!
 
Thanks for all the input.

I'm not sure if idealscopes are available, but I can go see them in person (not sure how much that helps)

I like the stone posted from GoG!

Is it possible to score a 2+ carat (like 2.3 or something ) within my price and spec range ?
 
Did you see the James Allen diamond that someone posted in your WTB thread? I actually really liked that one. I would go check back there.
 
TitanCi|1390458646|3599287 said:
Ladies!!! So good to see you again! Gypsy and DS!
Click to expand...

:wavey: Hi!!!
 
Lenovo|1390483585|3599388 said:
Thanks for all the input.

I'm not sure if idealscopes are available, but I can go see them in person (not sure how much that helps)

I like the stone posted from GoG!

Is it possible to score a 2+ carat (like 2.3 or something ) within my price and spec range ?
Click to expand...

Extremely unlikely as I was having trouble finding any at 2 cts in your budget. Phoenix's stones were an outstanding buy in J color at 2.3 cts, but it is a mystery to me why she pulled them off the market when she had interested buyers. Sorry about that! I would not consider K color to get that size, either. I'd far rather go just under 2 cts and get an I color or higher stone.
 
I'm not sure why Phoenix pulled out either! I emailed her a few times as well, but if it's not mean to be....


Anyways, do you think I should up the budget a bit for the stone ? It's for a size 5 finger and I thought you needed at least a 2ct for that "pop" look....but I'm a guy so I may just be making this up hahah thoughts ?

The LM setting is around 5k .... Maybe I can go somewhere cheaper and spend the diff on the stone ?
 
Is it for you, or for your lady.
If it is for your lady:
What has she said she wants.? If she has her heart set on a particular setting, no I'd get a nice 1.8 like DS linked to on GOG and get her the setting she wants.

If she isn't attached to a setting, and it's just something you really liked for her. But she wants a large stone. Then it might be worth it to give up the setting.

And if it is for you. Do whatever you want. Just make sure you've done your research as to what looks good on your hand.

Hi Titian!
 
Gypsy|1390528074|3599903 said:
Is it for you, or for your lady.
If it is for your lady:
What has she said she wants.? If she has her heart set on a particular setting, no I'd get a nice 1.8 like DS linked to on GOG and get her the setting she wants.

If she isn't attached to a setting, and it's just something you really liked for her. But she wants a large stone. Then it might be worth it to give up the setting.

And if it is for you. Do whatever you want. Just make sure you've done your research as to what looks good on your hand.

Hi Titian!
Click to expand...

For the lady.

She kinda hinted she likes a thin, band with micropave 3/4 way around - some kind of cathedral setting with prongs - she digs the Leon Mege style where the stone is at deep into the hole (don't know if I'm explaining it right ) - she did point to some pics and when I sent those to Leon Mege the estimate was 5k! Or if used their diamond ( the above 2 ct h si1) the total was around 20k....

Not sure how to proceed :/
 
You can probably get a nice ring made elsewhere for less. I wouldn't pay $5k for a pave shank. Try Engagement Rings Direct or Maytal Hannah.

Do you know what size diamonds her close friends or sisters have? Would she be disappointed with less than 2 cts or would she be expecting less than 2 anyway? The GOG stone is so close in size to 2 cts and it is a good buy.

But if you feel you need to go to 2 cts+, then get other quotes on your setting and get something like these:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2936493.htm ($18,913 with PS/wire discount)

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11297/
 
Thanks for all the input ladies.


Girls at work with her have 2+ carat rings, so I am sure she would know if she got something smaller.

I will attach pics of what she kinda likes in a setting. I have asked around multiple makers with diff prices : LM around 5K, Steven Kirsch around 4800, ERD the platinum cost would be 2800 and the 18kt. white gold 2400 for hand crafted and for ERD handforged add 1200 more.

The original in the pic was made by Leon Mege and that's why I approached him first, but the 5K seems very steep. I am just concerned that if I go another route, they may not make it with the same deep seated setting like LM or am I mistaken?

Are there other venues I should be exploring for the setting?

tpfimg_8352.jpg

tpfimg_8408-1.jpg

tpfimg_8418.jpg

tpfimg_8419.jpg
 
So over in the other thread you were looking at a J from ERD. had a GIA cert of 1152791312 for a 2.12 ct...
Is he able to get you an Idealscope image of that stone? And some pictures to see the inclusions??

If you got the stone from ERD, is probably have them do it. I think this was hand forged, seems to be very high quality and looks so delicate and amazing.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-gorgeous-dainty-erd-rose-gold-halo-omb.191094/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-gorgeous-dainty-erd-rose-gold-halo-omb.191094/[/URL]
 
I'd ask Steven Kirsch for a quote.
 
You mentioned you have the capacity to go see the stones in person. I assume this means you are nearby to NYC. I actually think that could be really helpful for you for setting purposes in this situation. Steven Kirsch can probably make you a very similar setting, with equal skill; however, since Leon is only $200 more my personal bias would be to go with the originator of the style that you are looking for (Leon in this case). BUT, ERD is significantly less expensive, especially for the cast version. The question is how do you feel that their cast pave compares to their handforged pave and Leon and Steven's pave? Having examined them all in person myself I think ERD has the best cast pave I have seen, and it's 90% of the way to handforged. Is that good enough for you for this ring? Go in person and make appointments with all three vendors and decide. Because that could free up a lot of money.
 
nyquestioner|1390709218|3601313 said:
Steven Kirsch can probably make you a very similar setting, with equal skill; however, since Leon is only $200 more my personal bias would be to go with the originator of the style that you are looking for (Leon in this case).
Click to expand...

I agree with much of your post. But I have to say that I disagree with this part. I would do a search on Leon's customer service and quality on here and see what other's have had to say before deciding to work with him.

I do think that ERD is a strong contender. But I would still get a quote from Steven.

I personally do three bids/quotes for any custom project (that is of a design the multiple vendors can execute well). I would advise you to the same.

Both ERD and Steven has great customer service. While there have been occasional issues they are vendors that have a strong ethic about making things right for the customer and they stand behind their work. I would work with either of them (and have worked with Steven.
 
Niel|1390697986|3601200 said:
So over in the other thread you were looking at a J from ERD. had a GIA cert of 1152791312 for a 2.12 ct...
Is he able to get you an Idealscope image of that stone? And some pictures to see the inclusions??

If you got the stone from ERD, is probably have them do it. I think this was hand forged, seems to be very high quality and looks so delicate and amazing.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-gorgeous-dainty-erd-rose-gold-halo-omb.191094/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-gorgeous-dainty-erd-rose-gold-halo-omb.191094/[/URL]
Click to expand...

Thanks for that link.
The rings looks amazing and it is good to know that if I go with ERD, I will get a good product as well.

I will ask Mark for the above and post the response.
 
Gypsy|1390701151|3601228 said:
I'd ask Steven Kirsch for a quote.
Click to expand...

Thanks.
I did - it was 4800 ( essentially the same as LM)
 
nyquestioner|1390709218|3601313 said:
You mentioned you have the capacity to go see the stones in person. I assume this means you are nearby to NYC. I actually think that could be really helpful for you for setting purposes in this situation. Steven Kirsch can probably make you a very similar setting, with equal skill; however, since Leon is only $200 more my personal bias would be to go with the originator of the style that you are looking for (Leon in this case). BUT, ERD is significantly less expensive, especially for the cast version. The question is how do you feel that their cast pave compares to their handforged pave and Leon and Steven's pave? Having examined them all in person myself I think ERD has the best cast pave I have seen, and it's 90% of the way to handforged. Is that good enough for you for this ring? Go in person and make appointments with all three vendors and decide. Because that could free up a lot of money.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is question - CAST vs handforged?

Hand-forged at all 3 is about the same - around 5k for Kirsch and Mege and about 4K for ERD. Going with ERD in this case will save 1K.

Cast is 2800 at ERD and will save almost 2K.

To be honest, I am not sure my eyes will be able to discern the difference between handforged and cast. I essentially wanted input from the ladies on here on which route to choose and if it is worth it saving 2K and going with cast. I am not sure what, if any, long term implications are when choosing one vs the other...
 
Niel|1390697986|3601200 said:
So over in the other thread you were looking at a J from ERD. had a GIA cert of 1152791312 for a 2.12 ct...
Is he able to get you an Idealscope image of that stone? And some pictures to see the inclusions??

If you got the stone from ERD, is probably have them do it. I think this was hand forged, seems to be very high quality and looks so delicate and amazing.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-gorgeous-dainty-erd-rose-gold-halo-omb.191094/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-gorgeous-dainty-erd-rose-gold-halo-omb.191094/[/URL]
Click to expand...

Aset and pic of the aforementioned stone.

Thoughts?

_14231.jpg

_14232.jpg
 
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