Time to choose a diamond.

[DLMC]

First of all, thank you all for the information you have all provided on this website. I''ve read the forums the last 4 months or so and feel I''ve become very knowledgeable about diamonds.

I posted a couple months ago asking for initial suggestions, but since then some things have changed. My budget has increased but I am not sure I need to spend the extra money.

The setting I plan on purchasing is BGD''s Truth setting. (Platinum) I plan on adding a couple hidden gemstones so this will come to $1250.

Now the unknown... the diamond. I plan on getting the diamond from BGD simply because it seems much easier to get the diamond and setting from the same place. I''m going to post several diamonds on here, I really can''t narrow it down to just a couple. They all seem pretty good to me for the most part, but hopefully the more experienced here can weed out some. They''re all actually quite similar.


#1 .734, F, VS2, 1.2 HCA, $3,080
#2 .741, G, VS1, 1.8 HCA, $3,056
#3 .772, G, VS2, 1.0 HCA, $3,012
#4 .716, F, VS2, 1.0 HCA, $2,995
#5 .732, G, VS2, 1.1 HCA, $2,755
#6 .711, G, VS2, 1.4 HCA, $2,677
#7 .707, G, VS2, 1.0 HCA, $2,639
#8 .710, F, SI1, 1.1 HCA, $2,581
#9 .703, G, SI1, 1.4 HCA, $2,325

It seems I could toss out #6 because it is so similar to #7 which has better HCA score.
And I guess #2 as well because of its higher HCA score. (although not bad, I understand this)

I assume that the physical size of these are all going to look pretty much the exact same? The .772 carat would be nice, just to say it''s at least 3/4 carat.

And especially at this size, I''m going to assume I can''t tell a difference between F and G?

My total budget is $4500, so I''m good to get any of these. I MIGHT consider getting one of the cheaper ones and maybe adding some paving to the setting or something. But for now it''s just going to stay nice and simple.

Please bring on the tips, ideas and suggestions!
Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/23/2010 12:51:07 PM
Author:DLMC
First of all, thank you all for the information you have all provided on this website. I''ve read the forums the last 4 months or so and feel I''ve become very knowledgeable about diamonds.

I posted a couple months ago asking for initial suggestions, but since then some things have changed. My budget has increased but I am not sure I need to spend the extra money.

The setting I plan on purchasing is BGD''s Truth setting. (Platinum) I plan on adding a couple hidden gemstones so this will come to $1250.

Now the unknown... the diamond. I plan on getting the diamond from BGD simply because it seems much easier to get the diamond and setting from the same place. I''m going to post several diamonds on here, I really can''t narrow it down to just a couple. They all seem pretty good to me for the most part, but hopefully the more experienced here can weed out some. They''re all actually quite similar.


#1 .734, F, VS2, 1.2 HCA, $3,080
#2 .741, G, VS1, 1.8 HCA, $3,056
#3 .772, G, VS2, 1.0 HCA, $3,012
#4 .716, F, VS2, 1.0 HCA, $2,995
#5 .732, G, VS2, 1.1 HCA, $2,755
#6 .711, G, VS2, 1.4 HCA, $2,677
#7 .707, G, VS2, 1.0 HCA, $2,639
#8 .710, F, SI1, 1.1 HCA, $2,581
#9 .703, G, SI1, 1.4 HCA, $2,325

It seems I could toss out #6 because it is so similar to #7 which has better HCA score.
And I guess #2 as well because of its higher HCA score. (although not bad, I understand this)

I assume that the physical size of these are all going to look pretty much the exact same? The .772 carat would be nice, just to say it''s at least 3/4 carat.

And especially at this size, I''m going to assume I can''t tell a difference between F and G?

My total budget is $4500, so I''m good to get any of these. I MIGHT consider getting one of the cheaper ones and maybe adding some paving to the setting or something. But for now it''s just going to stay nice and simple.

Please bring on the tips, ideas and suggestions!
Thanks!

Hi DLMC,

With diamonds of this cut quality with supporting images, you really don''t need the HCA, its a rejection tool and images always trump the results of the HCA anyway. I will look through these for you, have you checked the SI clarities are eyeclean to your standards by asking Brian or Lesley?

 

[DLMC]

I have not checked the SI1''s for eye-cleanness. But for now, lets just assume that they are eye-clean.

 

[JulieN]

The F or G SI1s.

 

[DLMC]

I just sent a request to check the SI1''s for eye-cleanness. I''ll post here as soon as I hear back.

 

[DLMC]

Okay looks like #1 and #3 are not available, didn''t notice that before.

 

[DLMC]

Just heard back and they are both considered eye-clean with 20/20 vision at 9"

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/23/2010 5:09:55 PM
Author: DLMC
Just heard back and they are both considered eye-clean with 20/20 vision at 9''

Is that good enough for you? Just checking.

All else being equal, which is moit likely is, for the extra coupel of hundred I would go for the lease expensive G VS2 (#7). Mind clean, good price, nice size.

 

[DLMC]

Hmm, thought I would get more replies to this. Guess I put up too many options.

Well anyway, I''m thinking of going with #5 or #7. #5 would only be to say it''s closer to 3/4 Carat. I think going with a VS2 would make me feel better having a "mind-clean" stone. SI1 might be clean at 9", but I don''t wanna risk looking at the diamond from 3-4" and seeing junk in the stone.

Now I just have to secretly get her finger size!

 

[joxxxelyn]

I think you''re not getting many replies because these all basically look the same and aren''t that different in color or clarity. As mentioned you need to assess your needs for clarity. After that, consider the types of inclusions you care about (if it matters) and other details like whether there is fluorescence and if you care about that. Other than that, there''s really not too much to consider. Most people haven''t narrowed it down to such a close range as you have this early on. These really are all very similar.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/24/2010 12:04:30 AM
Author: DLMC
Hmm, thought I would get more replies to this. Guess I put up too many options.

Well anyway, I''m thinking of going with #5 or #7. #5 would only be to say it''s closer to 3/4 Carat. I think going with a VS2 would make me feel better having a ''mind-clean'' stone. SI1 might be clean at 9'', but I don''t wanna risk looking at the diamond from 3-4'' and seeing junk in the stone.

Now I just have to secretly get her finger size!

Then thats the way to go.

 

[tyty333]

Date: 3/23/2010 5:09:55 PM
Author: DLMC
Just heard back and they are both considered eye-clean with 20/20 vision at 9''

Does that mean they are not eye-clean at under 9 inches? That wouldnt work for me for an ering. I would hop
up to a G/VS stone. I guess that would be #6 or #7. You might want to make sure they are eye-clean from
the sides if that is important to you. I think you can see a lot of the stone from the side in that setting.

 

[DLMC]

Date: 3/24/2010 8:54:30 AM
Author: tyty333

Date: 3/23/2010 5:09:55 PM

Author: DLMC

Just heard back and they are both considered eye-clean with 20/20 vision at 9''

Does that mean they are not eye-clean at under 9 inches? That wouldnt work for me for an ering. I would hop

up to a G/VS stone. I guess that would be #6 or #7. You might want to make sure they are eye-clean from

the sides if that is important to you. I think you can see a lot of the stone from the side in that setting.

They told me 9" with 20/20 vision was the standard way of determining "eye-clean" status. So yeah, I assumed as well if it was less than 9" you very well might see inclusions. You''re gonna see way more at 3-4" than you will at 9" so yes, I''m going with at least a VS2 to try and prevent that.

And sorry about the narrow range I gave, that''s just right where my budget falls. I can actually afford a little higher but it seems most don''t really carry .8''s. And the jump to .9''s is large. Plus, in this part of the country a full carat would kind of make you look ridiculous. She will already have the nicest ring of anybody I know.

 

[DLMC]

On #5, the .732 G VS2, if you look at their lab report it shows what the girdle looks like all around the diamond. At one point, the girdle was completely cut away, and then as a result the opposite side looks like it''s really thick. Do any of you think that this little glitch will be noticeable and/or affect the performance? Am I being too critical here? lol

 

[Dreamer_D]

Part of the girdle is extremely thin. Typically, I would suggest avoiding this for durability issues. In reality, it probably will not matter. But if you have another choice perhaps go with it instead.

 

[DLMC]

Thanks Dreamer, I think I''ll hop down to #6 then.