Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct...

[stevie_wonderful77]

Hi all

I'm trying to choose between 4 round diamonds for an engagement ring (yellow gold setting). I've got a few quotes from Hong Kong that I believe are quite interesting, but I'm having a hard time deciding between them. I know of course that this is hard to do without actually seeing the stones, but I was nonetheless hoping for some feedback, especially perhaps on proportions, as I find those hard to judge...

The stones and prices I've been quoted are as follows:

B1 (USD 2075):


B2 (USD 2630):


J1 (USD 2125):


J2 (USD 2125):


Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[Niel]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

Can I ask why you're going for a g in color? You can get away with a lower color, especially in a yellow gold setting.

Is she particularly color sensitive?

 

[stevie_wonderful77]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

Thanks Niel. I had actually specified G-H to the jewellers; it's just that these are the stones they got back to me about...

 

[Niel]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

I have a k. 84 in a yellow gold setting and its surprisingly white! I won't say you should go down that far, I know some people don't like k's, but I do think an I or J would be good on your budget. You could probably go bigger

 

[Niel]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

I'm not to particularly heeled about any of those. Did you specify you wanted strong blue fluor?

 

[stevie_wonderful77]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

Not really, but from what I've read/heard fluorescence is generally barely visible:

http://www.lumeradiamonds.com/diamond-education/diamond-fluorescence

I suppose I could ask if they have any stones that are lower in colour but still Ex, and perhaps slightly bigger.

 

[Niel]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

Oh I wasn't saying fluor is bad. It can be but that's rare. I just thought, what are the ODs they all had SBF if you aren't specifically asking for it.


Were you resolved in shopping in hong kong? Already ruled out US vendors?

 

[stevie_wonderful77]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

Oh I wasn't saying fluor is bad. It can be but that's rare. I just thought, what are the ODs they all had SBF if you aren't specifically asking for it.

True that! The larger one only has faint fluorescence and it's the only Ex cut as well, which is why I'm kind of leaning towards that one. I wouldn't have to commit to buying it without seeing it: they're prepared to reserve it for when I'm there, in a week or two.

Were you resolved in shopping in hong kong? Already ruled out US vendors?

I'm based in the UK, and happen to go on trips to HK fairly regularly -- the US, much less often... Another option is Antwerp actually -- my parents live near there and I've got the details of a reputable jeweller there. Prices are a bit higher than in HK, but still far better than in the UK!

 

[Niel]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

I know it costs a bit extra to ship to the UK from the us but I think its worth looking into. Am lot of people do it on here, I'm sure if you started a thread about it you could get all sorts of advise about it. I just think the quality you could get for the price (even including shipping) might be worth exploring.

 

[Christina...]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

I'm not sure what the cost and complications of shipping a stone overseas is, but I'd consider these if they are in budget.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.704-j-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104063639027#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/1/

you will have to request the image for these two, it looks like it may be new inventory....
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.733-j-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104064812038

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.707-j-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104064812039

 

[stevie_wonderful77]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

Thanks very much both

BG looks like an excellent company; I like the amount of information and photos they provide. The big issue with shipping from the US would be the 20% VAT hit I'd need to take. Getting a $2300 diamond set as well (18K yellow gold) will add $1500 for the design I'm after. With VAT the total then comes to over $4500, which is unfortunately quite a bit more than I can sensibly spend...

The idea of going for a somewhat lower colour grade is interesting, though. I gather that in a yellow gold setting this won't make much of a difference, and also that fluor may actually have a slight positive effect on appearance:

http://www.lumeradiamonds.com/diamond-education/diamond-fluorescence

 

[mcosme]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

Hi there,

I would go for a stone with cut grade excellent if possible and maybe lower on clarity and colour because you would want to maximize sparkle.
Do they have AGS certified diamonds?

Is it possible to have it shipped to HK if you buy from a US vendor?

 

[stevie_wonderful77]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

I would go for a stone with cut grade excellent if possible and maybe lower on clarity and colour because you would want to maximize sparkle.

Thanks for your thoughts. I've asked them for something along these lines and got the following... looks very tempting to me at USD 2385:



Any thoughts?

Is it possible to have it shipped to HK if you buy from a US vendor?

I live in the UK. HK is a regular work trip destination, with prices that are considerably more appealing than the ones down here

Do they have AGS certified diamonds?

I'm not sure, but for British insurance purposes GIA is preferable as it's a bit more common.

 

[stevie_wonderful77]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

Incidentally, the vendor has provided the following information about the inclusion:

There is only a minor feather on the edge of the diamond which appears white in colour. There is no one single crystal or any other clarity characteristics inside or outside the diamond.

 

[mcosme]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

Overall the report looks good. I'm not sure if the pavilion angle is a bit steep - maybe someone can shed some light on that?

Are you going to see the stone before purchase or does the vender have a photo?
The only way to know how it performs is to see it in person or get an idealscope, numbers only tell a part of the story.

Also, the inclusion seems like it won't be visible - did they confirm it is eye clean?

 

[Niel]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

that one doesnt score great on the HCA


Let me see what I can find from JA, what kind of setting did she want? simple YG solitaire? Or some pave? I know itll cost a little more for shipping but they have nice cheaper settings so it still might work out....let me see

 

[Niel]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

this one I really like, keep in mind it seems the lighting JA uses makes stones with a hint of brown show more color than a hint of yellow. I still think itll be great in a YG setting! If you reserve it and ask them, they can give you an Idealscope, like those BG stones had, they just dont have it readily available
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.71-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-211425

If she jsut wanted a simple solitaire id pair it with this
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-yellow-gold-double-claw-prong-engagement-ring-item-5817

Or if she wanted pave, they can do this in 14k gold you just have to ask
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-rounded-pave-engagement-solitaire-item-8116

you can get a pricescope discount of about 1-5 %, even with the 20% shipping fee thats a nice price

 

[diamondloveaffair]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

41.2 degrees is a on a little steep side.

 

[stevie_wonderful77]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

Thanks a lot all!

I quite like those settings myself but she wants something a bit more unusual:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engage...ld-spiral-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-1365

With the (admittedly nice) stone that Niel found that still comes to almost $4,000, VAT added and discount subtracted. That's well over $1,000 more than if I go for the IS1 Ex Ex Ex diamond and have it set in HK (the gold price seems to be better over there?).

By the way. the vendor has got back to me about the clarity, guaranteeing that it's (1) absolutely eye clean, and (2) can be set such that the feather will be close to the ring, yet without hiding the GIA laser inscription.

The HCA tool is very interesting, but I also see that it assumes VG polish rather than Ex, and doesn't take symmetry into account.

While it would be wonderful to go for a better stone I also need to set myself a sensible budget. I think I'll see if the jeweller will hold that 0.71ct stone, compare that with anything else they may have in a similar price bracket once I'm there, and then decide, harrassing this forum with another post if need be . My interaction with the vendor has so far been very pleasant, by the way, and they were recommended to me independently by a local.

 

[Niel]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

Could you buy the JA stone and just have it set in HK?


If not I understand. But that one doesn't have a great pavilion angle, I'd try to fund one with an HCA score under 2. Also, it assumes the sym and polish that way because usually you would want to aim for ex symm and at least VG polish.

Maybe see if he has any with a 40.5-40.8 pavilion angle?

 

[stevie_wonderful77]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

Thanks Niel. The idea of getting the JA stone and having it set in HK is appealing, but time is against me now. I did start reading and looking about 8 weeks before my trip, which seemed quite a lot... but it's all so complicated that I could have done with an extra month to be honest!

I'll see what else is available once I get there. The jeweller seems professional and patient, which is worth a lot for a newbie like me!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

If you stick to GIA graded Excellent cut stones that score under 2 on the HCA then you can be very confident that you will have a well cut diamond. The good thing about MRBs is you can evaluate cut so easliy by the numbers.

As to color and clarity, I think unless you are a diamond afficionado or have family/friends who know diamonds well, then you can easily go into the I-J color range and be happy!

Clarity is another issue. Since you are not seeing the diamonds in person I would either stay with VS2 stones or buy from a vendor who can provide images of SI1 stones to make sure its eye clean.

 

[mcosme]

Re: Trying to choose between four round diamonds 0.60-0.70ct

If buying from the US is an option, maybe you can look at cheaper stones, such as these two

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2890090.htm
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-sku-206999

And here's all the james allen ones that are less than $2000 and have a HCA < 2
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds//TabSelected:3|ps:15||DiamondID:198314,206998,206999,189770,198299,213477,212280,209328

I guess we just want to make sure u get a great performer