Trying to pick a diamond

[Onemax]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post and I''m sure you get this question all the time but I need some help.

Like many here I stumbled accross this site when I was researching for an engagement ring purchase. I have been reading this site for some time need some advise about two diamonds I found on here. I don''t have all the details on the angles but I''m wondering if I''m looking in the right direction. Like most, I am not too concerned with clarity (as long as it is eye clean) so here are the ones I found. If you could please give me your thoughts on these two I would greatlu appreciate it.


Diamond 1:
Certificate EGL
Cut ROUND BRILLIANT
Carat 1.84
Color F
Clarity SI2
Price $ 6467.51
Price per Carat $ 3514.95
Measurements 7.77 x 7.81 x 4.88 mm
Depth Percentage 62.6 %
Table Percentage 58 %
Crown Angle
Pavilion Percentage %
Pavilion Angle
Girdle M
Culet N
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT
Fluorescence NONE
Certificate Notes
Other Notes 100 EYECLEAN
Clarity-Enhanced NO

Diamond 2
. Report: EGL
. Shape: Round
. Carat: 1.84
. Depth %: 62.6
. Table %: 58
. Girdle: M
. Measurements: 7.77-7.81X4.88
. Polish: Excellent
. Symmetry: Excellent
. Culet: None
. Fluorescence: None
. WF Rating: 4 Stars
. Color: F
. Clarity: SI2

Thanks very much!

 

[stone-cold11]

I believe these are the same two rounds only posted by two different vendors using the same stock thus the exact same dimension.

Anyway, this stone is a little deep, but as of now, without the crown and pavilion depth or angle, there is no way to judge. Also, as It is an EGL stone, you should be aware that the stone might be lower in color and clarity grade if graded by AGS or GIA thus the relatively low price.

General guideline for ideal cut by AGA is given here
table: 53-58%
depth: 58-62.3%
crown angle: 34.0-34.7 degree
crown height: 14-16.3%
Pavilion depth: 42.8-43.2%
Girdle: thin to med or med to slt thick
polish/symm: Ex - VG

 

[Onemax]

Do you think I would be able to get the crown and pavilion dimentions if I called the vendor? Or should I not bother and look for a shallower stone?

Thanks for your reply!

 

[stone-cold11]

I think it is worth a try given that WF listed it as a 4* on their scale, they must have seen something they like.

 

[Onemax]

Ok, so I called Whiteflash and they claimed that since it is a EGL graded stone they are unable to provide me with the crown or pavilion.Apparently EGL does not include that information on the cert. She also said the she doesn''t recommend EGL stones because they are generally 2-3 grades lower on colour and clarity. Any other recomendations? Can I pay to have the diamond GIA or AGS certified? Do you think that''s a good option?

Thanks again.

M.

 

[honey22]

Date: 10/9/2008 10:34:37 PM
Author: Onemax
Ok, so I called Whiteflash and they claimed that since it is a EGL graded stone they are unable to provide me with the crown or pavilion.Apparently EGL does not include that information on the cert. She also said the she doesn''t recommend EGL stones because they are generally 2-3 grades lower on colour and clarity. Any other recomendations? Can I pay to have the diamond GIA or AGS certified? Do you think that''s a good option?


Thanks again.


M.

No, don''t pay to have it recertified, ask them to find you another suitable diamond.

If you are happy with an EGL F colour, then you should be open to GIA and AGS G and even H colour stones, so you could try expanding your search to include those. You will pay a premium for the colourless grades (D-F), so you should get what you paid for. If you truly want an F, look for GIA or AGS stones, or widen your search a little.

If it all seems too overwhelming, call WF back and give them your budget and requirements and they will find you a few stones to select from.

Good luck!

 

[customandrew]

Date: 10/9/2008 10:34:37 PM
Author: Onemax
Ok, so I called Whiteflash and they claimed that since it is a EGL graded stone they are unable to provide me with the crown or pavilion.Apparently EGL does not include that information on the cert. She also said the she doesn''t recommend EGL stones because they are generally 2-3 grades lower on colour and clarity. Any other recomendations? Can I pay to have the diamond GIA or AGS certified? Do you think that''s a good option?


Thanks again.


M.

I wouldnt pay, I would find one that has a worthwhile cert already and move on from there.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 10/9/2008 10:34:37 PM
Author: Onemax
Ok, so I called Whiteflash and they claimed that since it is a EGL graded stone they are unable to provide me with the crown or pavilion.Apparently EGL does not include that information on the cert. She also said the she doesn''t recommend EGL stones because they are generally 2-3 grades lower on colour and clarity. Any other recomendations? Can I pay to have the diamond GIA or AGS certified? Do you think that''s a good option?


Thanks again.


M.

If you are dead set on this stone a good appraiser can provide you that information with a sarin or other type of scan. Much cheaper and easier than sending it off to be regraded. Sarasota Gem Lab is a great one, Richard is wonderful and could provide you with all that info easily.

 

[Regular Guy]

Although I agree with Honey in substance...

"No, don't pay to have it recertified, ask them to find you another suitable diamond.

If you are happy with an EGL F colour, then you should be open to GIA and AGS G and even H colour stones, so you could try expanding your search to include those. You will pay a premium for the colourless grades (D-F), so you should get what you paid for. If you truly want an F, look for GIA or AGS stones, or widen your search a little.

If it all seems too overwhelming, call WF back and give them your budget and requirements and they will find you a few stones to select from...."

Still...and despite Neatfreak's allowing for your possibly unrealistic position...

Date: 10/9/2008 11:07:59 PM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 10/9/2008 10:34:37 PM
Author: Onemax
Ok, so I called Whiteflash and they claimed that since it is a EGL graded stone they are unable to provide me with the crown or pavilion.Apparently EGL does not include that information on the cert. She also said the she doesn't recommend EGL stones because they are generally 2-3 grades lower on colour and clarity. Any other recomendations? Can I pay to have the diamond GIA or AGS certified? Do you think that's a good option?


Thanks again.


M.

If you are dead set on this stone a good appraiser can provide you that information with a sarin or other type of scan. Much cheaper and easier than sending it off to be regraded. Sarasota Gem Lab is a great one, Richard is wonderful and could provide you with all that info easily.

I don't think what WF has represented is correct, and since they have offered this stone on their website, per what I had understood to be their standard operating procedure...you should not need Richard at Sarasota for this particular purpose. EGL...at least with percents, should offer an approximation to crown & pavilion angles. WF could indeed confirm them further...and I believe they have policies for charging the customer for calling them in...at least under certain conditions. Of course, I don't know either exactly WF's policies, exactly who said what to whom, or for that matter, what actual data WF could have available to them if they indeed picked up the phone. But...since this reportage is at least suspicious...I was motivated to write.

Do consider, though, not going for EGL of any make. Read up on same, and you'll see more about why.

Regards,

 

[Onemax]

Thanks everyone for all the great info. I''ve been speaking with WF and Solomon Brothers (SB) about this stone. It seems that the stone is "brokered out" and they need to order it in. No one is able to get any the additional information and have suggested that I go with a GIA stone for peace of mind.

As far as my preferences go, I don''t mind a F,G or H colour diamond but I really don''t want to go below a SI2 grade. The thing that has me caught up with this stone is both WF and SB have rated the cut so highly. (WF: 4* and SB: Excelent). Could they both be wrong? or could this cut rating be coming from the broker they are dealing with?

This has becoming a much more daunting task then I expected.

I''ll see if I can get an Ideal Scope and picture and go from there.

Thanks again,

M.

 

[Allison D.]

OneMax, from what you wrote, you''re pretty firm about not wanting to go below SI2, so I''d gather that being eye-clean is pretty important to you.

I''d suspect that''s why we''re recommending against bringing in the EGL stone. In our experience, grading is softer on EGL stones, so if they are calling it an SI2, there''s a likelihood the stone would be an I1 or maybe even I2 by AGS or GIA standards.

If you''ve told your rep you definitely want an eyeclean stone, the rep would then discourage bringing in an SI2 from EGL as it would likely not meet your wants/needs and there''s no point in having you incur shipping charges for a stone we feel isn''t a strong candidate based on your needs.

We know from experience that AGS/GIA grade stones most stringently, so we have much more confidence that SI stones from those labs may be eyeclean.

 

[agc]

I have to agree with Allison. If you want eye clean it is very unlikely that you will be happy with an EGL SI2. I have yet to see an EGL SI2 that I would purchase.

Before I am stoned for that comment, let me say I know there is someone out there that has an eyeclean EGL SI2 but the odds are against you. Look at some GIA/AGS and you will be better off.

 

[Onemax]

Thanks so much everyone! I guess the search continues.

M.