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upgrading to a 2.5-2.9 carat round stone. need pricescope expert opinions!

alabamalady

alabamalady

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 2, 2018
Messages
20
Hi PriceScopers! I was somewhat active on PS as "nejarb" way back in 2006-2007 then not at all since then. We are about to go from a round 1.51 f si-1 (which will become a necklace pendant) to something like a 2.7 H si-1. Our budget for the stone is 27,000. We want to purchase online to avoid sales tax, and my husband only feels comfortable dealing with blue nile or james allen, so let's stick with their inventory for the sake of my marriage! I know, I know.

I've got about 8 stones bookmarked and 2-3 that I'm seriously considering, but before I post a link to those I'd like to see what suggestions are offered. My hope is for an eye clean stone that is not too warm in color. I'd like to reach or get very close to 9mm in diameter. I know that cut is very important.... but to be frank, the stone I've been wearing for the last 12 years is rated "good" (GIA) and I didn't even know that until I recently looked at the report. And it never looked bad or ugly to me. I think I may be more concerned with size and color. =)2

Any ideas are welcome! thank you.
 
alabamalady said:
Hi PriceScopers! I was somewhat active on PS as "nejarb" way back in 2006-2007 then not at all since then. We are about to go from a round 1.51 f si-1 (which will become a necklace pendant) to something like a 2.7 H si-1. Our budget for the stone is 27,000. We want to purchase online to avoid sales tax, and my husband only feels comfortable dealing with blue nile or james allen, so let's stick with their inventory for the sake of my marriage! I know, I know.

I've got about 8 stones bookmarked and 2-3 that I'm seriously considering, but before I post a link to those I'd like to see what suggestions are offered. My hope is for an eye clean stone that is not too warm in color. I'd like to reach or get very close to 9mm in diameter. I know that cut is very important.... but to be frank, the stone I've been wearing for the last 12 years is rated "good" (GIA) and I didn't even know that until I recently looked at the report. And it never looked bad or ugly to me. I think I may be more concerned with size and color. =)2

Any ideas are welcome! thank you.
Click to expand...
 
alabamalady said:
I just realized that I’m asking y’all to do way too much work. Not sure what I was thinking. Here are some of the stones I’m looking at

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5222546

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5474090

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5045320

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5339506
Click to expand...

No to all of them, I am sorry. They are not well cut diamonds. Check out the ones I shared with you.
 
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Definitely stick to ones within the ideal cut parameters that @SimoneDi is suggesting. It will be a much better value for the money, because the cut will be better, and the stone will be more sparkly, look larger, etc. I'll start looking as well.
 
Thank you! I noticed that all of those have strong floursecence. I’ve heard that can look hazy so I was looking at medium and lower...but I don’t know how important that is!
 
alabamalady said:
Thank you! I noticed that all of those have strong floursecence. I’ve heard that can look hazy so I was looking at medium and lower...but I don’t know how important that is!
Click to expand...

Strong flour doesn't = hazy. Strong flour CAN be hazy (sometimes), but that can typically be seen/noticed before purchasing.
 
alabamalady said:
Thank you lovedogs. I really like that last one. What do you think about this?

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5474090
Click to expand...
It is a steep/deep stone. I would not recommend it.

To answer some of your questions. Strong flouro is rarely a reason for concern. In rare occasions, strong it very strong flouro can cause haziness/milkiness, however that seems to be usually in combination with cloud inclusions. I have had multiple stones with flouro ranging from faint to very strong fluorescence and I do not hesitate to recommend them.

Knot inclusions are usually not a reason for concern in VVS and sole VS clarity grades.
 
I know you prefer BN or JA, but would you consider purchasing from another trusted vendor? These would be my top contenders for your budget. These stones will be of similar size in appearance when compared to a stone that is cut steep-deep for ct weight. These stones also come with a great upgrade policy.

2.54 I VS2 $28,106 :love:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4008884.htm

2.502 I SI1 $25,856
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4013664.htm

2.528I SI1 $24,912
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3959046.htm
 
Thanks crbl but I really need to stick with BN or JA to make this work and not be too stressful for my sweet husband who is already a little stressed out buying online and not from one of his parents’ local jeweler friends who would give us an ok deal and who he trusts. I said no to that because A I want to save the sales tax and B twelve years ago one of his parents’ friends sold us a “good” cut stone and another friend sold us an antique setting that was not right for daily wear and couldn’t even be resized. Plus I don’t want everyone to know we are upgrading.

So unfortunately we are limited to JA and BN bc that’s what he’s comfortable with. I’m not going to rock the boat! This upgrade was his idea and I just don’t want him to regret it because it starts to be stressful for him. And actually at this point we are really just looking st JA because I don’t like any setting on BN and we’ve already spent so much time on this and we don’t want another project when the stone arrives. At least not for a year at least. So I’m only looking at JA right now.

When you say steep/deep stone what does that mean? Usually the stones with over 62% depth are ideal cut and very sparkly right? Even though they may appear smaller than a 60/60 stone or one with a table over 60%. I’m so confused!!

This stone I just found today almost seems too good to be true if I’m ok with the J color. Which I’m not sure I am ... but OMG it’s huge! What about this one?

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2852107
 
Don't care for the proportions on that one.

Use this as a cheat guide:

54-57 table
60-62.4 depth
34-35 crown
40.6-40.9 pavilion
75-80 LGF

You want to make sure the crown and pavilion compliment each other. 35/40.6 or 34/40.9.

Steep deep refers to a diamond that was cut with a steep crown angle and a deep pavilion angle This is often done to maximize the ct size of the diamond at the expense of brilliance and sparkle.
 
alabamalady said:
Thanks crbl but I really need to stick with BN or JA to make this work and not be too stressful for my sweet husband who is already a little stressed out buying online and not from one of his parents’ local jeweler friends who would give us an ok deal and who he trusts. I said no to that because A I want to save the sales tax and B twelve years ago one of his parents’ friends sold us a “good” cut stone and another friend sold us an antique setting that was not right for daily wear and couldn’t even be resized. Plus I don’t want everyone to know we are upgrading.

So unfortunately we are limited to JA and BN bc that’s what he’s comfortable with. I’m not going to rock the boat! This upgrade was his idea and I just don’t want him to regret it because it starts to be stressful for him. And actually at this point we are really just looking st JA because I don’t like any setting on BN and we’ve already spent so much time on this and we don’t want another project when the stone arrives. At least not for a year at least. So I’m only looking at JA right now.

When you say steep/deep stone what does that mean? Usually the stones with over 62% depth are ideal cut and very sparkly right? Even though they may appear smaller than a 60/60 stone or one with a table over 60%. I’m so confused!!

This stone I just found today almost seems too good to be true if I’m ok with the J color. Which I’m not sure I am ... but OMG it’s huge! What about this one?

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2852107
Click to expand...

That diamond is not a good option. If J color is ok the table and if you want to hit the 3ct mark, then her is a pretty 3ct J: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.05-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-549641
The fluorescence will actually help the color appear whiter when exposed to uv light.
 
crbl999 said:
Don't care for the proportions on that one.

Use this as a cheat guide:

54-57 table
60-62.4 depth
34-35 crown
40.6-40.9 pavilion
75-80 LGF

You want to make sure the crown and pavilion compliment each other. 35/40.6 or 34/40.9.

Steep deep refers to a diamond that was cut with a steep crown angle and a deep pavilion angle This is often done to maximize the ct size of the diamond at the expense of brilliance and sparkle.
Click to expand...

Thank you for that explanation. Makes sense.
 
Curious, why would he be comfortable with JA or BN, but not White Flash or HPD? On this site those 2 retailers have equal, if not, better reputations than JA or BN. And they both have buy-back and way better upgrade policies than JA and BN.
 
skypie said:
Curious, why would he be comfortable with JA or BN, but not White Flash or HPD? On this site those 2 retailers have equal, if not, better reputations than JA or BN. And they both have buy-back and way better upgrade policies than JA and BN.
Click to expand...

I believe that’s all true. My husband wants me to be happy with this purchase but he also personally wants to spend as little time possible with the details. He said 28k all in tax and all, so I suggested buying online to save what is a 10%sales tax in our area, and after we spent a few minutes looking into it he said ok but only from BN or JA. To him it’s decision made and moving on.

After that, until I have the ring, he’s not interested in any details or talking about it. I know this because I brought up the idea of setting up an appointment w Leon Mege when we are in NYC later this month and having some options ready then having LM send ring to us when it’s complete. I LOVE his work and that would be the ideal situation for me. Husband said no way, never heard of him, we already have a plan and changed the subject. I’m just not going there again!

So the j si-1 looks amazing and it’s huge but I’m worried that it’s actually too big and also worried about the warmth in a J.

I have this stone on hold at JA and wonder what you diamond wizards think...
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3596518

They will go down to $26,700. It looks so super sparkly but maybe the crown angle is too big? Not sure where to see the pavilion number on report. I have no clue about this stuff! I’m sure I could easily geek out on it but I’m trying not to obsess too much over this decision.
 
17E5363C-6DC3-402C-AF0A-E9B72E5E88EC.jpeg
 
Is this steep deep too??
 
Yes, it is.

If your husband wants to have as little involvement as possible why don't you just have Pricescopers direct you to a great stone (including from other online retailers) and then have your husband write the check?

Does it really matter to which online retailer the check is made out to if you're getting a great diamond?

Seems odd to me to want to have close to zero involvement yet insist on buying from just 2 retailers.
 
I think if DH doesn't want to be involved, but insists upon only going w. these 2 retailers then you should just let us choose the best available stones.
 
SimoneDi said:
It is unfortunately, a crown angle of 35-36 pairs well with a pavilion angle of 40.6. You can se how the arrows looked a bit washed out, it is not what ideally we look for. Also, the stone is darker under the table.

You didn’t like this diamond from BN that I linked earlier? https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

Ah, I think because it’s a bit above budget. You can ask BN if they would come down a bit.
Click to expand...

I like this one, even though it's closer to a 60/60 style. I don't know exactly whether BN would negotiate, but it certainly never hurts to ask!
 
lovedogs said:
I think if DH doesn't want to be involved, but insists upon only going w. these 2 retailers then you should just let us choose the best available stones.
Click to expand...
I think your best bet is to look for blue Nile and James Allen so called branded stones ! Most of them have desired angles escaping all steep/deep stones , they already picked the best from virtual enventory ! Or you can sort by lab at James Allen and pick only AGS stones and most of them also close to super ideal :kiss2:
 
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