Urgent shopping help...

[Anti]

Hello Guys,

I hope it is OK to raise this as a new thread here, as I am lost and would strongly appreciate some expert judgement on the below.

I am looking for an engagement ring for some time, reviewed already dozen of webpages with guides, advises and tips – still feel a little confused, however. I try to nail down something within the budget 1500GBP for a stone itself. It is to be eye-clean (of course…) and will go to yellow18k ring so I think to consider I / J. I hope within this price tag I can find something ~0.7crt.

Looking for UK webpages (77diamons.com mostly, as they seem to have a quite good selection) - found e.g. RBCPDWWEWU4Q https://www.77diamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire , GIA 5191806211) that I like visually based on photo / video, but I am not professional and also afraid a little about Very Good cut (I know most would say to get rid of VG and got EX) and "non-model angles" - it has a quite good HCA score, however.



Round Brilliant

5.50 - 5.54 x 3.58 mm

0.70 carat

I

SI1

Cut: Very Good

Depth: 64.8 %
Table: 55 %
Crown Angle: 38.5°
Crown Height: 18.0%
Pavilion Angle: 39.8°
Pavilion Depth: 41.5%
Star Length: 50%
Lower Half: 75%
Girdle: Slightly Thick to Thick, Faceted, 5.0%
Culet: None



Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent
Fluorescence None

clarity characteristics
Feather, Crystal, Cloud

inscription(s)
GIA 5191806211

I would be very very grateful if you could give me your opinion / thoughts or any other suggestions (UK / EU preferebly)

Thank you kindly!

Regards,

Andy

 

[whitewave]

It’s so deep. You are paying for stone you can’t see or appreciate. Ideally, it should be in the 5.70 mm and this one is 5.5 mm. That is a noticeable difference.

 

[Anti]

Yes, i am aware of it - on the other hand the price is not significant / seems to be balanced so I thought it may be acceptable comparing to smaller ones but with better deep parameter?

 

[MissGotRocks]

No, this is not a well cut stone at all. The crown and pavilion angles are not complimentary at all and the girdle is extremely thick. You want to try to stay within these parameters:

Depth no more than 62.2
Table 54-58
Crown 34 -35
Pavilion 40.6 - 40.9

Not sure what resources and vendors you are limited to there - are you not open to international at all?

 

[Anti]

hi Miss,

Thanks for your comment - I am OK with international. I just preferred EU, however open for any recommendations if you have some. 77 provides me with some proposals, but they do not seem to be consistent or taking into account anything else than basic 4C parameters …

 

[Snowdrop13]

Blue Nile is a good option for UK buyers, they have a wide selection of stones and all taxes are included in the price. I’ll have a look for you.

 

[rockysalamander]

77 diamonds website is hard. But, I found this one. Good numbers. Angles balanced. It has a crystal as the grade setting, but its hard to see. No clouds or other problematic inclusions. Can you ask for an ASET?
https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=6302124487
Code: RBCPG7NBDDBC

 

[Snowdrop13]

https://www.bluenile.com/uk/build-y...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

This one has good numbers and looks clean on the video.

 

[Anti]

Snow, Rocky - thank you. That was very kind of you.

I believe I can request ASET - but most probably on Monday only.

Both above are very interesting, only the one advised by rocky seems to have better carat and clarity factors. Any recommendation for the one over another for some reasons, or anything else?

 

[OoohShiny]

Plenty of us in the UK have bought diamonds from the US-based PS-recommended vendors, and my personal experience is that you can get much better cut for equivalent spec diamonds, even taking into account the 20% VAT you must pay on import, and the 2.5% Import Tax on jewellery, so I would recommend not ruling them out.


Here are a few AGS000 options that might be of interest, taken from the PS search tool:
https://www.pricescope.com/diamonds/search?vendor=-1&branded=None&inhouse=-1&shape=1&minprice=1&maxprice=1800&mincarat=0.5&maxcarat=1.05&mindepth=0&maxdepth=100&mintable=0&maxtable=100&mincut=1&maxcut=2&mincolor=1&maxcolor=9&minclarity=3&maxclarity=8&minsymmetry=1&maxsymmetry=8&minpolish=1&maxpolish=8&min_cut_gia=1&max_cut_gia=6&min_cut_ags=1&max_cut_ags=7&minflourescence=1&maxflourescence=6&checkbox_panel1=,02&checkbox_panel2=&sort=&page=1&pageview=24&adv=false&days=100&cert_number=



0.635ct G SI1 - clean under the table, but perhaps a £300 stretch of the budget when VAT is added:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3839999.htm
Expert Selection so not quite 'A Cut Above' but very close - Whiteflash will be able to confirm that it is eyeclean and the clouds mentioned in the grading report are not affecting light return (which I doubt they are, as it wouldn't be an Expert Selection stone if it did, I believe).

0.66 J SI1 - only one inclusion within the table so hopefully should be eye-clean, and should be about on the budget with VAT added:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3981508.htm?source=pricescope
It is an 'A Cut Above' stone so should be among the best you could buy in terms of light performance!

0.64 J VS2 - also one inclusion in the table, which would need to be assessed, but A Cut Above with a small table = lots of fire
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3970257.htm?source=pricescope

0.58 I VS2 - Expert Selection so the symmetry looks a tiny smidge off, but ASET and IdealScope images look good. Inclusions in the table may need to be assessed:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3855457.htm?source=pricescope

0.6 G VS1 - Virtual Selection (so not inhouse at B2C) but AGS000, HCA score under 2, and super-clean VS1 with only one inclusion hidden well under the star facets!
https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/976443...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

 

[Anti]

Bluenine does not provide ASET and/or Idealscope images. 77 is to confirm (they do not seem to have any senior team member available to check now).

Rocky - not sure but it seems the 77ID does not match the GIA report link provided?

However, looking deeper into the proposals - this 0.7 from 77 (I have referred to 77ID as was not able to find that one from GIA link) seems to have 3.5 in HCA, while 0.66 from Blue - 1. Also, the Table is quite similar (only 0,02 difference, apart from carats) - respectively 5.64x5.66x3.56 for 77 and 5.64x5.62x3.44 in BL. BL seems to cover VAT as well so looks to be a good bargain - I considered 1500GPB price tag net so may have still some room for increase if worth it? Snow?

Oooh (:]) - I am located in PL so even 23% VAT (for some reasons 77 applies the UK tax anyway for whole EU while BL increase accordingly). So any thoughts / oversee options then you have in mind?

Thank you all.

 

[OoohShiny]

If you move to GIA XXX:
https://www.pricescope.com/diamonds/search?vendor=-1&branded=None&inhouse=-1&shape=1&minprice=1&maxprice=1800&mincarat=0.58&maxcarat=1.05&mindepth=60&maxdepth=62.3&mintable=53&maxtable=58&mincut=1&maxcut=1&mincolor=1&maxcolor=7&minclarity=2&maxclarity=8&minsymmetry=1&maxsymmetry=2&minpolish=1&maxpolish=2&min_cut_gia=1&max_cut_gia=1&min_cut_ags=1&max_cut_ags=7&minflourescence=1&maxflourescence=6&checkbox_panel1=,03,04&checkbox_panel2=&sort=&page=1&pageview=24&adv=true&days=100&cert_number=

there are a lot more options.

Highest Carat Weight seems to be a 0.76 J VVS1 with Medium Blue fluorescence, an HCA score of 1.9 and a high crown, which should help increase coloured 'fire':
https://www.pricescope.com/diamonds/round/0_76-carat-j-color-vvs1-clarity-6416929#

You can get a 0.7 I VS1 with Strong Blue fluorescence and an HCA score of 1.7:
https://www.pricescope.com/diamonds/round/0_7-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-6873488#

 

[OoohShiny]

Bluenine does not provide ASET and/or Idealscope images. 77 is to confirm (they do not seem to have any senior team member available to check now).

Rocky - not sure but it seems the 77ID does not match the GIA report link provided?

However, looking deeper into the proposals - this 0.7 from 77 (I have referred to 77ID as was not able to find that one from GIA link) seems to have 3.5 in HCA, while 0.66 from Blue - 1. Also, the Table is quite similar (only 0,02 difference, apart from carats) - respectively 5.64x5.66x3.56 for 77 and 5.64x5.62x3.44 in BL. BL seems to cover VAT as well so looks to be a good bargain - I considered 1500GPB price tag net so may have still some room for increase if worth it? Snow?

Oooh (:]) - I am located in PL so even 23% VAT (for some reasons 77 applies the UK tax anyway for whole EU while BL increase accordingly). So any thoughts / oversee options then you have in mind?

Thank you all.

All of the stones in my posts in this thread are overseas

23% tax is not so different to 20% UK tax, so hopefully my recommendations are still suitable!

 

[Anti]

OoohShiny - thanks for your links, indeed 0.635ct G SI1 seems to be well over the budget, but the next ones look OK (I would personally tend to go with option 2 or 3) - may be worth to be considered, indeed, btw. what you think about the one advised by Snow - https://www.bluenile.com/uk/build-y...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

Any other suggestions / comments more than welcome. Thx to all!

 

[OoohShiny]

what you think about the one advised by Snow - https://www.bluenile.com/uk/build-y...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

It has a good HCA score and a small table, so should perform well and have decent levels of coloured fire.

The video looks like it is very clean for an SI1 but the inclusions list on the grading report has 'Clouds' as the grade-setting inclusion. There may be risk of the clouds affecting light performance - the stone will have to be assessed by eye to check if there are any negative impacts.


My other suggestions may be an option so please see what you think

 

[rockysalamander]

I used the online chat with 77Diamonds to figure out what is going on. They were useless other than confirming that they recycle their own tracking numbers. They can't search by GIA number. What?? They then recommended 4 stones that were terrible (though many vendors will do that). I think the GIA stone I found was sold and they then re-assigned the internal number.

A little smaller than your goal, but great performance. I think this is within budget (1,866 GBP).
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3950133.htm

 

[Anti]

hi guys, regarding WF proposals - it seems to be a good shop, thanks for all the links.

Generally, it looks that to the prices on the webpage I would need to consider + VAT (customs should be 0% as far as I learned)

Following, if we can fix the budget at 1700USD as per their webpage price - any top / best recommendation as per the conditions?

As of now I have reserved the one advised by Snow on BL, but regarding this "cloud" inclusion - I am not sure whether any reliable pre-buy examination can be arranged to determine its impact (as well as no Idealscope / ASET images, unfortunatelly...)

one more time - thanks for all help given

 

[OoohShiny]

hi guys, regarding WF proposals - it seems to be a good shop, thanks for all the links.

Generally, it looks that to the prices on the webpage I would need to consider + VAT (customs should be 0% as far as I learned)

Following, if we can fix the budget at 1700USD as per their webpage price - any top / best recommendation as per the conditions?

As of now I have reserved the one advised by Snow on BL, but regarding this "cloud" inclusion - I am not sure whether any reliable pre-buy examination can be arranged to determine its impact (as well as no Idealscope / ASET images, unfortunatelly...)

one more time - thanks for all help given

I must eat dinner now so cannot look for WF options just yet, but you can ask BN to review the reserved stone to see if it suffers any negative impacts from the clouds - such as haziness or dullness.

Ask BN to confirm the Returns process, and if a stone is covered by their insurance if you wish to Return it.

 

[Anti]

Regarding the one from Bluenile advised by Snow - I have asked them to arrange the review, awaiting response, but they will not arrange anything on the top of that (no idealscope / ASET images)

Also, anything worth of attention on 77 - they have a very nice ring setting with sort of discount for black Friday / cyber Monday - perhaps can get something interesting still from there

However, any other options (incl. WF) are more then welcome

 

[Snowdrop13]

I agree with @rockysalamander that the 77 diamonds website is not easy to use! I just tried! I especially didn’t like that the prices don’t include VAT so they don’t seem that competitively priced.

The best WF options have been posted above, imho, there are some K coloured stones in addition but you’d have to be sure you were happy with that colour.

I did find this one on BN, https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD11440513?click_id=825354707 looks clean although I can’t see the inclusion plot, it also has strong blue fluorescence which you may or may not like.

There are a couple of Brian Gavin Blue stones in your price range, here’s one, https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...0.666-j-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104103075010 they are both showing as “reserved” at present although it might be worth calling to see their status. Brian Gavin has several Black Friday deals on too.

 

[Anti]

just got the following response from Bluenile regarding the mentioned "The diamond has a light brown tinge and is lightly milky per the vault manager who inspected it for us" - is it something to be worry about that decrease its visual quality to much?

 

[tkyasx78]

I would pass. if it looks milky in any way loose it will look worse set!

 

[rockysalamander]

Pass.

 

[lovedogs]

Definitely pass!!! Milky is not good

 

[rockysalamander]

https://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab (this is a bit under budget, but looks really nice. Smaller than your target at .65 c, but great clarity and I would not worry too much about the cloud at a VS2. This has great angles. 5.53 mm, 1435 lbs}

https://www.fourmine.com/diamonds/index/diamonddetail/id/1055956 {video looks good, nice angles. Color looks good. I'd love an ASET. It has a cavity (a little surface crater), but its a VS2 and that's unlikely to be an issue, 0.7, J, VS2 5.68 mm}

But, given the small difference in spread between these and the WF option below, I'd look at WF. Its a better diamond, all around, and when buying from overseas, its a great option given we found a good option in your budget.

I would buy this one before the BN option. Its a super-ideal, in budget and they can physically pull the diamond if you like. Its a VS1. https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3970248.htm, 5.61 mm

On the affordable end of the settings.
https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...9-classics-solitaire-engagement-ring-5487.htm (I'm not sure this will allow a flush wedding band, but WF can tell you that detail)
https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...ni-1rz7244-solitaire-engagement-ring-4001.htm {pretty four prong}
https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...-sleek-line-solitaire-engagement-ring-728.htm {if budget allows, my favorite soli setting in a 4-prong from WF}

 

[Anti]

Thanks for all the feedback - it is really appreciated.


So - as per the above advice I will definitely pass this one (milky one):
https://www.bluenile.com/uk/build-y...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true


The one proposed by Snow is sold out (I just checked - they wait for some payment finalisation but generally not available)
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...0.666-j-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104103075010


Then, from the remaining ones (calculated to GBP with 23% VAT for consistency) I think I would consider:

@Snowdrop13
https://www.bluenile.com/pl/diamond-details/LD11440513?click_id=825354707
(price 1611 GBP), looks pretty, just not sure regarding this strong fluorescence and how it will present in yellow gold ring setting


@OoohShiny
from the WFs advised I think about the following:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3981508.htm?source=pricescope
(price 1683 GBP), it seems to meet or exceed the criteria and WF confirmed the inclusions have no negative impact on performance, durability or transparency (however, the confirmation is that is best choice from the given WFs is more than welcome)


@rockysalamander
https://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab
(price 1478 GBP), considering the price it seems to be a good bargain (if only this cloud does not impact its look, but I can ask for review if needed)


https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3970248.htm
(price 1852 GBP), it is very nice one, however it seems to exceed the assumed budget (still can go if really worth it, but would prefer to stick within the budget, however)


I hope I did not miss any good proposal (but please do not hesitate to correct me)

Following, I assume these two may be good options - https://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab
(1478 – well price if meets the criteria) or https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3981508.htm?source=pricescope (1683).

but what are your final thoughts / recommendations ?


Regarding settings - I like the one I found on 77 initially (and my fionce as well, hopefully - wanted to go with yellow gold (this one is 415 GBP):



hope it will be a good choice. I think I can order setting separately, neither BN nor WF has a yellow one that stole my heart ; )) or just arrange setting in local jeweler?

 

[leukolenos]

What about the legato sleek line?
https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...ine-solitaire-engagement-ring-1022.htm#size=6

It’s lovely and would be super easy if you chose a WF stone (all of which are great choices btw).

 

[rockysalamander]

@Snowdrop13
https://www.bluenile.com/pl/diamond-details/LD11440513?click_id=825354707
(price 1611 GBP), looks pretty, just not sure regarding this strong fluorescence and how it will present in yellow gold ring setting
*I would eliminate. The inclusion is very prominent at 10'oclock and you have better choices in budget.

@OoohShiny
from the WFs advised I think about the following:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3981508.htm?source=pricescope
**This is a top tier stone with nothing to make one worry about. Smaller than some others, but the performance will also help mask color (more form the top than the side). This larger than the BN option and still in budget. 5.57 mm

@rockysalamander
https://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab
**The angles are good and I, personally, would be not overly concerned about a cloud in a VS2. But, you won't really know until you see the stone or BN can verify no impact. BN does not have this stone in their hands. It is overseas and they are reliant on the vendor and notes in the detailed files to help them. So, they can give you an opinion, but it is not the same as being able to see the stone in person. This is a choice between budget and risk tolerance (and time) to me. 5.54 mm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3970248.htm
**This stone is just larger than the other WF one. It comes down to budget. You seem more comfortable with the lower budget, so go with that. 5.61 mm

My personal choice would whichever WF works in your budget. They have superb customer service and the stone in hand. If (ack!) your girl is color sensitive and prefers a higher color stone, you get 100% of the cost of this stone toward a new one. BN will make you spend double to get that benefit.

If you buy a WF stone, let them set the stone in the setting. Don't do it locally. While rare, damage to stones can occur when setting. You want the stone vendor to have the ability to replace a damaged stone with the same quality. A local vendor won't have WF branded super-ideals. Most vendors don't have insurance coverage to cover a stone they did not sell (at least here in the US). So, you might be on your own with the damage.

Setting. This is basically the same as the one you posted from 77 diamonds, just photographed differently.
https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...tche-venus-solitaire-engagement-ring-4659.htm

But, for the small increase in price, I prefer this setting (also suggested above by @leukolenos ). Most prefer white metal on the prongs as it helps the stone look whiter. IF you want all yellow, I think that is also available.
https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...sleek-line-solitaire-engagement-ring-1022.htm

 

[Anti]

Yes, the setting proposed is really really nice (https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...sleek-line-solitaire-engagement-ring-1022.htm) – my only concern is its price – the one from 77 (Contour) with the tax (and 5% discount) is about 425 GBP and the similar one (Delicacy) is 360 GBP. The WF, on the other hand, seems to offer their for 816 GBP in total (incl. VAT) - so double, for some reasons (all are 18K).

I got the comment regarding white metal on the progns, indeed it may be worth to be considered (all the yellow ones in 77 have it gold – but any vendors worth to be checked for the setting perhaps?)

I have raised a query regarding review of the one from BN (https://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab) to validate the cloud inclusion impact and should get response in 24-48h so will share accordingly.

However, for now I think the prime choice would be this WF (https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3981508.htm?source=pricescope) - if you will not suggest differently ; )

 

[Anti]

OK - got the response regarding the one from BN:

Round .65-Carat Diamond, Color-J, Clarity- VS2, Cut-Ideal
The visual result is ： Eye Clean.

Quite laconic, but seems they confirm it does not suffer due to the cloud inclusion.

As its price is quite better (-200 GBP) for very similar parameters - perhaps I should go with this one instead of WF one? what your thoughts?

Thanks