What I learned at the jeweler today (newbie edition)

[Verso]

Hi everyone!

I'm in the market for an engagement ring. I've been lurking here for a couple of weeks, doing some research to try to become a more informed customer.

Today, armed with whatever information I've picked up here over the last little while, I went to a local jeweler (as recommended by a colleague) to look at some round brilliants.

Here's what I've learned:

• I cannot tell the difference between an H stone and a J stone under any combination of natural, incandescent or fluorescent light.
• I could not see the inclusions on a VS2 stone even with a loupe. I could see inclusions on a SI2 stone with a loupe but not with the naked eye.
• I can readily tell the difference in size between a 1.3 carat stone and a 1.7 carat stone.

Maybe the above is just a comment on the acuity of my eyesight! But I think it's helping me to sort out my priorities as a purchaser. I'm now trying to put the above into practice in shopping for a stone online.

This diamond meets my budget: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1218716.asp

I have been looking for comparable stones at or near the same price.

Any suggestions or comments?

Thanks!

 

[stone-cold11]

SI1/2 eye-cleanliness is a case by case situation, so ask the vendor to confirm it is so.

The JA stone looks promising.

 

[vintagelover229]

May I ask why you chose an F colored stone if you couldn't tell the difference between an H and a J? Is it just personal preference or something else? Because you could go down to H in color and get a size difference for the same price if you'd like the 1.6 side of the scale. If that's to large for what your looking for and this stone suites what you're wanting in a stone, as long as it's eye clean, I see nothing wrong with it. However, I'm one to get more bang for my buck, so I'd search for options slightly larger with H and even I colors.

Good job though! You've got pretty much what you need to know to pick out a good stone as long as its eye clean and ideal cut.

 

[stci]

Hi everyone!

I'm in the market for an engagement ring. I've been lurking here for a couple of weeks, doing some research to try to become a more informed customer.

Today, armed with whatever information I've picked up here over the last little while, I went to a local jeweler (as recommended by a colleague) to look at some round brilliants.

Here's what I've learned:

• I cannot tell the difference between an H stone and a J stone under any combination of natural, incandescent or fluorescent light.
• I could not see the inclusions on a VS2 stone even with a loupe. I could see inclusions on a SI2 stone with a loupe but not with the naked eye.
• I can readily tell the difference in size between a 1.3 carat stone and a 1.7 carat stone.

Maybe the above is just a comment on the acuity of my eyesight! But I think it's helping me to sort out my priorities as a purchaser. I'm now trying to put the above into practice in shopping for a stone online.

This diamond meets my budget: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1218716.asp

I have been looking for comparable stones at or near the same price.

Any suggestions or comments?

Thanks!

I totaly agree! Human with eagle eyes are very rare in this world!

 

[Imdanny]

[*]I could not see the inclusions on a VS2 stone even with a loupe. I could see inclusions on a SI2 stone with a loupe but not with the naked eye.[*]

The same won't hold true for each individual stone at each clarity level. It depends on the stone. Any one you are considering should be evaluated on its own merits as to whether it's eye clean.