What to do...what to do

[sarah95]

So, after months of research and great advice from the wonderful posters here, I have narrowed my round diamond search to a GIA triple Excellent stone from a PS online vendor. While it received a 2.3 on the HCA, it received a great review from a local appraisal place that is highly regarded here on PS. The appraiser basically agreed with the GIA report and thought it was beautifully cut and a magnificent stone. The diamond is a 3ct, I, SI2 and my main concerns are any yellow that might be visible -the appaiser says the stone is a "true I" and since it''s near colorless it will face up white when it''s set. My other concern is the inclusions. There are no black spots, but there are some feathers/twining wisps, which when tilted a certain way, I feel I can see one of the lines running through the diamond. Am I obsessing over a minute flaw? You can also see some lines from the side when you look at the pavilion. I was concerned about the durability of the diamond because of these inclusion, but the appraiser says they pose no risk to the durability of the stone.

So...I don''t know if I should be happy that I found a good I colored stone with white inclusions, or if it''s not really that great a stone and maybe I should continue searching. I''m at the point where I can''t even trust my own eyes.

I guess the point of my post is to find out from others...when you saw your diamond, did you know it was "the one?" If you compromised, are you happy with the compromise you made?

 

[neatfreak]

Is the line a girdle reflection? This is quite normal in an RB and will look like a line dissecting the diamond from the side...

And I would trust the appraiser if it''s someone we all know and trust (and not simply someone on the appraisers list). Stones of that size and color/clarity combo are hard to find.

 

[whatmeworry]

If someone else were to buy that diamond today, would you regret that you didn''t buy it? If not, then keep searching. If you would regret it, then perhaps it is the one.

Most of us ordinary folks are wallet-limited, so it''s really a matter of compromising on balancing the 4 Cs to fit what you''re looking for.

If you buy it, are you going to spend more time enjoying its beauty or tilting it a certain way to look for the wisp?

. I''d rather spend time enjoying its beauty!

 

[AndyMN]

It sounds beautiful to me... I don''t mind the I color at all and there are two concerns that I can think of when it comes to the SI2 inclusions. One, you''ve taken care of by getting advise from the appraiser who determined that they pose no threat to the durability of the diamond. Two, if it''s a black inclusion that''s close to the surface that shows up like a headlight (doesn''t sound like that''s the case). I wouldn''t worry as much about how it looks through the pavilion, once it''s set you won''t see it.
As for your concern about buyers remorse, there are many companies out there who offer a lifetime trade-in policy, so you can get exactly what you paid for the diamond toward another choice (no restrictions as to how much you have to spend). If it looks great to you in person and you''ve compared it in different lighting with other cuts, colors and clarities go for it.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/2/2008 2:38:44 PM
Author: AndyMN
It sounds beautiful to me... I don't mind the I color at all and there are two concerns that I can think of when it comes to the SI2 inclusions. One, you've taken care of by getting advise from the appraiser who determined that they pose no threat to the durability of the diamond. Two, if it's a black inclusion that's close to the surface that shows up like a headlight (doesn't sound like that's the case). I wouldn't worry as much about how it looks through the pavilion, once it's set you won't see it.
As for your concern about buyers remorse, there are many companies out there who offer a lifetime trade-in policy, so you can get exactly what you paid for the diamond toward another choice (no restrictions as to how much you have to spend). If it looks great to you in person and you've compared it in different lighting with other cuts, colors and clarities go for it.

Ditto. Also I will post a pic of girdle reflection in case that is what you are noticing. A clean SI2 clarity in that size is a great find, if you love the diamond and got the thumbs up from a good appraiser then thats great. As to whether it is the one or not, it is normal to second guess yourself - that is a good thing in my opinion as you are more likely to be happy with your purchase long term. If the inclusions you can see are greatly concerning you then you might need to up the clarity considerably in that size and also the budget, to VS or better so there is that to consider also.

Here are some pics of girdle reflection.

 

[:)]

You spent a lot of $ on that stone so it is understandable that you are worried you made a mistake! It is indeed difficult to find an eyeclean si2 in that size. I know I felt I could not trust myself when I got my stone, so I actually shipped it to Richard Sherwood for an evaluation. IMO it was worth every penny.

What about this stone makes you feel you are compromising on it? Did you want bigger/higher clarity/higher color/fluoro - what would make you feel like you had not 'compromised'?

 

[sarah95]

Neatfreak and Lorelei, the line that I see in the pavilion is not girdle reflection, it''s a thin vertical line, perhaps a twining wisp? I''m hoping it won''t be visible once it''s set...I was thinking about putting it in a low 6 prong Tiffany style setting.

Ideal Rock, when I started my diamond search I wanted something F/G in color and VS2/SI1 in clarity...I just wanted it to face up white and not have any visible inclusions, I also wanted a stone around 3cts. So, my compromise is on color and clarity, yet according to the vendor & appraiser, it faces up white and is eyeclean, especially for an SI2. I also started out looking at EGL and even...(I''m embarrassed to say it, after all I''ve learned here), EDGL and some other unpopular graders, and finally here I am trying to make a decision on what everyone tells me is a great GIA stone. I''m definitely nervous, since it is a big purchase and I hope I''m making the right decision.

The appraiser I went to is Accredited Gem Appraiser in Philadelphia. As I understand it, they are highly regarded here on PS. I give them so much credit for putting up with me, because I have been so nervous throughout this whole process and have been there so many times in the past few days to look at the stone. I went again today and Chris took me outside to show me the diamond in natural light since the sun wasn''t strong. Surprisingly, outside I couldn''t see the inclusion that I could see inside -even though the light used inside simulates natural light!

I wish someone would just tell me that I''ve made a good choice, stop being a worry wart, and trust Gem Appraisers appraisal. Okay, I need a drink now.

 

[sarah95]

Oops

 

[JulieN]

response to oops!

 

[:)]

Date: 9/2/2008 10:49:06 PM
Author: sarah95
Neatfreak and Lorelei, the line that I see in the pavilion is not girdle reflection, it's a thin vertical line, perhaps a twining wisp? I'm hoping it won't be visible once it's set...I was thinking about putting it in a low 6 prong Tiffany style setting.

Ideal Rock, when I started my diamond search I wanted something F/G in color and VS2/SI1 in clarity...I just wanted it to face up white and not have any visible inclusions, I also wanted a stone around 3cts. So, my compromise is on color and clarity, yet according to the vendor & appraiser, it faces up white and is eyeclean, especially for an SI2. I also started out looking at EGL and even...(I'm embarrassed to say it, after all I've learned here), EDGL and some other unpopular graders, and finally here I am trying to make a decision on what everyone tells me is a great GIA stone. I'm definitely nervous, since it is a big purchase and I hope I'm making the right decision.

The appraiser I went to is Accredited Gem Appraiser in Philadelphia. As I understand it, they are highly regarded here on PS. I give them so much credit for putting up with me, because I have been so nervous throughout this whole process and have been there so many times in the past few days to look at the stone. I went again today and Chris took me outside to show me the diamond in natural light since the sun wasn't strong. Surprisingly, outside I couldn't see the inclusion that I could see inside -even though the light used inside simulates natural light!

I wish someone would just tell me that I've made a good choice, stop being a worry wart, and trust Gem Appraisers appraisal. Okay, I need a drink now.

For you...

You are correct AGA (Oldminer = Dave Atla's prior company) is very highly regarded - I would have felt just as good about them evaluating my diamond as I did about Richard! Enjoy your drink. I chose the extra bubbly happy one for you for when you get the completed ring! Relax and settle in for some happy times and what sounds like a stunner of a stone!


ETA: Garry himself has even said if the stone is really well cut you can go up to a 3 or 4 on the cut advisor, so if AGA says it is beautifully cut, I would relax!

 

[LGK]

I think it''s normal to freak out when buying something really expensive. An eyeclean SI2? That''s fabulous! I wouldn''t worry at all about maybe being able to see an inclusion if you stare at it tipped just so through the pavillion. You''re in the super critical stage a lot of people go through and later I doubt you''ll ever notice it. That being said, if you could see it from the top it might be different... that might irritate over time for some folk.

A beautifully cut 3 ct is a find! And the eyeclean SI2 thing is great. And I color sounds good to me

To answer your question, I personally knew instantly when I found "the one". I didn''t really go through that uber-critical should-I-keep-it thing, but I did find something to fret over. I worried over a scratch on the pavillion & a tiny chip on the girdle (its an antique stone) and it took me a while to decide to leave it as-is and not fuss. I think we always find something to fuss over, those of us who are that way. I didn''t really compromise- I *like* low color old cuts better than whiter ones, so getting an M was no pain for me.