Whats wrong with this I-2 2ct damond?

[omar72787]

Hello,

I plan on proposing at the end of August and I have been looking for engagement rings as of late. I plan on buying something in the beginning of August, so right now in the month of July, I am just doing some research.

My girlfriend doesn't know much about diamonds - but she just wants a big diamond, 2 carat. My allowance is $10,000.

Obviously you guys must know that looking for a 2ct diamond around that price range is difficult, but I was able to find some - but with a low clarity.

VG CUT
H Color
2.02 CT
I2 clarity
Solitaire-round
$10,995

I looked at the diamond and its beautiful, I have compared it to better clarity diamonds and I can notice a difference, but it still a beautiful ring! I looked for infractions on the diamond and noticed scratches at the bottom of the diamond, and tiny sporadic black spots at the top. Nevertheless, the diamond is still shiny and beautiful - and I an contemplating on buying that. It still gives a sparkle.. I even went outside with the diamond to see if the brilliance was still there and it was.

I read everywhere online and they say stay away from I1/I2, but how can I turn my back on this diamond that looks so nice....

Any advice?

 

[upgrade-me]

I personally would not go with an I clarity diamond but that is my personal preference. It did look like a bunch of quite visible white specks in your 1st picture.

Why not put in your qualifiers in the pricescope diamond search and see what else is out there? If you are willing to drop to an I or J color and bring up the clarity to an SI1 or SI2, you will see several options.

I entered 1.85 - 2.10 carats, SI1 - Si2 clarity, up to $10,500 and found over 70 matches. Give it a try and see what else is out there before buying the I2.

 

[omar72787]

Not sure what pricescope is, but i would never buy a diamond online.

 

[JDDN]

If she wants big, then please go by dimensions, not carat weight. A poorly cut 2 carat diamond can very well have the dimensions of a 1.8 carat diamond. In other words, the stone was cut to maintain weight and the weight will reside in the depth (which you don't see) and not in the face of the diamond. So you paid for a 2 carat that looks the same size as a 1.8 carat.

What would your GF think of all the visible inclusions?

I'm worried about the very good cut and the I2. I would keep looking. You aren't going to get a brand new Tesla for the price of a Nissan. If your GF doesn't understand what your budget can realistically buy, then one option is to buy from a vendor who has a liberal and generous up-grade policy.

Good luck

 

[ccuheartnurse]

Buying online with Pricescope vendors & other vendors that the members here have used is a great way to start looking into what advantages buying online will provide for you. Search the " knowledge" tab up top, beside Resource & Gallery. Do your research & hope that helps you pick out a winner.

 

[arkieb1]

You also have to be aware that a lot of diamonds are misgraded and can be clarity enhanced. If the reason why it looks bright and shiny now is because it has been enhanced in any way sometimes these enhancements degrade over time so not only will your low clarity stone look like it has some inclusions now it will end up looking like a frozen spitball and not sparkly at all in a few years.

I agree with the others personally get a slightly smaller stone like a 1.60 to 1.80 and drop down in colour a little that is well cut because this will give you edge to edge brightness and fire and overall optically appear larger on the hand anyway.

Would you consider other shapes as well? Something like a pear or a Marquise or an Oval that is well under 2.00 carats can give you a better spread in mms than a round stone, something like this (it is bigger than your stone above);

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-92ct-vintage-pear-shape-diamond#.VZ9obCgVq5Q

 

[omar72787]

I have heard of a lot of horror stories about online purchasing, you would recommend that avenue? I know diamonds are generally cheaper online, but with the risks involved,I hesitate in doing so.

 

[arkieb1]

I have heard of a lot of horror stories about online purchasing, you would recommend that avenue? I know diamonds are generally cheaper online, but with the risks involved,I hesitate in doing so.

It depends where you purchase the items from, from an unknown vendor I would say don't do it from someone that is endorsed on here, it should be fine. I am in Australia and have purchased things from Jewels by Grace, Love Affair Diamonds, Victor Canera, Good Old Gold, Brian Gavin, James Allen, Mark Broumand, Brilliantly Engaged and a heap of others I have probably forgotten and never had any issues.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I have heard of a lot of horror stories about online purchasing, you would recommend that avenue? I know diamonds are generally cheaper online, but with the risks involved,I hesitate in doing so.

You are taking a bigger risk buying the above stone. Is the stone graded by GIA lab?

 

[baby monster]

Unless you have a reputable certificate for that 2ct stone, you're buying a cat in a bag. Who says it's H/I2? It could be any color and clarity.

 

[omar72787]

You also have to be aware that a lot of diamonds are misgraded and can be clarity enhanced. If the reason why it looks bright and shiny now is because it has been enhanced in any way sometimes these enhancements degrade over time so not only will your low clarity stone look like it has some inclusions now it will end up looking like a frozen spitball and not sparkly at all in a few years.

I agree with the others personally get a slightly smaller stone like a 1.60 to 1.80 and drop down in colour a little that is well cut because this will give you edge to edge brightness and fire and overall optically appear larger on the hand anyway.

Would you consider other shapes as well? Something like a pear or a Marquise or an Oval that is well under 2.00 carats can give you a better spread in mms than a round stone, something like this (it is bigger than your stone above);

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-92ct-vintage-pear-shape-diamond#.VZ9obCgVq5Q

Thank you all for the info! I think it would be wiser to get 1.6-1.8.

I actually do not think there is a GIA report, but I would easily ask for one if I was to buy it.

Arkieb1 - that DIAMOND is AMAZING (http://jewelsbygrace.smugmug.com/Loose-Diamonds/100-200cts/192ct-Vintage-Pear-Shape/). Wow... great price... but still, im really scared to buy something like that online! Ugh....

**EDIT: She likes round cut.. not a fan of pear cut.

 

[PintoBean]

Where are you located, generally? There may be a recommended procescope vendor near you that you could work with in person.

 

[omar72787]

Buffalo, NY

 

[arkieb1]

I only suggested a pear, an oval or a marquise because you said you wanted a larger stone. They all give a better mm spread than rounds do. If she wants a round only then go for a eyeclean well cut 1.60 to 1.80 carat stone with one of the recommended vendors. Put it in a basic setting for now and if she wants to upgrade it later go with one of the recommended places that has a buy back/upgrade policy or put a halo around it in a few years time for an anniversary.

 

[JDDN]

Buying from a very reputable trusted online vendor is completely safe and will provide you with a wonderful buying experience as their perks, customer service and the quality of their inventory will be top notch. Buy from a vendor who has a stellar upgrade policy so you can give her a 2+ carat diamond for a special anniversary. Wow her with a superbly cut diamond in your budget and it will knock her socks off with the sparkle and the brilliance. You can always put it in a halo setting for bigger finger coverage. Here are some vendors to look at who have excellent up grade policies and gorgeous inventory.

Whiteflash
Brain Gavin Diamonds
Good Old Gold

The other vendors Arkieb suggested are all very trustworthy with beautiful inventory, but you will need to check their upgrade policies.

 

[PintoBean]

If you would be willing to venture to NYC or long island, there are plenty of pricescope recommended vendors you could check out.

 

[telephone89]

If you would be willing to venture to NYC or long island, there are plenty of pricescope recommended vendors you could check out.

Yeah, probably your best bet.

 

[rubybeth]

Not sure what pricescope is, but i would never buy a diamond online.

Really? It's the website you're on right now. [emoji6]

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Most of us came here just like you did seeking information before buying a diamond, and thankfully I learned how to choose an excellent diamond at the best price and what dealers are reliable and reputable. You are FAR more likely to be taken advantage of by the jeweler you visit locally, in my opinion. We see it here all the time.

Never would I consider I1 or I2 for a ring stone, or for any purpose for that matter. They usually have visible inclusions and they can be ones that affect durability of the stone. SI1 clarity is good if eyeclean and sometimes SI2. You need to explain to your girlfriend that your budget and 2 cts do not align. I would strongly recommend looking at well cut stones in the 1.5+ ct range that are excellent/ideal cut and around J SI1. Here are some examples from Whiteflash, which has hundreds if not thousands of testimonials on this site and an unconditional return policy.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3379183.htm?source=pricescope

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3466466.htm?source=pricescope

 

[NonieMarie]

Not sure what pricescope is, but i would never buy a diamond online.

Really? It's the website you're on right now. [emoji6]

I was wondering the same

 

[16ocean]

You aren't going to get a brand new Tesla for the price of a Nissan. If your GF doesn't understand what your budget can realistically buy, then one option is to buy from a vendor who has a liberal and generous up-grade policy.

Good luck

+1

 

[16ocean]

beautiful choices in budget DS2006

 

[dsp101]

Buffalo, NY

For real? I'm from Buffalo too. Go to Reeds Jenss. Best around! There's where I'm buying my stone from in a couple days!

 

[upgrade-me]

Trying to keep your budget in mind, I found a couple of possibilities:

1. J color, SI2, 2ct, 8.16 x 8.20 x 4.88, HCA 1.6, $10,171 (bank wire). The clarity issue is twinning wisps which typically are not visible to the eye. (I had an SI2 with twinning wisps and couldn't see them). It also has medium blue fluorescence which may help the diamond look 'whiter'.

http://www.eternitybyyoni.com/diamond_detail.php?id=2002586&ref=pricescope

I'll let someone else chime in regarding if Eternity provides Aset/Idealscopes. I personally never worked them.

2. J color, SI2, 1.87 ct, 7.96-7.93x4.84, HCA 2.0, $9,097 (bank wire). There is a crystal in the center I might be concerned about. You would have to find out if it is visible if you follow up with Solomon Brothers regarding the diamond.

http://www.solomonbrothers.com/DiamondDetail.aspx?sku=79437H49&affiliate=9318613A-AD0C-4530-A456-0409DFEFB8DE&utm_source=PriceScope

 

[manderz]

Buffalo, NY

For real? I'm from Buffalo too. Go to Reeds Jenss. Best around! There's where I'm buying my stone from in a couple days!

I'm in that area, too!

 

[dsp101]

Buffalo, NY

For real? I'm from Buffalo too. Go to Reeds Jenss. Best around! There's where I'm buying my stone from in a couple days!

I'm in that area, too!

Go Bills!!

 

[omar72787]

Thank you for the suggestions everyone!

(By the way, i already went to Reeds.. but there are so many better options in Buffalo. I'd suggest the Mom+Pop stores - much cheaper).

Does anyone know how much a 1.81 ct is different from a 2.0 ct in terms of size.. can you tell?

I have a local retailer offering me:
1.81 CT
SI-2
Ideal Cut
7.70MM
J Color
GIA
$10400

On paper it looks good but I'm going to want to check it out from him, but in terms of size, do you think you can tell a difference?

 

[SirGuy]

Thank you for the suggestions everyone!

(By the way, i already went to Reeds.. but there are so many better options in Buffalo. I'd suggest the Mom+Pop stores - much cheaper).

Does anyone know how much a 1.81 ct is different from a 2.0 ct in terms of size.. can you tell?

I have a local retailer offering me:
1.81 CT
SI-2
Ideal Cut
7.70MM
J Color
GIA
$10400

On paper it looks good but I'm going to want to check it out from him, but in terms of size, do you think you can tell a difference?

Carat is weight, and size is size. Look at the difference in millimeters. Most folks side by side can notice a .1 or .2 millimeter difference. Cut, however, can make up a lot of the difference. I'd rather have a slightly smaller stone that's cut better.

Regarding the stone your local retailer is offering, something is a bit fishy: GIA reports don't grade cut as "ideal," but rather as "excellent" as its top grade. Is the "ideal" the store's own designation? Do you have the specifications? Crown and pavilion angles, height percentages, etc.?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

It might be worth giving the forum members the GIA grading report number of the stone you saw.
Then they can give you real comparison info.
BTW Pricescope is primarily a forum site with listings of diamonds from many competing from online vendors. If those vendors cheat they are no longer allowed to list here and get seriously canned by this community of serious bling junkies

 

[omar72787]

see attached.

Do you think it'll be easy to tell the difference between 1.81 & 2.0?