Which one should I buy?

[laksdeeps]

Hi All:
Last december, with your help, I bought a great diamond ring! Thanks for that. Now, I am seeking your help in buying a solitaire diamond stone. My budget is $1200-$1400. What cut, color and clarity would you recommend for a chain?

Regards,
Laks

 

[dazedland]

Date: 6/27/2005 12:56:45 AM
Author:laksdeeps
Hi All:
Last december, with your help, I bought a great diamond ring! Thanks for that. Now, I am seeking your help in buying a solitaire diamond stone. My budget is $1200-$1400. What cut, color and clarity would you recommend for a chain?

Regards,
Laks

What shape is the other stone? Does your budget include the chain, if so what metal? IMO the Cs should be determined by what looks good to you, I think you can get away with a little lower of all the Cs since it will be worn around the neck.

 

[laksdeeps]

Last time, I bought a round H&A, 0.47, F color, VS2 stone for $1350.

As you mentioned, as it is going to be worn around the neck, I am contemplating about going down on all the Cs. To what extent can I go?

If I can get chain within this budget that would be great!. If not, that''s fine, too.

Thanks for your help!!

Regards,
Laks

 

[laksdeeps]

Thanks a lot. You are suggesting to go with good cut (H&A), and reduce on color and clarity, right? Is this the best balance for maximum brilliance?

 

[Regular Guy]

Go down on color & clarity, yes, and maintain good cut, yes, but not necessarily defined by H&A. You could review the tutorial under "knowledge" above on that, and numerous posts here as well. For me, generally, if it appears under the "search by cut" database here, where I found those two, when keeping the constraints as "from excellent to excellent," that largely does it for me...however, given two options similarly priced, with one featuring H&A, I would choose the latter.

 

[laksdeeps]

Thanks a lot for the guidance. With SI1 or SI2, will the inclusions be visible to human eye?

 

[Regular Guy]

Always good to review with the vendor...SI1 and especially SI2 may have eye visible inclusions, or may not. The cert (if there is one) can help you see this, too. Since it's a pendant (right?) you're seeking, the "up close" viewing may not happen extensively, allowing the level of concern here to be lessened.

VS2 only help insure further lack of eye visible inclusions, though it not a lock. I think Garry Holloway sometimes reviews here that it's typical that with SI1, you won't see inclusions, and if you do, just wait 10 years, and you won't anymore.