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Which round diamond should I buy? $9-10k price ~ Size 8

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kybridetobe

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 29, 2010
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30
Based on cut, clarity, color and size, which diamond represents the best value for the money? All are ideal cut and at local independent jewelers, not found online. I have a larger finger - size 8.

IDEAL CUT PRICE
1.54 G SI1 8500 - (This stone has two small light looking bubbles that I can't see without the loupe.)

2.01 J SI2 8900 - (Has a small minimally-noticeable inclusion on bottom-was told a prong may hide. Didn't appear yellow outdoors.)

1.60 H VS2 9568 - Like the bigger size/clarity. (Settings pricey at this jeweler though owner's son is an acquaintance.)


Thanks!

Pam
 
Welcome to PS! You have found matches to the size, color and clarity of the stones you are considering but have not provided any cut information from the certs. Unfortunately, we have no way of comparing the stones you are considering to the ones you have found with online vendors.

Do you have the GIA or AGS certs for the stones you are considering at your jeweler? If so, please post the stats - table, depth, crown and pavillion angles so that we could give you a better analysis.

The first stone you posted from GOG is for a Star 129 stone. The cut of that stone features more facets so it would give a different look than a traditional round brillant cut stone. Not inferior - just different.

The second stone you posted from JA looks to be a nice choice but being an SI2, I'd double check on the eye cleanliness.

The third stone from JA gets into the steep/deep area where you need to be extra careful.
 
You're right - I didn't have the exact stone stats. Just been told that each stone is ideal cut. Is there any way to make a determination based on price, color, clarity, cut and size - or are the diamond specifics most important?

Really just not sure if I should go to a J in color and SI2 clarity to get a 2 carat when the other two are over 1.5 carat and better quality and clarity for similar price.

Thanks for your help!
 
I saw the cert on the 1.54 G SI1 stone and it said Ideal cut with "Hearts and Arrows." Been told on the 1.6 diamond that it is ideal and has "arrows and hearts" in it. The 2 carat is also an ideal cut stone but haven't seen cert on either of those two yet. Just thought I should be able to tell based on the 4Cs and price.
 
Were the certs AGS or GIA? None of the major labs include that in their certification so I'm not sure who produced the cert.

You can certainly compare prices to the stones from the vendors but without stats, you can't compare cut in an apples to apples way.

Have you looked at different stones to see how you feel about J color or SI2 clarity? That's something that you have to judge with your own eyes. As for the color vs. size, again it is just personal preference. There are some killer J color stones and some stunning eye clean SI2's but you need to know if you can go to that color and or clarity in a well cut stone. Cut is the most important thing in determining a diamond's beauty - after that, the color and clarity are just a personal preference.
 
Understand what you're saying about comparing apples to apples with diamond stats. I'll see if I can get those if I'm still wavering.

The jeweler staffperson said that the inclusion on the 2 carat could be hidden/covered with prong placement. Guess I'm wondering if that is possible. There is a small inclusion on the top side on the 2 carat stone that isn't really noticeable (I think) unless you are really looking and know it's there - meaning I don't think anyone who sees it on my hand will be looking that closely. Just don't want it to be noticeable to me every day as I'm wearing it.

The J color looked great outside today, even when it was cloudy. I couldn't see much if any difference in color from the more colorless stones I've viewed because the light coming from the stone is so brilliant. Guess I'm really leaning toward the 2 carat but wonder if I will notice the inclusion and be bothered by it once it is set - and wonder if I should sacrifice a 1/2 carat in size for a more eye clean stone. If my fingers weren't so large, I think the 1.5 carat would look really big and it's still a great size.
 
Looked at these diamonds again today and learned all are certified by EGL. The 1.54 G SI1 is certified by EGL International and the other two are certified by EGL USA. Would the certification be an issue? I've heard EGL is not as stringent as other labs.

The 2 carat is an SI2 but there are feathers and other items drawn all over that certification. Myself, I can't see anything jump out at me when I'm looking at it without a loupe. In fact, we took it outside today with another 2 carat diamond that was an I SI1 ideal cut (for $6000 more money) yet the J SI2 diamond had more fire and life than the more expensive diamond.

I'm looking at $11,000 with setting and band for the 1.6 carat H VS2 which is a great stone. The other two will be right at 10,000 with tax and a wedding set. Any input on these stones, based on the information I've provided, would be helpful.

If I need to obtain more information from the jewelers or certificates, please let me know what specifically and I will update Monday. However, we would like to make a decision early next week if possible.

Thank you!
 
I would look online. Do you have to buy from the BM? It seems to me like these arent good deals. EGL has been known to be off a grade or two. So what you think your buy is not what your getting.
 
You're exactly right. I just pulled pricescope prices for EGL diamonds in each range and they are showing as $6500-$8900 for those diamonds. The local store prices looked much more comparable to the online prices when I didn't realize they were all EGL stones. Knowing that can mean a step or two down in clarity and color, etc. they aren't great deals at all.

At another local dealer, I'd looked at a GIA stone which is a round ideal cut 1.51 carat H VS1 that was priced at 10k. That seems like the best diamond value now if I'm buying locally. I like the option of local service on the setting because I wanted a pave style stone and may lose diamonds, need rhodium plating, etc. but think that I definitely need to choose a nice diamond.


.
 
That's what I meant by comparing apples to apples. An AGS or GIA cert is generally more accurate than one from EGL. You still might consider one of those stones and have it independently appraised - if the price was right. It's not - I don't think there is any deal there.

You can always purchase a stone online and a setting at a B&M store. You can also purchase a stone and setting online and have it serviced at a B&M store. The point here being that you don't have to spend more or get less quality in a jewelry store just to have someone available to work on the ring if there are any problems. A good jeweler will service any type of ring.

You've learned a lot here already - best of luck to you! If you see something else you like, let us take a peek!
 
You should be able to get the pave serviced at the BM store if you buy the setting from them. You can purchase your diamond online and have it set at the BM where you get the pave ring, they should offer free service on the setting. Well thats what they do in my neck of the woods.
 
That's what I'm leaning toward - a diamond online or at the B&M that has the GIA certified diamond. I'd really like to find a 2 carat round ideal cut - or one close. I've heard people advise to stay away from J colors. Of course in this price range of 10k I would be looking at a J SI2 but I'd see one that was 10500 with an AGS Ideal 0 grading at I.D. Jewelry. It's no longer listed but know I could get that in my price range. Would someone help me understand what is the best value on this list? Would I be better served/happier later to get a smaller diamond at 1.5 carats that is an H VS2 certed by GIA? I've heard that AGS is a more stringent grader even than GIA. The most important thing to me is staying within a $10,000 ballpark, secondly cut - I want an IDEAL cut (preferably with hearts & arrows unless someone tells me this is overrated) and the largest size possible within 1.5-2 carats that is eye clean and not too yellow/warm. Anyone have an idea of what diamonds I should be looking at online?

Also, are there any online stores that you would recommend over others?

Carat Clr Clarity Depth Table Lab Cut Sym Pol Flr Measurements HnA HCA $/Carat Price Source
1.80 I VS2 62.5% 55% AGS 0 Ideal ID ID N 7.71x7.77x4.84 N n/a $6473 $11652 ID Jewelry
1.88 J SI1 62.1% 55% AGS 0 Ideal ID ID N 7.92x7.94x4.93 N n/a $5138 $9661 ID
2.00 J SI2 61.9% 57% AGS 0 Ideal ID ID N 8.00x8.08x4.98 N n/a $5271 $10543 ID
 
Wanted to add that we don't have to buy the H VS2 at the B&M but that's my current point of reference on a 1.5 carat diamond in the $10,000 price range. Something online that is 1.5+ carat would be great as well.
 
This is the GIA certed diamond available locally. How does this size diamond look on my finger? I have some settings I'd like to get an opinion on to. Probably should start a new thread for those?
 
This is the EGL certed 2 carat J SI2 ideal cut which is mainly for size comparison vs the 1.5 carat diamond.
025.jpg
 
These are two of the setting options I've been debating over. Preferences? Sorry the photos are so large. I'm a newbie at this! 013_1.jpg
 
What did you think about the J color stones? Or the SI2 graded stones? Those two things are truly personal preference and it depends on what your tolerance would be. AGS or GIA grades the stones on several factors; having a GIA graded stone means that the stats are more reliable than say EGL but it doesn't necessarily mean that the stone will be a top performer. 10k for a two carat stone isn't a lot of money and you will certainly have to cut corners somewhere.

Is reaching 2 cts. your ultimate goal or would you prefer a better cut smaller stone? If you asked that question of every member of this forum, you'd probably have answers that range all over the board. Some are more size conscious while others would be more interested in a great performing stone. No one but yourself can tell you what you are hoping to accomplish. I would give some of the vendors a call, let them know what you are hoping to spend, and ask them what they would recommend. Tell them you'd like to maximize size, color and clarity but let them know which one of those factors is most important to you. They'll take it from there and let you know what they recommend from their stock or virtual inventory.

I like your setting choices a lot but again, you'll have to leave some of your budget for setting and if that means a wedding band as well, it reduces your stone budget a little more. I think any girl would love to have a 1+ ct. stone with a great cut in a beautiful setting. If you buy from one of the vendors with an upgrade policy, you could always upgrade in size a few years down the road.
 
Any particular online retailers or contacts that would help me?
 
I wouldn't mind a J SI2 if it were brilliantly cut and eye clean but I guess with most SI2 stones I'll be running into some possibly visible inclusions. Is that correct? More important than size is quality - clarity and color. However, I don't know where to draw the line as to inclusions that I will not be able to see with the naked eye. Guess another option is to put the $1000+ we'd pay for the setting and band into the diamond. I've been given $10,000 as a "guideline" so I have some leeway to go above that, yet it seems to be getting into a LOT of money. There will be no upgrading as we are buying rings once so I am to find exactly what I want. :)
 
Here is an example of a very well cut stone. As you can see from the price and stats, it goes over your budget by a bit.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2561974.htm

It's a nice size stone but again not at the 2 carat mark. You could call Whiteflash and ask them about the eyecleanliness of the stone.

They have many, many other stones to choose from as well. A super ideal cut stone may not be exactly what you are looking for either but you won't find one cut much better than this.

Start calling around. The vendors will be much better at helping to match your budget to the best stone you can find for the money. They work on small profit margins so you will definitely not be overpaying for a stone. The real question is what qualities you want in a stone - or the ones that to you are worth paying for.
 
Color and clarity is a personal preference.

1.Have you compared stones of the same cut quality and carat size in differnt colors side by side? in natural lighting as well as store lighting (by a window)... You have to see what you are comfortable with to determine your comfort zone in colors. Some prefer I-J in order to up the carat size, while others only want colorless range. Someone can't tell you what is a better deal as color is a preference and to each person a better deal is something else..


2. same with clarity- I want eyeclean- so if you can find an SI2 that is eyeclean (no visible inclusions from top down from 6inches away) that is what I aim for in order to save the money or boost up in carat size. You have to look at various clarity grades in person and see what is important to you.


3. Cut- many people use the HCA tool by inputting the stats from a GIA or AGS report..


information on the HCA tool- some say anyting over 2.0 should be excluded if you are looking for an ideal cut stone- some say they find stones up to 2.5 or 3 to be cut excellently and still great buys...
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor


The HCA tool- input the certifitcate #'s and use the tool to weed out stones not cut "ideally", stones over 2.0.....

Keep in mind anything under 2.0 is ideal and he lower the number does not mean better and vice versa... just anything under 2.0 is ideal.
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca
 
You've already gotten some great advice, but I wanted to add one thing. If the J/SI2 is EGL-certified, it's very possible that it's not actually a J/SI2. EGL is known to grade leniently on color (and some say clarity too). You may actually be looking at a K-L. Is that OK with you?
 
Yes I'm really disappointed in the three stones I listed that were all EGL certified - 2 EGL Intl and 1 EGL USA. Looking at their prices on pricescope for these diamonds with EGL certs they are priced from $6500-7800 - not near the prices they were trying to charge us, even with their "cash discount." So not as interested in buying the diamond and setting at one of these B&Ms even with their "free" rhodium plating and side stone replacements. If we do anything locally at these stores, it would be a setting and wedding band. There is still one stone that is GIA certified locally that seems like a good deal.
 
Thanks for all the article links and diamond info everyone! MissGotRocks-I like the diamond you listed. How do I go about searching pricescope for stones that are AGS Ideal on all levels as this one?
 
Go to the top of this page and input your size, color and clarity ranges. I usually click on in-house stones as these are the ones that are on the premises that they can really talk to you about. Once you click that on, the next page will give you a box that says AGS and you can click that on. It narrows down the search even more.

Good luck - I'm sure you are a bit perplexed at this point but I think you're on your way to finding a good stone with good value!
 
I really like the diamond you posted. Found a couple more that seem nice as well. Tell me if you think the one you mentioned earlier is still the best value for the money. I've been told 10k isn't set in stone but I don't want to get too crazy either. ;)

1.78 J VS1 $12,090
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1307891.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

1.8 I VS2 $12,139
https://www.idjewelryonline.com/diamond_more1.php?id=27184511

2.01 J SI1 $10,832
http://idjewelryonline.com/diamond_details1.php?id=24262597

I'm learning A LOT! Thank you! (You're right - I am a bit perplexed but THRILLED I didn't buy a darn EGL graded stone!)
 
The first diamond I listed in the last post is the only one that is AGS 0 ideal for all categories. The other two came from previous searches. Just wanted you to know I have learned something. Any and all input welcome. :)
 
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