Diamond Comparison - Need Advice

[mishamish]

Hello All,

I''m very close to making the purchase and plan on proposing before valentine''s day. I''ve come across a few stones that seem nice and was hoping to get some opinions:

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-i-color-si2-clarity_LD01447333?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

GIA
crt: 1.50
table: 56%
depth: 60.6%
crown: 34.5
pavillion: 40.8
color: I
clarity: SI2
symm: ex
pol: ex
hca: 1.1
price: $6,836

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1131284.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

GIA
crt: 1.50
table: 57%
depth: 61.1%
crown: 35
pavillion: 40.8
color: H
clarity: SI2
symm: ex
pol: ex
hca: 1.6
price: $7,670

I feel as i get closer to making the purchase, and the more research i do, my confusion level goes up exponentially!!

Ultimately i''m looking for a great cut first, size in the 1.5 range, and something that faces up white and is eye clean.

I''ve been starting to look at EGL stones because of the SIGNIFICANT difference in price/stats, but i''m not sure if i''m veering down the wrong path.

Any insight, ideas, thoughts, etc.., would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Thanks in advance

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/6/2009 12:12:07 PM
Author:mishamish
Hello All,

I'm very close to making the purchase and plan on proposing before valentine's day. I've come across a few stones that seem nice and was hoping to get some opinions:

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-i-color-si2-clarity_LD01447333?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

GIA
crt: 1.50
table: 56%
depth: 60.6%
crown: 34.5
pavillion: 40.8
color: I
clarity: SI2
symm: ex
pol: ex
hca: 1.1
price: $6,836

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1131284.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

GIA
crt: 1.50
table: 57%
depth: 61.1%
crown: 35
pavillion: 40.8
color: H
clarity: SI2
symm: ex
pol: ex
hca: 1.6
price: $7,670

I feel as i get closer to making the purchase, and the more research i do, my confusion level goes up exponentially!!

Ultimately i'm looking for a great cut first, size in the 1.5 range, and something that faces up white and is eye clean.

I've been starting to look at EGL stones because of the SIGNIFICANT difference in price/stats, but i'm not sure if i'm veering down the wrong path.

Any insight, ideas, thoughts, etc.., would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Thanks in advance

Both look promising, ask JA for an Idealscope image of the second diamond, BN don't offer them regrettably. Check very carefully that both are eyeclean to your standards by asking the respective vendors. EGL are said to be soft on grading by some, so I would stick to GIA/ AGS graded diamonds unless you never plan on upgrading or reselling the diamond, want the most size for the budget and are willing to search to find the best cut and eyeclean EGL stones, especially in this clarity grade. Also an independant appraisal is recommended with EGL graded diamonds to make sure the colour and clarity check out, EGL USA is said to be the strongest lab, the others less so.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/grading.asp

 

[mishamish]

Thanks for the info Lorelei, one question that i have is regarding the "eye clean to my standards". I''m not exactly sure what my standards should be for eyeclean. I was under the assumption that eyeclean meant that you couldn'' see any blemishes with the unassisted eye. What else should i be looking for? When i speak with the JA people, what lingo should i use when describing my eyeclean standards?

Thanks!!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/6/2009 12:35:49 PM
Author: mishamish
Thanks for the info Lorelei, one question that i have is regarding the 'eye clean to my standards'. I'm not exactly sure what my standards should be for eyeclean. I was under the assumption that eyeclean meant that you couldn' see any blemishes with the unassisted eye. What else should i be looking for? When i speak with the JA people, what lingo should i use when describing my eyeclean standards?

Thanks!!!

Your standards can be whatever you want them to be concerning ' eyecleanliness.' Some vendors use this type of definition as - no inclusions visible face up with normal vision, in normal light at arms length - or words to that effect. This doesn't necessarily mean a diamond will be eyeclean from all angles at close scrutiny, so if this is your preference make sure you tell the vendor that so you don't waste time on diamonds which won't be eyeclean to you.

Just tell them what your expectations are and you will be fine, they are very used to advising clients in this capacity.