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sterling7

Rough_Rock
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Oct 6, 2009
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Hello, this is my first post. I read through almost the entire PS site and there''s a ton of good information! I''m trying to choose a diamond, and hoping for the ring/stone to be around 5k when it''s all said and done. I think I''ve narrowed it down to around .90-1ct, G, SI 1 to VS 1, ideal cut, round.

I''m still confused a little on spread/table/depth. What will make it seem the biggest, brightest, etc.? I''ve been looking at Blue Nile and James Allen and I''ve found a couple stones that appear to be identical in specs: .90, G, ideal, round, SI 1.

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?pid=LD01457112&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?pid=LD00937219&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP

The cheaper one looks higher quality, what am I missing? It''s wider, slightly bigger table, slightly smaller depth, excellent symmetry as opposed to very good.

Any help would be appreciated!
 
Linky the links.
Date: 10/6/2009 7:31:55 PM
Author:sterling7
Hello, this is my first post. I read through almost the entire PS site and there''s a ton of good information! I''m trying to choose a diamond, and hoping for the ring/stone to be around 5k when it''s all said and done. I think I''ve narrowed it down to around .90-1ct, G, SI 1 to VS 1, ideal cut, round.

I''m still confused a little on spread/table/depth. What will make it seem the biggest, brightest, etc.? I''ve been looking at Blue Nile and James Allen and I''ve found a couple stones that appear to be identical in specs: .90, G, ideal, round, SI 1.

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?pid=LD01457112&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?pid=LD00937219&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP

The cheaper one looks higher quality, what am I missing? It''s wider, slightly bigger table, slightly smaller depth, excellent symmetry as opposed to very good.

Any help would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
 
Yap, the cheaper is a much better cut from the proportion.

The more expensive one is way over price, probably why a 2005 graded stone is still for sale. :P
 
Ok, thanks Stone-cold! I thought I was missing something. I still don''t exactly know what I''m looking for in terms of table/spread/depth.
 
Date: 10/7/2009 1:50:38 AM
Author: sterling7
I still don't exactly know what I'm looking for in terms of table/spread/depth.
Click to expand...
Table size - look for around 54 - 57%, most of the best cut diamonds will have table sizes in this area. More on table size here.

Depth is one of the factors which relates to spread - or face up size. Avoid diamonds with too much depth in most cases as this can make a diamond spread small for the weight. Look for depths of around 60 - 62% or just a little over maximum to get a good spread for the weight, also avoid girdles that are thick to very thick, ex thick etc as these too can waste weight in some cases. Normally with a well cut diamond with good proportions, the spread will be appropriate for the weight anyway.

More on spread here.

Unfortunately I often have trouble viewing BN links so I can't comment on your selections.
 
Date: 10/7/2009 1:50:38 AM
Author: sterling7
Ok, thanks Stone-cold! I thought I was missing something. I still don''t exactly know what I''m looking for in terms of table/spread/depth.
Click to expand...

Table size, you can find good cuts from 54-60%, depth is usually between 60-62% although slightly shallower is possible. Most important to cut is the angles, near tolk proportion are from 33.5-35 degrees for the crown angles and 40.6-41 degrees for the pavilion angles. These have an inverse relationship, shallower crown angles complements deeper pavilion angles, so at 33.5 CA, look for a PA of 40.8 to 41 degrees and at 35 CA, a PA of 40.6-40.8 degrees. Girdle keep it to thin to slightly thick, too thin can result in easier chipping of the girdle, too thick there will be more weight of the stone that are hidden.

Spread will be the diameter of the stone, if the above proportion works well together, spread will be close to optimum, don''t worry too much about it.
 
Date: 10/7/2009 5:29:54 AM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 10/7/2009 4:46:45 AM
Author: Lorelei
Unfortunately I often have trouble viewing BN links so I can''t comment on your selections.
Click to expand...

These are the 2 stones.

Cheaper one.
http://www.bluenile.co.uk/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-g-colour-si1-clarity_LD01457112?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

More expensive one.
http://www.bluenile.co.uk/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-g-colour-si1-clarity_LD00937219?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0
Click to expand...
Thank you SC!

Definitely the first is the best choice out of the two.
 
So I''m having trouble deciding between a few on James Allen and White Flash.

Basically looking at Hearts and Arrows, .7-.9ct, G, VS1 or VS2, excellent polish/symmetry, table 55-57, depth 60-62, etc.

It seems like James Allen has a lot of them around .70-.73. What should I be looking for in the comparisons? Some are very slightly wider (5.70mm-5.78mm range). I guess I''m not sure what to look for past that.

Also, I was considering getting a setting like this: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-setting-platinum_2963

I''m worried that she won''t be able to get a wedding band to sit flush with it though. She''d like something unique, but still kind of classic, not gaudy.

Other possible settings:
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-ring-platinum_5386
same as above link but slightly bigger stones and 3.5mm ring instead of 2.5mm
Channel setting

I also like this one but can''t find it anywhere: http://www.dvatche.com/large_rings/730.htm

Thanks for helping a newbie!
 
You can buy the stone and find a local authorized Vatche dealer to get the setting and set it for you.

JA do not carry Vatche, but from what I know, WhiteFlash, GoodOldGold, HighperformanceDiamond, IdJewelry and Exceldiamond does.

So maybe you can look through their stone inventory and order from them, then it will be easier as they can get the setting for you.
 
Thanks again for the help. I''ve been checking the crown/pavilion angles, looking for the 34-34 crown and 40-41 pavilion roughly. I was looking at SI1 but saw some that seemed more flawed. I also saw some that seemed less flawed than VS1.

I appreciate your help. My girlfriend doesn''t want a solitaire, or a big rock sticking out too much. She said unique and interesting, not gaudy and she''d prefer more small ones to one big stone. About a year ago she mentioned wanting it to fit in with a wedding band. She prefers round or princess. I thought round would be better and more brilliant, plus it seems easier to determine quality and more durable (won''t chip as easily).

Thanks again!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255579.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1225042.aspBest?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1225108.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193795.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1225110.asp
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982401.htm

So there are a bunch. I also did it through PS, searching for Round, .7-.9, Excellent cut, G, VS2, and it came up with a bunch, all with crown angles between 34-34, pavilions 40-41, table 55-57, and mostly depth from 60-62. All AGS as 0/H&A
 
Yap, #2 of JA looks good, Hearts is a little bit off.

WF''s ACA looks good.

If you are going for the vatche setting, I would go with the ACA for the convenience.
 
Date: 10/7/2009 8:32:00 PM
Author: sterling7
Thanks again for the help. I've been checking the crown/pavilion angles, looking for the 34-34 crown and 40-41 pavilion roughly. I was looking at SI1 but saw some that seemed more flawed. I also saw some that seemed less flawed than VS1.

I appreciate your help. My girlfriend doesn't want a solitaire, or a big rock sticking out too much. She said unique and interesting, not gaudy and she'd prefer more small ones to one big stone. About a year ago she mentioned wanting it to fit in with a wedding band. She prefers round or princess. I thought round would be better and more brilliant, plus it seems easier to determine quality and more durable (won't chip as easily).

Thanks again!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255579.asp

The diamond above, the hearts images are needed.


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1225042.aspBest?

Above, yes one of the hearts is slightly off but it is a very nice diamond.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1225108.asp

Looks like a nice diamond above.


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193795.asp

This one has potential, looks good.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1225110.asp

This is showing slight leakage in the Idealscope image.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982401.htm

ACA looks nice, I am not sure on one of the hearts - it could be the image.

So there are a bunch. I also did it through PS, searching for Round, .7-.9, Excellent cut, G, VS2, and it came up with a bunch, all with crown angles between 34-34, pavilions 40-41, table 55-57, and mostly depth from 60-62. All AGS as 0/H&A
Click to expand...
 
Lorelai, does the 3rd James Allen (the one that you said "Looks like a nice diamond above") look better than the one above with the heart slightly off?

It seems like JA has many more settings available than white flash, and JA has a 30 day return vs. a 10 day. Are there any other differences between the vendors? On PS it says they both send a diamond tooklit and appraisal but I can''t find that information on either WF or JA''s websites.
 
Date: 10/8/2009 12:22:25 PM
Author: sterling7
Lorelai, does the 3rd James Allen (the one that you said 'Looks like a nice diamond above') look better than the one above with the heart slightly off?

It seems like JA has many more settings available than white flash, and JA has a 30 day return vs. a 10 day. Are there any other differences between the vendors? On PS it says they both send a diamond tooklit and appraisal but I can't find that information on either WF or JA's websites.
Click to expand...
Both look good and should be very lovely diamonds, also one thing to bear in mind, James Allen does have an upgrade policy but the terms and conditions aren't as generous as those of WF so if you think you might want to upgrade oneday this is something to factor into your decision.

I believe with the purchase of an ACA you get various " goodies" but not sure with JA so I would ask to be sure.
 
WF's ACA you get 30 days, not 10 days.

As I said before, if you want Vatche, WF is an authorized vendor for Vatche and can get you the setting you like.
 
Ok great. Is there somewhere on either site that lists the "goodies" that come with the purchase?
 
Date: 10/8/2009 1:21:17 PM
Author: sterling7
Ok great. Is there somewhere on either site that lists the 'goodies' that come with the purchase?
Click to expand...

Here you go, from Whiteflash - whats included with purchase.

"When you purchase a diamond from Whiteflash the price is net and includes your diamond and the diamond certificate, a letter of verification from an independent graduate gemologist appraiser and one free FEDEX overnight shipping (inside the USA and Canada only). You will also receive the Whiteflash ACA toolkit complimentary ($75 retail value) with the purchase of an Whiteflash ACA diamond only. The Whiteflash ACA toolkit comes in a carrying case and includes tweezers, diamond polishing cloth and a magnifying Hearts & Arrows viewer embossed with the Whiteflash logo - pictured on this page.

Our standard purchase benefit package includes Free Shipping, Free Verification, 10-Day Money Back, One-Year buy back, Lifetime Trade Up and immediate eligibility for future rewards in our Brilliant Diamond referral gift program (see terms and conditions)."



 
Ok, I'm looking at these now. Any preference?

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=2097565,2163468,1982401,2163469,2213220

Here's the setting I'm thinking of:
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/3Stone/-Trois-Brillant--Diamond-Engagement-Ring_1031.htm

Will a .7 ct center stone look too small? My gf doesn't want it to be gaudy but I don't want it to look too tiny. With the setting and the stone it's looking about $5400. I was initially thinking about $5,000 but I want the ring to look great.

Thanks for your help!
 
Finger coverage depends you your gf''s ring size.
 
She originally told me she was a size 6, but she tried on her friends which was smaller, I think a 4.5 or 5, and now she thinks she wants a 5.5 size.
 
All looks good, except the last one, not enough data.

Really depends on your budget, even the smallest is only 0.05mm smaller, and if all are eye-clean, essentially no one will be able to tell the difference between any of them. So roll a dice or something if you can''t really decide.
 
Ok, the sales rep at WhiteFlash said they''re all eye clean and that the last one is currently at the lab.
 
Looks like I'm deciding between these two:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982401.htm#

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=2097565#

Any reason to choose one over the other other than the $150 price difference?

Seems like the first one's idealscope is a bit clearer (less dull) but I don't know if that's the picture or the diamond. Hearts better on the first one? The AGS seems to show less inclusions on the first one as well but WF said they're both eye clean.

Thanks. What do you think of the trois brilliant setting?
 
Also, looking at the search results on Pricescope that includes both diamonds. The 1st one (.72) has a 1.7 HCA score with ex-vg-vg-vg. The 2nd, cheaper one, is 1.1 with ex-ex-ex-vg.

Will that make much difference? I see that those rating are for Brilliance, Fire, Scintillation, but once''s the 4th one? Sp?

Thanks for all your help SC and Lorelai!
 
Nope, no reason to choose one over the other. I would go for the slightly smaller and cheaper stone that for all intent and purposes looks the same as the heavier stone.

Do not choose based on HCA score, it is a rejection tool and below a score of 2 is worthy of a further look with ASET/IS images. The last factor in the HCA is the spread, how good if face up for the given mass.
 
Date: 10/26/2009 12:43:56 AM
Author: sterling7
Also, looking at the search results on Pricescope that includes both diamonds. The 1st one (.72) has a 1.7 HCA score with ex-vg-vg-vg. The 2nd, cheaper one, is 1.1 with ex-ex-ex-vg.

Will that make much difference? I see that those rating are for Brilliance, Fire, Scintillation, but once's the 4th one? Sp?

Thanks for all your help SC and Lorelai!
Click to expand...
The next step is to find out which of these are eyeclean to your standards by asking WF sterling. The HCA is used for rejection not selection, if you have images especially these trump the HCA score, the HCA cannot physically see the diamond. The sp means spread.
 
Thanks for the quick replies!

Lorelai, WF said they''re both eye clean. To me both idealscopes and hearts images look good. The idealscope on the slightly bigger one looked a little clearer to me. Was that just the image quality or a result of the diamond?
 
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