I first wanted to thank everyone for their posts on here. I've spent the last few weeks reading and slowly learning about diamonds, but still I'm pretty much in the dark.
I've taken the next step and visited a few stores to look at diamonds, but still I feel like I do not know enough about diamonds to make an informed purchase.
At store number one, I explained that this was my first time looking and was just really looking at what was available. I really liked one diamond, but it was EGL certified. When I asked about GIA certification, I was told that the head of the store was "GIA trained" and he rated each diamond individually so although the stone was EGL certified, not to worry, this worried me. The stone was 1.02 carat, SI1, ideal cut, D color. Looking at this stone next to a "H" color I could definitely notice the difference, but next to an "F" I could not. He also showed me another SI1 diamond that I thought I could see an inclusion, which once again worried me about his grading scale. Having him design the ring and using the stone he could get right about my price range. I was told that the diamond I liked was one of his best in my category and I really should put a deposit down before leaving. I declined and stated I'm sure he could find another similar diamond.
At store number two, the stock was very limited, but the sales person explained that the store was expecting a new shipment in a week. When I asked if the diamonds were GIA certified, he was very honest and said that they had a very few in that category, but had EGL. He then explained that how EGL was much more lax, and in his opinion, when looking at EGL you should consider that it can two levels off of GIA. I really appreciated his honestly on this factor. Due to his low stock, he did not have SI1 with what I was looking for, but did show me SI2 that appeared to be eye clean to me. Once again, for him to make the ring and use one of the eye clean SI2 would be right in price range. I could notice the difference between the E and H on the white background.
So I turn to the experts here. Looking at a variety of stones I am having difficulty noting the different grades. I do want the best cut I can get, as reading on here, and looking in person, that makes the most difference.
Here is what I'm looking for in a round:
Size: 1< Carat
Cut: Excellent/Idea
Color: G or better
Clarity: Eye Clean SI1
Flour: Faint to None
Price: W/ ring I want to stay around $6000 to $7000. Having the ring custom made appears to be around $1,500 or less, so it leaves me around $5,500 for the diamond.
Any suggestions on either the process, the quality of the diamond, or on actual diamonds? Thank you in advance.
I've taken the next step and visited a few stores to look at diamonds, but still I feel like I do not know enough about diamonds to make an informed purchase.
At store number one, I explained that this was my first time looking and was just really looking at what was available. I really liked one diamond, but it was EGL certified. When I asked about GIA certification, I was told that the head of the store was "GIA trained" and he rated each diamond individually so although the stone was EGL certified, not to worry, this worried me. The stone was 1.02 carat, SI1, ideal cut, D color. Looking at this stone next to a "H" color I could definitely notice the difference, but next to an "F" I could not. He also showed me another SI1 diamond that I thought I could see an inclusion, which once again worried me about his grading scale. Having him design the ring and using the stone he could get right about my price range. I was told that the diamond I liked was one of his best in my category and I really should put a deposit down before leaving. I declined and stated I'm sure he could find another similar diamond.
At store number two, the stock was very limited, but the sales person explained that the store was expecting a new shipment in a week. When I asked if the diamonds were GIA certified, he was very honest and said that they had a very few in that category, but had EGL. He then explained that how EGL was much more lax, and in his opinion, when looking at EGL you should consider that it can two levels off of GIA. I really appreciated his honestly on this factor. Due to his low stock, he did not have SI1 with what I was looking for, but did show me SI2 that appeared to be eye clean to me. Once again, for him to make the ring and use one of the eye clean SI2 would be right in price range. I could notice the difference between the E and H on the white background.
So I turn to the experts here. Looking at a variety of stones I am having difficulty noting the different grades. I do want the best cut I can get, as reading on here, and looking in person, that makes the most difference.
Here is what I'm looking for in a round:
Size: 1< Carat
Cut: Excellent/Idea
Color: G or better
Clarity: Eye Clean SI1
Flour: Faint to None
Price: W/ ring I want to stay around $6000 to $7000. Having the ring custom made appears to be around $1,500 or less, so it leaves me around $5,500 for the diamond.
Any suggestions on either the process, the quality of the diamond, or on actual diamonds? Thank you in advance.
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