For those who have upgraded... 3ct question !

[ForteKitty]

You've always wanted the 3ct, you're not really wearing the earrings, and you're not averse to remaking the setting. That seems like a pretty easy choice to me. I know you'll eventually inherit your mom's 4ct, but that hopefully wont be a long time because your mom is still very young!

Get your 3ct now and enjoy it.

 

[eh613c]

I don't have a 3ct but I agree with ForteKitty. You've been wanting and looking for a 3ct for a long time and it sounds like this is a great deal. As for noticing the size differences, I know you will because from reading your past threads you're very detail oriented. I've always loved your 2.32 and I'm sure I'll be drooling over your 3ct. Plus, I think VC will do an amazing job on your setting.

 

[frankiextah]

Just came back from my diamond viewing appointment ! I will post photos tonight...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Just came back from my diamond viewing appointment ! I will post photos tonight...

It sounds like you loved it!!!

 

[frankiextah]

Love but I am torn !!!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Love but I am torn !!!!!

In what way? Color? Size?

 

[frankiextah]

It's mainly the color... I am torn, but I will post photos tonight !

 

[diamondseeker2006]

It's mainly the color... I am torn, but I will post photos tonight !

I can understand that. I have the exact same dilemma considering going to a very white G with fluoro to potentially an I color AVR just because that is mostly what is available.

 

[frankiextah]

hi everyone !

here are the photos... all photos were taken by my iPhone... sorry about the quality !

1) hearts image i took myself at the appointment... diamond is perhaps a little tilted in position?



2) the rock ! the cut is definitely top notch ... the stone size looks bigger since it is in a super high set ring holder.



3) view of the pavilion. i tried my best to color balance the flat white paper diamond holder, but the background still looks a tiny bit warmer... perhaps this is why the body tint is a little more warm here...

 

[frankiextah]

comparison photos of the H sitting next to the G... i did not alter any of these images so the color may look a little funky, but think it is best to leave the photos as is to see the true apples and apples comparison.

 

[m-2-b]

Looks like a great stone! The color is not that noticeable to me, especially since it will be seen face up on your finger.

 

[frankiextah]

mom2boys, i've been meaning to ask how you're liking your H color stone so far, having owned a D color stone in a VC halo ? Please do describe in details ! you are basically the top reference for me in this decision process since you had an upgrade that is the closest size and color transition to my current situation !

 

[MissGotRocks]

It does look like a nice stone and I honestly don't think the color difference is that noticeable - particularly like Mom says because you will only really see it from the face up position.

I still like your current stone but it may look different because it is haloed and sort of bezeled. Do you really see enough of a size difference between the two stones to make this worth your while? What are your thoughts on the new stone?

 

[frankiextah]

another one... again, this is just for color comparison between the two, disregard the overall tint due to the surrounding environment.

 

[ame]

In pictures I cannot tell a difference in color at all.

 

[m-2-b]

Just browsing through my pics for direct comparison of the 1.9ct D halo, G 5-stone, and the 3ct H w/ G side stones:

The D always looks icy white, sometimes too white. The H faces up white 99% of the time, the 1% of which does not bother me at all. I did notice the size difference which is why I quickly upgraded to the larger ct in my 3 stone ring.

And since you asked, yes I am still extremely happy w/ my decision to upgrade from the 2.3ct G diamond to the 3ct H diamond! Even my husband suggested I go ahead w/ the upgrade!

So what did the gemologist have to say about the diamond exactly? Also, what does your husband think about the extra $$ needed for the upgrade? Any thoughts about a 3 stone trilogy instead (since you had one initially as your engagement ring)--I think it would look lovely, especially if Victor made it!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

No, you really can't see a difference between G and H in pictures at all. I wouldn't have any problem with GIA H color. The diamond looks beautiful! But I hate to say it, but it really doesn't look much bigger than the stone in the halo! Halos surely do add a lot of size!

Mom2boys is the most perfect person to advise you, though!

 

[susimoo]

Frankie

It looks HUGE!!!!!!!

And sparkly and beautiful!!!

If it helps I could show you some pictures of my I RB in the Emilya. That will show the most colour you would ever see, if at all.

I find my ring picks up the surrounding colours but never looks noticibly tinted.

 

[frankiextah]

susimoo ! your ring is really beautiful and i did browse through your ring photos - very white indeed ! what color melee stones did VC use in the setting ?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Susan, your diamond does look really white in the halo! Just out of curiosity, is it GIA or AGS graded?

 

[frankiextah]

here is the size comparison WITH halo that VC so kindly sent over to me...

8.49mm with 1.5mm halo on left, 9.39mm with 1.4mm halo on right :

 

[diamondseeker2006]

here is the size comparison WITH halo that VC so kindly sent over to me...

8.49mm with 1.5mm halo on left, 9.39mm with 1.4mm halo on right :

Wow, now I can see the difference much better! Gotta love Victor!

 

[susimoo]

Frankie

The melee in the halo are f colour. I do not see a difference in colour. I am, admittedly not colour sensitive. (as in it doesn't bother me)

I wanted to say that I see a considerable difference in size from the diagram by Victor. If it was me, I would go for it. When it comes to these things, I let my heart rule, as long as it is financially viable to do so!!!!
You want a 3 carat, so get your 3 carat.

Ds, my sparkly is AGS graded. Having owned a J coloured GOG H & A briefly, I see my I as definitely whiter. Not sure why, but I do. Not that I didn't love the J, it is just this one is bigger.

 

[Phoenix]

Frankie, the diamond is GORGEOUS!! . Sure, there's def a difference, generally speaking, between a G and an H . But to me, the very very slight warmer tint (pavillion view) is worth it, if you want the larger stone. Face up, I doubt if you'd be able to notice any difference.

For what it's worth, I struggled for 6 years trying to decide what colour I wanted in the honker. Initially, all I wanted were F-G, but in the end, size trumped colour!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Frankie

The melee in the halo are f colour. I do not see a difference in colour. I am, admittedly not colour sensitive. (as in it doesn't bother me)

I wanted to say that I see a considerable difference in size from the diagram by Victor. If it was me, I would go for it. When it comes to these things, I let my heart rule, as long as it is financially viable to do so!!!!
You want a 3 carat, so get your 3 carat.

Ds, my sparkly is AGS graded. Having owned a J coloured GOG H & A briefly, I see my I as definitely whiter. Not sure why, but I do. Not that I didn't love the J, it is just this one is bigger.

Thanks, Susan! I am thinking about an AGS I color AVR and am just hesitant because I now have a G. It helps to see your stone!

 

[frankiextah]

Guys I an really torn and don't know what to do... Part of me is thinking I am compromising on the color and I am going to miss my G color, but part of me is raving on the amazing price and fear that I will never find another ideal stone at this price.. I don't want to regret either way... And I have to let them know by tomorrow ... Argh !!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Have you asked the vendor why the price dropped on this stone? Is it just market conditions or was there a high premium or something on it before?

From the pictures there doesn't seem to be much color difference but you have the stones in front of you so you'd have to be the better judge. Have you asked your husband or close friends their opinion on the two colors?

Sometimes just gathering as much info as you can about something helps to make a decision easier. I would try to also leave the money part out of the equation (I realize it's important but it's not the only criteria) and ask yourself if you really want the stone. Do you want it a lot more than the one you have? Do you see it as superior to the one your have or is it just the size alone that is superior? Even though they are both ideal cut stones, do you see one as being better cut than the other?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I feel sure it was market conditions that caused the drop in price. I have seen charts here indicating that prices have gone down since they were at their high point sometime last year. That would not concern me. But I think the bigger questions is whether to wait and take the chance of prices going up again and having to pay more for a stone like this or else pay a lot more now for a 3 ct. G.

That said, I think your current ring is large and gorgeous!

 

[roppongi]

Hi Frankie :

I'm chiming in late with my two cents as I haven't been on the boards in a while.

I feel your pain as I went through this last year as I contemplated my upgrade. In the long run, I don't think that you will be able to get over the H color. If you are color sensitive you will be able to see tint in any kind of lighting and this will start to play mind games with you and you will soon be looking for another upgrade / change. I think if you have the funds, look for a 3 carat G, or save and wait up for a 4+ carat G. Phoenix waited 6 years and she finally got her 5 carat (!)

At the end of the day I couldn't part with my 3 carat F to go to a 4 carat H or I....the color variance was too much for me and I knew that I wouldn't be happy.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

xo

Roppongi

 

[frankiextah]

Have you asked the vendor why the price dropped on this stone? Is it just market conditions or was there a high premium or something on it before?

From the pictures there doesn't seem to be much color difference but you have the stones in front of you so you'd have to be the better judge. Have you asked your husband or close friends their opinion on the two colors?

Sometimes just gathering as much info as you can about something helps to make a decision easier. I would try to also leave the money part out of the equation (I realize it's important but it's not the only criteria) and ask yourself if you really want the stone. Do you want it a lot more than the one you have? Do you see it as superior to the one your have or is it just the size alone that is superior? Even though they are both ideal cut stones, do you see one as being better cut than the other?

Hi MGR !

the vendor did tell me that diamond prices according to the rappaport change every friday and diamond prices we see online would also fluctuate on a weekly basis. there is no real reason why the price on this diamond have dropped dramatically but simply they mentioned that i was lucky and the constant price check on this diamond for the past year or so have paid off... indeed the price on this particular diamond is at its lowest, and they did mention that if they do post this back in the database, the price will not be at $50K anymore by tomorrow. I did also ask if the pricing really is strictly made according to the AGS cert and that is a YES. even when an appraise think that differently about the diamond (i.e. believes that this is a G or an I rather than an H), the price of the diamond still adheres to the grading on the certificate.

i did show the photos to DH and couldn't see any difference, other than the pavilion view of the diamond. he did not have an opinion on the trade in since he did not purchase the earrings for me... he could really care less what i would do with them... that said, he has been on the fence about another upgrade when the diamond prices at this size range being at least $60K, until he see the price on this stone, because to him, the actual money to be spent is about $3K, plus the new setting (which i will pay myself).

in terms of the performance, i would say both are pretty much on par, really ideal and top notch. in terms of clarity, i can spot the crystal on the 3ct easier than the crystal on the 2.32ct. the 3ct to me is a true VS1. eye clean and i can only spot that one crystal with a 10x loupe.

i feel like if this stone were a G color i would have jumped on it right away without any hesitation at all. i am actually happy about the size difference. i am ok with it not being dramatically bigger than the one i currently have, but it is a nice change of size. i think my hesitation comes from not having seen enough H color stones before and not being familiar how this color grade appear to my eyes on a daily basis... the 30 min viewing simply only gave me a glimpse of how it would look to me...

perhaps i can have JA send the stone to an appraiser to quickly evaluate before my final decision? would this help ? is it possible to request for an appraisal before putting down money on the stone ?