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

Hi frankiextah

I don't have a 3 ct but I just bought an AGS I. Comparing to my F/G ring and earrrings, there is definitely a difference in color. I do not need to place the I next to the F to notice it. The I is not yellow at all but it's not white either. It is just transparent and 'darker' most of the time. In some lighting condition i would notice the tint but most time I do not. Having said that, I do not regret going down to I because it is something that i gave for the size and cut. What i'm trying to say is, i think you need to have a very good reason to go down on color. If the 3 ct mark is a big enough motivation, i think you would be able to enjoy the H :)
 
Frankie, I think you should ask the vendor to give you a bit more time. This is a big decision: I know your net outlay is not a lot compared to the cost of the stone but the stone does cost $50k and you are having to give up your current stone which you love and selling those earrings too; not something you can decide on so quickly!

You can ask the vendor to let you have the stone independently appraised (and I think you should). But at the end of the day, the decision rests with you. It'd help if you could go look at some other H colour stones. You are in NYC, it shouldn't be that hard, right?

In the 6 years it took me, I looked at hundreds, if not thousands, of diamonds of varying colours and sizes. It also helped that I was able to see Sparkles' I coloured 5ct ACA. You need to mentally get your mind wrapped around the lowering of your "colour expectations" (for lack of a better term), just like I've had to. I know you won't have 6 years to make up your mind, but having a few days to think about it, look at some other diamonds, getting used to the idea would IMO help you to make a decision that you won't regret. If at the end of the "thinking period", you still have reservations about the H, then maybe the H is not for you. If however you think you'd be happy with the H, then go for it.

Don't let the price of the 3ct be your deciding factor, like someone else has said.
 
roppongi|1348176270|3271868 said:
Hi Frankie :wavey: :

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
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See, for ME... this wouldn't be an issue. When I looked at your photos I could only see a tiny bit of "warmth" in the upside-down photo. In the face-up pics, I couldn't tell a difference at all. Personally, I think that when the stone is set, and it is NOT sitting side-by-side with a G, you will not see the warmth. It will be too sparkly and stunning to notice!! :love:

BUT... that being said... this goes back to the "mind clean" thing. IF it is not "clean" or "ideal" or "white" in your MIND... than it doesn't matter what your eyes see. AND... it is a considerable cost and hassle for not a huge size increase.

My advice... Go with your gut. (and heart) Whatever that may be.
Good luck!!
 
Like DS's old tagline said, "When in doubt, don't." It sounds like the H color will probably bother you long term. I would not do it.
 
Laila619|1348212856|3272079 said:
Like DS's old tagline said, "When in doubt, don't." It sounds like the H color will probably bother you long term. I would not do it.
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DItto this and roppongi's post.
 
thank you so much everyone for your valuable advice ! i will be heading to tiffany & co during lunch today to view some H color solitaires. I have also asked my vendor for some more time, to let me have my appraiser check the stone out thoroughly (waiting for their reply now). My appraiser appraised my G color stone, and his opinion will be valuable in gauging how i would feel in the long run. I just need an independant opinion on this H diamond's color... whether it is closer to an I or closer to a G.

I will report back !
 
frankiextah|1348236259|3272194 said:
thank you so much everyone for your valuable advice ! i will be heading to tiffany & co during lunch today to view some H color solitaires. I have also asked my vendor for some more time, to let me have my appraiser check the stone out thoroughly (waiting for their reply now). My appraiser appraised my G color stone, and his opinion will be valuable in gauging how i would feel in the long run. I just need an independant opinion on this H diamond's color... whether it is closer to an I or closer to a G.
I will report back !
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Great plan, Frankie, particularly the part bolded!
 
Good luck Frankie - I know you will make a good decision for yourself in the end!

I'm jealous - wish I could go to Tiff's at lunch!! :naughty:
 
Your plan of action is a good one.

I want to second or third the notion that you should not let the price factor in substantially. You cannot really predict the future -- both in diamond pricing and your own financial situation -- so its best to only consider the here-and-now.

Also, I would take with a grain of salt the line that the diamond will be priced higher tomorrow if it goes back on the net ;)) Old sales tactic. maybe it will be higher, maybe lower.
 
i'm back !

went to both tiffany and cartier ...

Tiffany :

they only have 2.3ct available in both G and H colors, looked at the rings under daylight next to the window, absolutely no color difference. the SA kindly mixed the rings up on purpose and i could not tell even at the pavillion if there are any differences. I also compared the pavillian to my set 2.3 in halo and again, no difference no matter how hard i tried to spot the tint. these stones are Tiffany in-house certed.

Cartier :

they only have 1.7ct avaialble in both G and H colors. looked at the rings under store lighting (away from spotlight) and only when staring at both stones intently i could see a very small trace of color difference on the H. the SA wore white gloves and put on both rings side by side. these diamonds are GIA certed.

in both stores i requested help from asian sales associates. both ladies said they would take the H in a heartbeat.

this is making me feel a lot better about the 3ct H stone, as long as the AGS grading is not softer for this particular stone ...
 
For some reason I was thinking this was a GIA stone. I always have Jonathan check color for me on the colorimeter especially if the stone is AGS because I do know of examples that are more loosely graded for color by ags than gia. Can that be done?
 
diamondseeker2006|1348250357|3272322 said:
For some reason I was thinking this was a GIA stone. I always have Jonathan check color for me on the colorimeter especially if the stone is AGS because I do know of examples that are more loosely graded for color by ags than gia. Can that be done?
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Good idea. You want to make sure it's not a low H bordering on I.
 
Your appraiser should also be able to do this for you. He/ she should have a master-set.
 
Any news, Frankie?
 
BlountJewelsInc|1348354395|3272985 said:
diamondseeker2006 said:
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! :love:
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Prices have gone down a lot because diamonds aren't moving due to the market. DTC sightholders have record high volumes so now is the time to buy, but I would still search around for a bigger stone or a better price.
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Very good to know!

(Just FYI, see the note at the bottom of your post. The administrator wants you to fix your signature.)
 
I am happy to update you all that I will be proceeding with the upgrade :)

details to come... very excited !

I will be heading to LA (Oct 4-7) for a long weekend so this will be perfect as I plan to pay a visit at VC.
 
Good for you! Can't wait to see the results--make sure you post the before and afters!
 
I am so excited for you, Frankie! :appl: :appl: :appl:
 
Can't wait to hear all of the details!
 
Looking forward to hearing all about it! :appl:
 
Congratulations Frankie!!! :appl: :appl: :appl:
 
So excited for you! :appl:
 
That's fantastic, frankie! Can't wait to see photos!
 
Congratulations, Frankie!! :appl: :appl: :appl: :appl: :appl:

I kind of knew you would, ha ha!! :wink2: :twirl:
 
payment has now cleared and the diamond is ready :)

i'll be picking it up tomorrow... can't wait to take some photos for you all before sending it to VC ! :appl:
 
Can't wait to see your pictures!
 
The suspense is killing me.
 
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