Help me find the perfect stone

[LJ029]

Hi all,

This is my first post here and I would love some input on these 3 diamonds for an engagement ring. We have had a look at quite a few diamonds in person now and definitely prefer the D colour in around about 0.8carat. Apart for them 0.75carat, the below diamonds have not yet been seen in person. As for clarity we are looking at VS2 and beyond clarity but would also consider a SI1 stone with me professional advice with a budget of around $8000AUD in total to set the diamoin 18k white gold.

I also have a certificate for a 3rd stone that is 0.75 of a carat - a little smaller than what I would like however for some reason the jeweller who we have met and was more than lovely, is unable to provide photos or a 3D image of the stone. Does this sound unusual? Is there anyway I can retrieve images myself? I had also ask for a quote from the same jeweller for a 0.8carat D colour VS2 stone which put up the price for the whole setting by $1000 and was told photos for this stone were also unavailable as it had to be ordered in.

We are still to meet with another two jewellers so I may have more options in the coming week. In the mean time any advice would be most appreciated! I look forward to your thoughts.

Take care,

LJ



Diamonds are below

1. Referring to diamond highlighted in red on attached table, price including setting in 18k white gold

https://pck2.azureedge.net/stone-mu...a.htm?stoneId=1844770001&showMediaType=Video#



2. Loose stone only

This diamond here is perfect as it has an idea cut with perfect proportions.

1/ 0.80ct D VS1 GIA EX/EX/EX No Fluorescence $ 6,950.00AUD

http://view360v.com/f360v.aspx?Id=+Z8op4Sg6On1gXh/rYfqd99GTCzYMKepx+zCbULVuA8=

3. Certificate of 0.75carat stone with no images as attached. $7600 set in 18k white gold

 

[flyingpig]

#3 is out.
Between #1 and #2.... Tough.. I rate both about 90/100.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

1) The only stone of the three that I'd personally consider buying. I didn't see the GIA report at first but went back to see it. This stone's numbers fall within the range of ideal cut.

2) It is a little deep which is making it face up smaller than it should. Usually a .80 ideal cut stone will face up at about 6.0mm. The crown angle is high. A 35 to 35.5 crown angle would be safer with a 40.6 pavilion angle. The center could have some leakage. It is not as ideal as someone is telling you.

3) https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=7286065389

This one is not too deep at 62% so it faces up with a good diameter. But it has a problem with the pavilion angle being 41.4 which doesn't work with a 34.5 crown angle. This one is definitely out.

Here are the ranges to aim for in GIA Excellent cut:

table: 55-58

depth: 62-62.3%

crown angle: 34-35.0 (up to 35.5 may work with a 40.6 pavilion angle)

Pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9

 

[LJ029]

1) The only stone of the three that I'd personally consider buying. I didn't see the GIA report at first but went back to see it. This stone's numbers fall within the range of ideal cut.

2) It is a little deep which is making it face up smaller than it should. Usually a .80 ideal cut stone will face up at about 6.0mm. The crown angle is high. A 35 to 35.5 crown angle would be safer with a 40.6 pavilion angle. The center could have some leakage. It is not as ideal as someone is telling you.

3) https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=7286065389

This one is not too deep at 62% so it faces up with a good diameter. But it has a problem with the pavilion angle being 41.4 which doesn't work with a 34.5 crown angle. This one is definitely out.

Here are the ranges to aim for in GIA Excellent cut:

table: 55-58

depth: 62-62.3%

crown angle: 34-35.0 (up to 35.5 may work with a 40.6 pavilion angle)

Pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9

Sorry for the confusion about the 3 diamonds rather than the two and thanks so much for all the information, a lot to consider here! The reference ranges you have provided are most helpful too. I will certainly keep 1. in mind should the next two jewellers not have anything more to offer. Do you think if we did go with the 1. jeweller for the price he is asking it would be worth seeing what other diamonds he could offer? Cheers, LJ

 

[flyingpig]

To elaborate, #1 may have some leakage and weak spots. #2 does not have leakage, but I personally do not like girdle treatment. You may notice it is messy and not uniform around the edges.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

To elaborate, #1 may have some leakage and weak spots. #2 does not have leakage, but I personally do not like girdle treatment. You may notice it is messy and not uniform around the edges.

Why are you saying #1 might have leakage and weak spots? The H&A images have horrible lighting. I wouldn't go by that. He's likely not going to have a lot of great choices. I still think that one would be a good choice considering. It's pretty lucky he's found one that good that a local jeweler can access.

GIA - Report Check

www.gia.edu

 

[lovedogs]

I agree that #3 is out. I think the advanced images of #2 look pretty good, although I personally prefer the aesthetic of #1 because the arrows are thicker.


I agree with @flyingpig that #2 isn't completely ideal, but I think it's pretty solid.

 

[flyingpig]

Why are you saying #1 might have leakage and weak spots? The H&A images have horrible lighting. I wouldn't go by that. He's likely not going to have a lot of great choices. I still think that one would be a good choice considering. It's pretty lucky he's found one that good that a local jeweler can access.

GIA - Report Check

www.gia.edu

You are right.
I made some adjustment with the arrow image and #1 is more promising than I thought.
It is a 34.5/40.8 with relatively evenly cut pavilion (no wonkiness)
And we are talking D VS1. There may not be that many choices locally.
I like it.

 

[LJ029]

1) The only stone of the three that I'd personally consider buying. I didn't see the GIA report at first but went back to see it. This stone's numbers fall within the range of ideal cut.

2) It is a little deep which is making it face up smaller than it should. Usually a .80 ideal cut stone will face up at about 6.0mm. The crown angle is high. A 35 to 35.5 crown angle would be safer with a 40.6 pavilion angle. The center could have some leakage. It is not as ideal as someone is telling you.

3) https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=7286065389

This one is not too deep at 62% so it faces up with a good diameter. But it has a problem with the pavilion angle being 41.4 which doesn't work with a 34.5 crown angle.

You are right.
I made some adjustment with the arrow image and #1 is more promising than I thought.
It is a 34.5/40.8 with relatively evenly cut pavilion (no wonkiness)
And we are talking D VS1. There may not be that many choices locally.
I like it.

Thanks guys! We certainly felt comfortable with this jeweller too. He was one of the first we met so we still want to look at our other options as well. As far as the occlusion types too, are they any to completely avoid?

 

[flyingpig]

Typically people avoid cavity and I personally do not like cloud. But at VS1 grade when listed third and fourth, they are completely non issue.

 

[TripEx]

Hey mate where in Aussieland did you find these jewellers ive been stuggling to source stones like this here?
Both look awesome 1 and 2.
İf you could guide me to these guys would be much appriciated

 

[TripEx]

To elaborate, #1 may have some leakage and weak spots. #2 does not have leakage, but I personally do not like girdle treatment. You may notice it is messy and not uniform around the edges.

Hi curious whats girdle treatment and how do you know/avoid it?

 

[LJ029]

Typically people avoid cavity and I personally do not like cloud. But at VS1 grade when listed third and fourth, they are completely non issue.

Thank you, there is so much to learn! Definitely want to do as much research as possible before making the final decision.

 

[LJ029]

Hey mate where in Aussieland did you find these jewellers ive been stuggling to source stones like this here?
Both look awesome 1 and 2.
İf you could guide me to these guys would be much appriciated

We are in Melbourne. Where are you located? The first is a private jeweller and second was from the Australian Diamond Wholesale Brokers, both in Melbourne

 

[flyingpig]

Hi curious whats girdle treatment and how do you know/avoid it?

Look at #2 and the ASET. Lot of greens around the edges. But the AGS stone in your thread does not have that issue. It is a good one. Do not worry.

Here is a PS article on girdle treatment (painting digging)

Visible Effects of Painting & Digging on Superideal Diamonds

With grateful acknowledgment to John Pollard, Sergey Sivovolenko, AGSL and GIA Laboratories for valuable resources and input. Graphics produced with DiamCalc software by OctoNus. Note: This article pertains only to […]

www.pricescope.com

 

[TripEx]

We are in Melbourne. Where are you located? The first is a private jeweller and second was from the Australian Diamond Wholesale Brokers, both in Melbourne

Hey same. İ went to Holloway yesterday. However prices to high for my budget.
İ didnt check the ADWB before.
İ went to Janai on collins street ill tell you to avoid at all costs. Refer to one of my previous posts for details.

İ went to trewarne which sell hearts on fire but are very over priced.

Few others however poor quality stones.

When you say private jeweller do you mean small shop or like 'special' private where they do work for certain clients.


İ heard to avoid australian diamond company and theres another mob wjth a blue website its of a similar name but mostly have virtual stones etc.

Are you looking for a solitare setting?

 

[TripEx]

Look at #2 and the ASET. Lot of greens around the edges. But the AGS stone in your thread does not have that issue. It is a good one. Do not worry.

Here is a PS article on girdle treatment (painting digging)

Visible Effects of Painting & Digging on Superideal Diamonds

With grateful acknowledgment to John Pollard, Sergey Sivovolenko, AGSL and GIA Laboratories for valuable resources and input. Graphics produced with DiamCalc software by OctoNus. Note: This article pertains only to […]

www.pricescope.com

Oh wow i thought that green(halo) sort of thing was just natural characteristics

 

[LJ029]

Hey same. İ went to Holloway yesterday. However prices to high for my budget.
İ didnt check the ADWB before.
İ went to Janai on collins street ill tell you to avoid at all costs. Refer to one of my previous posts for details.

İ went to trewarne which sell hearts on fire but are very over priced.

Few others however poor quality stones.

When you say private jeweller do you mean small shop or like 'special' private where they do work for certain clients.


İ heard to avoid australian diamond company and theres another mob wjth a blue website its of a similar name but mostly have virtual stones etc.

Are you looking for a solitare setting?

We also visited Janai too and they were actually really helpful but we want a handmade ring rather than a cast setting. We haven’t been to ADWB ourselves I had just had email correspondence but I believe they have a lot of stock on hand in their show room so it might be worth paying them a visit. We had great service at Larsen but they were also pushing our budget. And definitely after a solitare too.

 

[TripEx]

We also visited Janai too and they were actually really helpful but we want a handmade ring rather than a cast setting. We haven’t been to ADWB ourselves I had just had email correspondence but I believe they have a lot of stock on hand in their show room so it might be worth paying them a visit. We had great service at Larsen but they were also pushing our budget. And definitely after a solitare too.

at Janai they were helpful at the start but once i started putting down my criteria they got very defensive saying this is what we do and we dont believe in this and that. they also tried selling me a stone with absolute poor proportions. the asian guy forgot his name thought he was king d...k. the proportions i gave were the similar proportions of whiteflashes aca cut stones. the hca for janai was way off anyway i havent been to larsen. my budget was exactly like yours however i upped it a touch to accomodate as my partner was a fancy setting.

i JUST had a look at about 10 different stones on the diamond brokers website out of random but around 75-80 points triple ex etc around 6.5k and they all scored about 3-5 on the HCA it looks like they dont have any criteria to what they sell and alot of them had many many inclusions even surface grazing, cavity etc

 

[LJ029]

at Janai they were helpful at the start but once i started putting down my criteria they got very defensive saying this is what we do and we dont believe in this and that. they also tried selling me a stone with absolute poor proportions. the asian guy forgot his name thought he was king d...k. the proportions i gave were the similar proportions of whiteflashes aca cut stones. the hca for janai was way off anyway i havent been to larsen. my budget was exactly like yours however i upped it a touch to accomodate as my partner was a fancy setting.

i JUST had a look at about 10 different stones on the diamond brokers website out of random but around 75-80 points triple ex etc around 6.5k and they all scored about 3-5 on the HCA it looks like they dont have any criteria to what they sell and alot of them had many many inclusions even surface grazing, cavity etc

Oh that sounds like a very unpleasant experience at Janai! We really love one of their settings so we’re keen to check it out in person again for the second time around.

I’d be interested to know how you got on with Whiteflash ACA diamonds? I have just found one today and created a post for it but I think with the exchange rate and GST it will exceed the budget. How did you work our pricing for them?

 

[TripEx]

Oh that sounds like a very unpleasant experience at Janai! We really love one of their settings so we’re keen to check it out in person again for the second time around.

I’d be interested to know how you got on with Whiteflash ACA diamonds? I have just found one today and created a post for it but I think with the exchange rate and GST it will exceed the budget. How did you work our pricing for them?

ok i have been looking at whiteflash for a stone. i found 1 or 2 that will suit my budget however my partner likes settings from verragio like pretty detailed ones which would blow the budget by alot more. itll be around 10k+ after gst

i know its personal choice and your getting a solitare which tends to be way cheaper setting then something with pave or with lacing etc but i would honestly look at a lower colour grade. you really wouldnt be able to tell the difference esp when set. the colours are graded at in specific conditions on a white backdrop upside down. plus if you are getting a ideal cut/hearts and arrows itll look way whiter top down over a 'normal' triple excellent anyway
my thoughts


im looking at securing a 0.77 hearts and arrows vs1 G for around 6300 AUD
the setting is going to cost me 1700 and with gst and duty all up around 9k

the setting is going to be similar to a verragio but about half the cost


thats why im not going with whiteflash.
otherwise their stones are fairly well priced esp compared to whats available here.

 

[LJ029]

ok i have been looking at whiteflash for a stone. i found 1 or 2 that will suit my budget however my partner likes settings from verragio like pretty detailed ones which would blow the budget by alot more. itll be around 10k+ after gst

i know its personal choice and your getting a solitare which tends to be way cheaper setting then something with pave or with lacing etc but i would honestly look at a lower colour grade. you really wouldnt be able to tell the difference esp when set. the colours are graded at in specific conditions on a white backdrop upside down. plus if you are getting a ideal cut/hearts and arrows itll look way whiter top down over a 'normal' triple excellent anyway
my thoughts


im looking at securing a 0.77 hearts and arrows vs1 G for around 6300 AUD
the setting is going to cost me 1700 and with gst and duty all up around 9k

the setting is going to be similar to a verragio but about half the cost


thats why im not going with whiteflash.
otherwise their stones are fairly well priced esp compared to whats available here.

Are you still looking at getting the diamond imported? If so, can I ask where from? We have looked at plenty of diamonds now and definitely prefer the D colour. I know it’s hard when your comparing different coloured stones to one another but it is something we are pretty set on. We still have 2 more jewellers to meet with in the coming week so will be interested to see if any other suitable diamonds come from the visits. I just looked at the Verragio settings - they are certainly something beautiful!

 

[TripEx]

Are you still looking at getting the diamond imported? If so, can I ask where from? We have looked at plenty of diamonds now and definitely prefer the D colour. I know it’s hard when your comparing different coloured stones to one another but it is something we are pretty set on. We still have 2 more jewellers to meet with in the coming week so will be interested to see if any other suitable diamonds come from the visits. I just looked at the Verragio settings - they are certainly something beautiful!

ok. i understand i 100% recommend booking an appointment with eugene from JannPaul. i spoke with him via video conference for over 3 hours yesterday he showed me the stones under aset scopes, hearts and arrows, led lights white lights etc LIVE. he was honest and thorough. the stores youve been to i bet didnt do that because they didnt for me.
i wish i could send you video.

i had 2 stones and am securing one now. putting a deposit on it.
JannPaul is from singapore look up the name on youtube and watch the videos to educate yourself i watched heaps. the other stone im not buying is amazing and it has been confirmed by price scopers however if youre set on a d colour he can accomodate aswell

seriously amazing customer service

oh the lowest colour they stock is G and lowest clarity they stock is Vs2
guaranteed no milky
only yellow hue no brown
very strict standards
make an appointment and see for yourself

 

[TripEx]

İ still recommend you make an online appointment and have a chat you will elarn heaps and see differences

 

[TripEx]

Which is better

 

[LJ029]

ok. i understand i 100% recommend booking an appointment with eugene from JannPaul. i spoke with him via video conference for over 3 hours yesterday he showed me the stones under aset scopes, hearts and arrows, led lights white lights etc LIVE. he was honest and thorough. the stores youve been to i bet didnt do that because they didnt for me.
i wish i could send you video.

i had 2 stones and am securing one now. putting a deposit on it.
JannPaul is from singapore look up the name on youtube and watch the videos to educate yourself i watched heaps. the other stone im not buying is amazing and it has been confirmed by price scopers however if youre set on a d colour he can accomodate aswell

seriously amazing customer service

oh the lowest colour they stock is G and lowest clarity they stock is Vs2
guaranteed no milky
only yellow hue no brown
very strict standards
make an appointment and see for yourself

İ still recommend you make an online appointment and have a chat you will elarn heaps and see differences

Thank you so much! I have been in contact via email and awaiting a reply. How much more in % will it end up costing you with GST and taxes can I ask?

 

[TripEx]

Thank you so much! I have been in contact via email and awaiting a reply. How much more in % will it end up costing you with GST and taxes can I ask?

so whatever the total price is + 10% GST plus 5% duty
i honestly was hoping i can get it back from TRS as i plan to travel(hopefully) in june but aopparently the company needs to have an australian ABN...

if you buy from america i think you can get away with not paying the 5% duty.


i ended up placing a deposit on the stone just before.
i am happy to a premium for a superior product to make my future wife happy and reassure myself
i done alot of research like spent my days at work watching diamond videos and articles over and over again

here is the link to my video
i secured the ags stone
Need help ASAP | PriceScope

 

[LJ029]

so whatever the total price is + 10% GST plus 5% duty
i honestly was hoping i can get it back from TRS as i plan to travel(hopefully) in june but aopparently the company needs to have an australian ABN...

if you buy from america i think you can get away with not paying the 5% duty.


i ended up placing a deposit on the stone just before.
i am happy to a premium for a superior product to make my future wife happy and reassure myself
i done alot of research like spent my days at work watching diamond videos and articles over and over again

here is the link to my video
i secured the ags stone
Need help ASAP | PriceScope

Wow you have yourself a stunning stone. Have you have any luck locating a jeweller in Melbourne that will set an outside stone?

 

[TripEx]

Wow you have yourself a stunning stone. Have you have any luck locating a jeweller in Melbourne that will set an outside stone?

Thanks alot.
Mate there is probably 2 guys. İ spoke with one(toorak) where he gave an alright price but then he tried selling me a diamond which wasnt really good. İ guess he will do it.
There was another guy in the city apparently someone here used ill have a look to try find his.number however honestly i rather get it set by the company selling it to me just in case anything goes wrong, its not set properly, the stone damages this that the other youll end up being stuck with the problem.
Something to consider.
JannPaul gave me a price on a verragio style ring custom.made with better meeles for 1700 if i buy from verragio itll be around 5k.
İ dont want a copy but somethjng inspired.

They are going to send me some.other designs today
Have a loom at their petite solitare shame.my partner doesnt want it
İ reckon it looks amazing.

 

[LJ029]

Thanks alot.
Mate there is probably 2 guys. İ spoke with one(toorak) where he gave an alright price but then he tried selling me a diamond which wasnt really good. İ guess he will do it.
There was another guy in the city apparently someone here used ill have a look to try find his.number however honestly i rather get it set by the company selling it to me just in case anything goes wrong, its not set properly, the stone damages this that the other youll end up being stuck with the problem.
Something to consider.
JannPaul gave me a price on a verragio style ring custom.made with better meeles for 1700 if i buy from verragio itll be around 5k.
İ dont want a copy but somethjng inspired.

They are going to send me some.other designs today
Have a loom at their petite solitare shame.my partner doesnt want it
İ reckon it looks amazing.

Still waiting to hear back from JannPaul so will see what they can offer for preferable setting. The petite setting is gorgeous! We are definitely after the less is more look ourselves. I’ve just received some new diamond details from the jeweller we are meeting tomorrow night so will post in here shortly.