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mike_c

Rough_Rock
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Feb 3, 2010
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Hi,
I feel like my head is going a bit batty with all of the stones I''ve reviewed. Picking the setting was relatively easy. I purchased the pictured Scott Kay setting in 19KT White Gold for the engagement ring. The setting will take a .75 - 1.5 ct diamond for the center stone. My budget has me somewhere in the .75 - 1 ct range.

I''m currently looking at Blue Nile Signature Ideals and White Flash ACA stones. I have between $2500 - $3500 to spend on the center diamond. Based on what I''m seeing so far, I may need to consider bumping that range up but I''m not sure how much of a difference there is between say a .85 ct and 1 ct for my setting. I''d love any advice that anyone here can share with me.

Specifically, I''ve read that a good cut makes up for size. Is that true? How noticeable would the difference between a .8 ct diamond that was a great cut be in a setting like I have chosen compared to 1 ct stone with that setting? The side stones are pretty small (.18 ct each) if that makes a difference. Where''s the noticeable difference in carat size? .10 (i.e. can you see the difference between .9 and 1 ct), .05, .20, somewhere else?

Reading this forum, SI1 clarity usually seems like a good way to shave cost as long as the buyer checks with the store to ensure that the diamond is eye clean. Is that accurate? What does eye clean really mean?

Is there much difference between F - H in color? Scott Kay uses G as side stones, so I probably want to be near that for color I''m assuming.

Also, what''s the difference between VG and EX for polish and symmetry? I would think that all Ideal cuts should be EX for those two, but many seem to be VG. Is there a noticeable difference between VG and EX?

As a general rule of thumb, I''m looking at stones in this general range:
Ideal Cut
VS1 - SI1 clarity
F-H color
.75 - 1 ct size

Thanks very much for any suggestions!!!
 

Attachments

Date: 2/3/2010 3:24:37 PM
Author:mike_c
Hi,
I feel like my head is going a bit batty with all of the stones I''ve reviewed. Picking the setting was relatively easy. I purchased the pictured Scott Kay setting in 19KT White Gold for the engagement ring. The setting will take a .75 - 1.5 ct diamond for the center stone. My budget has me somewhere in the .75 - 1 ct range.

I''m currently looking at Blue Nile Signature Ideals and White Flash ACA stones. I have between $2500 - $3500 to spend on the center diamond. Based on what I''m seeing so far, I may need to consider bumping that range up but I''m not sure how much of a difference there is between say a .85 ct and 1 ct for my setting. I''d love any advice that anyone here can share with me.
I think in that setting there will not be much of a difference between a .85 and a 1.0ct. Unless you want the satisfaction of *knowing* you got a 1ct diamond, go just under that and save the 1ct premium.

Specifically, I''ve read that a good cut makes up for size. Is that true? How noticeable would the difference between a .8 ct diamond that was a great cut be in a setting like I have chosen compared to 1 ct stone with that setting? The side stones are pretty small (.18 ct each) if that makes a difference. Where''s the noticeable difference in carat size? .10 (i.e. can you see the difference between .9 and 1 ct), .05, .20, somewhere else?
see above

Reading this forum, SI1 clarity usually seems like a good way to shave cost as long as the buyer checks with the store to ensure that the diamond is eye clean. Is that accurate? What does eye clean really mean?
Given your budget and desires, I think an eye clean SI1 is a very good choice. Eye clean usually means that you cannot see the inclusions with the naked eye from about 8-10 inches face up. But you can define it how you like if you buy from a vendor who has the diamond in house (not blue nile then). The vendor will tell you if the diamond has inclusions and how visible they are.

Is there much difference between F - H in color? Scott Kay uses G as side stones, so I probably want to be near that for color I''m assuming.
There is a very very slight difference between an F and an H, if you hold them next to one another you *might* be able to see a difference. I think you would be *perfectly* safe going with an H color diamond -- it will look colorless and will match the setting.

Also, what''s the difference between VG and EX for polish and symmetry? I would think that all Ideal cuts should be EX for those two, but many seem to be VG. Is there a noticeable difference between VG and EX?
No.

As a general rule of thumb, I''m looking at stones in this general range:
Ideal Cut
VS1 - SI1 clarity
F-H color
.75 - 1 ct size

Thanks very much for any suggestions!!!
Click to expand...
Some suggestions:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040381680042
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/whiteflash-aca-cut-diamond-2228594.htm
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6524/

I am afraid I can''t find anything with a great cut that is over .80ct. I looked a little on JA, but you will need to weed through a lot there. My check didn''t turn up anything but you can look yourself.
 
This is the definition of eye-clean: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/clarity-eye-clean-definition-interpretation-and-taste.30483/

I have found WF to have better prices than BN.

H color is a nice color, it will look white face-up. An H center with G sides will be fine.

There is a difference between .85 and 1 ct, yes, it will be noticeable in a direct comparison. But anyone here would take a stunner of a .85 over an average 1 ct.

VG symmetry or polish will look no different to the naked eye than EX grades. However, it does point to the skills and goals of the cutter(s). If you want to go down this road, ie, fudging your cut a little bit to get a bigger stone, then an IS image is a must.
 
Dreamer,
Thanks much for the good info. I appreciate it.

JulieN,
Thanks for the excellent post on eye clean. That''s my biggest hesitation with Internet shopping. If I''m already spending this much (probably upwards of $6K, which is a lot for a teacher), I don''t want to skimp on a couple $hundred and go with an SI over a VS if it makes a difference of my future wife always seeing "things" in the diamond. I looked at a couple of SI diamonds in local stores and couldn''t see anything, but I guess that speaks to the term in that post of "mind clean".

The URL you posted for the .807 ct diamond was actually perfect in all regards (clarity, size, cut, price); however, I was too slow, and it was already sold by the time I checked. I did a search on WF, and the one you found was significantly less money for what you get than anything I could find (i.e. all of the ACA .8 ct or larger were $4k or more). Did you do something special to find the one you did for that price?

Thanks,

Mike
 
wow, all three are sold. not sure if they were when I posted. Well, not to worry.
 
as always, Julie has great picks! Mike those are great. If you think you might ever want to upgrade/trade-up for an anniversary down the road WF and GOG will have much better policies--read all the fine print to see what would be the best fit for you...
 
Date: 2/3/2010 11:32:59 PM
Author: Bella_mezzo
as always, Julie has great picks! Mike those are great. If you think you might ever want to upgrade/trade-up for an anniversary down the road WF and GOG will have much better policies--read all the fine print to see what would be the best fit for you...
Click to expand...
She does, she has a superb eye and searching skills, good to see her on the boards more often!!
 
In order of my preference.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1279468.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1279524.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1262183.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1262061.asp

Ask if they are eye-clean and request for an idealscope image from JA if interested. For the #2, #3 stone request for an appointment with their gemologist for her opinion as #2 inclusion is grade setting cloud and #3 is feather near the girdle.
 
Thanks again to everyone for your input. I''ve been pondering it some more, and I think I want to stay in the VS clarity range for the whole "mind-clean" thing.

JulieN, I really like that 0.824 diamond you forwarded from WF, and the price is very attractive as well. Does anyone know what the difference would be (to untrained eyes) between that (which is an expert cut) and a WF ACA cut diamond? In other words, would it be something we''d be able to see when just looking at the stone?

Thanks again. I really appreciate it.
 
The more I look at the first White Flash diamond from JulieN, the more right it seems.
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2169538.htm#

I've been emailing someone at WF throughout the day. She feels that diamond will go really well in the setting I bought a few weeks ago, so it looks like this might be the diamond I get. She's holding the diamond for me, and I'm going to talk with her this afternoon on the phone.

Thanks again JulieN and everyone else for your help!!!

Mike
 
Date: 2/4/2010 10:21:57 AM
Author: mike_c
Thanks again to everyone for your input. I''ve been pondering it some more, and I think I want to stay in the VS clarity range for the whole ''mind-clean'' thing.

JulieN, I really like that 0.824 diamond you forwarded from WF, and the price is very attractive as well. Does anyone know what the difference would be (to untrained eyes) between that (which is an expert cut) and a WF ACA cut diamond? In other words, would it be something we''d be able to see when just looking at the stone?

Thanks again. I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...
I don''t think you would notice a difference to be honest. The ES has great numbers and an IS.
 
I just purchased the .824 ct diamond recommend by JuliaN from White Flash. Sheerah at WH was fantastic to deal with. I asked her to compare a couple of other stones. I was very impressed by her knowledge and honesty (one of the other stones was a few hundred $ more, but she said the cheaper one that was recommended by JuliaN was what she would go with if it was her choice).

As an FYI, JuliaN, you obviously know your diamonds. Sheerah at WH was amazed at how pretty of a diamond this was when she pulled it. Thank you so much!!!

Best regards,

Mike
 
You''re welcome. Congratulations!
 
Congratulations Mike, I think you will be delighted!
 
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