I just got engaged! Help me find a diamond!!! :)

[kristy_lyn]

Hi!
I''ve been checking out these boards periodically for the past 6 mo. or so - but, not as seriously as I should have been... because, now, I''m officially engaged, need to find a diamond within the next couple of weeks, and I''m feeling a bit overwhelmed! My new fiance wants me to help with the process - he know''s that I will be wearing this ring forever!

I''m looking to spend between $3200-$3600 for something that''s around .85 carats, give or take a few points.

I know I like diamonds that have a lot of "fire" flashes - but, I''m not sure what kind of angles and stuff will give me that effect.

Also, I know that fire is one of the factors in the HCA score... how much do you guys rely on the HCA score when you make your choices? What else do you look at?

I was thinking that it would be probably best to go for an online outfit, and have looked around on dirtcheapdiamonds.com, but, I''m not sure what the cost of going out to look at the diamonds would be - and so, not seeing them in person before buying will just cost me extra money that''s not really in the budget...

So, I want to make sure I''m going to like what I pick so I don''t have to go through the process too many times.

I''ll be doing some research, but, please let me know if you have any recommendations (specific diamonds, diamond sellers, etc, whatever other advice you feel like sharing)... I don''t want to wind up being one of those girls that get ripped off with a poorly cut yet expensive diamond!

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mara]

welp what is your budget and/or color/clarity thoughts?

 

[kristy_lyn]

I''m thinking along these lines:

Round
between .83-.89 carat
$3200-$3600 (but, willing to go a bit over that if it''s really nice...)
Color between D-F (Although, I know some people say the D isn''t worth it...)
Clarity - VS1 or higher? I''m not sure about this one...

Is this doable for a really nicely cut diamond?

 

[Mara]

i don't know that with your budget you can get a D or E VS2 if you want a well-cut stone.

thinking that you would consider anything between F and H and VS2-SI2 clarity, i did a search for AGS0 H&A on PS and found these stones, i'd look into all of them. having had a G and then an H and now a J stone, i would hands down go to a G or H if you can get a better cut stone, just my own thoughts. also don't keep clarity so high, obviously it depends on the inventory, but i have seen some amazing SI1 and SI2 stones and it's a GREAT way to save money if you find an eye-clean stone...no one knows its not a VS.

0.818 G VS2 60.6% 57% AGS tn-md f id id n 6.04x6.08x3.67 $3745
Crown=34.8° Pavilion=40.7°
www.whiteflash.com

0.828 G VS2 61.1% 57% AGS tn-md f id id n 6.03x6.07x3.70 $3788
Crown=34.7° Pavilion=40.8°
www.whiteflash.com

0.83 H VS2 61.8% 57% GIA m-slt f ex ex n 6.03x6.05x3.73 $3233
Crown=35.3° Pavilion=41°
www.winfields.com

0.90 H SI1 62.1% 56.41% GIA 1.70 ex ex ng 6.19x6.16x3.84 $4538
Crown=34.61° Pavilion=41.04°
www.goodoldgold.com

0.91 G SI2 61.7% 56.27% GIA 1.59 ex ex ng 6.24x6.18x3.83 $4417
Crown=34.34° Pavilion=40.95°
www.goodoldgold.com

0.92 H VS2 62.2% 57.5% GIA vg g mb 6.17x6.22x3.85 $4471
Crown=35.5° Pavilion=40.8°
www.winfields.com

 

[Mara]

i did find these if you can go down to an SI1 or SI2....i'd find out if they are eye-clean and that is a way to get your higher color AND excellent cut.

0.801 E SI2 60.9% 55% AGS 0.8-1.3% f id id n 6.03x6.05x3.68 $3680
Crown=34.8° Pavilion=40.8°
www.whiteflash.com

0.82 D SI1 61.1% 56% GIA ex ex n 6.02x6.06x3.69 $3726
Crown=34.5° Pavilion=40.6°
www.dimendscaasi.com

just to compare pricing, here is a .90 D VS2 for $6k which is almost double your budget:

0.90 D VS2 61.6% 57.36% GIA 1.61 ex ex ng 6.22x6.19x3.82 $6215
Crown=35.04° Pavilion=40.88°
www.goodoldgold.com

 

[kristy_lyn]

Wow! You''re fast!

I''m thinking that the diamonds I looked at in the stores and browsing online were not as well cut as the ones that you''re pulling up (I didn''t have all of the numbers to plug in...)

Out of curiousity, what made you choose the ones above? Was it specific angles - or the proportion of the angles?

OK - going to click on the links now...

 

[Mara]

kristy, i didn't choose any of the above stones necessarily, those were just the most well-cut stones that came up on the PS search engine within D-H color and VS2-SI2 clarity. pretty much if you chose any one of those stones, it'd be a firecracker. there is not that much inventory with PS vendors in that range, but it seems like you CAN get something pretty close to your budget, have it be fabulously well-cut and with great color and eye-clean clarity!

BUT....if i was buying for myself...i'd check out these 3 stones as my top picks from the ones i posted, based on the specs listed, your budget, and the fact that you want a higher color:

0.818 G VS2 60.6% 57% AGS tn-md f id id n 6.04x6.08x3.67 $3745
Crown=34.8° Pavilion=40.7°
www.whiteflash.com


0.801 E SI2 60.9% 55% AGS 0.8-1.3% f id id n 6.03x6.05x3.68 $3680
Crown=34.8° Pavilion=40.8°
www.whiteflash.com


0.82 D SI1 61.1% 56% GIA ex ex n 6.02x6.06x3.69 $3726
Crown=34.5° Pavilion=40.6°
www.dimendscaasi.com

if you CAN spend a little bit more to get a little larger stone, i love this one from it's specs and the G SI2 would be a fab deal if it's eye clean:

0.91 G SI2 61.7% 56.27% GIA 1.59 ex ex ng 6.24x6.18x3.83 $4417
Crown=34.34° Pavilion=40.95°
www.goodoldgold.com

 

[Lorelei]

Kristy welcome

I am sure Mara will give you her specifics with the diamonds she pulled up for you - you can COMPLETELY trust her opinion on potential diamonds, this girl really knows her stuff and what to look for, she has been doing this a long time and has found some stunners for you!

 

[kristy_lyn]

Oh man... you don''t know how much I would like to spend the extra $$$, but, since we''re saving for a house I''m trying to stay in budget.

Sucks to try to be responsible....

That .82 might be good if you can''t see the inclusions... I''m going to have to look into it.

(OK, MUST stop looking at diamonds - for tonight - bedtime...)

I''m sure I will be on this board a lot in the next couple of weeks as I try to find something!!!

Thanks,
KRisty

 

[Mara]

hehe budgets suck!!

i took a quickie look at the two WF ones and i think the E SI2 may not be eye-clean enough if you are a little clarity sensitive...the inclusion is right in the middle of the table, but it may be worth asking about as those pictures are at 40x mag which is not realistic viewing.

the .82 D SI from DimendScaasi and the .81 G VS from WF are the two most promising around your price range i think...

keep us posted on what you find!