Need some help deciding!

[hyer717]

Need some help deciding on the following diamond, specs from GIA report:

Measurements: 7.34 - 7.45 x 4.55 mm
Carat Weight: 1.51
Color Grade: I
Clarity Grade: VS2
Cut Grade: Excellent

Proportions:
Depth: 61.5 %
Table: 58 %
Crown Angle: 34°
Crown Height: 14.5 %
Pavilion Angle: 41.2°
Pavilion Depth: 43.5 %
Star length: 45 %
Lower Half: 80 %
Girdle: Thin to Slightly Thick, Faceted
Culet: None

Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None

I have the chance to buy the diamond for $7000. Is this a good value? Also, will the I-color be acceptable? The seller is telling me that the cut has excellent proportions and from what I have read it seems he is correct. Any comments on the cut? Thanks for your help!

 

[JulieN]

Date: 1/24/2009 8:06:26 PM
Author:hyer717
Need some help deciding on the following diamond, specs from GIA report:


Measurements: 7.34 - 7.45 x 4.55 mm

Carat Weight: 1.51

Color Grade: I

Clarity Grade: VS2

Cut Grade: Excellent


Proportions:

Depth: 61.5 %

Table: 58 %

Crown Angle: 34°

Crown Height: 14.5 %

Pavilion Angle: 41.2°

Pavilion Depth: 43.5 %

Star length: 45 %

Lower Half: 80 %

Girdle: Thin to Slightly Thick, Faceted

Culet: None


Finish:

Polish: Excellent

Symmetry: Very Good

Fluorescence: None

I have the chance to buy the diamond for $7000. Is this a good value? Also, will the I-color be acceptable? The seller is telling me that the cut has excellent proportions and from what I have read it seems he is correct. Any comments on the cut? Thanks for your help!

Good value: yes, probably. You might want to employ an independent appraiser. If it''s a J or an SI1 instead of an I VS2, it''s not as good as a deal. However, for Internet prices right now, 7000 would get you a 1.5 J SI1 GIA VG cut.

I color: is very acceptable for most people, and totally fine in a well-cut stone.

Cut: the stone doesn''t have excellent proportions as your seller is saying. It has "very good" proportions. Also, it''s a little bit out of round, possibly one reason why it has a VG for symmetry.

 

[swingirl]

Have you run it through the Holloway Cut Adviser (tab under TOOLS)?

 

[hyer717]

Yes, it scored a 3.1

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome Hyer!

The diamond has a steeper pavilion angle which the HCA can penalize, have you seen this diamond or if it is with an online seller, can you get an Idealscope image for it?

 

[hyer717]

No, I have not seen the diamond in person. It is with an individual so an IS image is not available. I could have it appraised before purchasing, would most appraisers be able to provide an IS image?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/25/2009 10:08:01 AM
Author: hyer717
No, I have not seen the diamond in person. It is with an individual so an IS image is not available. I could have it appraised before purchasing, would most appraisers be able to provide an IS image?

Is this a private sale?

Some appraisers are skilled in evaluating cut and can have Idealscope, ASET images and other technologies available, if you choose an appraiser from the PS list then it should say what tools the appraiser has to offer for judging cut quality along with their credentials.

 

[hyer717]

Yes, it is an individual sale.

Is it worth pursuing at the price? Many other "excellent" cut GIA diamonds I have found online of this size are priced higher. Is the I-color going to be noticable? Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/25/2009 10:54:08 AM
Author: hyer717
Yes, it is an individual sale.

Is it worth pursuing at the price? Many other 'excellent' cut GIA diamonds I have found online of this size are priced higher. Is the I-color going to be noticable? Thanks again for all of your help!

Get an appraisal if you can to get a good idea of a reasonable purchase price and to check the diamond is as stated on the report, and to check for possible damage. Generally on reselling a diamond it is usual to only recoup 30 - 50 % of what was paid for it, so an appraiser can give you a lowball figure to offer probably. An I colour will still look white, you might notice a hint of warmth from the side in some lights but this is usually very slight and it will face up white - in no way yellow. And you are very welcome!

 

[hyer717]

Going next week to look at the diamond and take it to an appraiser! What questions do I need to ask the appraiser?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/26/2009 9:30:40 PM
Author: hyer717
Going next week to look at the diamond and take it to an appraiser! What questions do I need to ask the appraiser?

Firstly make sure the diamond is a diamond, and that it is as described on the grading report. Get the appraiser to check if for damage and give an overall opinion on its colour and clarity, other attributes and cut quality. Here is an excellent piece which describes the appraisal process.

https://www.pricescope.com/appraiser.asp

 

[hyer717]

I looked at some diamonds this weekend that have me rethinking getting an I-color. I could see a difference comparing an F to an I color stone (both GIA around 1.5 carat). The cuts on both stones were rated "very good". If I wanted to step up to a F or G, how much size would I have to lose to stay within my 7k budget and still get an excellent cut? Feel free to post links to diamonds that you would suggest.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/2/2009 3:45:42 PM
Author: hyer717
I looked at some diamonds this weekend that have me rethinking getting an I-color. I could see a difference comparing an F to an I color stone (both GIA around 1.5 carat). The cuts on both stones were rated 'very good'. If I wanted to step up to a F or G, how much size would I have to lose to stay within my 7k budget and still get an excellent cut? Feel free to post links to diamonds that you would suggest.

What about an H colour? That might be a good compromise, if you like the look of this one, check it is eyeclean to your standards by asking the vendor as with all SI clarities.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3525/

G colour - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193781.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

E colour - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1195057.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

G colour - http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-signature-ideal-cut-g-color-si1-clarity_LD01403645

 

[hyer717]

Does this color guide seem correct? I can''t really tell a difference between D and H-J on this chart, this color thing is killing me! I thought I could tell a difference at the store, but maybe it was just the lighting?

 

[kcoursolle]

You might also want to look at the color tutorial on goodoldgold''s website. It''s excellent and the best I''ve found online, although in person is better. I personally can tell more of a difference in the D-J colors than in the chart in this thread.

 

[hyer717]

Well, I went and looked at the first diamond listed in this thread tonight and took it to an appraiser. The diamond checked out and looked really great in person so I went ahead and bought it! I would like to thank everyone that responded for their help!

Now I need to start looking for a setting! I like the thin bands with pave or bead set diamonds, 4 prong, and for the diamond to sit low! I saw a Martin Flyer setting at a jewelery store that I really liked but they do not have it listed on their website. If you know of any settings fitting the description above please feel free to post a link! Thanks again!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/4/2009 10:32:55 PM
Author: hyer717
Well, I went and looked at the first diamond listed in this thread tonight and took it to an appraiser. The diamond checked out and looked really great in person so I went ahead and bought it! I would like to thank everyone that responded for their help!

Now I need to start looking for a setting! I like the thin bands with pave or bead set diamonds, 4 prong, and for the diamond to sit low! I saw a Martin Flyer setting at a jewelery store that I really liked but they do not have it listed on their website. If you know of any settings fitting the description above please feel free to post a link! Thanks again!

Many congrats to you!!!