Newbie Needs Advice

[BRS]

I am looking to buy an engagement ring diamond. My budget is between $4-5,000. Based on what I have seen so far, I am leaning toward buying a stone between: 1.15-1.2ct, I color, VS2-Si1 and as close to "ideal cut" as possible. My hope it to find a "very good" cut stone that still looks great and has nice light performance, but might save me a few dollars.

After doing some searching online I found two diamonds that seem to meet the criteria I''ve been using. Do these look like nice diamonds? Which one looks better? What is my next step in deciding which one to buy?

#1
Price: $5,000
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 1.20
Color: H
Clarity: SI1
Graded By: GIA
Cut Grade: Ideal
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: Strong
Measurements: 6.76 x 6.84 x 4.19

Depth - 61.6
Table - 58
Crown% - 35.5
Pavilion% - 40.6
1.5 Excellent on the HCA scale.

#2
Price: $4,800
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 1.23
Color: I
Clarity: SI1
Graded By: GIA
Cut Grade: Preferred
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Medium
Measurements: 6.91 x 6.95 x 4.26

Depth - 61.65
Table - 55
Crown% - 34.5
Pavilion% - 41
1.8 Excellent on the HCA scale.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[stone-cold11]

Numbers look promising. Request for an idealscope image, ask if the stone is eye-clean and also if the fluor causes the stone to look oily/hazy.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/12/2010 10:14:07 AM
Author:BRS
I am looking to buy an engagement ring diamond. My budget is between $4-5,000. Based on what I have seen so far, I am leaning toward buying a stone between: 1.15-1.2ct, I color, VS2-Si1 and as close to 'ideal cut' as possible. My hope it to find a 'very good' cut stone that still looks great and has nice light performance, but might save me a few dollars.

After doing some searching online I found two diamonds that seem to meet the criteria I've been using. Do these look like nice diamonds? Which one looks better? What is my next step in deciding which one to buy?

#1
Price: $5,000
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 1.20
Color: H
Clarity: SI1
Graded By: GIA
Cut Grade: Ideal
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: Strong
Measurements: 6.76 x 6.84 x 4.19

Depth - 61.6
Table - 58
Crown% - 35.5
Pavilion% - 40.6
1.5 Excellent on the HCA scale.

#2
Price: $4,800
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 1.23
Color: I
Clarity: SI1
Graded By: GIA
Cut Grade: Preferred
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Medium
Measurements: 6.91 x 6.95 x 4.26

Depth - 61.65
Table - 55
Crown% - 34.5
Pavilion% - 41
1.8 Excellent on the HCA scale.

Thank you so much!!!

Hi BRS and welcome!

The first one has potential, check that the very strong blue fluorescence isn't making the diamond look cloudy in some lights, if the vendor can see the diamond in person then they will be able to advise. An Idealscope image would also be useful to evaluate this diamond.

The second has potential but again an Idealscope image is needed in order to check for light leakage due to the angle combo, leakage may or may not be an problem. Medium blue fluorescence won't be an issue.

Do you know if these diamonds are eyeclean? Also concerning the Ideal GIA cut grade, GIA's highest grade is excellent so this term is probably vendor applied, should you come across this again bear in mind its no guarantee of a well cut diamond.

 

[BRS]

Yes, I was told that the 1st one was eye-clean. Would a hazy/oily looking stone be considered eye-clean?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/12/2010 1:45:34 PM
Author: BRS
Yes, I was told that the 1st one was eye-clean. Would a hazy/oily looking stone be considered eye-clean?

It could yes as the term eyeclean refers to the presence of visible inclusions or not as the case may be. A negative effect from fluorescence might not be considered in that respect, it is best to check both as separate issues.

 

[stone-cold11]

ditto.