noob here: i need your expert advice

[lilhelp]

Hi pricescope,

Im looking for an e-ring. My ideal ring that im looking for would be a 1 ct diamond platinum solitare ring. Im looking to spend no more than 4500.
I've looked at costco rings and they seem to be in my price range but would have to go to a .80 ct. Ive tried malls and chain jewlers like gordons/zales but the diamonds at coscto seem to be better based on what I've read so far.

here is what im lookin at coscto
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11596284&whse=BC&Ne=5000011%204000000&eCat=BC|108|28447|55926&N=4041850%204294967119&Mo=69&pos=0&No=19&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|0||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10573-Cat28447&topnav=

also would you be able to tell the difference between a .80 and a 1ct.

im willing to buy the diamond and setting in different places if I get a better deal. any recommnedations would help.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tyty333]

Hi lilhelp,
There is no telling how well that stone is cut. We like to stick to stones that have been graded by GIA/AGS so we have the
depth, table, pavilion and crown angles. These specs along with other things help to determine how well a stone will perform.

You will be able to tell the difference between a .8 and a 1 carat. However, I would rather have a well cut .8 then a badly cut
1 carat (these you might not be able to tell the difference in size).

Do you have to have platinum?

What is the lowest color you are willing to go to? H/I/j?

Psers can look and see what we can find in your budget but I have to leave...I'm sure someone else will look though or give
you pointers on how to look.

tyty

edit - here are some nice .8s, havent had a chance to look for anything larger yet though...
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2517187.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2428269.htm

 

[JulieN]

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1297366.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1245437.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1123138.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1326325.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1333851.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

All of these will be pretty nice. You can ask JA which ones are eye-clean, and then get the Ideal Scope pictures for them.

 

[lilhelp]

what should i worry about more the inclusions that come with the diamond if its a sI1? or cut?

I really would like it to be at least 1 ct.

Do you guys think i can find a 1 ct round diamond for about 3000 - 3500 range? a good one

the difference i would put to towards the setting. I like the idea of creating my own vs buying on from a retail store or costcos.

 

[D&T]

would you consider going down to a k? especially a super IDeal cut K.... it will be so sparkly won't even see any tint really unless you are color sensitive.

Plus you will be putting it in platinum, I think you might like this, plus if you get tired of the color, you can always upgrade with GOG 100% down the road http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7560/

 

[lilhelp]

which place sells the cheapest diamonds online certified?

 

[antelope1]

Certified by whom?

EGL certs are the cheapest because that lab grades the loosest. AGS/GIA grade more consistently (so you're probably going to get what you're paying for).

You're going to have to decide whether you want a smaller, quality stone from a vendor who will let you upgrade later, or the absolute cheapest diamond you can find that will be over 1ct (and possibly look like frozen pee in direct sunlight).

 

[lilhelp]

i would ike it to be certified by gia.


whats more imortant cut or clarity?

 

[JulieN]

Most SI1s are eye-clean and many SI2s are eye-clean. At your budget, it would pay off for you to look for the eyeclean SI stones.

 

[MarkBroumand]

You haven't answered these questions:

Is platinum a must?

How low are you willing to go in color?

---

Now to answer your question, most PSers would agree that cut is most important. A well cut stone will optimize light performance and minimize leakage, giving you amazing fire and brilliance. Besides that, a well cut stone will help to balance out a lower color grade, make the stone look bigger, etc...

When it comes to clarity, usually eye-cleanliness is the key. No one wants to spot inclusions dead-on. A jeweler can check this for you and also warn you if any could be detrimental to the stone, which is usually not the case.

 

[slg47]

i would ike it to be certified by gia.


whats more imortant cut or clarity?

Cut will have more of a visual impact (unless you are at like I3 clarity). I would second Julie's suggestion and look for eye-clean SI stones. The cut quality of the diamond will determine how much it sparkles and its overall appearance. Use the PriceScope search by cut function to find stones that score well on the HCA

 

[lilhelp]

whats more important is the diamond not the platinum setting.

can you guys recommended some eye clean round diamonds in my price range.

 

[D&T]

whats more important is the diamond not the platinum setting.

can you guys recommended some eye clean round diamonds in my price range.

many people have offered suggestions on diamonds in your price range, you haven't acknowledge anyone and you haven't obviously looked at any of the diamonds that people have suggested to you. I"m not sure how anyone can help you futher if you don't give any feedbacks to those who have already suggested something?

If you are wondering if a diamond is eye clean, its best to ask the vendor that you choose your diamond from to view it for you, no one here can tell you except the vendor themselves, unless you go up in clarity which then will eat up your budget and carat weight will decrease unless you go lower in color. The vendors themselves are not permitted to speak about their stone here that are currently for sale.