Opinion on this diamond

[edoard]

Hello everyone,
I’m new to the forum and the diamond world (exciting time). I’m looking to buy an engagement ring and I would like to receive a second opinion on the attached diamond (1.2, D, SI1 - sorry no photo or video). Indicative price is around £11k (I’m based in London), what would it be in your opinion a fair price?
Thank you in advance,
Edo

 

[lovedogs]

This isn't a diamond we would recommend, especially without pics or video.

Its deeper than recommended and both crown and pav are steep

 

[JSG2185]

Not within ideal range unfortunately. Some sort of pictures/videos would be helpful but going on numbers alone, I’d pass on this stone….

Hello everyone,
I’m new to the forum and the diamond world (exciting time). I’m looking to buy an engagement ring and I would like to receive a second opinion on the attached diamond (1.2, D, SI1 - sorry no photo or video). Indicative price is around £11k (I’m based in London), what would it be in your opinion a fair price?
Thank you in advance,
Edo

 

[Kim N]

I would also pass on this stone. Would you be open to buying online, for example from Blue Nile UK?

 

[sledge]

Definitely pass. This is a classic steep-deep combo meaning it has a steep crown paired with a steep pavilion and creating a stone that has too much depth. It will leak light making the diamond look dark and not provide maximum fire.

Being too deep also forces carat weight into the vertical plane of the diamond reducing the horizontal plane (diameter of the stone). So not only will it perform poorly but it will look small for its carat weight when compared to a well cut diamond.

 

[edoard]

Thank you everyone for the feedback; this is extremely helpful
I requested a few alternatives based on your recommendation. I am also open to buying online, but, honestly, I do not have the experience to select among 1K+ different diamonds.

Edo

 

[DejaWiz]

Check out the "Cupid's Ideal" lineup over at 77 Diamonds (based in London):

Round Cut Loose Diamonds

Round cut diamonds at incredible prices. Buy loose certified brilliant diamond from 77 Diamonds. Search round brilliant diamonds by weight, colour and cut.

www.77diamonds.com

 

[DejaWiz]

...if you and yours are open to LGD, then you can start a thread over in the LGD/MMD subforum and we can make some great recommendations from some of the UK/EU sellers.

Example: GIA graded HPHT 1.63 D VS1 40.6/34.5/55 with 75% lowers and a satiable gorgeous appearance in the video...£2,360 (before VAT).

If you and yours want natural grown, then stick to it.

 

[lovedogs]

Thank you everyone for the feedback; this is extremely helpful
I requested a few alternatives based on your recommendation. I am also open to buying online, but, honestly, I do not have the experience to select among 1K+ different diamonds.

Edo

We can definitely help with this!

 

[sledge]

Diamond shopping is no different than anything else. As an example about 2-3 months back I bought my wife a new SUV. The dealership had a decent stock; however, most were basic or near basic trim levels. There were a few “limited/luxury” editions and there was ONE performance version that was turbo charged, selectable suspension adjustment for various driving styles, etc. As you can imagine cost varied considerably as well. Long story short, we ended up with the turbo charged badass one.

I’m a little envious and we both smile when we drive it, although I am by far the more aggressive driver. As a bonus the manufacturer lets us choose between two locations and go stay in a fancy retreat and run the snot out of their vehicle (same SUV) on the track to teach us the full capabilities and limitations. All on their dime. I can’t wait to go, I am going to burn the tires off that baby! Maybe I can teach them to be more aggressive drivers….or I may be asked to leave. Time will tell.

Okay back to diamonds….use this quick and dirty set of proportions to narrow down the choices to a manageable amount:

54-57 table
34-35 crown
40.6-40.8 pavilion
60-62 depth
75-80 lower girdle facets (LGF)
0-2 HCA score

I might add we can sometimes push the crown/pavilion (c/p) values as long as you follow an inverse relationship rule. For instance, you may be able to squeeze out 34/41 or 35.5/40.6. Essentially if the crown is steep or shallow you want to match it with an inverse complimentary pavilion angle.

All these proportions work with each other so it’s important to ensure they all fall within range. That said there are other factors less in our control. The reported proportions are based on averaged and rounded actuals. Also symmetry comes into play. Because many diamonds are cut for maximum weight (most $) and not maximum beauty there are many ways to “cheat” the cut quality, which is where advanced images (ASET, hearts & arrows or simply H&A and/or idealscope) can help level the field for the buyer.

The ASET and idealscope images will help confirm maximum light return. While H&A images may also pinpoint a true H&A diamond, it really tells us more about the symmetry of the cut. Evenly poorly cut stones exhibit (crude) looking H&A that identify hearts of unequal size, twisted points, uneven clefts, etc.

For buyers that seek more of an “easy button” approach there are several super ideal vendors that sell ideal cut stones that are true H&A. They normally cost more as cutting for beauty vs profit costs more money as you can’t maximize diamond rough and thereby increase unsaleable waste, it takes more time & precision to cut to higher levels, there are increased costs for advanced imagery to prove their quality and they normally have a premium lab report and sometimes come with dual reports. Several also offer a stellar upgrade program that is hassle free and avoids red tape — something as simple as 100% value of the original stone value for something of equal or greater value, no other catches.

Effectively you pay a small premium for a super ideal but it’s a guaranteed performer and within the best of all diamonds in the world.

This isn’t to say there aren’t absolutely stunning diamonds that aren’t super ideals — because there are, but you have to work hard to find them. Lucky for you we are pretty good at finding them and can help if you let us.

 

[Kim N]

Thank you everyone for the feedback; this is extremely helpful
I requested a few alternatives based on your recommendation. I am also open to buying online, but, honestly, I do not have the experience to select among 1K+ different diamonds.

Edo

Here are a few for you to take a look at.

https://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD19904521

https://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD21039874

https://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD21140351

https://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD21036733