Opinons please!

[x-treme]

Hello everyone,

I''m trying to see if anyone could recommend other alternatives to the diamond specifications that would not decrease brilliance and quality of the diamond of my choice. I was initially thinking that I wanted a Princess cut, Ideal cut, VV1-VV2, E-F, .80-1ct. Price - $4000 maximum.

First and foremost, I would like the cut to be ideal because I want it to sparkle as much as possibly, therefore, the other 3 C''s is where my concern lies.

I wanted quality and brilliance; however, I''ve been reading postings where I could decrease the colour to possibly G-H and still carry it''s beauty, but i''m skeptical, as i''ve viewed ugly H colours before. As for the clarity, I don''t want to see any inclusions by the nake eye, nor do I want it appraised and it be noted that it contained alot of inclusions, I would feel as if I cheaped out just for the cut; therefore, I figured by staying between the VV1-VV2 range I would achieve this. Would dropping it one lever lower be a bad idea?
As for the difference in weight between .80 to 1ct, I know I cannot afford 1ct for my needs. Also, I''ve read postings where individuals have stated it''s very difficult to tell the size different between .80 and 1.0ct by examining it. For this reason, I''d like to stick around the .80 area.

If anyone could help me out with my decision I would appreciate it. What colour and clarity would best suit a brilliant/ideal princess cut?

Thank you!

 

[JulieN]

Only D IF.

Actually, I think you'll find VS1 to be VERY clean.

 

[pinkflamingo]

I have a VS1 and it is very clean, I cant find anything under a loupe. Seriously, there are 1 or 2 microscopic pinpricks. I think you should go for VS1 or 2.
Once again, Color does not make a diamond "ugly" it is cut. Cut will make your diamond sparkle. Also, a G will not look yellow. You can go even a little lower

This looks pretty good, just a little over budget with the pricescope discount:

1.024 I VS1

 

[eleguin]

I have an F VS2, which is extremely white with no visible inclusions (it's even really hard to find an inclusion under the loupe). If I could choose color/clarity all over again, I would stick with my F (I love the icy whiteness under any lighting in any angle), but I might consider dropping clarity to an SI1, as long as it is eye-clean. When all else was equal, the VS2 cost us about $4,000 more than an SI1 of the same carat, color, cut, etc. We debated for a long time and eventually went with the VS2 to have more peace of mind, but now I am thinking that it wasn't necessary and we could've saved a lot of money.

 

[JulieN]

ok, I guess...we should just start looking at some.

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/diamond/2088.html nice angles; really small table as well as pushing the 1.05 l/w ratio (pretty rectangular in the pictures)

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD00315752 wowza...50 degree crown angle, coupled with high crown.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD00314913

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD00400200 looks kind of nice so far, maybe because I can't read the crown angle....

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD00488654

 

[Oleander]

I''m very new around here, but wanted to chime in. The thing I have noticed about the color of diamonds is that at least up to "I" color, one only notices a difference in side-by-side comparisons. i look at my H stone and think it looks really bright and white, but if you put it next to a D, well, it looks less white. And how many times is that going to happen? I would venture to say never.

So maybe "sacrifice" some color levels and keep the high cut quality and good clarity rating.

 

[JCJD]

I have a G SI2 pear. No visible inclusions, the tip of the pear (where you should see the most color because of less light return there) is white white white. If you go with a great princess cut, you *should* be able to go down to I color and see no tint, if you''re like most people, and you can even find eye-clean I1 clarity diamonds!! VS stones are known on this site to occasionally have eye-visible inclusions, because of the inclusion''s color, the way it is reflected within the diamond''s facets, through the girdle, etc. If you are working with a reputable dealer over the net or on the phone who can give you this information first-hand (diamond in hand) or if you''re looking locally you can easily pick out a diamond that is eye-clean, sparkly, and white to your eyes at a cost you are comfortable with.