Please help me select a diamond

[Noobie88]

I have a been Pricescoper lurker for months and learned so much from all of you--thank you! I am going to take the plunge and purchase a diamond for my girlfriend, but now that the time has come to choose I am really getting overwhelmed.

My budget is up to $7500 for a RB diamond, but I would really prefer to stay in the $6-7K range. A Hearts and Arrow is not a must--I really want a diamond that is sparkly with lots of fire that looks big! I have searched the preferred vendors and would prefer to go through James Allen just because they have settings I prefer. Here are a few that interested me--what are your thoughts? Or, if you have the time and are willing, do you see others on their site you would recommend? I am going to call James Allen tomorrow or this weekend and order, I know they may not get it to me in time for Xmas, but I can always make it a New Years Proposal.
Thanks for looking and any advice you can provide is much appreciated.

Diamond 1:
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 1.17
Cut: Hearts & Arrows Ideal
Color: I
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: AGS
Depth: 60.5%
Table: 55.5%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Neglible
Measurements: 6.87*6.89*4.16
Crown Angle: 34.4°
Crown %: 15.30
pavilion Angle: 41.0°
pavilion %: 43.40
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=130&item=1193896

Diamond 2: Not an Hearts and Arrow, but performed well on the Cut Adviser. This one is $400 cheaper than #1.
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 1.26
Cut: Ideal
Color: I
Clarity: SI1
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 61.9%
Table: 57.0%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Medium to thick, faceted
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.90*6.95*4.29
Crown Angle: 34.5°
pavilion Angle: 41.0°
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=130&item=1143248

Diamond #3: The budget diamond--under $6k and seems pretty decent for the price, but the table is small--that means the diamond would look smaller, right?
Carat weight: 1.11
Cut: Hearts & Arrows Ideal
Color: I
Clarity: SI1
Certificate: AGS
Depth: 62.1%
Table: 55.2%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Neglible
Measurements: 6.62*6.65*4.12
Crown Angle: 34.4°
Crown %: 15.40
pavilion Angle: 40.9°
pavilion %: 43.10
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193889.asp

 

[JulieN]

A small table doesn''t make a diamond look smaller.

It''s just the lightest carat weight of the three you picked.

Can you link them now?

 

[Noobie88]

Looks like I still have a lot to learn!

I added links underneath each diamond to my OP.

 

[JoeNewbie11]

I''d go for Diamond #3, looks like a nice SI1 and at a good value.

 

[SYC]

Hmmm, the diamonds you posted could be promising -- just to be safe, I usually like to pick ones with at least 3 excellents though, and ideally right in the middle of the GIA excellents and AGS ideals.

So how about this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1203116.asp

It is a 1.20, I VS1 for $6000. AGS0, ideal polish and ideal symmetry. It came up as a .7 on the HCA, with three excellents and one very good for spread. It looks like it could be very sparkly, with a lot of brightness.

VS1 may be a bit of overkill, but it is not classified as an H&A, which helps you avoid that price bump (although I''m not sure that JA has such a huge price bump for H&A). I think it''s promising, but of course you''ll want to ask them about it, and request Idealscope images for any diamond that you''re seriously considering of course.

 

[JulieN]

The 1.11 I SI1 looks the best. Put it on hold.

 

[Mrs W]

Date: 12/18/2008 11:53:06 PM
Author: SYC
Hmmm, the diamonds you posted could be promising -- just to be safe, I usually like to pick ones with at least 3 excellents though, and ideally right in the middle of the GIA excellents and AGS ideals.

So how about this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1203116.asp

It is a 1.20, I VS1 for $6000. AGS0, ideal polish and ideal symmetry. It came up as a .7 on the HCA, with three excellents and one very good for spread. It looks like it could be very sparkly, with a lot of brightness.

VS1 may be a bit of overkill, but it is not classified as an H&A, which helps you avoid that price bump (although I'm not sure that JA has such a huge price bump for H&A). I think it's promising, but of course you'll want to ask them about it, and request Idealscope images for any diamond that you're seriously considering of course.

Great pick SYC, that would be my choice if IS is good, which im sure it is and the 1.11 is great also, it would be between those two....

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/19/2008 12:14:06 AM
Author: JulieN
The 1.11 I SI1 looks the best. Put it on hold.

Ditto

 

[Ellen]

Date: 12/19/2008 3:50:05 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 12/19/2008 12:14:06 AM
Author: JulieN
The 1.11 I SI1 looks the best. Put it on hold.

Ditto

Thritto.

 

[Noobie88]

Thank you all for your help!

I didn''t even see the 1.2. It gets overwhelming when you go to actually pick one, you know?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/19/2008 8:58:37 AM
Author: Noobie88
Thank you all for your help!

I didn''t even see the 1.2. It gets overwhelming when you go to actually pick one, you know?

You are most welcome!

 

[Noobie88]

Update: I contacted James Allen and spoke with Darin. He said he wasn''t sure whether they would be able to get the ring to me by Christmas but would ask.
Jim Schultz then called me back and promised the ring by Christmas Eve, and went through the diamonds with me and said that the 1.2 was the best choice for my budget. He was very friendly and helpful, and said that he could provide the Idealscope, but that I wouldn''t get that until Monday and that would delay my shipping, and that I didn''t really need it because this was a great choice.
So I ended up with the 1.2 in this setting:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-2853_design.asp?module=setting

I can''t wait to see it in person! I am really pleased with James Allen and the service I received. And thanks to all of you for your help!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/19/2008 2:41:25 PM
Author: Noobie88
Update: I contacted James Allen and spoke with Darin. He said he wasn''t sure whether they would be able to get the ring to me by Christmas but would ask.
Jim Schultz then called me back and promised the ring by Christmas Eve, and went through the diamonds with me and said that the 1.2 was the best choice for my budget. He was very friendly and helpful, and said that he could provide the Idealscope, but that I wouldn''t get that until Monday and that would delay my shipping, and that I didn''t really need it because this was a great choice.
So I ended up with the 1.2 in this setting:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-2853_design.asp?module=setting

I can''t wait to see it in person! I am really pleased with James Allen and the service I received. And thanks to all of you for your help!

Many congrats!!! Jim is a great guy and really cares about his customers!!!

 

[SYC]

Date: 12/19/2008 2:41:25 PM
Author: Noobie88
Update: I contacted James Allen and spoke with Darin. He said he wasn''t sure whether they would be able to get the ring to me by Christmas but would ask.
Jim Schultz then called me back and promised the ring by Christmas Eve, and went through the diamonds with me and said that the 1.2 was the best choice for my budget. He was very friendly and helpful, and said that he could provide the Idealscope, but that I wouldn''t get that until Monday and that would delay my shipping, and that I didn''t really need it because this was a great choice.
So I ended up with the 1.2 in this setting:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-2853_design.asp?module=setting

I can''t wait to see it in person! I am really pleased with James Allen and the service I received. And thanks to all of you for your help!

Wow, just saw these updates! Congratulations on finalizing the ring!!

I''m so glad to have been of help. Please remember to post PICTURES when you get the ring!!

 

[Mrs W]

Congrats!!! Great choice, So glad you got some extra carat weight too! Please do come back with some pictures and handshots...

 

[EricaR]

Congrats! It looks like you got a great stone and a beautiful setting. I hope it gets to you in time and, more importantly (because I''m selfish!) I hope we get to see some photos once it is finished.

 

[Noobie88]

Absolutely--I will be sure to post pics! I have always enjoyed looking at everyone''s rings on here.

 

[Ellen]

Yay! That''s going to be a beautiful ring, well done!