Please help me with my first potential online purchase :)

[jz77]

After the replies i received from this forum, I am strongly leaning towards buying the engagement diamond from Whiteflash. Really appreciate the helpful comments here on PS. I am choosing between:


1) http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2668681.htm

AGS#: 104052379013
Report Type: The Platinum Light Performance Diamond Quality® Document
Shape and Style: Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.48 - 6.51 x 3.94 mm
Cut Grade: AGS Ideal 0
Color Grade: AGS 1.0 (F)
Clarity Grade: AGS 4 (VS2)
Carat Weight 1.010
Fluorescence: Negligible

Light Performance: 0
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Table: 58.0%
Crown Angle: 34.9
Crown Height: 14.5%
Girdle: Faceted, 1.2% to 3.4%
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Pavilion Depth: 43.1%
Star Length: 55%
Lower Girdle Length: 77%
Total Depth: 60.7%
Culet: Pointed

This diamond has a HCA score of 1.6.

Light Return: Very Good
Fire : Excellent
Scintillation: Excellent
Spread
or diameter for weight: Very Good

Price: US$10,392.00

2) http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2715447.htm


AGS#: 104054573035
Report Type: The Platinum Light Performance Diamond Quality® Document
Shape and Style: Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.44 - 6.47 x 3.97 mm
Cut Grade: AGS Ideal 0
Color Grade: AGS 1.0 (F)
Clarity Grade: AGS 4 (VS2)
Carat Weight 1.013
Fluorescence: Negligible

Light Performance: 0
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Table: 57.1%
Crown Angle: 34.8
Crown Height: 15.0%
Girdle: Faceted, 1.4% to 3.8%
Pavilion Angle: 40.9
Pavilion Depth: 43.3%
Star Length: 52%
Lower Girdle Length: 77%
Total Depth: 61.6%
Culet: Pointed

This diamond has a HCA score of 1.8.

Light Return: Excellent
Fire: Very Good
Scintillation: Very Good
Spread
or diameter for weight: Very Good

Price :US$10,423


Is Diamond 1) better than 2) and it is cheaper as well.

3) I was told by WF that I can send it to Ben Gordon for appraisal before and after it is set. Is he reliable and independent?

4) WF is reputable right? Anyone encounter problems with them from overseas? It would be a terrible hassle for me to ship it back to US (shipping and insurance may be costsly).

5) How is the ACA diamonds compared to the branded cuts such as Lazare and Hearts on Fire? I have read that the ACA cuts are equivalent if not better than these branded cuts.

6) How are the settings quality from WF? I am currently looking at a couple of settings from WF.

Thank you for your advice.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

Those are both beautiful stones and honestly, you could toss a coin and choose one! I have seen a Hearts on Fire diamond and I certainly believe WF ACA diamonds are equal or better. I have a pair of their diamond studs and my oldest daughter has an engagement ring from them, also 1 ct. (And I have a couple of other jewelry items from them as well.)

You do know that there is a PS member discount, right? Just wanted to be sure!

I have bought several diamonds from WF, and I can highly recommend them! I told you in your other thread that I didn't think you needed an independent appraiser, but I didn't realize that you meant that you would have it set there as well. In that case, I can see why you want to be certain the stone is set perfectly before it is sent to you.

 

[sarahb]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

I am not an expert, merely a consumer. I made my first online purchase from WF, and was simply blown away.

The setting was perfect, as were the diamonds. They were gorgeous!! Everything was represented accurately. Cannot say enough about the entire transaction. Totally off the charts, top to bottom, great first time experience. Customer service/communication, excellent.

I plan on an ering upgrade, (originally purchased pre PS), & WF will be my first call!

Here is my WF purchase thread. Good luck on your decision!!
sarahb

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wf-eternity-ring-arrived.181339/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wf-eternity-ring-arrived.181339/[/URL]

 

[mgrant]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

I am far from an expert on reading the ASETS or Ideal scope. #1 looks like it has a very marginally better ideal scope and I don't think it would make a noticible difference in real life.

#2 appears to have better symmetry and better hearts and has a slightly smaller table which a lot of people seem to like.

They are so close it probably wont make a difference except to your wallet.

I have a good feeling about #2 though

 

[SMC]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

Can you get someone at WF to look at the stones and compare them for you? I know Brian Gavin does that for his in-house stones. I would then pick whichever one they say performs better.

 

[04diamond<3]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

Personally, I'd go with #1. I've never seen a stone be approved on here that has VG for 3 out of 4 of the categories on the HCA so I have no clue what's going on! But I like the aset o the first stone better. The regular pictures for both stones look identical as well as the idealscopes so either way you'd be getting a beautiful stone.

 

[jz77]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

Those are both beautiful stones and honestly, you could toss a coin and choose one! I have seen a Hearts on Fire diamond and I certainly believe WF ACA diamonds are equal or better. I have a pair of their diamond studs and my oldest daughter has an engagement ring from them, also 1 ct. (And I have a couple of other jewelry items from them as well.)

You do know that there is a PS member discount, right? Just wanted to be sure!

I have bought several diamonds from WF, and I can highly recommend them! I told you in your other thread that I didn't think you needed an independent appraiser, but I didn't realize that you meant that you would have it set there as well. In that case, I can see why you want to be certain the stone is set perfectly before it is sent to you.

Yes I know there is a PS discount thanks!

So if i get WF to set it, it would be better to send to an appraiser? Is Ben Gordon good and independent (as they are recommended by WF).

Another small concern of mine is that this is a 1.01ct diamond. I was told that if i get a 1.00ct i should get slight bigger as if the diamond chips, it will be less than 1.00ct and we lose the value of the diamond (since we paid 30% more for 1 ct or more). Should I worry about this?

Thanks

 

[jz77]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

I am not an expert, merely a consumer. I made my first online purchase from WF, and was simply blown away.

The setting was perfect, as were the diamonds. They were gorgeous!! Everything was represented accurately. Cannot say enough about the entire transaction. Totally off the charts, top to bottom, great first time experience. Customer service/communication, excellent.

I plan on an ering upgrade, (originally purchased pre PS), & WF will be my first call!

Here is my WF purchase thread. Good luck on your decision!!
sarahb

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wf-eternity-ring-arrived.181339/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wf-eternity-ring-arrived.181339/[/URL]

Wow thats really beautiful! Thanks for your opinion!

 

[jz77]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

Can you get someone at WF to look at the stones and compare them for you? I know Brian Gavin does that for his in-house stones. I would then pick whichever one they say performs better.

Yeap, getting them to look at it now. They suggest why not i go for a 0.9ct since the I could save alot of money and the size difference is not much, perhaps by milimetres. However, they do not have a 0.9 ACA that suits by needs at the moment. Ideally i would want a 1ct diamond.

 

[jz77]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

Personally, I'd go with #1. I've never seen a stone be approved on here that has VG for 3 out of 4 of the categories on the HCA so I have no clue what's going on! But I like the aset o the first stone better. The regular pictures for both stones look identical as well as the idealscopes so either way you'd be getting a beautiful stone.

I am leaning towards 1) as well due to the two excellent and two very good scores on HCA. thanks!

 

[jz77]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

Alternatively, if chipping is really a worry. I could go for (but prefer not to as this is more expensive):

3) http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2676066.htm

AGS#: 104052819033
Report Type: The Platinum Light Performance Diamond Quality® Document
Shape and Style: Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.49 - 6.55 x 4.01 mm
Cut Grade: AGS Ideal 0
Color Grade: AGS 1.0 (F)
Clarity Grade: AGS 4 (VS2)
Carat Weight 1.042
Fluorescence: Negligible
Light Performance: 0
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Table: 56.2%
Crown Angle: 34.9
Crown Height: 15.2%
Girdle: Faceted, 1.4% to 3.8%
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Star Length: 53%
Lower Girdle Length: 78%
Total Depth: 61.6%
Culet: Pointed

HCA Score is 1.5

Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread
or diameter for weight Very Good

US$10,721.00

 

[jz77]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

Oh my this is confusing, the Singapore store just gave me another diamond:

4) GIA triple Ex
Measurements: 6.48 - 6.50 x 3.97 mm
Carat Weight: 1.03 carat
Color Grade: F
Clarity Grade: VS2
Cut Grade: Excellent
PROPORTIONS

Depth: 61.2%
Table: 58%
Crown Angle: 34.0°
Crown Height: 14.0%
Pavilion Angle: 41.0°
Pavilion Depth: 43.5%
Star Length: 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted (4.0%)
Culet: None
FINISH

Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None

HCA score is 1.5.
Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Very Good
Spread
or diameter for weight Very Good

US$11,902 (WITH pave diamond settings).

I would prefer to buy from Singapore as I am going there soon and I can inspect the diamond. There are no idealscope or ASET images unfortunately. This diamond is promising yes?

 

[aaronx88]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

US$11,902 (WITH pave diamond settings).

I would prefer to buy from Singapore as I am going there soon and I can inspect the diamond. There are no idealscope or ASET images unfortunately. This diamond is promising yes?

Please take into consideration that those small little stones might not be ideally cut as well. You wouldn't want your centre stone to look brilliant while the side stones looks dull. Are the quoted setting in Platinum or 18k White Gold? Also, please note that platinum metal smith are not very common in Singapore since most consumer prefer white gold. If you are looking for pave diamond settings, BGD has huge choices. I recently purchase the fishtail pave with Novela head.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/side-stones/

Settings are important for an e-ring. I would first choose the desired settings and then worry about the centre stone since either WF or BGD will have exceptionally well cut stones that will blow almost 99.5% of the not ideally cut stones sold in B&M stores in Singapore. My wife get stares and compliments all the time on her diamond jewelry (fire and brilliant).

Lastly, do you have a maximum budget? If we know your budget, we can advise you a lot better, e.g 10.5k on 1ct diamond + 2.5k on platinum pave settings = 13k

Thanks.

Aaron

 

[jz77]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

US$11,902 (WITH pave diamond settings).

I would prefer to buy from Singapore as I am going there soon and I can inspect the diamond. There are no idealscope or ASET images unfortunately. This diamond is promising yes?

Please take into consideration that those small little stones might not be ideally cut as well. You wouldn't want your centre stone to look brilliant while the side stones looks dull. Are the quoted setting in Platinum or 18k White Gold? Also, please note that platinum metal smith are not very common in Singapore since most consumer prefer white gold. If you are looking for pave diamond settings, BGD has huge choices. I recently purchase the fishtail pave with Novela head.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/side-stones/

Settings are important for an e-ring. I would first choose the desired settings and then worry about the centre stone since either WF or BGD will have exceptionally well cut stones that will blow almost 99.5% of the not ideally cut stones sold in B&M stores in Singapore. My wife get stares and compliments all the time on her diamond jewelry (fire and brilliant).

Lastly, do you have a maximum budget? If we know your budget, we can advise you a lot better, e.g 10.5k on 1ct diamond + 2.5k on platinum pave settings = 13k

Thanks.

Aaron

Okay noted. The settings is 18k white gold white side diamonds. As for budget around total with settings US$11,500 or less i guess.

 

[jz77]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

Appreciate your thoughts on the 3) and 4) diamonds above. Thanks anyone?

Ignore 1) and 2) for now

 

[SMC]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

Appreciate your thoughts on the 3) and 4) diamonds above. Thanks anyone?

Ignore 1) and 2) for now

What are you hoping to accomplish by inspecting diamond #4? You're not going to have the WF diamond to compare it with to see if it's as good or better. You'll be looking at the diamond under the magical jewelry store lights and it's going to look great, especially to novice eyes.

I think that the specs of #4 seem to check out. Can't say that it will be better or worse than WF ACA diamonds. Personally, I would go for the ACA diamonds because those are guaranteed to be great performers and have perfect H&A (which commands a premium).

 

[jz77]

Re: Please help me with my first potential online purchase :

Appreciate your thoughts on the 3) and 4) diamonds above. Thanks anyone?

Ignore 1) and 2) for now

What are you hoping to accomplish by inspecting diamond #4? You're not going to have the WF diamond to compare it with to see if it's as good or better. You'll be looking at the diamond under the magical jewelry store lights and it's going to look great, especially to novice eyes.

I think that the specs of #4 seem to check out. Can't say that it will be better or worse than WF ACA diamonds. Personally, I would go for the ACA diamonds because those are guaranteed to be great performers and have perfect H&A (which commands a premium).

Hi sortmon. I am not going to inspect 4) as I don't have the time being cause I would have to put in a deposit to book 4) don't think it is refundable(they may allow me to change to another diamonnd). Thanks understood