Round Yellow Diamond Halo - Help needed

[asethi100]

Hey guys,

I'm a new poster here and have found this forum very helpful! I'm having some difficult finding the right answers for searching for an engagement ring for my gf. She loves the idea of a very very light yellow center in a round halo setting.

A couple of questions:

1) How does color work for yellow diamonds in the non-"fancy"? I have seen on the internet a U-V diamond but when ask jewelers about those colors, they laugh at me and say that they are industrial diamonds or brown/dirty diamonds (no one buy these)?
... is this true, if so what color range can i look at?

2)What are some good places to buy round yellow round diamonds? I may go through diamondsbylauren.com but feel a little nervous about buying online without seeing the yellow diamond.

3)Any other recommendations when shopping for a yellow halo ring would be appreciated!

Below is an idea of what I'm trying to create without the yellow gold in the outer halo rim (from diamondsbylauren).

 

[LD]

Diamondsbylauren have some of the best non fancy coloured yellow diamonds i.e. the lower end of the colour grading spectrum. They look yellow and NOT horrible and brown. The thing is that most jewellers don't specialise in fancy coloured diamonds and they've just seen the coloured diamonds that can look dirty and horrible. For a great coloured diamond you need to look at the experts in that field. David at DBL is very free with his help and can work with all budgets. I believe he's on holiday at the moment but I know he has a few people that can help so why don't you drop them an email? David will often send you more photos and also has a great returns policy (although in all honesty he likes to make people happy and comfortable before they commit).

Leibish are another great source of FCDs but they really only deal with diamonds that have a GIA report and are what you would expect from "fancy" coloured diamonds - although if you're looking for a diamond sub-carat then they do sell in-house graded diamonds.

From my experience, W, X coloured diamonds can look like a gorgeous yellow/vanilla colour and can be absolutely wonderful. Take you time seeing what's on the market and then perhaps make a few phone calls and see who you can work with. I don't know if you're in or near New York but if so, it might be worth making an appointment to meet David and see what he has.

Good luck - and don't forget to come back with photos (and/or more questions)!!!!

 

[kenny]

Only about 80% of Leibish diamonds have GIA reports.
The rest have in-house grading or IGI reports, generally the lower-priced stones.

I've bought about 14 FCDs from Leibish and have returned around 5 for no-hassle refunds or exchanges.
Their service is excellent.

I also found these XYZs at Leibish:

 

[asethi100]

Thanks for the info. I will call up both companies and see what they can do.

For a round yellow - is clarity or cut more important?

- Aman

 

[stepcutnut]

I love that ring you posted from DBL!

I highly recommend working with David, he is a wealth of knowledge and great to work with!!! I have owned 7 rings and several other baubles from David and all have been lovely and he is happy to spend the time to work with the customer to educate them and make them feel comfortable with their purchase!!! Not only will he find you a gorgeous stone, but I like the idea of one stop shopping-so having him make a gorgeous ring for you too is a plus in my book

Good luck and please come back and post pics when you make your purchase .

 

[T L]

Thanks for the info. I will call up both companies and see what they can do.

For a round yellow - is clarity or cut more important?

- Aman

I would personally go with an SI stone in a yellow diamond. That will help you save some money, and the color also helps cover up flaws. I have some light yellow SI diamonds, and honestly, I can't see a thing in them with my naked eye. Look at those arrows on that DBL picture

My only other advice is to ask about fluorescence in the diamond. You don't want the fluorescence color to compete with the diamond color when it's exposed to sunlight or other UV rays.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Thanks for the info. I will call up both companies and see what they can do.

For a round yellow - is clarity or cut more important?

- Aman

I would personally go with an SI stone in a yellow diamond. That will help you save some money, and the color also helps cover up flaws. I have some light yellow SI diamonds, and honestly, I can't see a thing in them with my naked eye. Look at those arrows on that DBL picture

My only other advice is to ask about fluorescence in the diamond. You don't want the fluorescence color to compete with the diamond color when it's exposed to sunlight or other UV rays.

Agree 100%

My .25ct kite from Liebish is an "SI3" (They were just being careful) It's eye-clean unless you hold it just right and know where to look, but it doesn't make the diamond look like frozen yellow snow at all. The rest of my colored ones are SI1-SI2's and all the inclusions do are add fire and scintillation.

But as carat weight increases so does the visibility of inclusions. Just make sure the stone is eye clean to you!

I love a nice yellow stone and R-Z is very affordable. Make sure there is minimal brown in person and no blue fluor. Yellow, green, orange and no fluor are possible but yellow is what would really add a dynamic characteristic to what you and your future fiancee are looking for.

Good luck!

 

[LD]

Look for colour colour colour - that's the first element to look for.

As for fluorescence - I respectfully disagree with Davi. Some yellow diamonds (and other FCDs) actually benefit from fluorescence. Some don't. The problem is that you have NO IDEA whether the fluor will have a positive or negative impact on the yellow diamond unless you see it. There are no rules with fluor. With some yellow diamonds it makes them look better, in others, the blue wipes out the yellow of the diamond. As I said, there are NO rules. Therefore TL is right that you should ask if it has an effect on the diamond but you most definitely shouldn't rule out a diamond on that basis alone.

 

[asethi100]

I just found a 1ct u-v diamond on DBL. The fluorescence is a strong blue which seems to mask the yellow. I now see what you mean by fluorescence. The halo ring I posted above was a y-z color with very little fluorescence. It seems to make a difference as I thought the U-V below would be more yellow.

Any ideas on cuts? Should I go with the best I can afford? Thanks for comments above, it is a beautiful ring.

Diamond: http://rockdiamond.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-diamond-103ct-u-v-si1-round-brilliant-cut-diamond-gia-ex-cut-grade-r3831

GIA: http://diamondsbylauren.com/images/11/01/r3831cert.jpg

 

[LD]

I just found a 1ct u-v diamond on DBL. The fluorescence is a strong blue which seems to mask the yellow. I now see what you mean by fluorescence. The halo ring I posted above was a y-z color with very little fluorescence. It seems to make a difference as I thought the U-V below would be more yellow.

Any ideas on cuts? Should I go with the best I can afford? Thanks for comments above, it is a beautiful ring.

Diamond: http://rockdiamond.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-diamond-103ct-u-v-si1-round-brilliant-cut-diamond-gia-ex-cut-grade-r3831

GIA: http://diamondsbylauren.com/images/11/01/r3831cert.jpg

On this diamond the strong blue fluor is most definitely having an impact. This is exactly what it did to one of mine as well and I didn't like it. Having said that, I've got fluor in other yellow diamonds and it has a positive impact.

If you want a pale lemon diamond that will look VERY pale at times then this is probably the diamond for you.

However, if you want a yellow diamond that will always look yellow and stay yellow in most lights then this isn't the diamond for you.

How about this one - it's already set in a ring and the setting will emphasize the colour but it's the shade I think you're looking for? http://rockdiamond.com/index.php/jewelry/halo-diamond-ring--69-oval-set-east-west

 

[asethi100]

I found a diamond on DBL that I think is really nice. I'm wondering if I should pull the trigger on this. Specs are below: It is not GIA certified yet, but will be. My only concern is the depth is 75%. From reading the pricescope knowledge section, that seems a bit high (and not sure if the cut is good.)

Picture is below, with link. He is selling if for just under $4000 but would do a halo split shank platinum ring w/diamond for $6000. It seems like a really good deal but a bit nervous as a first time diamond buyer & would have to put it down full in cash.



http://rockdiamond.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-diamond-104ct-round-brilliant-y-z-natural-light-yellow-vs2-lovely-color-and-cut-r3912

Round Brilliant Diamond, Loose
WEIGHT: 1.04ct
SHAPE: Round Brilliant
COLOR: Y-Z, Natural Light Yellow
CLARITY: VS2
MEASUREMENTS: 3.33 x 1.99 x 1.50 mm
TOTAL DEPTH: 75.4%
FLUORESCENCE: MEDIUM BLUE
GIA REPORT #: 2105927709

 

[iLander]

I don't understand the measurements and if it really is only 3 mm round, that is exceptionally small for a 1 carat.

I have a 1 carat white diamond that is 7mm across. It's cut a bit flat, but I like it's "spready make", personally.

 

[SB621]

I don't understand the measurements and if it really is only 3 mm round, that is exceptionally small for a 1 carat.

I have a 1 carat white diamond that is 7mm across. It's cut a bit flat, but I like it's "spready make", personally.

I think he copied the wrong measurements...when you go to the link it gives the measurements as MEASUREMENTS:6.42 - 6.45 x 4.02 mm which sounds more on target for a 1 ct diamond.

For me I like the diamond but to me it seems more champagne colored then light yellow. Regardless it is stil lovely.

 

[T L]

I found a diamond on DBL that I think is really nice. I'm wondering if I should pull the trigger on this. Specs are below: It is not GIA certified yet, but will be. My only concern is the depth is 75%. From reading the pricescope knowledge section, that seems a bit high (and not sure if the cut is good.)

Picture is below, with link. He is selling if for just under $4000 but would do a halo split shank platinum ring w/diamond for $6000. It seems like a really good deal but a bit nervous as a first time diamond buyer & would have to put it down full in cash.



http://rockdiamond.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-diamond-104ct-round-brilliant-y-z-natural-light-yellow-vs2-lovely-color-and-cut-r3912

Round Brilliant Diamond, Loose
WEIGHT: 1.04ct
SHAPE: Round Brilliant
COLOR: Y-Z, Natural Light Yellow
CLARITY: VS2
MEASUREMENTS: 3.33 x 1.99 x 1.50 mm
TOTAL DEPTH: 75.4%
FLUORESCENCE: MEDIUM BLUE
GIA REPORT #: 2105927709

I think the blue fluorescence might compete with the yellow color in sunlight.

 

[asethi100]

Sorry David put the wrong details on it. It actually has no fluorescence.

New details are below. I am still debating between a single or split shank on the ring. Do you think its a good deal for $6000 w/ring (0.5 ct ring + 1.04 Ct Yellow).




WEIGHT: 1.04ct
SHAPE: Round Brilliant
COLOR: Y-Z, Natural Light Yellow
CLARITY: VS2
MEASUREMENTS:6.42 - 6.45 x 4.02 mm
TOTAL DEPTH: 62.6%
FLUORESCENCE: NONE

 

[T L]

l would not necessarily say it's a good deal, but I think it's a fair retail price.

$4K would be a good deal IMHO. These cape diamonds are much less expensive than their D to H counterparts, so keep that in mind. Also, you might save a little if you go with an SI stone. Since it's a cape diamond, I doubt you would see inclusions in some SI stones in this color category. That being said, it has nice arrows, but I'm not a cut expert. Someone in RockyTalky can help you better with the cut specifics.

 

[iLander]

This has nothing to do with what you're doing about the ring, but it's a general comment about DBL website; it makes me crazy that they only have hand shots for some of their rings and not all of them. I've spent a bunch of time on the site, but I can never really make up my mind, because 1 will have a hand shot, and the next ring won't. So I find it confusing. Even a mannequin hand is better than nothing. They hold some rings so close to the camera that I get confused on scale.

And Leibish makes me crazy because they don't have enough finished jewelry on their site, so I end up back at DBL, but then there's no hand shot . . .

And around and around I go.

Thread jack over.

 

[asethi100]

Thanks for all your help. I think i'm going to go ahead and pull the trigger. The diamond looks eye clean and could potential come bk as a Fancy light yellow from GIA. I hope that this diamond will make a beautiful ring. David from DBL seems to be great to work with for a first time diamond buyer.

 

[lovebug1031]

This has nothing to do with what you're doing about the ring, but it's a general comment about DBL website; it makes me crazy that they only have hand shots for some of their rings and not all of them. I've spent a bunch of time on the site, but I can never really make up my mind, because 1 will have a hand shot, and the next ring won't. So I find it confusing. Even a mannequin hand is better than nothing. They hold some rings so close to the camera that I get confused on scale.

And Leibish makes me crazy because they don't have enough finished jewelry on their site, so I end up back at DBL, but then there's no hand shot . . .

And around and around I go.

Thread jack over.

I am right there with you!!! I stalk DBL like its my job and as a LIW DREAM of a FCD for my e-ring, but hello can you do hand shots of ALL of them! even the loose stones just to see size next to the hand....grrrrr