SIZE vs. quality

[psurox]

Hi all! After reading the plethora of information on this site, I feel I’m in a position to finally go out and get a stone for an engagement ring and make an informed decision doing so, however I don’t have a lot of experience actually “looking” at stones and the subtle differences between each. I want to get a high quality stone, but a full carat high quality stone is a little out of my price range, so I’m thinking more along the lines of a 0.9 carat (F-G, VVS2-VS1, and 1-3 HCA cut). My girlfriend really wants a one carat or more (I think just to say she has a full carat and also to say she got a bigger rock than her mother). In order to meet her wishes, I’ll have to make some sacrifices in the quality to be able to afford a full carat or slightly more.

So, my questions to those who can see the differences in color and clarity are:

1. What is the limit in color? Will it be an “I” or can I get away with a “J” without her friends knowing the difference?

2. What is the limit in clarity before you can actually see flaws without magnification? Can I go as low as SI2 or SI3 without her fiends seeing anything wrong with it?

A couple general questions:

3. I’m planning to go to the Diamond District in NYC. Anyone with experience there: do they have the GIA or AGS certifications for their diamonds readily available? How much cheaper are their stones compared to going to a jeweler?

4. I was also thinking about getting a diamond with fluorescence so the effects of the yellow tint would be lessened. Any thoughts?

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome

Ok, you can certainly drop the clarity to an SI1 or even S12 , many here have completely eyeclean diamonds in these ranges, the SI grades may have to be taken on a case by case basis but online vendors will advise you as to if each diamond is eyeclean. SI3 is an EGL grade that many in the industry don't recognize, often used to describe a higher I1. SI2 is about the lowest you can go without seeing inclusions, there are some great I1's out there which are clean but they can take some searching for.

Regarding colour, again many have great diamonds in I's and J's which face up very white if well cut, you may see a little warmth from the side but you have to decide if this is ok for you and it can depend on the individual vision. A G or and H can be a good middle ground. Fluoresence is a great thing in many opinions ( including mine!) opinions can vary as to if this does help a lower colour face up better, I am inclined to think it does, but others may feel differently. Faint to med is a nice asset to any diamond I think, also strong if it doesn't make the diamond look milky or oily, but this is rare - strong is very nice IMO!.

The diamond district can be a challenge to the unwary I am told, I bought from Michael Jay who also has an online inventory and he was great, recommend him completely, but do be careful. Have you looked online? I am sure others will have some more recommendations for you in the DD. Do you mind me asking what you would like to spend? Is it a round you want? Maybe we could help you find a great diamond! Whatever you do, make cut your top priority as this is what makes a diamond sing!!!!! Possibly that full carat might be achievable! Hope this helps!

 

[f0rbidden]

hi. there are some GREAT vendors in the NY diamond district.

Diamonds on 5th is there
as is engagementrings direct, I believe
and my personal fave, angel diamond (where I bought my diamond and ring!)

I don''t think any of these places will have less than a wonderful selection for you - in fact, you can usually see at least some of their inventory at their websites to give you an idea of what you''re looking at. If you are comparing to a store in the local mall - YES the prices will be better. The prices of some amazingly wonderful online vendors are also something to consider.

i, personally, have seen eye clean Si2 diamonds - and those were emerald cuts, that are usually a lot less forgiving than some other shapes. I can''t say about the I vs. J color, as I''m super color sensitive and the not icy white of a colorless diamond kinda bugs me - but i''m the exception, NOT the rule.

Happy Shopping!!!!!

 

[Lorelei]

psurox, you might find this thread useful regarding the diamond district.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ny-diamond-district-worth-the-trip.2591/=

 

[gracie007]

the diamond i fell in love with is an I. It had some flourescence in it, which I was told, makes a colored diamond look whiter...i put it beside an H on a white tray...and my I looked whiter! seeing is the best measurement to me!

 

[Lorelei]

Virginia''s Ring Here''s the link!

 

[valeria101]

IMO, G-H/SI1 should still be a very safe bet around 1 cts. Lower than that for either color or clarity it is up to you - worth taking a look at, sure enough.


However, between .9cts and the grades you mention and 1 carat... I''d bet that looking for F-G/SI1 would make both the quality cut and the budget.

It may be worth looking around online before hitting the shops too.

My 2c

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/28/2006 1:25:27 PM
Author: Virginia
Thanks, Darling! Wish I could figure out how to do that!

Easy - Belle taught me how to do it! Go to your thread, highlight the www part and not the http, copy, then go to your reply. You will see a chain icon at the top right of the reply section. Click on that, a box opens and you will see where to paste it, below is a title part, add your title then click submit at the bottom - hopefully that will work, if not someone else might be able to explain it better!

 

[Lorelei]

Hope it works!

 

[psurox]

You all are great! Thanks for all the input (I would have replied earlier, but my boss actually wants me to do work at work). Virginia...beautiful rock! I hope I get that lucky.

I found a great sized diamond and the quality that I''m looking for. I''m going to post a question about it; if you don''t mind, check it out and give me your opinion.

 

[squarediamondlove]

If you are in the New York area, you have to go visit Goodoldgold (GOG) they have top quality stones and a great selection of diamonds, including the H&A and Eighternity. I'm don't know the price range that you had in mind but here are some stones form their sight.

1.29 H&A J Si2 $5,363
1.02 H si1 - Eighternity These Eighternity cuts are huge sparkers!

Here are some other diamonds I found running a search, including a 1.01ct H&A H si2 for $4,090.

As far as color, I think if you stick with an I color or higher you should be fine and clarity will be even less visible than color as long as you stay with si1-si2 or higher.

 

[squarediamondlove]

Also, here is a great value stone 0.97ct H&A E Si2 $4,049

It will be completely colorless stone (look white white white and she can tell her girlfriends that its an E color, second highest color grade), the inclusions will not be noticable to an observer, it will look like a 1ct and she can tell everyone that its a 1ct and the quality of the cut will outperform any of her freinds rings by a mile (no contest) and its $40 less than the 1.01ct H Si.

I myself have a 1.97ct and I always tell people its a 2ct when they ask me. It is absolutely impossible to distinuish between it and a 2ct and in fact it has larger proportions (in millimeters) that most 2cts. Most people tell me that they though it was a 2.5 or 3ct b/c of its spread and the setting.