To ideal scope or not?

[Roilciuc]

Hi my names Ben and I am beginning my search for an engagement ring. I am planning to design it myself and I will need one round brilliant diamond around one carat and two smaller marquise cuts. Not sure on total carats on those two because they will be set in the band so they need to be pretty thin, ill have to see them to know. I want to buy the diamonds online or downtown at the suppliers, my friend said he can get me in there to buy the diamonds because he has connections. I still need a good jeweler to design the ring so if anyone is in the Chicago area and wants to recommend anyone let me know. The question i have, among many others, is if its worth for me to buy an ideal scope to check the cut of the diamond. If there is a marketplace section on ps let me know, maybe someone is selling one. Thanks a lot for all your help.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If you are in Chicago, Dimend Scaasi makes nice settings and I would absolutely work with them on the design and let them source the marquise at least. Do not buy the stones before the ring is designed! Except I might locate some potential center stones for price comparison purposes from somewhere like James Allen to help you be sure they are giving you a good price. Stick with GIA excellent cut only.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

And whatever you do, do not go to the supposed diamond "wholesalers"!!! That is about the most common way we see people scammed here!

 

[JulieN]

You should check out the super-ideal Infinity diamonds at Dimend Scaasi so you have an idea of what to look for.

 

[Roilciuc]

How big is the difference between a GIA excellent and very good cut? And is GIA the best or should I consider other diamonds rated by other standards?

 

[Roilciuc]

Is dimend scaasi very expensive or is it resonably affordable?

 

[JulieN]

You can check out prices on their site: www.dimendscaasi.com

Get the best cut you can and lower your carat size, rather than get a noticeably larger but less well-cut diamond. Some GIA VG are ok, many not. Many GIA EX are ok, some not.

If you need the marquise for side stones, I suggest you let the jeweler who is making your setting do that.

 

[ChrisES]

You can check out prices on their site: www.dimendscaasi.com

Get the best cut you can and lower your carat size, rather than get a noticeably larger but less well-cut diamond. Some GIA VG are ok, many not. Many GIA EX are ok, some not.

If you need the marquise for side stones, I suggest you let the jeweler who is making your setting do that.

This is the right advice.

The tricky thing is this: every diamond is different. Thus, grades such as "very good" or "excellent" are ranges, and they can cover not only stones that are objectively better or worse (such as poor light return) but also stones that are just *different,* say for example with bigger or smaller flashes of fire. So if you're diamond shopping by the numbers you are literally playing a numbers game - the higher the cut grade the MORE LIKELY the particular stone is objectively excellent and also one that you would like. The very best grades from the very best labs can include some clunkers, which is why you should also get idealscope images and/or a gemologist's opinion on the stone(s), but lower grades are MORE LIKELY to include clunkers. You can find a great stone for a lower price, a, ahem, diamond in the rough, in lower grades - but it isn't as likely. You have to decide if you want to invest the time and risk into looking at lower graded stones.

But I will say this: as someone who purchased his fiancee a "very good" which was a standout, which she and I are both very happy with almost a year later, and which routinely looks brighter than other engagement rings we notice around town and that her friends have....I would not do it again. I consider myself very lucky and will only purchase "excellent" stones from now on. It's just safer.

 

[cluelezz]

This advice will greatly help me in choosing which diamond is better when the ideal scope images come out.

 

[Rosebloom]

Dimend Scassi does some beautiful design work and is very willing to work with their customers to bring their designs to life. Last time I was in their shop they were showing me CADS of a design they executed for someone. They were very impressive. They also are one of the only jewelers that I'm aware of in Chicago that routinely uses an ASET and idealscope to evaluate their diamonds. I'd recommend making an appointment with Isaac and having him talk you through diamond basics and their design services. Frankly I'd get all your stones from him too because he knows his stuff (and surprisingly, plenty of diamond dealers don't). You can always compare prices with a similar stone at James Allen and ask them to match the cost if there is a difference.

I would have the jeweler making your ring source the marquises. It will be quite difficult to get a perfect match of the shape on your own.

Also, avoid diamond wholesalers unless you are extremely knowledgable about diamonds and can sort through the masses to find the best diamond.

Only consider GIA Excellents or AGS Ideals.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with! The design sounds beautiful.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

It would be nice to have an ideal scope on-hand in case you find a diamond locally that you like. Also, it's just a fun tool to have and you may want it for future purchases. You don't need a fancy one! Just the basic.

 

[Roilciuc]

Thank you everyone, now to the drawing board

 

[Dancing Fire]

And whatever you do, do not go to the supposed diamond "wholesalers"!!! That is about the most common way we see people scammed here!

YUP!!