Which would you pick?

[kay1]

Hi!

If you had a choice, which of these would you prefer?
(ct / clarity / colour / fluorescence - HCA score)

1.87 / VS1 / H / Strong (HCA 0.9) - base price

1.71 / IF / H / Faint (HCA 1.9) - extra $1,000

2.46 / VS2 / J / None (HCA 3.9) - extra $1,600 (Cloud near table)

2.49 / VS2 / J / None (HCA 2.0) - extra $2,000 (Needle near table)

2.50 / VS1 / J / Strong (HCA 4.9) - same as base price

Although they vary by about $1k to $2k, they are more or less the same price. The Cloud/needle shouldn't be visible at those clarity grades, and I could send it back if they are, but I'd be cutting it pretty fine to proposal time to find a replacement ring if that were the case.

So it's a weigh up between colour / ct weight / HCA score and a gamble on clarity to some degree.

Interested in your opinions

 

[SHOWBIZ]

Have you seen these diamonds in person? If so, which ones look the best? If not, do you have idealscope images? It's hard to decide which diamond is better without knowing how they actually perform.

I would take a closer look at these two:
1.87 / VS1 / H / Strong (HCA 0.9) - base price
2.49 / VS2 / J / None (HCA 2.0) - extra $2,000 (Needle near table)

And go with the one that looks the best or has the better idealscope.

 

[baby monster]

I find J too tinted for my taste so would choose first one.

 

[30yearsofdiamonds]

Let's eliminate;
Buying an IF diamond is totally unnecessary-out.
That leaves one stone with no UV and the rest with strong blue UV.
If you throw out the ones with no UV because it is a J, those 2 stones will appear the yellowish-out.
Now you have 2 left with strong blue UV
J-strong blue will look more like an I color, and the H will look more like a G, the HCA is much better for the 1.87.
I would chose the 1.87

 

[Gypsy]

I wouldn't pay for IF clarity.

I wouldn't pay for anything more than eyeclean SI1 or VS2 in a round.

COMPLETE waste of money.

 

[Andelain]

I'd toss all the J's because I don't like the tint. I'd throw the 2 with the hight HCA's especially far. If the 2 H's, I'd got for the VS stone. No sense paying extra for an IF, since you won't see the difference.

 

[krisjon]

The 1.8 H with VS1 and good numbers.

 

[kay1]

How about this:

2.01 / VS2 / I / None

HCA is 2.1 but it's an AGS0 diamond. Is it worth the single colour drop to go upto 2 ct and be sure of the cut (AGS0) rather than rely on HCA? There's no idealscopes available for any of the others.

 

[kay1]

Ok I'm swaying to this one:

2.50 ct / J / VVS2 / Strong Blue
8.68 x 8.65 x 5.40 mm
HCA 1.8
$21,500

The VVS2 isn't really by choice, if there were a VS2 for less with similar specs i'd go for that but there isn't.

I know J is too yellow for some, but I saw a G, H, J and K next to each other at debeers recently and I couldn't tell a difference between G and J (once set) unless i really looked and put them right next to each other. With fluorescence and a good light return i'm not that concerned, and would rather have more ct weight instead.

 

[krisjon]

How about this:

2.01 / VS2 / I / None

HCA is 2.1 but it's an AGS0 diamond. Is it worth the single colour drop to go upto 2 ct and be sure of the cut (AGS0) rather than rely on HCA? There's no idealscopes available for any of the others.

You don't need HCA if it's AGS 0. AGS 0 has confirmed ideal light performance. HCA is only a predictor.

 

[msop04]

1.87 / VS1 / H / Strong (HCA 0.9) - base price

2.49 / VS2 / J / None (HCA 2.0) - extra $2,000 (Needle near table)

So it's a weigh up between colour / ct weight / HCA score and a gamble on clarity to some degree.

Interested in your opinions

I have a 2.43 J and I love it -- however, my setting doesn't expose the stone from the sides. Since you are planning to get a solitaire (what you mentioned in other thread), I wouldn't recommend a J. If you told us your budget, we could help you look.

 

[msop04]

Ok I'm swaying to this one:

2.50 ct / J / VVS2 / Strong Blue
8.68 x 8.65 x 5.40 mm
HCA 1.8
$21,500

The VVS2 isn't really by choice, if there were a VS2 for less with similar specs i'd go for that but there isn't.

I know J is too yellow for some, but I saw a G, H, J and K next to each other at debeers recently and I couldn't tell a difference between G and J (once set) unless i really looked and put them right next to each other. With fluorescence and a good light return i'm not that concerned, and would rather have more ct weight instead.

THIS ONE!!!! Have you looked at the stone?? If not, put it on hold ASAP and take a look!

 

[kay1]

Ok I'm swaying to this one:

2.50 ct / J / VVS2 / Strong Blue
8.68 x 8.65 x 5.40 mm
HCA 1.8
$21,500

The VVS2 isn't really by choice, if there were a VS2 for less with similar specs i'd go for that but there isn't.

I know J is too yellow for some, but I saw a G, H, J and K next to each other at debeers recently and I couldn't tell a difference between G and J (once set) unless i really looked and put them right next to each other. With fluorescence and a good light return i'm not that concerned, and would rather have more ct weight instead.

THIS ONE!!!! Have you looked at the stone?? If not, put it on hold ASAP and take a look!

That was my thinking too! At that sort of price and HCA etc, I could change my setting to mask it a bit?

EDIT: oh and budget is about $22k ($25 ish with the setting)

 

[kay1]

It's on hold Here's the report for it:

http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pagename=GST%2FDispatcher&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=6157942152

 

[msop04]

Ok I'm swaying to this one:

2.50 ct / J / VVS2 / Strong Blue
8.68 x 8.65 x 5.40 mm
HCA 1.8
$21,500

The VVS2 isn't really by choice, if there were a VS2 for less with similar specs i'd go for that but there isn't.

I know J is too yellow for some, but I saw a G, H, J and K next to each other at debeers recently and I couldn't tell a difference between G and J (once set) unless i really looked and put them right next to each other. With fluorescence and a good light return i'm not that concerned, and would rather have more ct weight instead.

THIS ONE!!!! Have you looked at the stone?? If not, put it on hold ASAP and take a look!

That was my thinking too! At that sort of price and HCA etc, I could change my setting to mask it a bit?

EDIT: oh and budget is about $22k ($25 ish with the setting)

kay1, now you're speakin' my language! If she's not happy with it,you can always return or trade up! Originally, I picked out a 2 ct I/SI2 (eye clean) stone, but I held out for a 2.43 J/SI stone, and I've never looked back! (I'd only go up in color if I changed my setting, but I doubt I'd find a 10mm+ stone in the H range with what I'd have to spend! )

 

[msop04]

It's on hold Here's the report for it:

http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pagename=GST%2FDispatcher&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=6157942152

I would be on this stone like CRAZY if...
- you are going to set it such that the sides aren't as exposed as a solitaire
- you can make sure the SBF doesn't affect the stone in a negative way (haziness/milkiness)
- there is a good return/trade policy... just in case

A 2.4 stone will look significantly larger than a 2 ct stone.

 

[kay1]

It's on hold Here's the report for it:

http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pagename=GST%2FDispatcher&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=6157942152

I would be on this stone like CRAZY if...
- you are going to set it such that the sides aren't as exposed as a solitaire
- you can make sure the SBF doesn't affect the stone in a negative way (haziness/milkiness)
- there is a good return/trade policy... just in case

A 2.4 stone will look significantly larger than a 2 ct stone.

- you are going to set it such that the sides aren't as exposed as a solitaire
I can probably find something, the original petal setting wasn't _that_ bad, as in the idea could have been refined in some way, where it covers the sides - minus petals of course!

- you can make sure the SBF doesn't affect the stone in a negative way (haziness/milkiness)
They told me they have them checked, and if there's anything like that they put a note ('call to order this diamond') which shows up when they reference it. This one is clean.

- there is a good return/trade policy... just in case
Blue Nile - so 30 days, just shipping to pay, maybe worth the risk. It's on hold for a few days, which gives me time to figure out the setting and see if it's an option

 

[msop04]

- you are going to set it such that the sides aren't as exposed as a solitaire
I can probably find something, the original petal setting wasn't _that_ bad, as in the idea could have been refined in some way, where it covers the sides - minus petals of course!

- you can make sure the SBF doesn't affect the stone in a negative way (haziness/milkiness)
They told me they have them checked, and if there's anything like that they put a note ('call to order this diamond') which shows up when they reference it. This one is clean.

- there is a good return/trade policy... just in case
Blue Nile - so 30 days, just shipping to pay, maybe worth the risk. It's on hold for a few days, which gives me time to figure out the setting and see if it's an option

This is great news! I've never ordered from BN, but I've read that they give great customer service -- so I would put that stone on hold ASAP so that no one grabs it before you do!

So you like the idea of the "petal" looks... does it have to be on the prongs? Could it be incorportated in the basket? Are you dead-set against a halo?

(sorry so many questions, just trying to get a better feel of what you're open to...)

 

[msop04]

This is what I'm picturing... it's a Steven Kirsch, but you could have a similar one made. I love love LOVE this halo setting, and it would be perfect for "camouflaging" the sides. It also incorporates the soft petals into the basket, so she'll get to see it every time she looks down at her ring... It is exquisite!

 

[kay1]

This is great news! I've never ordered from BN, but I've read that they give great customer service -- so I would put that stone on hold ASAP so that no one grabs it before you do!

So you like the idea of the "petal" looks... does it have to be on the prongs? Could it be incorportated in the basket? Are you dead-set against a halo?

(sorry so many questions, just trying to get a better feel of what you're open to...)

Sorry to confuse you again I think the petals as is are too bulky and risky - what i meant to say was that covering the sides of the diamond like that (more with some of the other settings we talked about in the other thread) in itself isn't horrible and a lot of them look great. Take the Lege one in the youtube video for example. So what i meant to say was it's doable with a nice outcome from what i've seen.

After seeing that halo from ERD in the other thread i'm thinking about a halo again

I guess let's start the other way round, what are the options:

1) Halo - REALLY NICE! : [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-vs-h-color-in-round-diamonds.199354/#p3629475']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-vs-h-color-in-round-diamonds.199354/#p3629475[/URL]

2) Some kind of basket that doesn't show too much of the diamond from the side:
Something like this may work?

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/six-prong-regal-truth-18k-white-gold-5401w18
http://www.dimendscaasi.com/settings/settings-platinum-New-designs-set-diamond-engagement-rings-stella

3) Something else I haven't considered?

 

[kay1]

This is what I'm picturing... it's a Steven Kirsch, but you could have a similar one made. I love love LOVE this halo setting, and it would be perfect for "camouflaging" the sides. It also incorporates the soft petals into the basket, so she'll get to see it every time she looks down at her ring... It is exquisite!

Are their rings expensive

EDIT: WOW their rings are AMAZING. I may have to up my budget :/

 

[msop04]

Sorry to confuse you again I think the petals as is are too bulky and risky - what i meant to say was that covering the sides of the diamond like that (more with some of the other settings we talked about in the other thread) in itself isn't horrible and a lot of them look great. Take the Lege one in the youtube video for example. So what i meant to say was it's doable with a nice outcome from what i've seen.

After seeing that halo from ERD in the other thread i'm thinking about a halo again

I guess let's start the other way round, what are the options:

1) Halo - REALLY NICE! : [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-vs-h-color-in-round-diamonds.199354/#p3629475']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-vs-h-color-in-round-diamonds.199354/#p3629475[/URL]

2) Some kind of basket that doesn't show too much of the diamond from the side:
Something like this may work?

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/six-prong-regal-truth-18k-white-gold-5401w18
http://www.dimendscaasi.com/settings/settings-platinum-New-designs-set-diamond-engagement-rings-stella

3) Something else I haven't considered?

The settings you listed will show the sides of the diamond... you need to find something that covers the bottom (just a smidge under the girdle). EX: sorry it's sideways... LOL



I will look around for some different styles, trying to keep it around $3K...

 

[msop04]

This is what I'm picturing... it's a Steven Kirsch, but you could have a similar one made. I love love LOVE this halo setting, and it would be perfect for "camouflaging" the sides. It also incorporates the soft petals into the basket, so she'll get to see it every time she looks down at her ring... It is exquisite!

Are their rings expensive

EDIT: WOW their rings are AMAZING. I may have to up my budget :/

SK is expensive compared to ERD or other benches. Although no bench will make a carbon copy of another artist's ring, you can slightly change thing or two and they can do it... ERD and IDJ are known for doing great custom work at a reasonable price. But, yes, SK and VC have some of the most awesome hand forged settings I've seen! There are many vendors that do nice work...

 

[kay1]

FYI I got a quote on this:

http://www.stevenkirsch.com/engagement/halo/r0119.html

$6,400. I'm not sure if that's alot for this kind of setting?

 

[msop04]

FYI I got a quote on this:

http://www.stevenkirsch.com/engagement/halo/r0119.html

$6,400. I'm not sure if that's alot for this kind of setting?

I don't think it's that bad, considering it's hand forged and known to be such great quality... But it is if it highly exceeds your budget, KWIM? I'll bet ERD could do it and save you at least $2K... I'd ask them for a quote.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yep, try Engagement Rings Direct. They make nice halo settings.