3 replies to this topic

[advseeker]

I'm looking for diamond for an engagement ring to be set probably in rhodium plated gold. I want to find a nice diamond in terms of quality, but my concern really comes down to getting the most out of what i pay for. In other words, I dont want to buy a smaller diamond with greater specs if they will go unnoticed due to the setting and such. I did a little shopping and found a diamond i liked at a diamonds direct location. I would first like an opinion about the gia cert specs and pricing:

Round Brilliant
Measurements: 5.18-5.21 x 3.16mm
Weight: .52 carat
color: E
Clarity: SI1 (crystal)
Cut: Excellent

Proportions:
Depth: 60.8%
Table: 59%
Crown angle: 34.5
Crown Height: 14.5%
Pavillion angle: 41
Pavilion depth: 43.5%
Star length: 55%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: thin to medium, Faceted (3%)

Finish: VG/VG

I know its difficult to tell too much from these numbers but i was quoted for 1600 on this diamond. It looks to be a reasonable price based on my research but i wanted a second opinion. Would i possibly be better off taking a hit in terms of color in order to upgrade other aspects such as size, clarity, polish or symmetry? Ultimately i will go with what i think looks good in my price range but which aspects tend to offer better performance? or will i even be able to notice some of these differences in performance once the rind is set?

many thanks

[diamondsbylauren]

If you're comfortable with the seller, and the fact that it is indeed, a GIA report- the price sounds reasonable.
You mentioned rhodium plated gold- hopefully you meant white gold.
Rhodium plating will turn yellow gold white- for a relatively short period of time.

[davidelevi]

advseeker, on Thursday, Oct 1 2009, 03:16 AM, said:

[snip]

I know its difficult to tell too much from these numbers but i was quoted for 1600 on this diamond. It looks to be a reasonable price based on my research but i wanted a second opinion. Would i possibly be better off taking a hit in terms of color in order to upgrade other aspects such as size, clarity, polish or symmetry? Ultimately i will go with what i think looks good in my price range but which aspects tend to offer better performance? or will i even be able to notice some of these differences in performance once the rind is set?

many thanks

All the below express my personal opinion; take them with a pinch of salt and don't be offended if they go in a direction opposite to what you think; at the end of the day, only you can make the call as to where to spend your money.

Polish or symmetry at (GIA) grade Good or above will have minimal - if any - visible effect on how the stone looks. Don't spend your money there, unless money is no object.

Choosing clarity is a matter of whether the inclusion is visible in normal use conditions. Many SI1 are eye-clean: you won't see the inclusion without a loupe, but some SI will have inclusions that because of colour or position may be visible. Going higher (VS) virtually guarantees that you won't see any imperfection, but it definitely means you'll pay more. Smart buyers on a budget buy SI stones that have "invisible" inclusions.

Colour is really a matter of taste. My suggestion is to go to a decent jeweller (Tiffany?), and see some diamonds in the various colour grades, both set and loose and ideally in different lights. See if you are more attracted to the icy whites or to the warmer ones. Bear in mind that you won't have a D diamond next to your H (or J) when you look at it every day, that colour differences of 1 or even 3 grades are truly minute when looked at in normal conditions, and that cut quality will have a significant effect on the perception of colour.

Size again is a matter of taste, but price in diamonds follows odd rules. Diamonds that are at or just above a multiple of 0.5 carat cost significantly more than diamonds that are just below that threshold. So you can get something that looks practically the same as a 0.50 but costs 10% less if you buy a 0.48. Again - go to a jeweller and look at the various sizes. Decide what looks good on your hand (or on the hand of someone that has hands of a similar shape and size to the intended wearer of the ring) based on your observation, not on the basis of a diameter measurement on a report. Also bear in mind that perceived size grows much more slowly than weight; a 50% weight increase only buys a 30% visual size increase.

Cut - although is difficult to measure and grade - probably has the largest impact on whether you will like the stone. At the end of the day, a diamond looks nice because of its ability to reflect and refract light in interesting ways. This is ultimately tied to how it's cut, not to its colour, finish or clarity. Having a GIA grade of Excellent (or an AGS 0 or 1 cut grade) is a good starting point. Having an expert you can trust that sees the diamond and tells you it is well cut is better. Looking at it yourself is best.

[denverappraiser]

advseeker, on Wednesday, Sep 30 2009, 10:16 PM, said:

I dont want to buy a smaller diamond with greater specs if they will go unnoticed due to the setting and such. I

Given this set of criteria, I'm surprised you chose an E/SI1. If price, size and what's likely to be noticed in the mounting are your top issues I would seriously rethink that selection. Why E and why SI1?

I agree with diamondsbylauren that the price for this stone is reasonable but it's also important to end up with what you want. A good price on the wrong thing is no bargain.

Neil