9 replies to this topic

[diamond noob]

Choice 1: 9,700

Choice 2: 10,100

[davidelevi]

I had a strange feeling when the only two things that appeared were the prices... (images blocked by VPN firewall)...

On paper the second one is by far the better stone. Have you seen them? You may like them differently than what the cut grades say.

[diamond noob]

I saw the first one in person today from my jeweler. It looked great.

Second one is a bluenile stone.


The cut difference is the thing thats hanging me up. Definitely seems worth the extra $400.



Another question: Would you say you'd prefer to have medium/strong fluoresence on a J color diamond than have no fluoresence?

[davidelevi]

Many BlueNile stones are available to others in the trade; you could ask your jeweller to call the stone in assuring him you will buy one or the other, or you can pay for the BN stone on your credit card, and send it back if you feel the extra money is not worth it, or that you'd prefer to buy from your local jeweller.

On Fluorescence: no preference - unless the fluorescent diamond trades at a discount (and then I'd get the discount). Fluorescence may help the diamond look whiter in sunlight, but a] there are relatively few opportunities for someone to look at a diamond through the side in sunlight, and b] they will look a lot whiter in all lighting situations if they are well cut, so I'd spend on that.

For example, look at the larger centre stones in this 1920s clip:



reasonably white, right? Well, not if you look at them from the side...



where they can be seen for the K-L stones they are. Both pictures are unretouched, taken with the same camera a few seconds apart in natural light. Also note how the leftmost stone shows colour in both images, but the others don't.

Edited by davidelevi, 02 November 2010 - 01:06 PM.

[LaurieH]

I'm personally leaning towards the first stone, if you've seen it in person and were wow'ed by it. Yeah, you could go for something with a little less fluorescence, but I'm personally a fan of fluor in lower color stones (even those at the lower end of near colorless) as long as they don't interfere with the appearance--ie looking a little milky or 'greasy". If that's not the case here, it can only bring up the apparent color, if it's gonna do anything at all.

With the other stone, though, being also in the VS category, and having an EX cut grade, if your jeweler or you want to bring in the blue nile stone for comparison, and your jeweler will hold the first stone, I'd say go ahead and compare side-by-side. But I'm a bit of a "bird in the hand" kinda gal--if you love the first stone's appearance in person, don't dicker over one level in the cut grade (you're golden in VG or EX--there's not AS much of a difference as when you're stepping down one more level, etc) and a tiny bit of money--in the grand scheme, it's better to not let a great stone get away in hopes of getting just a tiny bit better stone. Not to mention the stress level. But that's just me...do for yourself what you gotta do!

Good luck!


(and Davide--that pin is FAB! wow!)

[diamond noob]

My jeweler doesn't have access to the BlueNile stone and is very anti-BlueNile in general. I don't want to offend/anger him by bringing it in myself (although I have to realize I am the customer here and should be getting what I want for all this money). I know if I don't I will always be curious about this other stone.

[davidelevi]

Can you put it on a credit card, see it and ship it back if you don't like it more than the other one?

Total cost - if you time it right - shipping back and forth. Peace of mind? Priceless. With apologies to MasterCard. On the other hand, Laurie has a point. If you like the first one, it comes with a nice local jeweller attached, and it is a nice evening out cheaper.

Laurie - just for you:



Cartier, 1937; Mellerio, ca. 1925;
R. Yard, ca 1930 (one of a pair)

Noob - apologies for the threadjacking.

Edited by davidelevi, 04 November 2010 - 02:42 PM.

[LaurieH]

Sorry to continue the threadjacking a little longer, but OMG Davide...you're killing me! Those are *gorgeous*! It's a little early for my bday, but if you wanna send the one on the left my direction, I wouldn't be crazy enough to refuse it LOL

[diamond noob]

Threadjack all you'd like. You guys have been a huge help to me haha

I can put it on a credit card. Initial shipping to me is free so only cost would be shipping back. Don't think my jeweler is going to be too pleased about the situation though.

[HeartAndStone]

Hello diamond noob!

You don't need to please a professional jeweler.
Sooner or later, he'll be happy for you and
who knows, maybe you can delete his anti-thing about BN.
Win-win!
Cheers!