Help! Choosing between 3 1.2c+ Diamond Stones

confuzzl3don3 on 11/01/2018 - 09:23

Hi guys, hopefully there's some diamond pros hidden among the OzB community. Just wanted to get people's opinions on which one would be best value for a solitaire engagement ring.

1) GIA 627545342
Price $11,119 AUD
F
VS2
Faint fluorescence
3Ex
1.21c (6.98-7mm diameter)
HCA 1
notably has some crystals that seem to be more periphery of table

2) GIA 52736294545
Price $11758 AUD
E
VVS2
Faint fluorescence
3Ex
1.19c (6.73-76mm diameter)
HCA 2.6
only scattered pinpoints mainly on bottom, only downside is smallest dimensions

3) GIA 6272529296
Price $11900 AUD
D
SI1
No fluorescence
3Ex
1.3C (6.92-95mm diameter)
HCA 1.7
lot of centre crystals though and on the 10x magnification can see the dark crystal in lower right of table
would it be eye clean to the naked eye?

Images are in the attachments. Sorry don't have any pics for 1, 2 yet or any detailed analysis with ideoscopes, etc as this dealer doesn't do them.

Super thanks in advance!

Cheers.

Poll Options

  • 6
    Option 1
  • 11
    Option 2
  • 8
    Option 3
Fashion & Apparel

Comments

  • confuzzl3don3 on 11/01/2018 - 09:24

    Just realised it won't let me attach stuff so just check out a post I made on a diamond forum for some advice as well for the images.
    https://www.diamondreview.com/forum/topic/10967-help-choosin…

  • PugHugger on 11/01/2018 - 09:46
    +3

    If you do a quick google of the 4 Cs (cut, colour, clarity, carat) you'll find generally anything between about a D - F in colour is very difficult for the human eye to see the difference in.

    I would always get something with the least amount of inclusions. That is your VVS2. In my view S1 diamonds imperfections are visible to the naked eye if you are looking.

    I would go with option two which has the second best colour and minimal inclusions in this case. Sure it is not the largest but anything over 1c is still going to look substantial.

    • confuzzl3don3 on 11/01/2018 - 09:48

      I wonder if I just fork out more money and get something bigger….diamonds sigh, these marked up little gems :P

  • djsweet on 11/01/2018 - 09:49

    Size and clarity are the only attributes in the listed diamonds that you can differentiate between without magnification (your fiancee isn't going to look at it under a microscope). VS1 and higher inclusions cannot be seen without magnification.

    Colours D-F usually would be mounted on white gold or platinum, otherwise you might as well get a larger less clear diamond as the gold colour shines through.

    I would just go for the bigger of options 1 and 2 (which is option 1).

    Edit: Extra advice. If mounting on yellow gold, get the biggest VS1, I-J diamond you can afford with a decent cut.

  • Seraphin7 on 11/01/2018 - 09:50

    In my opinion, you want to go with option 2.

    Where other variables are similar, I favour the clarity dimension. I note this in in cases where you are otherwise dealing with very similar diamonds in terms of colour, cut and carat as you are here.

    For me, I'd stick with the VVS rated diamonds. I appreciate the VS ratings are still very fine diamonds, although the SI rating would be a bit of a concern for me.

    On the matter, of the size of these diamonds, in practical terms you can't tell the difference … you are talking about a quarter of millimetre from smallest to largest.

    At the end of the day, your money and your choice, but I'd always go for the highest quality (rarest) diamond which appears to be option 2 here.

  • Archi on 11/01/2018 - 10:00
    +2

    ideally you are buying as a gift an not reselling…

    SI1 you wont see by eye and no one is going to bring out a loupe at a party and say hey that's not flawless.

    make sure person who sets the diamond in the ring to place where there is most dark matter under the claw of the ring.

    the fluorescence will affect the 'sparkle'

    option 3 will appear bigger larger diameter smaller depth. more light more sparkle.

    colour you will be more noticeable. not that you could tell between D and E

    you are paying more for VVS2 but no one knows it other than you and maybe the bearer.

    depends on the bearer what type of person she is.

    someone that wants to flaunt the details.
    someone that just flaunts that it is a pretty ring
    no one is going to ask all the details apart from maybe the size/weight

    I choose option 3 better colour, larger stone, no fluorescence, better dimensions for sparkle

    • djsweet on 11/01/2018 - 10:16
      +2

      I agree with your reasoning. I was seriously tossing between 1 and 3 as the best option. The reason I didn't choose 3 is because the SI1 inclusions are often visible to the naked eye (that said, without training it is unlikely you would notice them). If the inclusions are not noticeable in 3, I would pick 3.

      • Archi on 11/01/2018 - 10:24
        +1

        the most visible and noticeable thing that the bearer will notice and tell everyone is how much it sparkles. colour, cut and dimensions affect this. the more light that enters the diamond to reflect light to give off the sparkle.

        • dcep on 11/01/2018 - 10:45
          -1

          $2 zircon from aliexpress gives the same sparkles , no ?

        • Archi on 11/01/2018 - 10:53
          -1

          @phunkydude:

          you mean cubic zirconia,

          possibly

        • blawler05 on 12/01/2018 - 08:37

          For those characteristics. You could buy a moissanite, and most people would not know the difference. If buying one though, be warned under certain lights, some moissanite can get a green tinge to them. Other than that 99% of people would think they are a real diamond.

          However, Never buy one and pass it off as a Diamond if your Mrs is expecting a Diamond.

          I personally could never bring myself to buy something that costs the same as a small car, you wear on your finger and is so common.

      • confuzzl3don3 on 11/01/2018 - 11:37

        haha unfortunately that is what I can't determine since I can't physically see the diamond, which was why I was hoping if people with experience about diamonds could help out how likely it would be

  • donbot on 11/01/2018 - 10:48
    +3

    As someone who has done almost exactly the same as you are right now, albeit 2 years, the only things that matters is the size and sparkle. Odds are they wont give two shits about colour, clarity, depth, flourescence, etc, just that its sparkly and size is right.

    I looked up what I got, and I went with slightly smaller rock than what you're looking at (1.01C), but a really well cut SI1 G - it has inclusions listed on the GIA Report (and what appears to be a decent size crystal on the table), but is 100% eye clean - you can not see an inclusion at all - and when I got it I spent hours looking at it. I just looked up the HCA on mine is 0.8. The reflection looking into it is a perfect arrows, and throws off a lot of light and sparkle.

    Also remember you've also got claws on the ring that will be holding this diamond - so inclusions on the outskirts are probably not going to be visable at all, even if you can see them on the bare diamond.

    Lastly - dont forget import taxes if you're bringing this in from overseas. Whatever the cost is, I'm certain 10% GST will apply - not sure about duties, etc. Be sure before you order!

    • confuzzl3don3 on 11/01/2018 - 11:37

      Good advice. Buying locally so apart from normal GST being applied (which is already included) won't need to pay duties. Did you manage to see your stone prior to purchasing. The downside is the location of these are overseas so the dealer has to get them shipped in so can't physically see IRL. And from what i understand, unlikely to do returns so will probably lose the deposit (about $1000). Dang HCA 0.8 is good.

      • donbot on 11/01/2018 - 13:31

        No I didnt see it beforehand, which was a massive punt but paid off as I think it beats what I could source locally at the price I got it at, including GST. You'll see when looking at various diamonds of 3Ex, there are differences between them when looking at them in the eye - and hence their prices will differ. Proportions and how the diamond is cut/shaped will really make it sparkle (apparently).

        Obviously the factors I've said they wont give two shits about affect the sparkle, so not to say they arent important, just dont expect them to care about that stuff. TBH - until I read your post, I couldnt remember any of the details about the ring i bought - other than the diamond was 'atleast 1.00' and excellent proportions, and the ring was massively too big and had to be re-sized once I gave it to her. The details I had to lookup on the certificate.

        Speaking of re-sizing - do you know exactly her size? Its great if you can, otherwise if you get it wrong like I did (very wrong), it can be re-sized later on and ensuring the claws dont pop open when they do - a good jeweller will know how to do this right.

        I also remember reading that if going yellow gold, dont stress too much about a colourless diamond. Someone mentioned it in here I think too. As a reference, I've got the G colour put into a white gold ring, and cannot tell its not colourless or even tinged. Remember you arent going to be looking at the diamond with 6 others to compare to, or under jewellers lighting, or side by side.

        Thankfully, the wedding ring is much, much, less than the engagement ring - and no stress.

        • confuzzl3don3 on 11/01/2018 - 14:57

          True, I guess you usually can't tell colourwise unless direct comparison side by side with more colourless diamonds. I am planning on going white gold so according to what I read will need I colour up. I guess I expected people to compare the diamond against others side by side so wanted one more colourless that would set hers apart.

    • ddxsamx on 11/01/2018 - 12:57

      ^ This. Size and Sparkle counts for 98% of what matters tbh.

      To the average person its generally "wow huge" "wow much sparkle"
      instead of "Wow its so white and not yellow" or "wow its so clean and no marks"

      I got mine from James Allen and even including GST/duties still about 20% cheaper than what you quoted

      • confuzzl3don3 on 11/01/2018 - 14:55

        really? for similar specifications? I had a look on the website and factoring in the 10% GST only was still more expensive

    • blawler05 on 12/01/2018 - 08:42
      +1

      Another important thing is the type of setting it is going into. That IMO can make or break a diamond. You could buy the most expensive diamond in the world, put it in a bad setting and it will look rubbish.

      If you are getting a custom ring made, make sure you get a good jeweler. I had a vision in my head for the ring I wanted to get made for my Wife, and my Jeweler sat down with me for 1 hour and looks through all me sketches, and then provided me 3 CAD drawings of concepts he created that matched my design (I had elements like Batman and Superman symbols subtley in the ring)

      The design we came up with took him sometime to complete, and he said it was the most challenging ring he had to build to date, but he did an amazing job on it.

  • tsunamisurfer on 11/01/2018 - 12:01
    +1

    I will tell you the same thing I told the missus.

    How many people are walking around with a magnifying monocle saying haa haa your diamond has an inclusion in the upper left table?

    I'm assuming that you are going down the Blue Nile path.

    Keep in mind after having it set the value will be 2 to 3 time more which becomes a nightmare for insurance.

  • pernunz on 11/01/2018 - 12:05
    +1

    Proposed to my now fiancee with a Secrets ring. Admittedly she did request it as she thought spending much was a waste.

    Cost just over $1000 for both the engagement ring and wedding band, and it looks great. She’s got about how great it looked and how much of a fortune I must have spent on it, so it passes that test.

    Highly recommend them, and they were able to resize the ring at no extra cost after I measured a ring she wore on a different finger…

    If you're looking at spending $12,000, you could take your partner out every weekend for a year for a $200 meal and still have change leftover.

    • confuzzl3don3 on 11/01/2018 - 12:26

      I know but if a girl wants diamonds what can you do right :) Don't think any amount of money is too much to spend on the love of my life so call me a fool but I'll get an expensive rock like the rest of society has been cleverly marketed to do

      • blawler05 on 12/01/2018 - 08:43
        +1

        Make them watch Blood Diamond, and see if they still want it LOL

    • Sensiekatie on 12/01/2018 - 13:02
      +1

      A lot of money for a fake. At least it was her request. We women are all different.

      OP My husband purchased a diamond that was shallow but bigger. We were 8n the 8ndustry and were lucky enough to purchase wholesale.

      At these prices, you might want to consider leavIng the country and returning to avoid GST. My step-brother did that. He was an idiot though, as he purchased retail when we were offering wholesale price to him at no gain to. Us. He wouldn’t give us a price or trust that my husband would get the best for the price. We could have saved him a fortune.

      • Hoju on 13/01/2018 - 07:45

        Do you mind providing some wholesale buying information? Retailers are unaffordable!

        • confuzzl3don3 on 14/01/2018 - 13:57

          Agreed.

        • Sensiekatie on 01/02/2018 - 16:20

          We were in the industry and buying stones. Now we are not. The manufacturing jeweller we use when we need a stone is really high end stuff. We would be using him to replace, solder or replace stones and this is for watches as my husband is a watchmaker. For example, my husband has a watch with 4 diamonds missing - only 1 pointers - so tiny. He will just use him to acquire and set in place.

          Yesterday, the diamond wholesale price was about $1000 a carat if that helps anyone.

  • Jemz on 11/01/2018 - 18:30
    +1

    Pretty sure there’s a forum post somewhere along the lines of “ozbargain my ring”. Look into Moissanite, got it from a group called Moi Moi Fine Jewellery, you pay a fraction of the price, it’s manufacturered in Australia and the price isn’t manipulated by a couple of corporations.
    Edit: forgot to mention the ozbargainer part, they do 25% off around the end of the fin year and that’s their highest % off around the year.

  • buckster on 11/01/2018 - 19:17

    Option 2

  • Hoju on 12/01/2018 - 07:37

    Sorry to jump in…
    Can I ask where one looks for diamonds in Australia?

    After some diamond earrings, around .75 TCW, bezel set, white gold

    The stores have a price, and then places like overstock have one about half of that.
    And the US in general is much cheaper, but buying online is tricky with something that is so much based on appearance

  • Hector on 12/01/2018 - 11:41
    +1

    I voted for "C", PROVIDED it is eye clean. Why I like it on paper:
    - no fluorescence (fluorescence means it looks great under halogen light, but it would be cloudy/less bling in shadows/darker light)
    - feels like good trade-off for size ($9,100/ct vs stone "A" at $9,800/ct)

    Just remember a couple of things
    - she won't be comparing stones side-by-side, only you will
    - she may only once look at the stone under 10x magnification. Just make sure it's eye clean, that's all that matters

    For diamonds in Sydney, I recommend Susie Israel without question (ahead of Blue Nile / others online sales), as quirky as she is. Same/better price, and way better rocks (eg the 4 C's don't represent the "bling" and how it looks in multiple types of light).

    PM if you'd like more details

    • confuzzl3don3 on 14/01/2018 - 14:22

      hey tried PM-ing you but apparently you don't allow convos so maybe PM me :)

  • Bystander on 13/01/2018 - 18:54

    FWIW here's the Adam Ruins Everyting take on diamonds

  • Sensiekatie on 01/02/2018 - 16:25

    Just to share - my husband yesterday was chatting to a friend who is a manufacturing jeweller -they used to work together.

    Yesterday’s price for him to purchase diamonds was $1000 a carat.

    Put that into perspective - then of course GST and freight etc.

    I find now how you deal with the wholesalers nowadays but I assume it is similar to Gold - lots of security.

    • barthez on 26/06/2018 - 09:39

      I wonder what the wholesale price per carat is now. Sounds like the margins are ridiculous.

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