Archive for 1.30 Carats
Q&A: Should I Buy a Beautiful Loose Diamond in Bahrain, Ira?
Posted by: | Comments
Q: Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out.
I’m currently in Bahrain with the Navy and am planning on proposing to my girlfriend a few months after I get home (need to have the ring made). She likes a modern-looking ring and is particularly enamored with a platinum half-bezel solitaire setting (I don’t have the link to the site; will get it to you later).
I’ve heard stories of guys who have had diamonds they bought here appraised for significantly more than they paid for them. However, I only have a few more days here and don’t want to pull the trigger too fast just to have a diamond – I just want a beautiful stone that I’ll be glad I bought and that she will love.
I’d like to keep my budget around $6-8k for the stone and ring; more if I have to. My girlfriend hasn’t set any requirements for size or anything, which is nice, but I’m starting my search around 0.90ct and going up to 1.5ct or so. Based on the setting, a round brilliant makes the most sense to me, though a princess cut would be fine (though I’m nervous about there not being an organization that will classify princess cuts).
I’m torn right now because I did find an absolutely beautiful stone last night – a 0.9ct round brilliant, SI1 D GIA certified stone that was absolutely radiant compared to the other stones I saw. The dealer quoted me $3,600 or so for the stone alone, and I feel like I’m paying a lot for the perfect color (which will be relatively unnoticeable once the stone is set) that I could get back in a little more size for the same money.
Any guidance you could provide would be wonderful – thanks in advance.
Q&A: Looking for Princess Cut Diamond, 1.3-1.5 Carats
Posted by: | CommentsQ: Well, it’s been a pretty daunting search so far and I’m happy to have found your site. I was in the diamond district in LA looking at diamonds and decided to hold off on some of their offerings because the prices seemed to be all over the place…amongst other concerns I had regarding quality vs. price.
I’m looking to spend about $7,000 total for a ring and diamond. The ring will be a classic style Tiffany style solitaire in white gold with four corner prongs.
The real challenge for me has been the diamond. I am looking for a princess cut around 1.3-1.5 carats. I prefer VS2 and H color or better but not set on it if it’s a great stone. I really just want a diamond that is clean, bright and durable.
Can you point me to some solid options?
Thank you for any help you can provide.
Q&A: Questions regarding I Color and Fluorescence
Posted by: | CommentsQ: Hi. Great website! I’m looking for round diamond:
- ’Excellent’ Cut
- ’I’ Color or Better
- ’SI1’ Clarity or Better
- Not much more than $7000
- As big as possible
I’m not exactly clear on Fluorescence. If I’m getting an ’I’ Color Diamond, would it be preferable to get one with ’Medium Blue’ Fluorescence over one with ’Faint’ Fluorescence? Similarly, would it be preferable to get one with ’Faint’ Fluorescence over one with No Fluorescence?
Q&A: Looking for Ideal Cut Diamond for $5-6K Budget
Posted by: | CommentsQ: I’ve spent the last four months or so trying to decide what would be the perfect diamond for my fiancée to be. I’ve read over everything on your site and have looked at all the diamonds you’ve recommended in my price range (5-6k). I’m still torn as to what kind of diamond would make my girlfriend happiest. I think a diamond with ideal cut and as many carats as I can get would be best. I would prefer not to sacrifice too much in clarity of color, but would be okay with going as low as SI2 clarity and I color.
Two of the diamonds you’ve recommended on your site are:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193896.asp?a_aid-dmnd1357
and
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-I1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1131295.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
I know that these are two very different diamonds that fall into roughly the same price range of 6,000 which is just on the high side of what I’d be comfortable spending. Could you recommend a good compromise to these two diamonds?
Thank you so much for your help!
Q&A: Looking for Round Diamond Engagement Ring in Australia
Posted by: | CommentsQ: Wow Ira, there is so much to take in when researching this stuff!! Thanks for such a great site (it has certainly helped a LOT), hoping you could give some more of your time to answer a few more questions?
I’ve got a budget of about $8K for the entire ring. I’m aiming for a round brilliant centre stone of around 1.2ct, set in a white gold band with smaller diamonds either side of the main diamond. Similar to a 4-claw version of:
www.diamondexchange.com.au/tray/index.php?main_page=ring_builder&cat=23&s=rb&sku=3977
I assume that the ring and side stones will cost about $1700 to buy and put together, leaving about $6.5K for the centre stone.
So, regarding the centre stone, what should I be looking for (GIA of course)? Your guidelines recommend the lowest eye-clean clarity possible, ie SI1/VS2, Ideal/Excellent cut, Good or better symmetry & polish which I am happy with.
Initially I was hoping for F or better colour with No fluorescence but that might push the price up a bit too far. You suggest H-J colour with Medium Blue fluorescence as a better ”bang for your buck” buy (particularly in a silver coloured ring), is this still a good idea given that there will be other diamonds beside it in the setting? Can you suggest any particular diamonds that would be suitable?
Also, can you offer any guidance for the smaller stones, or is it better to purchase locally from the jeweller who ”assembles” the ring?
Something else that I need to bear in mind is that anything that I import from overseas will incur about 15% in customs duty and taxes, plus insurance. Am I way off the mark with my budget?
I appreciate your help and thanks again for such an informative website.
Q&A: Round Cut Diamond to Fit $7-8,000 Budget
Posted by: | CommentsQ: First off and I know you get it a lot but your website is one of the most informative sites on this or any topic that I have seen! As an engineer I love the scientific aspect of diamond shopping. Your site was great in educating me and allowing me to search for the best stones out there. As well as sifting through the BS at the brick and mortar stores!
I am looking for the largest round diamond without sacrificing cut for a budget of 7-8000. I have found this stone on James Allen and thought it was a great deal. What do you think?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1284518.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357
I found this stone to be slightly lower then the average price of similar sized stones. Is it because of the I color? Based off of my limited knowledge from your website and looking at a ton of stones on JA I think this is a good bang vs buck stone and should be eye clean? Does the road rash (lack of a better term) near the center concern you? Do you have any alternate suggestions?
Once again I cant complement you enough on putting together such a comprehensive website and I appreciate any feedback you can give me.
Thanks.
Q&A: Looking for a Loose Princess Cut 1.50+ Carat Diamond for $6,000 – Is it Possible?
Posted by: | CommentsQ: Hello Ira, I have been shopping for a loose diamond to mount in a setting for the last 4 months or so. I saw your site and found it incredibly helpful. I have also been monitoring the James Allen site and noticed it is appreciably cheaper than any other site I have found on the Internet. I am switching jobs in the next month, which will allow me to finally move forward with my purchase. To the diamond, my girlfriend really has her heart set on a 1.5ct diamond,has to be princess cut, and my budget is proving somewhat constrictive. I already have a setting picked out, and have budgeted roughly $6K for the diamond. Here is the setting I plan on mounting it in. http://design.jared-diamonds.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-5794.asp I was wondering what your suggestion would be, and if maybe I should think about getting a slightly smaller, yet higher quality diamond. I appreciate you help, thanks!
