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Griffit
Original Poster
269 posts
76 months
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Hi, hopefully this is the best place for this post? PH Search is still out of action so struggling to find any previous advice.
I've been looking at engagement rings having taken advice from PH posts previously and am close to a decision on the ring, only the stone in it being left to resolve. My OH has quite small hands and a stone of around half a carat seems ideal. With a budget of circa £3,000 for a platinum ring that means I should be able to get something half reasonable from the non-high street retailers.
My choice has come down to a couple of stones of around the same price, specifications as follows:
GIA cert
0.47ct
D
IF
Polish: Exc
Cut: Exc
Symmetry: VG
Flourescence: None
GIA cert
0.47ct
E
IF
Polish: Exc
Cut: Exc
Symmetry: Exc
Flourescence: None
So which stone (in writing) looks to be the better buy? I appreciate the effect of symmetry and also of colour but in reality will I notice the effect of either much on the eye? There is something nice about having a D-IF but also something nice about a Triple-excellent stone.... Of course I could drop the IF to a VVS1 but then the choices widen again!
Any assistance much appreciated!
Cheers
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secretagentbloke
29 posts
28 months
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Well, speaking as someone in the trade, you've certainly done your homework! From my point of view, most people concentrate on the 4 "C's" when it comes to a stone, so my choice would be the top one. If you can notice any difference visually between these stones, then you alone could put every single diamond grader out of business overnight! After she has said "yes", then just tell her that the diamond is, from all the many that are mined each year, the best in terms of colour and clarity that there possibly is. If she doesn't appreciate that, get a refund and go buy a track day car ( just kidding  )
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onlynik
2,593 posts
62 months
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Have you seen the stones in question?
I ask, as the engagement ring I bought my wife was not the largest carat, however it was the sparkliest when compared to other stones and looks amazing.
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toohuge
1,665 posts
85 months
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Nice choice in stone OP.
Diamonds need to be seen in the flesh and preferably outdoors in my opinion.
It is hard to say which is better on paper, but up close you could have a low 'D' with a high 'E' therefore making the difference even smaller.
The difference between D and E is noticeable....just. You will need to see them side by side and even then it will be close.
The only thing that may be interesting to see is whether you can see the difference between the 3ex diamond or the one with a very good classification.
As I said before, you need to see these stones side by side in order to make a decision. Thankfully, GIA is one of the strictest grading certificates so you know that you are getting a true opinion.
May I ask why you are after an IF?
Bottom line is, if you are worried that you may be able to see the difference and are buying these blind, I would go for the D safe in the knowledge that it has been classed as colourless.
Chris
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Griffit
Original Poster
269 posts
76 months
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Thanks all. So on balance go with the D and don't worry about the symmetry dropping to VG.
I appreciate that I can tell the difference between a D and an E when on a piece of white card and in the right lighting but am not so sure I'd be able to tell once mounted and on a finger? Unfortunately I've not seen either stone in the flesh but suspect I'd not have an issue with the VG symmetry either.
RE: Why an IF - why not? I don't suppose I'd notice VVS1 inclusions but "in theory" the stone has a better chance of being more sparkly if it is flawless. Why the question, am I a mug?
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VetteG
3,111 posts
113 months
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A good thread this, if only to show those less knowledgable that the choice of diamond matters. We went through a similar process when I was buying an eternity ring for my good lady. Apart from anything else, its fascinating!
G
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Markp13
399 posts
29 months
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This could go the same was as the "I love Dom, he's so handsome but I haven't slept with him yet" thread.
But, I would speak to Dominic Hackett. He found me a diamond and suitable ring for what to me, seemed a very fair price.
I done a fair bit of research after my first few conversations with him and I couldn't find anything that touched it.
More importantly, the mrs loves it and hasn't seen another diamond that sparkles quite like it.
E and SI 1 if I remember correctly. GIA certified too.
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hollydog
909 posts
61 months
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My advice forget platinum go for a si bigger diamond on a white gold ring. And have it re coated every few years. The bigger the better. Sorry more impressive. No one really knows about the difference about platinum and gold but you show them a big diamond and they go wow. I know its ebay but look at the size you can get for under 3k. plus it all depends on the style you are looking for . http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-79-carat-I-SI1-DESIGNE...
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Griffit
Original Poster
269 posts
76 months
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hollydog said: My advice forget platinum go for a si bigger diamond on a white gold ring. And have it re coated every few years. The bigger the better. Sorry more impressive. No one really knows about the difference about platinum and gold but you show them a bid diamond and they go wow. I no its ebay but look at the size you can get for under 3k. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-79-carat-I-SI1-DESIGNE...This couldn't be further away from what I am looking for unless it fell out of a cracker. For me it's quality over quantity and 1.8ct is a massive stone. I worked with a lawyer at Slaughter & May a couple of years ago who had a Mickey Mouse ring of that kind of size whilst the real one was being resized and was embarrassed to wear it because it looked so ridiculous. I'd say that is costume jewellery for those obsessed by bling rather than an engagement ring.
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hollydog
909 posts
61 months
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Griffit said: This couldn't be further away from what I am looking for unless it fell out of a cracker.
For me it's quality over quantity and 1.8ct is a massive stone. I worked with a lawyer at Slaughter & May a couple of years ago who had a Mickey Mouse ring of that kind of size whilst the real one was being resized and was embarrassed to wear it because it looked so ridiculous. I'd say that is costume jewellery for those obsessed by bling rather than an engagement ring. I do agree with you with the size just pointing out what you could get for around 3k. I got a similar spec to what you are looking for for my wife a few years down the line she wanted a bigger diamond. Half a carrot just looks lost in a ring with a single stone. 1 carrot looks impressive and not to big.That's what the wife has now. Just my opinion to pay for the stone not the band that it is set in. But each to there own. Good luck and a pic when you decide would be great.
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Markp13
399 posts
29 months
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I think a platinum ring with be a tiny fraction of the cost of the diamond.
I think the diamond I got was .93 of a carat. From what I can make out going for the magic 1 carat adds a fairly significant amount onto the price.
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Use Psychology
9,797 posts
61 months
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ive only read your first paragraph
but i would recommend talking to Pher Nightmare (Howard). He sorted out a diamond/ring for me and the whole thing was wonderful.
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Wonderman
54 posts
64 months
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Use Psychology said: ive only read your first paragraph
but i would recommend talking to Pher Nightmare (Howard). He sorted out a diamond/ring for me and the whole thing was wonderful. And eternity ring I got for my mrs, very nice chap Edit I just dropped him an email with a link to this thread too
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Dominic H
2,721 posts
101 months
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hollydog said: My advice forget platinum go for a si bigger diamond on a white gold ring. And have it re coated every few years. The bigger the better. Sorry more impressive. No one really knows about the difference about platinum and gold but you show them a big diamond and they go wow. I know its ebay but look at the size you can get for under 3k. plus it all depends on the style you are looking for . http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-79-carat-I-SI1-DESIGNE...Quoted from the listing "Clarity Enhanced Natural". In car parlance, this is a 'cut n' shut/mileage corrected' piece of junk.
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Nightmare
4,435 posts
153 months
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Dominic H said: Quoted from the listing "Clarity Enhanced Natural". In car parlance, this is a 'cut n' shut/mileage corrected' piece of junk.  so true....don't touch with bargepole!
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falkster
4,151 posts
72 months
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I went through this a long while ago. I bought a 2.82ct brilliant cut from Hatton Garden and then had our jeweller in Harrogate set it how my wife wanted.
My wife's is vvs1 and E and although you can get better quality diamonds I don't think I would have wanted to buy her a smaller, better quality one. Even in the dark it sparkles and only the jewellers can see any imperfections in the diamond.
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hollydog
909 posts
61 months
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Dominic H said: hollydog said: My advice forget platinum go for a si bigger diamond on a white gold ring. And have it re coated every few years. The bigger the better. Sorry more impressive. No one really knows about the difference about platinum and gold but you show them a big diamond and they go wow. I know its ebay but look at the size you can get for under 3k. plus it all depends on the style you are looking for . http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-79-carat-I-SI1-DESIGNE...Quoted from the listing "Clarity Enhanced Natural". In car parlance, this is a 'cut n' shut/mileage corrected' piece of junk. Just looked that up i never new they did that your are right cut n shut. Made me look at all my stones was in a panic but mine are all ok on the certificates.
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Nightmare
4,435 posts
153 months
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falkster said: 2.82ct brilliant cut ,vvs1 and E christ on a bike that must look impressive!
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falkster
4,151 posts
72 months
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Nightmare said: christ on a bike that must look impressive! It was bought it over 10 years ago so wasn't that much.
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Basil Brush
3,860 posts
132 months
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I'd trade a bit on colour and clarity to get a triple excellent stone. In the real world, it's the sparkle that you notice rather than a very slight tone difference or inclusions only visible under magnification. I did this with my OH's ring and ended up with a great performing stone.
I went with platinum due to the lack of material loss with wear.
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