Post # 1
Member
190 posts
Blushing bee
Hi all!
A week or so ago I started a thread asking for advice about diamond shopping :
Eeps! We are going to look at loose diamonds this week! Any advice bees??
We finally went and checked out the diamonds today!
I think we decided on a .83 E colour, Ideal cut (hearts and arrows) si2 clarity Canadian diamond for about $3400. It is EGL-US certified…I was a little hesitant on this but after seeing the diamond in person I was quite impressed with it! Plus, several people on the last thread made the point that you are’nt ‘wearing the certificate’ it had two inclusions..one white inclusion on the bottom that you could baaarely see with the naked eye (frankly I’m still not sure if I saw it haha) and one on top that you needed 10x to see. The colour was fantastic and the fact that it is Canadian (we were able to see the little maple leaf and code number on the diamond) made me really happy!
Just wondering all of your thoughts!!
Thank you all for your support on my last thread as well!
Post # 3
Member
8041 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I think you should get it.
It’s easy to be a clarity snob until you actually see the diamond in person. It doesn’t sound like the flaws are that bad… definitely not bad enough to weaken the diamond, and they’re not visible to the naked eye, so they won’t drive you nuts.
EGL E would still make it into the near-colorless range in GIA, so I think you’re safe.
Buy it and post photos 🙂
Post # 4
Member
12247 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
It sounds gorgeous! Congrats!
Post # 5
Member
162 posts
Blushing bee
While I tend to encourage a GIA or AGS certified stone, if both of you are happy with it, then I think you have your answer 🙂
If you want a comment on the specs though, can you post the following info from the certificate? Depth %, Table %, Crown Angle and Pavilion Angle. EGL may consider it an Ideal cut, but it doesn’t mean the top grading labs would too.
Yes, you’re not wearing the certificate, but in terms of cut, if an EGL Ideal only qualifies as a GIA Very Good, that’s much different and significantly noticeable compared to color/clarity being off (I think I linked a video on your previous thread about cut quality).
Post # 6
Member
6355 posts
Bee Keeper
Would recommend GIA cert (EGL is overgenerous and unreliable) and upping clarity. Clarity also affects the durability of the stone, and the light play. It is also hard to notice inclusions right away when dazzled by diamond shopping, looking at them for a short time under those very flattering jeweler’s lights, but they become more obvious in other lighting conditions and as you get more used to looking at it.
Post # 7
Member
190 posts
Blushing bee
@canarydiamond: Thanks! It really was lovely–we have been able to see quite a few diamonds in our search now and I feel it was the best one we have seen! I would love to post pictures however I have now left it up to the SO haha. He let me help choose the setting and he let me give input on the diamond buuut its ultimetly up to him…so now the waiting game! Soo anxious! It will probably be in the next 5-6 months but I can’t wait 🙂
@BrandNewBride: Thank you!!
@plantobee: Thanks again for your advice!! I don’t have those specs unfortunatly as it was more of a day for me to give a little input and then let the SO make the final descision 🙂 I know the diameter was 5.99×5.93 and that the hearts and arrows pattern was visable as we were able to see it. SO has more info, but we have made the deal that it is now up to him. Thank you SO much for your advice (as I have been passing it alll along to SO (which he loves too!)) and that video was excellent!
@joya_aspera: Thank you so much for your advice! I agree that it is hard to notice inclusions only after a short time and under flattering lights (although TBH the jeweler we went to is a small local establishment and i wouldn’t exactly call their lights super flattering/fancy compared to other places LOL but there service is excellent). I will definetly take your advice and pass it along to my SO.
Thanks ladies!!
Post # 8
Member
1173 posts
Bumble bee
You can’t believe everything you read online. I’ve seen so many diamonds with identical specs that are so vastly different. If the diamond looks good, go for it!! CONGRATS!!
Post # 9
Member
190 posts
Blushing bee
@Heidibrooke: totally agree! I’ve heard scary things about online buying do it was important for us to see it in person. So glad we did!! Thank you!!
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