Diamond specs questions---which is "better"?
- Thread starter kt1981
- Start date
Thank you to EVERYONE who has responded so far 
! I would be so lost if it wasn't for blogs like this!!!! Taking everything into consideration and we'll see what happens!!! Gotta rely all this good advice to b/f and discuss further. Going up to NYC tomorrow so will definitely check out a wide array of places and see what is out there. Will be back next week with more detailed specs of the two rings I mentioned (Risingsun---I'm gonna try and get answers on that list you mentioned!!!). Wish me luck...have a great weekend ladies!!!
! I would be so lost if it wasn't for blogs like this!!!! Taking everything into consideration and we'll see what happens!!! Gotta rely all this good advice to b/f and discuss further. Going up to NYC tomorrow so will definitely check out a wide array of places and see what is out there. Will be back next week with more detailed specs of the two rings I mentioned (Risingsun---I'm gonna try and get answers on that list you mentioned!!!). Wish me luck...have a great weekend ladies!!!
Good luck and enjoy shopping in NYCThank you to EVERYONE who has responded so far
Remember, the specs we are talking about are for round brilliants only! Other shapes have to be evaluated differently. You are fortunate to have such a generous ring budget
I know you will find something stunning!!Ok ladies....I'm back!!!! and armed with more info 
so hopefully you guys can help
For the Tiffany's ring, here is the specs per the report:
(not GIA report but I guess Tiffany's Gemological Lab Report---is that suffice?)
Round Brilliant with melee border
2.3 carats
F color
VVS2
Excellent cut, symmetry and polish
No fluorecence
Measurements---8.6 - 8.65 * 5.22mm
No "enhancements"
Cut proportions:
Total Depth 60.5%
Girdle Thickness Very thin to thin
Table Size 56%
Crown Angle 33.5%
Girdle Finish is faceted
No Culet
Pavilion depth 43.5%
They are willing to offer a 5% discount off listed price, credit towards wedding bands (b/f can choose any one offered and I have a $2500 credit towards mine)
2) Cartier ring----they weren't as "forthcoming" with giving me a GIA report so I only remembered the basics
Round Brilliant with side (pave diamonds)
2.11 carat
E
VVS2
Very good cut (according to GIA)
no fluorescence
They are willing to do 8% off price (and no tax b/c we don't have a store---so another 7.25%)
I think the prices for both are very similar before and after the "discounts"...I think I liked both equally though totally different in styles. I think Cartier's markup is slightly higher than Tiffany's? But what are your thoughts on the specs (at least for the Tiffany's) and do you think there is more room for negoiation on the prices/credits?
Thank you again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so hopefully you guys can helpFor the Tiffany's ring, here is the specs per the report:
(not GIA report but I guess Tiffany's Gemological Lab Report---is that suffice?)
Round Brilliant with melee border
2.3 carats
F color
VVS2
Excellent cut, symmetry and polish
No fluorecence
Measurements---8.6 - 8.65 * 5.22mm
No "enhancements"
Cut proportions:
Total Depth 60.5%
Girdle Thickness Very thin to thin
Table Size 56%
Crown Angle 33.5%
Girdle Finish is faceted
No Culet
Pavilion depth 43.5%
They are willing to offer a 5% discount off listed price, credit towards wedding bands (b/f can choose any one offered and I have a $2500 credit towards mine)
2) Cartier ring----they weren't as "forthcoming" with giving me a GIA report so I only remembered the basics
Round Brilliant with side (pave diamonds)
2.11 carat
E
VVS2
Very good cut (according to GIA)
no fluorescence
They are willing to do 8% off price (and no tax b/c we don't have a store---so another 7.25%)
I think the prices for both are very similar before and after the "discounts"...I think I liked both equally though totally different in styles. I think Cartier's markup is slightly higher than Tiffany's? But what are your thoughts on the specs (at least for the Tiffany's) and do you think there is more room for negoiation on the prices/credits?
Thank you again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
do you happen to have the pavilion angle %? I can run a quick test to see how it performs
I'm sure both are really fine
I didn't go back and read. . . are you set on a designer stone?
You'll definitely pay a premium for that.
I've heard up to 20% off on Cartier before, so your 15.25 seems reasonable.
I'm sure both are really fine
I didn't go back and read. . . are you set on a designer stone?
You'll definitely pay a premium for that.
I've heard up to 20% off on Cartier before, so your 15.25 seems reasonable.
Hi Swanky---nice to hear from you again and thanks for the quick reply. Hmmm...I don't think I have the pavillion angle %, just the pavillion depth % which is 43.5%. I'm just re-typing out what was on the report.
As for designer ring---I think after the NYC trip and looking at more mags and pics---I'm pretty much set on that cuz I absolutely love the Tiff's round melee setting/style and we both don't feel so comfortable having a local jeweller re-create it or design a new one---(especially since we are both not too creative and nervous that it doesn't come out exactly what we imagine).
B/f won't say, but have a feeling that he might have been in the talks with Tiffs to actually purchase it. So at this point, I guess I kinda want to be at least assured that despite that "name" markup, the specs are good and solid and whether there can be more "room" for price negoiations.
As for designer ring---I think after the NYC trip and looking at more mags and pics---I'm pretty much set on that cuz I absolutely love the Tiff's round melee setting/style and we both don't feel so comfortable having a local jeweller re-create it or design a new one---(especially since we are both not too creative and nervous that it doesn't come out exactly what we imagine).
B/f won't say, but have a feeling that he might have been in the talks with Tiffs to actually purchase it. So at this point, I guess I kinda want to be at least assured that despite that "name" markup, the specs are good and solid and whether there can be more "room" for price negoiations.
Oh boy, it sounds like you are in a close race and can't go wrong with either!!! Do either of them make your heart really sing when you look at it? Because that's all that is truly going to matter in the long run, especially if you plan on keeping yours forever and not getting another one as some people are wont to do (my friend got 4 engagement rings because she wasn't satisfied...not saying I agree with this practice).
As for my diamond, it's only a quarter carat but the cut and the color are top of the line...since it is so small DH wasn't so concerned with the other elements and made sure they were excellent but not as premium as the first two...so in turn my smaller, but well cut and D color diamond outsparkles and is worth more than most diamonds I have seen in stores of bigger sizes and variations.
So from my own limited experience I would like to echo what Swanky said about the cut setting off the color, and how important that is. So which one appears to be 'at its best' to you?
As for my diamond, it's only a quarter carat but the cut and the color are top of the line...since it is so small DH wasn't so concerned with the other elements and made sure they were excellent but not as premium as the first two...so in turn my smaller, but well cut and D color diamond outsparkles and is worth more than most diamonds I have seen in stores of bigger sizes and variations.
So from my own limited experience I would like to echo what Swanky said about the cut setting off the color, and how important that is. So which one appears to be 'at its best' to you?
Since VS1 and VVS2 are very good grades already, and you can't tell the difference of a D color vs an F color to the naked eye (unless side by side) so, i'd say go with the one with the BEST cut. Cutting is the most important factor that gives the sparkle and fire in a diamond.
^^^ I agree. Often, if a store knows that you are a serious buyer, one of their SAs will escort you (and the diamond) out of the store and into natural light so you can really see which one makes your heart skip a beat. They know that it's hard to pick a diamond under store lighting. That said, it sounds like you're looking at excellent diamonds, and Swanky is right - you really can't go wrong!
I would go with the D color. let me explain why. I have bought several diamond pieces ranging in color from E to GH. I thought they were beautiful and I was very happy with the quality of the stones -until I bought a D color VVSI solitaire pendant. The clarity and whiteness of this stone made me want to throw out all my other diamonds! I almost wish I had never laid eyes on this D color VVSI stone because now I want to upgrade everything and that would cost a fortune. I am not kidding when i say that I almost wished I had never laid eyes on this D Color VVSI stone because it makes me want to throw out my other damonds. So I would chose a D color over an F three times the size. I know most people don't feel that there is much if any any difference between GHI and I agreed until I saw that D color stone! But when I put the D stone next to my E-G stones I see a dramatic difference! So I vote D color Tiffany even though smaller over the F Color which seems much much larger.