Anyone else suffering from the shrinking Diamond stud problem?

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#17
skyqueen said:
G VS2/SI1
As long as the cut is ideal/excellent you can fudge on the color/clarity a bit.
2.5 tcw is a great size!
Click to expand...
Skyqueen, how does that VS2/SI1 rating work?

My boyfriend saw a pair of studs in a pawnshop he was tempted to buy but the SA said they were SI and G-H in colour. I discouraged him from getting it because I thought it a bit strange she described them as SI and not SI1 or 2. I also read that that straddling two categories thing is something to be wary of. What has your experience been like?

P.S. Also, the studs were 1.20 and I said nothing less than 1.50! If I'm going to slide down that slippery slope of jewellery lusting I SHOULD be weighed down by some serious rocks! LOL! Anything above 2cts look too big though. For the moment... Can't imagine what 5cts look like. Maybe a picture would help...
 
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#19
skyqueen said:
G VS2/SI1
As long as the cut is ideal/excellent you can fudge on the color/clarity a bit.
2.5 tcw is a great size!
Click to expand...

G VS2/SI1 must be spectacular in that size!

I'm seriously considering going down to J or possibly even K in color, though all my other diamonds are G or H. The contrast might be too obvious though. I'm also considering antique diamonds as well for their chunky facets and lots of fire!
 
#20
Thingofbeauty said:
Skyqueen, how does that VS2/SI1 rating work?

My boyfriend saw a pair of studs in a pawnshop he was tempted to buy but the SA said they were SI and G-H in colour. I discouraged him from getting it because I thought it a bit strange she described them as SI and not SI1 or 2. I also read that that straddling two categories thing is something to be wary of. What has your experience been like?

P.S. Also, the studs were 1.20 and I said nothing less than 1.50! If I'm going to slide down that slippery slope of jewellery lusting I SHOULD be weighed down by some serious rocks! LOL! Anything above 2cts look too big though. For the moment... Can't imagine what 5cts look like. Maybe a picture would help...
Click to expand...

It is likely that the ones your boyfriend saw are not certified diamonds. That is, not coming with an official grading report on each diamond from the GIA or AGS. Could also be that by leaving it vague, the pawn shop is trying to pass off SI3 diamonds without saying they are SI3 and getting into the details. There is a big difference between SI3 and SI1.

The main issue with SI diamonds is making sure they are "eye clean" so that the inclusions aren't visible to the unaided eye. Check out this link: http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs/Clarity/SI/
 
#21
Thanks for that Youngster. Thing is, it's a very reputable pawn shop - it's in the UK and has a royal warrant. But what you said makes sense. The other problem here is that GIA reports are not that common here. In any case, nothing less than 1.50! :D
 
#22
Thingofbeauty said:
Skyqueen, how does that VS2/SI1 rating work?

My boyfriend saw a pair of studs in a pawnshop he was tempted to buy but the SA said they were SI and G-H in colour. I discouraged him from getting it because I thought it a bit strange she described them as SI and not SI1 or 2. I also read that that straddling two categories thing is something to be wary of. What has your experience been like?

P.S. Also, the studs were 1.20 and I said nothing less than 1.50! If I'm going to slide down that slippery slope of jewellery lusting I SHOULD be weighed down by some serious rocks! LOL! Anything above 2cts look too big though. For the moment... Can't imagine what 5cts look like. Maybe a picture would help...
Click to expand...
I looked at 10 loose stones...F/G/H color, VS1-SI1 clarity. The hardest part was finding 2 that matched perfectly. The cut specs were almost identical. Both G in color but VS2 and SI1 in clarity. The SI1 had a carbon spot at the rim that was invisible to the naked eye (eye clean) but could be seen when using a loupe. When my jeweler set the diamonds in a 4 prong martini setting he placed a prong over the carbon spot...all gone! LOL!

youngster said:
G VS2/SI1 must be spectacular in that size!

I'm seriously considering going down to J or possibly even K in color, though all my other diamonds are G or H. The contrast might be too obvious though. I'm also considering antique diamonds as well for their chunky facets and lots of fire!
Click to expand...
I love old mine cuts...especially in an antique setting!
That's why I like to pick a diamond in person...some just sing to you!

youngster said:
It is likely that the ones your boyfriend saw are not certified diamonds. That is, not coming with an official grading report on each diamond from the GIA or AGS. Could also be that by leaving it vague, the pawn shop is trying to pass off SI3 diamonds without saying they are SI3 and getting into the details. There is a big difference between SI3 and SI1.

The main issue with SI diamonds is making sure they are "eye clean" so that the inclusions aren't visible to the unaided eye. Check out this link: http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs/Clarity/SI/
Click to expand...
Interesting!
Here you go and I'm not really this hairy but I do have med/large ear lopes. LOL!
 

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#23
skyqueen said:
I looked at 10 loose stones...F/G/H color, VS1-SI1 clarity. The hardest part was finding 2 that matched perfectly. The cut specs were almost identical. Both G in color but VS2 and SI1 in clarity. The SI1 had a carbon spot at the rim that was invisible to the naked eye (eye clean) but could be seen when using a loupe. When my jeweler set the diamonds in a 4 prong martini setting he placed a prong over the carbon spot...all gone! LOL!


I love old mine cuts...especially in an antique setting!
That's why I like to pick a diamond in person...some just sing to you!


Interesting!
Here you go and I'm not really this hairy but I do have med/large ear lopes. LOL!
Click to expand...

those are beautiful what carat are they? I am interested in purchasing a pair for myself for my birthday in Jan but can't decide on the size I want.
 
#24
skyqueen said:
I looked at 10 loose stones...F/G/H color, VS1-SI1 clarity. The hardest part was finding 2 that matched perfectly. The cut specs were almost identical. Both G in color but VS2 and SI1 in clarity. The SI1 had a carbon spot at the rim that was invisible to the naked eye (eye clean) but could be seen when using a loupe. When my jeweler set the diamonds in a 4 prong martini setting he placed a prong over the carbon spot...all gone! LOL!


I love old mine cuts...especially in an antique setting!
That's why I like to pick a diamond in person...some just sing to you!


Interesting!
Here you go and I'm not really this hairy but I do have med/large ear lopes. LOL!
Click to expand...
MY GOD! Those are stunning. Aaaaaaand my studs have shrunk again...:lolots:
 
#27
skyqueen said:
5 tcw
Personally I like 2 tcw ...the perfect size!
Click to expand...

Thank you :smile1: I really enjoy big diamonds that is why I love your studs so much, I am looking into 4 tcw but seeing how beautiful your 5tcw look I think I just might have upgraded ;) do you mind sharing the specs of them just so I have an idea of what to look for...thank you in advance :smile1:
 
#28
MyLuxuryDiary said:
Thank you :smile1: I really enjoy big diamonds that is why I love your studs so much, I am looking into 4 tcw but seeing how beautiful your 5tcw look I think I just might have upgraded ;) do you mind sharing the specs of them just so I have an idea of what to look for...thank you in advance :smile1:
Click to expand...


G VS2/SI1
I'll let you in on a little secret...try to keep the carat weight just under 5 tcw. Technically my studs are 2.48 and 2.48 tcw...4.97 tcw. You save on the price point if the carat weight is just under what carat weight you want.
Hope that makes sense.......
 
#29
Wow Skyqueen!! I am envious! That is some bling :)




skyqueen said:
I looked at 10 loose stones...F/G/H color, VS1-SI1 clarity. The hardest part was finding 2 that matched perfectly. The cut specs were almost identical. Both G in color but VS2 and SI1 in clarity. The SI1 had a carbon spot at the rim that was invisible to the naked eye (eye clean) but could be seen when using a loupe. When my jeweler set the diamonds in a 4 prong martini setting he placed a prong over the carbon spot...all gone! LOL!


I love old mine cuts...especially in an antique setting!
That's why I like to pick a diamond in person...some just sing to you!


Interesting!
Here you go and I'm not really this hairy but I do have med/large ear lopes. LOL!
Click to expand...
 
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