Need Help Deciding

[apapap3]

Hi All...I've been lurking around here for a few weeks and first time posting. I know my gf wants just a plain solitaire and I've narrowed it down to 4 diamonds, but just learned about HCA score. Does it make a huge difference? Also, should I maybe consider VS1 instead or VVS2? Looking for something totally eyeclean/colorless and as close to perfect as I can get.

Budget is around $13,500. Other suggestions welcomed

1.30 ct, F, VVS2, HCA 0.7, Symmetry Very Good on this one not excellent, Should I be concerned about facet and natural inclusion?
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04454102

1.26 ct, F, VVS2, HCA 0.8
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04435960

1.30 ct, F, VVS2, HCA 3.7, $1000 cheaper than the rest (says its unavailable because I have it on hold )
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04614087

1.33 ct, F, VVS2, HCA 2.4
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04460190


Thanks!!!!

 

[Gypsy]

YES! You should consider G color. AND you should ABSOLUTELY consider eyeclean VS2 clarity!!!

That is a TON of money to waste on clarity. Your budget can get you a 1.4 carat that will be as white and AS CLEAN as those. Or a cheaper stone that looks the same.

 

[apapap3]

Thanks Gypsy. I'll look around at g/vs stones. She doesn't really want anything over about 1.25 so I figured I'd spend on clarity.
Would you say the HCA is an important factor when deciding as well?

 

[Gypsy]

Here's a lovely stone. http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-277593 If eyeclean (you can ask it probably is)

Lovely and saves you ton, has idealscope posted: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5156821-1.40-carat-Round-diamond-G-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=5156821&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

I like this one, you'd ask for an image and an idealscope: http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.40-carat-g-vs1-excellent-round-cut-diamond-gid-186169.html


READ THIS:
The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough. And you must stick to GIA and AGS only. EGL is a bad option: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/[/URL]
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. Under 2 is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score 2 and under is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. BGD, James Allen, GOG, HPD, ERD and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.


AND READ THIS:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/[/URL]

 

[apapap3]

Appreciate all the info. This is great. I was really hoping picking a diamond would a little easier, but there are so many options and things to look out for :/

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Actually, with your budget it can be relatively easy. You can get a super ideal cut diamond and they are the easiest to shop for because all the images you need are provided.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3114543.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3045749.htm (ideal cut)

 

[Gypsy]

Actually, with your budget it can be relatively easy. You can get a super ideal cut diamond and they are the easiest to shop for because all the images you need are provided.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3114543.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3045749.htm (ideal cut)

I like the first one, but it's expensive. I don't like the idealscope on the second one. It's one of the not so nice ES stones they seem to be carrying these days.
I prefer these.

If you are going to go a little over budget: http://highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity-new&id=1180 Crafted by Infinity! Doesn't get better than that. 13,600

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3186650.htm
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.26-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-259192
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.206-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-104072471007

 

[drk14]

Appreciate all the info. This is great. I was really hoping picking a diamond would a little easier, but there are so many options and things to look out for :/

Apapap3, don't worry, you're in good hands here. Looks like Gypsy already found you a great option: the Crafted by Infinity diamond that she picked out is pretty much right at your target carat weight (1.26) and budget ($13,600), and it should have amazing light performance. Good luck!

 

[apapap3]

Can I maybe get your opinions on these 4? Do any of them seem to be a clear winner? Since I won't be able to see them in person I'd like to try to stay with VS1/VVS2 so that I know for certain that no inclusions will be visible. Thanks!

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5306776-1.30-carat-Round-diamond-F-color-VVS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=5306776&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD04590847

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04454102

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04625690

 

[Gypsy]

You need an idealscope. BN doesn't provide them.

This stone is the only one that you MIGHT be able to get an idealscope for: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5306776-1.30-carat-Round-diamond-F-color-VVS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=5306776&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com so it is the only one I'd recommend. And again ONLY with an idealscope.

Please go back and read my post to you above about the idealscope being the selection tool.

 

[Gypsy]

Hearts and arrows stones in your price range:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.22-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-73772
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.22-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-164412

Gorgeous none hearts and arrows. And JA can provide an idealscope of any of these that you want:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-g-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-322253
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.33-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-302527
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-302416
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.37-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-315065


Please buy from a vendor that provides idealscopes. JA goes one step further and provides videos. Also they have a 60 day return policy and pay shipping both ways.

 

[apapap3]

Thank you again Gypsy. I've been looking at ton of different diamonds but haven't really checked out James Allen. All your recommendations look really nice and that IF has a great price tag. Do you feel the hearts and arrows are worth the extra premium? Is the difference noticeable?

 

[Gypsy]

Answering your question about hearts and arrows:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/[/URL]

Short answer: it's a personal choice. For me, I can take it or leave it. What matters to me is the light performance. And that G IF stone stole my heart AND my husbands (he was reading over my shoulder). It is just a GORGEOUS stone (put it on hold we have lots of lurkers that steal stones).

JA's hold is no cost and no obligation. Make sure to ask for an Idealscope.

 

[apapap3]

Will do. Thanks for the heads up.

Also, after re-reading your first post, it looks like you don't recommend BlueNile due to the lack of idealscope images. The reason I kept going back to them was the fact their prices are so darn competitive. Seems like you can get more diamond for your $. If I were to buy an idealscope, would a newbie like me be able to find the right light output? I still have about 60 days, so I wouldn't mind exchanging a few times to find the right stone while getting a great deal.

Btw you've been a tremendous help. You saved me from nearly ordering a diamond which now looking back would have been a bad call.

 

[Gypsy]

Call Wink Jones at High Performance Diamonds. He will often match or beat Blue Nile prices on their stones. And he will be able to get you an ASET. Plus he's all around fantastic (I've bought from him).

That said. I'd buy that G IF if the idealscope comes back good. It's in your budget. It's gorgeous (truly gorgeous) and it's an IF. Which is special. Plus, it's very well priced.

Blue Nile is a drop shipper. They do not examine the stones outside their Signature Line. And they don't provide you with idealscopes, etc. And we've recently seen quite a few complaints about their setting quality.

You get what you pay for. Cheap is not always best. And you are talking about most a couple hundred bucks.