Diamond studs- please help me choose!

[Mina-Lo]

Hi everyone!

I'm in the market for simple diamond studs, I love the whiteflash 8 prong setting so I'm looking at purchasing the diamond pair from whiteflash also. My budget is $2000, and I'd ideally like the largest diamonds I can get for that price.

I'm know the basics about diamonds but not much about the crown and pavilion angles in order to get great looking stones. That were you wonderful wise pricescopers come in!

I'm looking for-
Round brilliant diamonds
Hopefully 0.70ctw
Willing to up to I colour and SI2 clarity if they are eyeclean.

I'm mainly concerned with brilliance and getting the best performing and looking stones for my budget.

Setting is $225, so I have approx $1775 to play with for diamonds.

I'm so excited!

Thank you so much in advance

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I love matching diamonds for studs, and WF makes it so easy!

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3222818.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3222817.htm

not understanding the pricing on one of these, but it might just be a lucky buy (like price accidentally not increased):

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3061857.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3222862.htm

Personally, I'd jump on that second pair immediately by reserving online. After that you can verify on Monday that the stones are eyeclean, etc. But the price is really great on that one diamond.

 

[RockyRacoon]

not understanding the pricing on one of these, but it might just be a lucky buy (like price accidentally not increased):

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3061857.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3222862.htm

Personally, I'd jump on that second pair immediately by reserving online. After that you can verify on Monday that the stones are eyeclean, etc. But the price is really great on that one diamond.

Nice find!

OP - this pair is a great pick. I'd reserve ASAP if I were you.

 

[Mina-Lo]

Thank you so much diamondseeker and RockyRacoon for you help! I've put the second pair on hold as suggested

Do the ASET images look ok in terms of leakage for the second pair you suggested? I'm concerned there is a bit of leakage. Also the AGS report of the cheaper diamond is dated February of this year, does this mean it might be inferior in some way because the report is so long ago?

 

[RockyRacoon]

Thank you so much diamondseeker and RockyRacoon for you help! I've put the second pair on hold as suggested

Do the ASET images look ok in terms of leakage for the second pair you suggested? I'm concerned there is a bit of leakage. Also the AGS report of the cheaper diamond is dated February of this year, does this mean it might be inferior in some way because the report is so long ago?

Those are both A Cut Above (ACA) stones.

These stones are well vetted, meet tight requirements, and you can feel comfortable in their light performance.

Great pick!

 

[Mina-Lo]

Thanks very much RockyRacoon.

I'm beginning to think 0.30 ct each might be a little small, and maybe something in the 0.40 ct would be better.

Are there any other diamonds on whiteflash that you would recommend? I can go up to just under $3000.

Thanks in advance!

 

[AVCadmirer]

Sorry wrong post.

 

[Mina-Lo]

I found 3 pairs on whiteflash, please tell me if I'm on the right track, which ones will perform/look better or if there are any other suggestions...

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-details.aspx?Diamond1=3171982&Diamond2=3222840

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-details.aspx?Diamond1=3222840&Diamond2=3171982

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-details.aspx?Diamond1=3171982&Diamond2=2763594

All criticisms/concerns/opinions welcome!

 

[Rhea]

Those pairs are all around $900 over your budget. Did your budget increase?

 

[Mina-Lo]

Hi Rhea, yes I have increased my budget in order to get the diamond size I'm really happy with and therefore I won't feel the need to upgrade so quickly.

Were these pairs ok?

 

[Mina-Lo]

I've also found these 2 pairs-

These are a J colour, but come in at 1 on the Holloway Cut Adviser.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3171938.htm#
$1055
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3213715.htm#
$1223

Or these-
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3171973.htm
0.8 on the HCA - $911
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3171939.htm
1.3 on the HCA - $898

I'm thoroughly confused now! I will be making a decision in the next day or so, so if anyone has any input that would be fantastic. Thanks so much

 

[RockyRacoon]

Here are a couple of options that are well-matched (you may have referenced these above):

.411 ct H VS2 + .406 ct H VS2
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-details.aspx?Diamond1=3222841&Diamond2=3213714

.417 ct H VS2 + .423 ct H SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-details.aspx?Diamond1=3171982&Diamond2=3213727


Either of those will get you a great result. Best of luck!

 

[Mina-Lo]

Hi RockyRacoon,

thanks so much for your help.

Can you or anyone else please give me any feedback on the pairs I suggested?

Of the 2 pairs you provided, I preferred the look of the A Cut Above pair, the ASET images appeared to show some leakage.

 

[RockyRacoon]

These are a J colour, but come in at 1 on the Holloway Cut Adviser.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3171938.htm#
$1055
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3213715.htm#
$1223

Ask Whiteflash to pull the pair you had picked above and this pair:

.417 ct H VS2 + .423 ct H SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-details.aspx?Diamond1=3171982&Diamond2=3213727

Have them do a side-by-side comparison and ask for an expert assessment.

Either way you go, you're going to have a solid pair, but it'd be great to get the take of someone who can see the stones in person.

Be sure to return with the results!

 

[Mina-Lo]

Hi RockyRacoon,

WhiteFlash have gotten back to me with the following pictures and assessment-

"I’ve attached the images for you to see. The two H color diamonds are on the left hand side and the J color diamonds are on the right. I carefully looked over these stones for you and can say that they are very comparable is size, performance and even color! I am color sensitive and wasn’t able to tell the difference in color at all. One of the J colored stones does have a black inclusion under the table but it’s completely eye clean and can only be seen under magnification.

Overall there really isn’t a bad choice to be made between these diamonds. The J will give you the same size and performance at a better price point, while the H diamonds will give you an increase in color."


What is your opinion? I think I can see that the ones on the right are every so slightly warmer, but I'm more concerned with performance. Can you tell much difference? Which ones are more appealing?

Thanks so much for your continued help!

 

[RockyRacoon]

Hi RockyRacoon,

WhiteFlash have gotten back to me with the following pictures and assessment-

"I’ve attached the images for you to see. The two H color diamonds are on the left hand side and the J color diamonds are on the right. I carefully looked over these stones for you and can say that they are very comparable is size, performance and even color! I am color sensitive and wasn’t able to tell the difference in color at all. One of the J colored stones does have a black inclusion under the table but it’s completely eye clean and can only be seen under magnification.

Overall there really isn’t a bad choice to be made between these diamonds. The J will give you the same size and performance at a better price point, while the H diamonds will give you an increase in color."


What is your opinion? I think I can see that the ones on the right are every so slightly warmer, but I'm more concerned with performance. Can you tell much difference? Which ones are more appealing?

Thanks so much for your continued help!

If I were in your position, I might go for the J-colored stones. I have a personal preference for higher-colored stones, but these Js look just fine next to the Hs.

Inclusion sounds like a non-issue, as these will be earrings, not a ring (different viewing distances).

Sounds like you've got a winner either way, but I would probably save a few bucks and go for the Js. I think this will be more of a 'mind clean' thing for you, so if you are definitely comfortable with the color, save the money!

 

[marcy]

Both pairs look like they'd be awesome earrings. I can't wait to see your earrings because I am interested in the 8 prong settings too.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I can see the difference between H and J in natural lighting. I'd go for the ACA H color pair you posted earlier if you want .40 each. I would go to I color if they had any in your size range.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-details.aspx?Diamond1=3222840&Diamond2=3171982

 

[Mina-Lo]

Hi diamondseeker, thanks for your help. Is there a reason why you suggested the H Colour ACA pair over the ones I had whiteflash look at?

I'm thoroughly confused now, however I'm sure I don't want the J colour pair, I'm concerned I would be able to see the colour.


Diamondseeker- were the H coloured pair that whiteflash looked at no good?

 

[Mina-Lo]

Ok, so it's now between these 2 pairs? I think?

Pair 1-DiamondSeeker suggested (from earlier on in post)
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-details.aspx?Diamond1=3222840&Diamond2=3171982

Pair 2- WhiteFlash looked at-
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-details.aspx?Diamond1=3171982&Diamond2=3213727

Which pair perform better? Will there be a discernible performance difference between the two pairs?

I guess I will decide between these pairs, I didn't expect thus to be such a difficult decision! My husband is totally fed up hearing about it, he just told me to hurry up and listen to you guys and buy whichever pair you guys recommend!

 

[marcy]

I think both would be great for studs. Did you make a decision yet?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

So sorry! I was out of town all weekend! I would still choose this pair:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/diamond-pairs-details.aspx?Diamond1=3222840&Diamond2=3171982

Both are VS2 clarity whereas one in the other pair is SI1, and the price difference is only a few dollars. It seems to be the better buy in my opinion, not to mention the stones are an excellent match.

 

[Mina-Lo]

Thanks for getting back to me diamondseeker, I thought about it all weekend and drove myself and my husband crazy!

I finally bit the bullet and ordered the other pair about 5 hours ago! I was so confused by the end, so I printed both pairs of diamond stats out and compared the ASET and Idealscope images, as well as used the HCA and came to the conclusion of the other pair.

I ruled out the pair you decided up because it scored 1.4 on the HCA and only scored Very Good for Scintillation, whereas the other pair scored 1.1 and 1.2 respectively and both scored Excellent for Light Return, Fire, and Scintillation.

Did I make the wrong choice?

At the end of the day I think either of both pairs would be ok, they are both A Cut Above so are guaranteed to look/perform well?
I've confirmed they are eye clean, and I'm happy with H colour.

Thanks so much for your input, please let me know if I should change the diamond pair?

 

[Mina-Lo]

Hi Marcy! I'll keep you updated

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Any pairs of ACAs are going to be GREAT! You do not have to worry one bit about that! The two pair probably will appear identical. But you do not use HCA with AGS Ideal cut stones because they have been graded to have ideal light performance. All I can tell you is that I would choose the other pair because two VS2's are more valuable than a VS2 and an SI1 and the cost difference is negligible.

 

[Mina-Lo]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you diamondseeker you made me feel so much better!

Ok, I won't change the order, I'm so excited, this is my first pair of diamond studs, I can't wait!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I am excited for you! I love mine and an thankful to have such high quality studs! The great thing is, you can upgrade them over time if you want. However, the size you are getting is a nice everyday size. My daughter wears .30s and she doesn't really want larger ones at this point (she is in her late 20s).

 

[Mina-Lo]

I received the glamour photos from WhiteFlash!

To me they look fantastic, very firey and beautifully white. The settings look great also. I asked for la pousette backings so we'll see how they go!

Thank you to everyone for their help!

 

[Mina-Lo]

Photo 1

 

[Mina-Lo]

Photo 2