Help Identifying Center Stone - Round Brilliant, 2 ctw

[bluehorseshoe]

Hi All - figured I would turn back to this group, after you have helped me in identifying who to turn to for the setting (Victor Canera).

Quick necessary background: Looking for a round brilliant to be the center stone of the Emilya halo setting from Victor Canera. I'm looking for:
Size: ~2 carats
Color: H+
Clarity: SI+ (eye-clean)
Cut: Ideal
Price: 17-18k

So a couple of thoughts and questions before I give links to my self-identified contenders. As far as clarity, I'm really only interested in an eye-clean stone from about 18 inches. When buying a stone from an online vendor, are they willing and able to check to ensure prior to shipment? Does one call to request this when placing an order? I'd welcome some guidance on the fluorescence front. Given that I'm not in the icy-white camp, would a faint or medium blue help the diamond appear a bit brighter (or should I focus on no-fluorescence)?

Here's what I've ID'ed so far. Would welcome any and all input into these, or alternatives.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-1630751-1.94-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=1630751
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3357558-2.01-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=3357558
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3397560-2.03-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=3397560
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=NavDiaSea#diamonds_pid=LD02595167
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-si1-clarity_LD02544424
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-si1-clarity_LD02990439

Thanks all for your help. It's surreal that in a couple of months I'm going to be presenting this to my girlfriend.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If you are going to be buying a 2 ct stone, I would strongly suggest buying from a vendor that provides images of the diamonds and idealscope images. I looked at the B2Cjewels stones and two out of the three were only very good cut, so those would be eliminated off the bat. The one that was excellent cut did not show the GIA report. I also felt that the BN stones would be risky without the idealscope image. Stick to GIA Excellent cut only or AGS Ideal cut. Some vendors who have pictures and idealscope images online are James Allen, Good Old Gold, and WhiteFlash.

Doing a quick search, I see this one from James Allen but I'd have doubts about whether it is eyeclean, and it is also $22,734 with pricescope/wire discounts.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1363029.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

I am kind of feeling like your budget and specs aren't going to match up. We would not recommend compromising on cut, so you may need to go down in size, color, or clarity to make this budget work.

 

[bluehorseshoe]

If you are going to be buying a 2 ct stone, I would strongly suggest buying from a vendor that provides images of the diamonds and idealscope images. I looked at the B2Cjewels stones and two out of the three were only very good cut, so those would be eliminated off the bat. The one that was excellent cut did not show the GIA report. I also felt that the BN stones would be risky without the idealscope image. Stick to GIA Excellent cut only or AGS Ideal cut. Some vendors who have pictures and idealscope images online are James Allen, Good Old Gold, and WhiteFlash.

Doing a quick search, I see this one from James Allen but I'd have doubts about whether it is eyeclean, and it is also $22,734 with pricescope/wire discounts.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1363029.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

I am kind of feeling like your budget and specs aren't going to match up. We would not recommend compromising on cut, so you may need to go down in size, color, or clarity to make this budget work.

Thanks for the thoughtful response. Not sure what happened with those B2Cjewels...thought I had the proper filters in place.

What if we go to, say 1.8?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think the 1.8 range is a terrific value. You almost get the appearance of a 2 ct. stone but you can go higher in quality and avoid the price jump at 2 cts! I'll take a quick look.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1525103.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131 ($16,732 with pricescope/wire discounts) (ask for idealscope image and if it is eyeclean)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Actually, Victor is now selling diamonds and you might want to ask him what he can source for you as well.

 

[bluehorseshoe]

Thanks for your replies DS2006; really appreciate the guidance and have altered my search as necessary.

Assuming all else is equal, I have two stones to choose from. Both are 2 carats, excellent cut.

Stone 1
Color: F
HCA: 1.4
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Med Blue
Other: Some surface graining

Stone 2
Color: G
HCA: .6
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: Faint

Both stones are roughly in the same ballpark, so price difference will not be a consideration for me here.

With the above, what would you go with??

Thanks!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Thanks for your replies DS2006; really appreciate the guidance and have altered my search as necessary.

Assuming all else is equal, I have two stones to choose from. Both are 2 carats, excellent cut.

Stone 1
Color: F
HCA: 1.4
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Med Blue
Other: Some surface graining

Stone 2
Color: G
HCA: .6
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: Faint

Both stones are roughly in the same ballpark, so price difference will not be a consideration for me here.

With the above, what would you go with??

Thanks!

I would really have to see all the specs for both stones to give you a meaningful answer! But from what you posted above, I'd lean toward #1. If I have to have a very good on something, it would be on polish and not symmetry. Do you have pictures of the stones? Post more info if you can. I'd need to know clarity, see the clarity plot and know table, crown angles, pavilion angle, depth, and diameter especially.

 

[bluehorseshoe]

Once again, thanks.

I don't have pictures yet, but have been assured that diamonds are eye-clean.

Stone 1 - GIA report here: https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=2146182806&weight=2.04
Stone 2 - GIA report here: https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=1149182799&weight=2.0

Actually waiting to hear on a 3rd... Triple ex, F medium blue. Worse HCA score at 2.4, but clarity plot is just showing twining wisps. Should I consider this one as well? https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=5136816666&weight=2.01#

 

[bluehorseshoe]

Just heard on the third, confirmed eye-clean.

Any thoughts would be welcomed. Thanks!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The third one is a little deep so it faces up smaller than the other two. I really don't like that. The second one I would be concerned about the very good on symmetry. The first one doesn't quite have the numbers that I look for myself, but I think it has possibilities. I'd have to ask if those indented naturals on the pavilion can be seen or felt. But seeing pictures and idealscope images of all three would help a lot.