Help! Looking for a 1.5CT Round diamond budget of around 15K

[smachine]

Being lurking around these forums for the past month and I have so much info to learn! I am looking to purchase an engagement ring and was wondering if anyone had any diamond recommendations. Looking for a 1.5 CT Round, and I was initially looking into DEF color, VS2 or higher and a nice cut. I am open to any suggestions and here to learn. Thanks again!

Here was one I found that I was interested in and was wondering what you all thought : http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaRD#diamonds_pid=LD04466607

 

[JulieN]

Re: Help! Looking for a 1.5CT Round diamond budget of around

You know that fluorescence is bringing the price down? Nothing wrong with strong fluorescence if it checks out, but your price range is I think more like G/H SI1 without fluorescence.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Help! Looking for a 1.5CT Round diamond budget of around

Is there a reason you aren't willing to consider G color?

And...eyeclean Si1?

As for "nice cut"...

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.
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. It's only goal is to weed out stones that have angles that do not normally result in ideal light performance.
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. James Allen, BGD, GOG, ERD, HPD and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA. The HCA is just used narrow and predict which stones will have a good idealscope image.
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.

 

[smachine]

Re: Help! Looking for a 1.5CT Round diamond budget of around

Ok, is G going to be a big downgrade? I never knew fluorescence was a major criteria to look into either. If needed I could up my budget.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Help! Looking for a 1.5CT Round diamond budget of around

As Julie said, either your budget needs to change or your requirements do. 17k will get you want you want. 15k will get you a G VS2.

No G will not be a big down grade at all. You could set a G with F sides and notice no difference. Color is not graded face up. It is graded face down. And a G and an F are so close as to be indistinguishable when set.

You need to get the real images, not the sample images for these. Also ask if they are eyeclean.
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.50-carat-g-vs2-hearts-and-arrows-round-cut-diamond-gid-186203.html
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.50-carat-g-vs2-hearts-and-arrows-round-cut-diamond-gid-186202.html
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.52-carat-g-vs2-excellent-round-cut-diamond-gid-180621.html

F VS2: http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.52-carat-f-vs2-excellent-round-cut-diamond-gid-186196.html and http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.52-carat-f-vs2-excellent-round-cut-diamond-gid-180602.html

You will be fine with an eyeclean G VS2. I do not recommend increasing your budget.

Fluorescence is not a negative unless it impacts your specific stone, many like the effect. But it is a factor in pricing, along with cut. Two things you probably didn't know could have a drastic impact on the price, but can.

 

[smachine]

Re: Help! Looking for a 1.5CT Round diamond budget of around

Thanks for all the help. I did not purchase the bluenile diamond, ended up contacting someone I knew who owned a diamond shop in the LA jewelry district. I got a 1.5 CT D, VS2 with minimal inclusions on the side, triple excellent cut, non fluorescence diamond for $14,800.

 

[JulieN]

Re: Help! Looking for a 1.5CT Round diamond budget of around

GIA?

Strong fluorescence?

Cut quality?

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: Help! Looking for a 1.5CT Round diamond budget of around

Thanks for all the help. I did not purchase the bluenile diamond, ended up contacting someone I knew who owned a diamond shop in the LA jewelry district. I got a 1.5 CT D, VS2 with minimal inclusions on the side, triple excellent cut, non fluorescence diamond for $14,800.

Sounds too cheap. Is this a GIA graded stone? The stone should be closer to $20k.

 

[smachine]

Re: Help! Looking for a 1.5CT Round diamond budget of around

It is GIA. Certificate number is 2161114461. It says cut polish and symmetry is excellent. Fluorescence is none. The table is 56%, depth is 63.1. Looking at the picture I think crown angle is 36.5 and pavillion is 41. Should I take it or not?

http://61.129.77.26/en/diamond-505469.html

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: Help! Looking for a 1.5CT Round diamond budget of around

It is GIA. Certificate number is 2161114461. It says cut polish and symmetry is excellent. Fluorescence is none. The table is 56%, depth is 63.1. Looking at the picture I think crown angle is 36.5 and pavillion is 41. Should I take it or not?

http://61.129.77.26/en/diamond-505469.html

Horrible cut! .. A well cut 1.5ct F VS2 should be closer to $18K.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: Help! Looking for a 1.5CT Round diamond budget of around

It is GIA. Certificate number is 2161114461. It says cut polish and symmetry is excellent. Fluorescence is none. The table is 56%, depth is 63.1. Looking at the picture I think crown angle is 36.5 and pavillion is 41. Should I take it or not?

http://61.129.77.26/en/diamond-505469.html

That is a F VS2 stone not a D VS2.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Help! Looking for a 1.5CT Round diamond budget of around

Why do you ask for advice if you aren't going to take it?

I have already given you a ton of information. Please go back and read what I posted for you about diamond cut and how to evaluate it.

You want to waste your money on a crappy cut stone that will be dark and dull, go ahead.

That diamond you posted is not a good one.

It takes much more than color and clarity to make a nice diamond.

Would you buy a car by walking into a dealership asking for "a red sedan" or would you actually take the time to research and learn about cars and see what car is best?

Why do you think diamonds are different.