1.3+ ct wanted for e-ring, but complete novice - please help

[thesoulbrother]

Hello everyone

I plan to propose at Xmas and finding this world very new and a bit of a minefield. Ideally I would like to buy today and from JA given their detail, service, and fulfilment for us folks overseas. With that I would greatly appreciate any recommendations the forum can provide!

The ring:
Tiffany style 6 prong knife edge solitaire (the handmade setting from JA)
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-six-prong-knife-edged-solitaire-engagement-ring-handmade-item-2426

Preferences
I favour carat weight and cut - less fussed about colour and inclusions as long as they aren't noticeable on the front of the stone. Perfectly fine with a J or even K/SI2 if the forum feels the diamond is relatively eye clean. I just want that sparkle at a decent size.

Ideally i'd like at least a 1.3 carat, but again if there are larger stones out there that tick all of the boxes relating to light performance then i'd be ecstatic.

Budget
£4500/$7000 for the diamond. Potentially up to £5000/$8000 if it is a truly exceptional ring.

So far I have come across these, but absolutely open to others:

On the small but cheaper side:
1.24 K/VS2, 1.1 HCA http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.24-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-319452

On the small but expensive side:
True Hearts 1.25 K/VS1 http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.25-carat-k-color-vs1-clarity-sku-362874

On the opposite end of the spectrum:
1.72 K-VS1, 2.7 HCA
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.72-carat-k-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-303232


Any assistance would be enormously appreciated

 

[Diamondbug]

Re: 1.3+ ct wanted for e-ring, but complete novice - please

On the small but cheaper side:
1.24 K/VS2, 1.1 HCA http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.24-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-319452

On the small but expensive side:
True Hearts 1.25 K/VS1 http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.25-carat-k-color-vs1-clarity-sku-362874

Both are so similar in stats, the biggest difference to me would be the crown height, one is 14 and the other 14.7 and that it is an AGS 0. What is the $ difference between the two? That would help with making the decision. BTW I see the H&A is no longer available, did you put it on hold/buy it?

1.72 K-VS1, 2.7 HCA
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.72-carat-k-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-303232

I want to love this one but it s over my HCA score limit of 2.5. It probably scored 2.7 because of the crown angle. I am ok with 35.5 with a crown height of 15.5 so for the ++size I would ask them for an IS before deciding. Are you ok with the K faint brown? I have an N that is a cushion ( a cut that shows more color) so I am ok with that but is your fiancee to be ok with that? Some faint brown is more notice-able than others and knowing that you are overseas, will be harder to return if you do not like it in person. Just something to think about.

 

[thesoulbrother]

Re: 1.3+ ct wanted for e-ring, but complete novice - please

On the small but cheaper side:
1.24 K/VS2, 1.1 HCA http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.24-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-319452

On the small but expensive side:
True Hearts 1.25 K/VS1 http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.25-carat-k-color-vs1-clarity-sku-362874

Both are so similar in stats, the biggest difference to me would be the crown height, one is 14 and the other 14.7 and that it is an AGS 0. What is the $ difference between the two? That would help with making the decision. BTW I see the H&A is no longer available, did you put it on hold/buy it?

1.72 K-VS1, 2.7 HCA
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.72-carat-k-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-303232

I want to love this one but it s over my HCA score limit of 2.5. It probably scored 2.7 because of the crown angle. I am ok with 35.5 with a crown height of 15.5 so for the ++size I would ask them for an IS before deciding. Are you ok with the K faint brown? I have an N that is a cushion ( a cut that shows more color) so I am ok with that but is your fiancee to be ok with that? Some faint brown is more notice-able than others and knowing that you are overseas, will be harder to return if you do not like it in person. Just something to think about.

Thanks a lot for the response, it is really helpful.

H&A is on hold for me. It is $6,580, so about $1,100 more expensive than the 1.24.

Honestly, I have no idea what the visual difference between J and K would be - haven't seen any in person to make that comparison. Neither of us are diamond connoisseurs, so i'm assuming she wouldn't be that fussed about it - if indeed she even notices. That said, is K a noticeably brown colour?

I've a couple more options recommended by JA and DiamondPro that are J's. DiamondPro specifically said not to get a K.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.27-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-363379?a_aid=dmnd1357&chan=x&?cur=GBP

http://www.zoara.co.uk/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_j_vs1?redirect_21&__utma=121383299.1400734139.1416755100.1416755100.1416755100.1&__utmb=121383299.4.9.1416755100&__utmc=121383299&__utmx=-&__utmz=121383299.1416755100.1.1.utmcsr=(direct)|utmccn=(direct)|utmcmd=(none)&__utmv=121383299.67550979%20I%205.80.208.240&__utmk=64173487#p=4094325&a_aid=y&chan=x

These seem to have much lower HCA scores though.

 

[Diamondbug]

Re: 1.3+ ct wanted for e-ring, but complete novice - please

There is not much difference between a K and J. It all depends on whether you are color sensitive. A well cut K would face up white enough for me. You might be able to see little tint from the side. I ask about the faint brown because the 1.72 K is a faint brown. You should ask the JA gemologist how faint is the faint brown i comparison to another K that has no brown tint.
I would put the first 3 stones on hold and ask for Ideal Scope and ask the gemologist for her opinions on performance and also the face up appearance of the 1.72 compared to the other K. The J stone is out... Scored over 3 on HCA. I don't know anything about Zoara so I hesitate to recommend a company I don't know and that stone is only a .25ct. Is that the correct link?

 

[Niel]

Re: 1.3+ ct wanted for e-ring, but complete novice - please

you know your significant other more that anyone else, so you know if size is most important to her or not.

With that said, I would go see a K in person. Not everyone likes k's. And im not trying to talk you out of them. I own K's and I love them, and I love the amount of size they allow.

Also, you might want to consider rose gold or yellow gold for the setting (with white prongs) it will kind of mask the color of the k.


Heres one I like if its eye clean

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-314759

 

[Niel]

Re: 1.3+ ct wanted for e-ring, but complete novice - please

this one is a J with nice clarity too...

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-65733

I also like that the undertone seems to be brown vs yellow. Usually that helps with showing less color, so you could probably get away with plat.

 

[thesoulbrother]

Re: 1.3+ ct wanted for e-ring, but complete novice - please

this one is a J with nice clarity too...

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-65733

I also like that the undertone seems to be brown vs yellow. Usually that helps with showing less color, so you could probably get away with plat.

Wow, very nice find. 1.3 HCA.

I had already asked for the gemologist report and IS (thanks Diamondbug) for the three previous diamonds, but was favouring the larger stone.

I think now for me the choice is clear: The 1.30 J or the 1.72 K. There is just a $200 difference between them.

The J from the HCA test seems to be much the stronger performer for fire and light return, so I guess it comes down to how noticeable a difference 1.3 is to 1.72 in size. I know its subjective, but which would you go for? Seeing the K in person is out of the question as I am in the UK.

**edited by moderator, no affiliate linked websites please**

 

[Niel]

Re: 1.3+ ct wanted for e-ring, but complete novice - please

this one is a J with nice clarity too...

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-65733

I also like that the undertone seems to be brown vs yellow. Usually that helps with showing less color, so you could probably get away with plat.

Wow, very nice find. 1.3 HCA.

I had already asked for the gemologist report and IS (thanks Diamondbug) for the three previous diamonds, but was favouring the larger stone.

I think now for me the choice is clear: The 1.30 J or the 1.72 K. There is just a $200 difference between them.

The J from the HCA test seems to be much the stronger performer for fire and light return, so I guess it comes down to how noticeable a difference 1.3 is to 1.72 in size. I know its subjective, but which would you go for? Seeing the K in person is out of the question as I am in the UK.

**edited by moderator, no affiliate linked websites please**

I prefer the cut of the J, but like I said, just how important is size?

Also, will it be in platinum? As a K shows more color, THEN you have to consider that a larger stone will show more color, so it will have a tint to it at that size and color.
If you JUST asked them, see if they can switch out one of the 3 stones you asked for with the J.... it would be nice to get asets of all of them, as well as review the fluorescence for the K

 

[thesoulbrother]

Re: 1.3+ ct wanted for e-ring, but complete novice - please

It will be either platinum or white gold. I sounded out her thoughts on yellow/rose gold by asking for her opinion on the Apple Watch with that strap - it was negative

I'll ask JA now to swap out for the J. Thanks again, much appreciated.

 

[heididdl]

Re: 1.3+ ct wanted for e-ring, but complete novice - please

Personaly I would prefer my ering to stay in the G-H-I.. I think J is too much color (unless your talking about a vintage stone)

 

[Niel]

Re: 1.3+ ct wanted for e-ring, but complete novice - please

Personaly I would prefer my ering to stay in the G-H-I.. I think J is too much color (unless your talking about a vintage stone)

That's true, some people prefer higher colors, some prefer later stones. When a budget is more limited yoy have to compromise. I will say last study I saw said, at least in the us, the average diamond color was a gia j, though often sold as other colors though softer labs.

 

[two_little_birds]

Re: 1.3+ ct wanted for e-ring, but complete novice - please

I personally own a J and love it, but to each their own.

Both of the diamonds you have narrowed down are nice. But if I had to pick one I'd go with the K. It's bigger plus has strong fluorescence.

Did you get ideal-scope images of both? Can you post them?