1.8 carat round diamond question

[ag123]

Hi All,

I am trying to decide on a ~1.8 carat round diamond to buy my girlfriend as a center stone. I am looking in the G/VS2 categories. Online (e.g. Zoara and bluenile), the cheapest I can find these stones is around $19,000. It seems like the cheaper stones in these categories have inclusions in the middle (table) of the diamond. I am only looking at Very Good cuts or above.

The jeweler who is making my setting offered me a 1.82 carat G/VS1/Very Good cut stone for $20,000. What draws me to this diamond is that according to the GIA diagram there are two very small inclusions in the side of the stone (e.g. not in the table) that my jeweler says can be covered by a prong. There is also no fluorescence. On the flipside, the polish and symmetry are only "good". I attach two photos of the GIA certificate of this stone?

Any thoughts?

Thank you so much!

 

[SMC]

Unless you know what you're doing, aim for GIA Excellent or AGS Ideal cuts only. Plug in the diamonds into the HCA calculator here: https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca Look for diamonds that score below 2.0 on the HCA. Request Idealscopes (to judge light performance) and post them here for people to evaluate.

I don't think you necessarily have to be worried about messy GIA plots. There are lots of inclusions that could exist on the table and not be seen with your naked eye. A VS2 is generally eye clean. For newbies, try looking at diamonds on James Allen (where they have videos of all their diamonds)

Besides, James Allen, there are other recommended Pricescope vendors that provide lots of info upfront:
Brian Gavin
Whiteflash
Good Old Gold

Less info upfront, but they will provide the above if you call them:
ID Jewelry
B2C
Engagement Rings Direct

Btw, that cert you posted indicates a diamond that's not so hot. You can definitely get a better one for 20K!

 

[Draco]

By definition you should not be able to see any VS1 inclusions with the naked eye. Even under a microscope it is often very difficult to find VS1 inclusions.

 

[Dancing Fire]

This is not a well cut stone!!. The table % is > depth... you have a budget of $20K spent it on a well cut stone...

 

[ag123]

Thank you all so much for your replies!! What do you think of this stone from Zoara - I like this website, it seems to have good deals with GIA certificates. This stone is around 19,000. I also attach a PDF of the GIA certificate.

Diamond Shape Round
Carat 1.81 ct.
Diamond Cut Excellent
Color G
Clarity VS2
Diamond Depth 62%
Diamond Table 57%
Diamond Polish Excellent
Diamond Symmetry Excellent
Diamond Measurements 4.84x7.8x7.82

 

[SMC]

Thank you all so much for your replies!! What do you think of this stone from Zoara - I like this website, it seems to have good deals with GIA certificates. This stone is around 19,000. I also attach a PDF of the GIA certificate.

Diamond Shape Round
Carat 1.81 ct.
Diamond Cut Excellent
Color G
Clarity VS2
Diamond Depth 62%
Diamond Table 57%
Diamond Polish Excellent
Diamond Symmetry Excellent
Diamond Measurements 4.84x7.8x7.82

Have you plugged it into the HCA calculator yet? You want a diamond that score under 2.0 unless it's an AGS000. This does not.
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

 

[04diamond<3]

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.90-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-198080

 

[ag123]

Thank you diamond04 for the suggestion. Anything that you can suggest that is in the 18-19k range and a bit smaller in terms of carat - thanks!

 

[SMC]

Thank you diamond04 for the suggestion. Anything that you can suggest that is in the 18-19k range and a bit smaller in terms of carat - thanks!

JA gives a Pricescope discount. It varies diamond to diamond but it's anywhere from 1-5%. The JA rep can tell you the PS prices of the diamonds you're interested in.

 

[04diamond<3]

Thank you diamond04 for the suggestion. Anything that you can suggest that is in the 18-19k range and a bit smaller in terms of carat - thanks!

JA gives a Pricescope discount. It varies diamond to diamond but it's anywhere from 1-5%. The JA rep can tell you the PS prices of the diamonds you're interested in.

Thanks for explaining that Sortmon! I was rushing to an interview so barley had any time to submit the link.

Here's another option OP:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.65-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-184087

Another great one!

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.66-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-115890

And an AGS option:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.66-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-178776

 

[04diamond<3]

OK, two more and I'm done:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.80-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-126880

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-73567

If you like any of the other ones I posted that aren't AGS graded (because they already have an idealscope image. Put the ones you like (up to 3) on hold and request idealscope images on them.

 

[SMC]

Thank you diamond04 for the suggestion. Anything that you can suggest that is in the 18-19k range and a bit smaller in terms of carat - thanks!

JA gives a Pricescope discount. It varies diamond to diamond but it's anywhere from 1-5%. The JA rep can tell you the PS prices of the diamonds you're interested in.

Thanks for explaining that Sortmon! I was rushing to an interview so barley had any time to submit the link.

Here's another option OP:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.65-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-184087

Another great one!

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.66-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-115890

And an AGS option:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.66-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-178776

You're welcome! Here's another: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.75-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-133761

OP, you can pick 3 diamonds you're interested in from JA and ask for Idealscopes on them. Then post them to PS for others to review. The JA gemologist will also give you his/her opinion on the light performance and ranking of the diamonds as well as tell you if they are eye clean.

 

[04diamond<3]

You're welcome! Here's another: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.75-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-133761

OP, you can pick 3 diamonds you're interested in from JA and ask for Idealscopes on them. Then post them to PS for others to review. The JA gemologist will also give you his/her opinion on the light performance and ranking of the diamonds as well as tell you if they are eye clean.

I was going to post that one, but noticed the crown angle was 35.8...ran it through the HCA and it came out at 4.0

 

[SMC]

You're welcome! Here's another: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.75-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-133761

OP, you can pick 3 diamonds you're interested in from JA and ask for Idealscopes on them. Then post them to PS for others to review. The JA gemologist will also give you his/her opinion on the light performance and ranking of the diamonds as well as tell you if they are eye clean.

I was going to post that one, but noticed the crown angle was 35.8...ran it through the HCA and it came out at 4.0

Yeah, but you don't run the HCA on AGS0 diamonds since they're already cut for ideal light performance.

 

[SMC]

OP, one more option. It's a little smaller than 1.8 but I'm sure that it's an really nice stone:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/1-58-gia-xxx-g-vs1-and-vatche-tiffany-repro-setting-t178939.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/1-58-gia-xxx-g-vs1-and-vatche-tiffany-repro-setting-t178939.html[/URL]

diamondseeker2006 is a well-respected poster on PS. I think she is open to offers as well.

 

[04diamond<3]

You're welcome! Here's another: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.75-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-133761

OP, you can pick 3 diamonds you're interested in from JA and ask for Idealscopes on them. Then post them to PS for others to review. The JA gemologist will also give you his/her opinion on the light performance and ranking of the diamonds as well as tell you if they are eye clean.

I was going to post that one, but noticed the crown angle was 35.8...ran it through the HCA and it came out at 4.0

Yeah, but you don't run the HCA on AGS0 diamonds since they're already cut for ideal light performance.

Not all are. And the bigger crown bugged me too much....up to the OP...

 

[ag123]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm thinking of buying a 1.8/H/VS2/Excellent cut (GIA certificate) on Zoara, the cheapest is about $17,500.

 

[SMC]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm thinking of buying a 1.8/H/VS2/Excellent cut (GIA certificate) on Zoara, the cheapest is about $17,500.

Do they provide Idealscopes? If so, get them and post them here.

 

[ag123]

I attach the two stones I am considering, they are both ~17.5k - I would love your opinions. I think they are a good deal for the price I would be paying.

 

[SMC]

You're welcome! Here's another: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.75-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-133761

OP, you can pick 3 diamonds you're interested in from JA and ask for Idealscopes on them. Then post them to PS for others to review. The JA gemologist will also give you his/her opinion on the light performance and ranking of the diamonds as well as tell you if they are eye clean.

I was going to post that one, but noticed the crown angle was 35.8...ran it through the HCA and it came out at 4.0

Yeah, but you don't run the HCA on AGS0 diamonds since they're already cut for ideal light performance.

Not all are. And the bigger crown bugged me too much....up to the OP...

Ohh, interesting. I've read a bunch of threads where people say not to use HCA on AGS0 diamonds. Doesn't the 0 for light performance indicate ideal light performance?

 

[SMC]

I attach the two stones I am considering, they are both ~17.5k - I would love your opinions. I think they are a good deal for the price I would be paying.

Hi, could you please start using the HCA calculator for GIA Excellent stones and eliminate the ones that score above 2.0?
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

 

[ag123]

Sortmon - will do.
The stone I attach is ~19,000 and has an HCA score of 1.4

 

[SMC]

Sortmon - will do.
The stone I attach is ~19,000 and has an HCA score of 1.4

This one looks good. Can you get an Idealscope from them? Also ask them to verify that it is eye clean. Most VS2s should be, but there are some that are not.

 

[ag123]

Thank you!!!
It says on Zoara that the stone is eye clean. I think I will get either this stone or one of the following two: All of them are eye clean and have HCA scores under 2 - which would you choose?
http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs1#p=1310241
http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs1#p=1476677

I could get the IdealScopes but not until Wednesday and I want to buy the stone sooner...

 

[SMC]

Thank you!!!
It says on Zoara that the stone is eye clean. I think I will get either this stone or one of the following two: All of them are eye clean and have HCA scores under 2 - which would you choose?
http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs1#p=1310241
http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs1#p=1476677

I could get the IdealScopes but not until Wednesday and I want to buy the stone sooner...

Can you post a link to the first stone on Zoara? The image makes it really hard to confirm the angles. To be clear, I would like a link to this stone that you refer to with "The stone I attach is ~19,000 and has an HCA score of 1.4".

 

[ag123]

http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs2#p=1249105

Thank you so much.

 

[SMC]

http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs2#p=1249105

Thank you so much.

My choice would be between these two:

A) http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs2#p=1249105 and
B) http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs1#p=1310241

I don't like the shallow crown angle and bigger table on this one:
C) http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs1#p=1476677

Between A & B, I like the angles of A better but I don't see why it's more expensive than B which has higher clarity. However, B has a higher crown angle than what I prefer (34-35) but some people like higher crowns.

I hope someone else weighs in! Idealscopes would help answer these questions once and for all though.

 

[yssie]

I think between those three you've narrowed it down as far as it's valuable going without any more info - GIA averages around the eight sections of stone, then rounds those averages, and the report tells you nothing about optical symmetry.

Assuming they're precisely optically symmetric we *could* tell you about nuances of performance that you might expect but honestly, without any frame of reference those sorts of comparisons are meaningless! And assuming they're precisely optically symmetric we're in "tastes vary" territory anyway - I personally prefer B I'd recommend having the two sortmon picked shipped out - see what your eyes think.

*Edited - spelling

 

[SMC]

I think between those three you've narrowed it down as far as it's valuable going without any more info - GIA averages around the eight sections of stone, then rounds those averages, and the report tells you nothing about optical symmetry.

Assuming they're precisely optically symmetric we *could* tell you about nuances of performance that you might expect but honestly, without any frame of reference those sorts of comparisons are meaningless! And assuming they're precisely optically symmetric we're in "tastes vary" territory anyway - I personally prefer B I'd recommend having the two sortmom picked shipped out - see what your eyes think.

Well, if Yssie says B, pick B! It's cheaper and a higher clarity, so seems like a better "value."

 

[ag123]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I went through a bunch more stones and did the HCA on all of them. I seem to really like this one:
http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs2#p=1483463

It is a 1.8 on HCA and a bit cheaper. Does it look as good to you as it does to me at this price point?

Thanks again!