~2 ct diamond selection help

[stupidkid]

Hi,

I've found this forum very helpful as I'm shopping for a ring for my lady to-be. We've done some "real-world" shopping to help me get a sense of her preferences. I've been looking online and am coming to a purchase decision. She prefers bigger & brighter, and doesn't/won't know "perfect" quality. That said, I have an eye for detail and since I'm buying I'd like to get the highest quality possible, for the best price - so shopping online... The ring will be a solo stone (pave or otherwise) vs halo/three stone (though she liked three stones/halo that was just because they were "bigger" than the 1 ct sample solos at the store).

I'm aiming for 2 ct under $20k, eye clean and have played with the diamond selector here limiting to VS2-up, I-up, no strong fluorescence, and excellent/ideal cut.

I'd like to get over 2 ct for the psychological aspect but there are more sub-2 options... I chose VS2 because I can't help but see the SI1 "flaws" in the pics.

I'm struggling a little with color since I'm thinking a platinum setting and some sites say don't go lower than H with platinum, but if I exclude I there aren't many 2 ct options that meet the other criteria.

Anyways, I'm looking at the following and would welcome any and all comments/critiques/suggestions!

1.9, H, VS2, HCA 1.8: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.90-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-665439
2.01, I, VS1, HCA 1.5: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1762032
2.01, I, VVS2, HCA 1.0: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1833918

1.978, I, VS1, HCA 1.4: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3702273.htm?source=pricescope
1.98, I, VS1, HCA 1.9: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3640415.htm?source=pricescope


Thanks in advance!

 

[Gypsy]

What exactly are the lady's specific preferences and does she have a Pinterest account?

 

[stupidkid]

She has a private ring board, I suppose I could ask her to give me access. I have a good sense of the kind of ring, it's the diamond that's my challenge.

When we shopped she even thought the demonstration CZ in the rings we looked at was "sparkly", so I think cut & size is most important. I've talked to her about it - she says she's not worried about staring close at the stone for imperfections but a visible inclusion wouldn't be good.

P.S. I have a tuxedo cat just like your avatar, very cute!

 

[farrahlyn]

If you are looking for quality then the WF ACA stones are just THE way to go. i like the WF 1.978 and the JA H&A stone. But of the 2, id choose the WF ACA stone.

However, if she has an affinity for bling, why not a 3 stone or halo? She apparently loved the look in-store so why not go that route? Some of us are just not solitaire gals, no matter the stone size. We like that BLING! WF has some really nice 3 stone settings and halos.... Can you ask her best friend or a sister/cousin she is close to for some screenshots of her pinterest page so you can get a better idea of her preference?

 

[stupidkid]

We started by looking at three stone and halo and then larger carat solitaire and she liked the larger carat solitaire with some pave on the ring for a little extra bling. We looked at the rings on her pinterest last night and I showed her this one and she liked it: http://www.b2cjewels.com/zoom.aspx?sitemid=5465&shape=Round&buildid=1&shapeImage=0

We also talked at length about the 4 Cs and I showed her some different examples of color and inclusion. In the end she said "Pick whatever you think is best, I'm sure I'll love it" - but she also indicated size is more important to her than clarity or color (not that they're unimportant though). "Eye clean" would be good and I think "I" will work, but definitely over 2 ct and up. While I might lean towards smaller and higher quality I need to remind myself the ring is for her hand, not for mine...

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Here is a diamond ring for sale that is very close to 2 ctw. Cut by Infinity diamond. The buyer might just sell the diamond without the setting.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/my-treasure-box-t224693.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/my-treasure-box-t224693.html[/URL]

cheers--Sharon

 

[farrahlyn]

We started by looking at three stone and halo and then larger carat solitaire and she liked the larger carat solitaire with some pave on the ring for a little extra bling. We looked at the rings on her pinterest last night and I showed her this one and she liked it: http://www.b2cjewels.com/zoom.aspx?sitemid=5465&shape=Round&buildid=1&shapeImage=0

We also talked at length about the 4 Cs and I showed her some different examples of color and inclusion. In the end she said "Pick whatever you think is best, I'm sure I'll love it" - but she also indicated size is more important to her than clarity or color (not that they're unimportant though). "Eye clean" would be good and I think "I" will work, but definitely over 2 ct and up. While I might lean towards smaller and higher quality I need to remind myself the ring is for her hand, not for mine...

glad you asked her!! So, a few things... that 3 sided pave is SO SO SO fragile. Unless this is a ring she will only wear occasionally, most here would not recommend that type of pave. For a ring she will wear daily, it's just not practical. You likely will be constantly replacing stones in the pave.

this is similar, just not 3 sided
http://www.b2cjewels.com/Round/1/88...gagement-Ring-14K-White-Gold-(1-5-cttw.).aspx

or JA
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ld-henriette-round-engagement-ring-item-54228

did you see this stone? (Please note, i am NOT one of the seasoned members here, don't go buying a stone i suggest unless some of the more knowledgeable ones chime in on it. lol!)

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1938206 looks like this falls JUST outside the line for AGS 0 candidate. 1.6 on HCA, really nice size and VVS clarity! it may be priced due to the medium fluorescence but that shouldn't be a problem.

ALSO, what is your budget for the stone? That would definitely help when others suggest stones.

 

[stupidkid]

"that 3 sided pave is SO SO SO fragile" >> That is very helpful to know, thank you!! She'll probably wear it all the time so I definitely don't want fragile. The other ring suggestions are really nice, I'll show those to her and mention the fragility concern.

And I didn't see that stone, it's really nice! It may have fallen out of my search filter because it's just over $20k (which is what I'm targeting) or I was going back and forth between I and H and fluorescence, but it's a fair bit over 2 ct which is great and beautiful clarity.

I like the other stone posted but I think I'm going for at least 2 carats. She has 6 sisters and one of the older sisters said she shouldn't get over 2 carats probably because she doesn't want her little sister to have a bigger ring... I don't mind fueling the sibling rivalry, I'll have a lot of brother in laws to compete with. My gf doesn't really "care", but I know she wouldn't mind having a little bit bigger.

 

[Gypsy]

She has a private ring board, I suppose I could ask her to give me access. I have a good sense of the kind of ring, it's the diamond that's my challenge.

When we shopped she even thought the demonstration CZ in the rings we looked at was "sparkly", so I think cut & size is most important. I've talked to her about it - she says she's not worried about staring close at the stone for imperfections but a visible inclusion wouldn't be good.

P.S. I have a tuxedo cat just like your avatar, very cute!

Yes, ask for access before you do anything else. Show us pictures fromher board so we can see. Okay?