3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope image

[jelly514]

Hello! I'm going to propose soon and have been browsing this site for a few months getting the info I need to purchase a diamond.

I narrowed down 3 diamonds I think are good from James Allen. I am ready to purchase so I requested the ideal scope images to make my final decision. Unfortunately I was told that the diamonds are in India and not available for imaging services.

I guess my question is is safe to buy one without seeing the ideal scope images? They look good on paper, pass the HCA test, look good (to my untrained eye) on the pictures online. There is one I am leaning more towards but I wish I could have seen how they preformed under the ideal scope :/

 

[flyingpig]

Re: 3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope imag

Pick the diamond you like the most. Place an order to bring it to their NY office. Ask them to take the IS image. If you like the image, proceed. If not, free return.

Ask if they will accommodate

 

[jelly514]

Re: 3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope imag

That is a really good idea, thank you!

My next question is which one should I pick? I thought I had a favorite but then I read that other post about her diamond not being "fiery" enough which led me to question the crown and pavilion angles...

#1
Shape: Round
Carat: 0.41
Color: E
Clarity: VS1
Cut: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
L/W/D (MM): 4.82*4.84*2.90
L/W Ratio: 1.00
Depth %: 60.10
Girdle: Medium
Table %: 57.00
Certificate: GIA
Crown ∠: 33.00
Crown %: 14.00
Pavilion∠: 41.00
Pavilion %: 43.00

#2
Shape: Round
Carat: 0.42
Color: E
Clarity: VS1
Cut: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None
L/W/D (MM): 4.80*4.82*2.97
L/W Ratio: 1.00
Depth %: 61.70
Girdle: Medium - Slightly Thick
Table %: 55.00
Certificate: GIA
Crown ∠: 33.50
Crown %: 15.00
Pavilion∠: 40.80
Pavilion %: 43.00

#3
Shape: Round
Carat: 0.41
Color: F
Clarity: VS1
Cut: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None
L/W/D (MM): 4.80*4.84*2.93
L/W Ratio: 1.01
Depth %: 60.90
Girdle: Medium - Slightly Thick
Table %: 56.00
Certificate: GIA
Crown ∠: 34.00
Crown %: 14.50
Pavilion∠: 40.80
Pavilion %: 43.00

 

[MissGotRocks]

Re: 3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope imag

I personally would prefer number 3. A 34 crown angle with a 40.8 pavilion angle should work very nicely together. The other thread had a 34 crown angle with a 40.6 pavilion angle - the little details do make a difference. A 34 crown is better complimented by a higher pavilion angle.

 

[jelly514]

Re: 3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope imag

That is the one I thought would be best based on reading the other thread too Thank you!

 

[flyingpig]

Re: 3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope imag

#3 for me as well.

Also compare the size of the arrows. In the other post, the stone has the lower girdle height of 80%, producing skinny arrows (contrast). The table is also slightly larger at 57%. It is not necessarily good or bad. Just different characteristics..

If you want bold and broad fire from the arrows (pavillion main facet), then pick a stone with fat arrows (lower girdle height of 75%, although GIA rounds its numbers too much, and the exact number is unknown)..

 

[jelly514]

Re: 3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope imag

Really great information, thank you! I think diamond #3 is going to be perfect.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: 3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope imag

Please link the stone. We can tell more by seeing it.

 

[jelly514]

Re: 3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope imag

Here is the picture of #3

 

[flyingpig]

Re: 3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope imag

It looks like it has fat arrows. It should be 75% LGH on the report. If 80%, I guess it should not be no greater than 78%.
Anyways, the arrows look a bit crooked.This is more likely due to how it was photographed (typical of JA), although there is no way to confirmed whether it is from very good symmetry

 

[jelly514]

Re: 3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope imag

Oh wow that one looks beautiful. I probably didn't see it because I was only looking at ones with "excellent" polish. How much weight should I give polish in my decision?

 

[flyingpig]

Re: 3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope imag

I rather get very good polish than very good symmetry, considering the carat weight range your are looking

So many choices under 0.40c. Some are sub $1k.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.41-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1004891 (I don't know what happend to my previous post. I guess you were talking about this one that you found beautiful with very good polish.)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.43-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1764458 (fat arrows overall appearance )
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.40-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-968710
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.40-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1092627
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.40-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-811176
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.41-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1059668

endless...

If I were shopping in this carat range, I would bring the diameter close to 5mm and go with a high color without going over 0.5c which comes at a significant premium.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.44-carat-d-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1764204

 

[tyty333]

Re: 3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope imag

I like the .43 D VS2 flyingpig posted.

 

[flyingpig]

Re: 3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope imag

I would consider 0.43c D VS2 or the 0.44c D VV2.

You cannot really get a D color stone in the future when you upgrade beyond 0.5c or 1.0c.. The premium is just insane..

Good opportunity to get a colorless stone

 

[jelly514]

Re: 3 diamonds I like on James Allen but no ideal scope imag

Do I need to worry about the medium fluorescence of that stone?

I ended up purchasing one yesterday, but of course if it's not great in person I will return it. This is the one I got:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.44-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1767362

And there was an IS image available for it!