$400 budget for loose diamond

[jem]

hi there

looking for a diamond of the size of around .35 or higher with the best specs and basically pretty to the eye. my budget is $400 for a loose diamond. cant figure out if i want to go to Si1 of stick to VS2 and how low I should go for color and cut.

any advice?

 

[John P]

You can go J VS2 or I SI2 and get good cut quality. SI clarity is often clean < 0.5 cts.

If you already have a trusted jeweler another option is to have them source a diamond with no grading report. It would be nice if they can include a Sarin scan and ideal-scope to see light return. The $ saved might get you a slightly higher color - again this option depends on the level of trust you have in your source.

 

[jem]

thanks for this info. since i am overseas though, i will probably be getting mine online. so far, i think bluenile is the best bet. other places i have looked at are a bit iffy for me as I have read some bad reports on them.

 

[John P]

You''re in the right place. On this site you''ll find a number of online sellers with great reputations, as well as a few bricks & mortar establishments who also sell via internet.

 

[hihowareyou]

At $400 if the stone is GIA or AGS graded a significant % of the stones cost will be just covering the report alone not including any increase in value due to the stone having a certificate attached. I think (and please correct me if these numbers are wrong) prices for a GIA cert for a stone your size would be around $40 for a dossier (or $60 for a full report) then $10 for an inscription. So anywhere from 10-18% of the price could be tied up in the certificate (likely more because a trusted certificate may increase the value more).

Normally getting a lab certified stone is preferred however as John says, if you can find a vendor you trust to source an uncertified with in house grading you are confident then you may be able to find a slightly larger stone or better cut, higher colour or better clarity in your price range. A certificate is always good for peace of mind though so that is a personal decision.

WF have a few 0.3 ACA AGS 0 cuts that are just outside your budget at around $480. Those are a branded cut so carry a premium and also carry an excellent certificate so I am confident that these forums will be able to find you something very nice within your budget. You could also try contacting Jonathan at Good Old Gold, I have noticed in the past that they opt not have all of their less expensive stones certified and many people on these forums will be willing to vouch for him.

Have you tried plugging the numbers of potential BN stones into the HCA? The cut advisor isn''t a definitive tool but it will help you rule out poorly cut stones.

 

[exoticisabella]

Here are some ideas....a couple are just a TAD higher then $400 but there is a pricescope discount

Seems like something odd is going on with the photos at JA though, fyi.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1262681.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255624.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1241703.asp

 

[DavR]

If you are considering the JA H&A be aware that the pricescope and true5 discount do not stack. Although hopefully 418 is not too far outside of your budget to not be manageable.

Also using pricescope's search I found 25 diamonds .3+ ideal cuts many H&A for 450-380.