Your input please - 1ct H VVS2

[Sean_T]

Hi All,

Ready to pop the question to my partner however I noticed prices here in New Zealand is quite high and I can get better diamonds overseas. Quite wary spending this sum on a product online.

Found James Allen and have been researching what diamonds to go for.

I appreciate all input on the diamond I have on hold. Thank you in advance.

JA page: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3286154

Idealscope: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7-YFeVTJq--OHVDdjh2YTBxU2huSWpZcnVKd0FOZGhHY01F/view?usp=sharing

 

[Sean_T]

I forgot to add it is 6,250 USD.

 

[flyingpig]

It is a good stone by its own right. 6.50mm is impressive for 1.00c and light return is strong.
However, due to the large 62% table and low 33 crown angle, it will appear relatively flat. Plus, there is something going on at 9. The large table and big table reflection in the middle dominate the stone's overall appearance. I think it is expensive considering its cut quality

Here is 59% table
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3357059

Here is what is considered the most ideal in general.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-h-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3240177

If you want H VVS2, I don't see anything at JA.

How about this??
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09151070
(ctrl left-click)

 

[Sean_T]

It is a good stone by its own right. 6.50mm is impressive for 1.00c and light return is strong.
However, due to the large 62% table and low 33 crown angle, it will appear relatively flat. Plus, there is something going on at 9. The large table and big table reflection in the middle dominate the stone's overall appearance. I think it is expensive considering its cut quality

Here is 59% table
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3357059

Here is what is considered the most ideal in general.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-h-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3240177

If you want H VVS2, I don't see anything at JA.

How about this??
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09151070
(ctrl left-click)

Thank you, the blue nile one looks great but my partner had already indicated a setting she likes on JA.
The JA ones you recommended are awesome especially the true hearts one. Ahh decisions!

What filter would you recommend me to put for 'advanced filter' on JA?

Also am I right in ruling this one here out because the impurity is crowded at one spot, otherwise the dimensions look fine to me:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3412006

 

[bmfang]

Hi from across the ditch here in Australia to you Sean.

Crown heights on your initial choice is very very low. Would remind me of a pancake on top. Angles aren't ideal, but at least it is following the method of shallow crown, deep pavilion.

Are you wedded to that high a clarity grade? You are likely to be fine with a VS1 which could open up opportunities to increase colour or carat weight.

 

[Sean_T]

Hi from across the ditch here in Australia to you Sean.

Crown heights on your initial choice is very very low. Would remind me of a pancake on top. Angles aren't ideal, but at least it is following the method of shallow crown, deep pavilion.

Are you wedded to that high a clarity grade? You are likely to be fine with a VS1 which could open up opportunities to increase colour or carat weight.

Hi BMFang,

Thank you for your input and greetings to you!

I am certainly ok with vs1. Even vs2 if the price is right, as I understand the budget I have makes my option limited. Only trait I don't want to change is keeping it 1 carat and above.

The 15% tax and 5% duty is killer. . Is there any well known places to buy diamond in Australia? May be an option.

 

[bmfang]

Having difficulty finding H coloured stones with my preferred parameters for your budget (which I'm taking up to usd6350). So I've expanded out to I coloured stones. Feel free to ignore the following suggestions if you have to have H coloured stones or higher

If you are open to an I VVS2 stone:
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3396113
HCA of 0.9 and is smack bang in the middle of AGS Ideal cut quality on the proportions charts.

Otherwise, these I VS2 TrueHearts
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...color-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-3303122
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...color-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-3382292

 

[Sean_T]

Having difficulty finding H coloured stones with my preferred parameters for your budget (which I'm taking up to usd6350). So I've expanded out to I coloured stones. Feel free to ignore the following suggestions if you have to have H coloured stones or higher

If you are open to an I VVS2 stone:
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3396113
HCA of 0.9 and is smack bang in the middle of AGS Ideal cut quality on the proportions charts.

Otherwise, these I VS2 TrueHearts
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...color-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-3303122
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...color-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-3382292

My budget is 9,000 NZD for the diamond. Sorry I browse the website in NZD.

Thank you so much for your suggestions, I would prefer H if that is possible with my budget.
I should give my ideal diamond as to not waste the effort you all have put in.
Preference: 1CT+, H or above, triple ex, eye clean.

Is there any good stores in Australia? I may be able to make use of tax free from there.

 

[flyingpig]

Table 54~58
Crown 34~35
Pavilion 40.6~40.9
Depth less than 62.3

Most true hearts diamonds will have these proportions. Or you can find one for yourself if you do not wish to pay extra for true hearts brand..
However, it is not that easy. 1.0c G/H stones are very popular.

 

[bmfang]

@Sean_T , @flyingpig is right re: the G-H colour combo being a very popular choice for 1ct stones. Re: Aussie stores to avoid imposition of VAT & customs duties, I can't think of any that I would recommend that would give you better value than buying online. Where I am in Brisbane, there are some independent jewellers but they aren't really price competitive. On the Gold Coast, there is LeGassick and they are having a sale on now (30-50% off diamonds in stock) but their proportions set for their in-house premium selection (LeGassick Certified Diamonds) are not what I would consider at the level of cut quality that PS members would accept.

The proportion ranges that fp has given are essentially very much the same as what I'd look at (though, I'd allow up to 41 degrees for pavilion angle and up to 35.5 for the crown angle (provided that it complemented by a pavilion angle of 40.5-40.6)

There is this 1.03 G VS2 here which is good value with good proportions (it's on the border HCA wise with a score of 2.1), but only if you can accept that it has strong fluorescence:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3278452

There are some 1ct H VS2's that are just above NZD9k but if you were to mention that you are a Pricescope member to the sales associate, maybe you can obtain a further discount which would get you closer to NZD$9k for the stone.

This is the search parameters I've used:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...60.5&DepthTo=62.50&TableFrom=53&TableTo=58.00

 

[Sean_T]

Thanks @flyingpig and @bmfang, it would seem my budget is a little unrealistic considering what I am looking for. I will have a thorough look during the weekend and look to increase my budget. I think I can push for $10k NZD if I do get any form of discount.

Considering she waited almost 8 years for the moment. And after all it is one in a life time .

 

[bmfang]

If you were ok with an eye clean H SI1, then we're getting into True Hearts territory:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3257556

This one has a number of twinning wisps as the primary grade setter which are probably one of the better types of inclusions to have at the SI1 grade (as opposed to big feathers or black crystals).

 

[Sean_T]

@bmfang what about this one?! https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2623536 HCA 1.9


https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2878537 HCA 1.0

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3416295 HCA 1.8

 

[Shellcm]

Sorry to interject, but bmfang I am in Brisbane too!

Best of luck in your search OP. I'll be lurking to see what you find

 

[Sean_T]

Sorry to interject, but bmfang I am in Brisbane too!

Best of luck in your search OP. I'll be lurking to see what you find

All good thank you. To be honest I have found this whole process quite fun. Focusing on 4C's to understanding slightly about the depth, crown, pavilion, hearts/arrows.

 

[Shellcm]

All good thank you. To be honest I have found this whole process quite fun. Focusing on 4C's to understanding slightly about the depth, crown, pavilion, hearts/arrows.

At least you understand the 4cs, my best friend said to me when she was expecting a proposal from her boyfriend 'I think I want 1 carrot, is 1 carrot the best?'

 

[Sean_T]

At least you understand the 4cs, my best friend said to me when she was expecting a proposal from her boyfriend 'I think I want 1 carrot, is 1 carrot the best?'

Haha I wish my partner only cared about 1 carat! Window shopping has taught her about VVS2 and colour grade F. She doesn't really mind whatever I give her I think, shes waited a long time. Just that every shop we go into uses it as a selling point, but we've only been looking at 0.8. So a 1 carat will be a nice surprise.

By the way if anyone is lurking, I confirmed with JA they still give discount to pricescope members on a case by case basis.

 

[Sean_T]

Sorry to double post. I spent the last few hours and I have narrowed it down based on my budget to 6 diamonds.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...60.5&DepthTo=62.50&TableFrom=53&TableTo=58.00

 

[bmfang]

@bmfang what about this one?! https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2623536 HCA 1.9

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2878537 HCA 1.0

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3416295 HCA 1.8

The 1.01 H VS2, just looking at the vid, there's very little contrast showing up from the pavilion mains (i.e. the arrow shafts). Specs though are on point. This would be worth an IS image IMHO.

The other two, I'm not too keen on as optically, they look like a mess symmetry wise to my eyes.

In your selection of six stones, I am quite liking the 1ct G VS2 (https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3391762) notwithstanding that on HCA, it only has predicted "Very Good" light return. This essentially all comes down to the table being at 58% rather than 57% (where it would have a predicted "Excellent" rating for light return). The Medium Blue fluor is also cool and could make the stone appear a bit "whiter" when it is under a UV light source (like daylight).

After that, the 1.08 G VS2 with medium blue fluor (https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3224383) is my next preference. The proportions are smack bang in the range and HCA shows that it's within AGS Ideal proportions as well.

Those would be the ones I'd like to see IS images on. Curious to see what others think as well.

 

[Sean_T]

The 1.01 H VS2, just looking at the vid, there's very little contrast showing up from the pavilion mains (i.e. the arrow shafts). Specs though are on point. This would be worth an IS image IMHO.

The other two, I'm not too keen on as optically, they look like a mess symmetry wise to my eyes.

In your selection of six stones, I am quite liking the 1ct G VS2 (https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3391762) notwithstanding that on HCA, it only has predicted "Very Good" light return. This essentially all comes down to the table being at 58% rather than 57% (where it would have a predicted "Excellent" rating for light return). The Medium Blue fluor is also cool and could make the stone appear a bit "whiter" when it is under a UV light source (like daylight).

After that, the 1.08 G VS2 with medium blue fluor (https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3224383) is my next preference. The proportions are smack bang in the range and HCA shows that it's within AGS Ideal proportions as well.

Those would be the ones I'd like to see IS images on. Curious to see what others think as well.

Only have IS for https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2623536 and https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3224383.

I have requested them, fingers crossed they look good. But I think with my new budget I can see a lot more options popping up.

I also note the 1.01ct has a black cloud on it, would that be 'eye clean'?

 

[bmfang]

The 1.01, if you zoom out on the video to 1x and if you can't notice the cloud from that zoom level, it should be eye-clean. You could always ask JA's gemologist to visually eyeball from say 30cm viewing distance to check whether it is actually eye clean.

Please post the IS images for those two stones once you receive them?

 

[Sean_T]

The 1.01, if you zoom out on the video to 1x and if you can't notice the cloud from that zoom level, it should be eye-clean. You could always ask JA's gemologist to visually eyeball from say 30cm viewing distance to check whether it is actually eye clean.

Please post the IS images for those two stones once you receive them?

Definitely, I will post the IS images . I was also offered 4% discount on all the diamonds, awesome.

I also just realised how silly I am! How did I not think x1 is what it will look like usually...

 

[Sean_T]

Last one before i hit the bed - https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3144271

This? I think I went through all the diamonds under 10k with the filter you gave me but changed true heart to include ideal.

 

[rockysalamander]

Can you link to the setting she liked at JA? Other vendors may have something similar and that could open up diamond selection to manage your budget.

 

[Sean_T]

Can you link to the setting she liked at JA? Other vendors may have something similar and that could open up diamond selection to manage your budget.

This one from JA: https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...dern-tulip-diamond-engagement-ring-item-51014

She also likes this design, how it only shows the pave from top down and slims down when it meets the main diamond: http://www.sutcliffejewellery.com/jewellery/round-brilliant-knife-edge-diamond-ring

 

[farrahlyn]

this is at the top of your expanded budget, but i like a lot
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3379022

 

[bmfang]

Last one before i hit the bed - https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3144271

This? I think I went through all the diamonds under 10k with the filter you gave me but changed true heart to include ideal.

Love the fatter arrows due to the low lower half facet percentage (75, which means it could be anywhere from 72.5% up to 77.49%, this one looks like it is 75% and under). But the CA looks a little too low. Then again, I prefer ideal proportions in modern round brilliants than those that lie at the outer edges of GIA XXX. The video of it however does look good.

 

[bmfang]

That one that farrahlyn has posted is quite gorgeous as well. The crystals under the table are noticeable at magnification, but from 1x, i think they would be hard to spot with the naked eye as it isn't a massive carbon black crystal). Love its proportions too.

 

[bmfang]

Sorry to interject, but bmfang I am in Brisbane too!

Best of luck in your search OP. I'll be lurking to see what you find

Hi @Shellcm!

 

[rockysalamander]

This one from JA: https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...dern-tulip-diamond-engagement-ring-item-51014

She also likes this design, how it only shows the pave from top down and slims down when it meets the main diamond: http://www.sutcliffejewellery.com/jewellery/round-brilliant-knife-edge-diamond-ring

Great. There are other versions of the JA setting from BN and others. The Sucliffe is gorgeous. I think we can find the top view elsewhere, but that basket would be semi custom. I will say that I love when the setting pinches in by the diamond.

So, it may be worth looking at Blue Nile (use the advanced settings to add the additional criteria). But, don't assume their Signature Ideal is "enough". You'll have to check each one individually. But, like JA, they show imagery from their Signature stones. You can also look at B2C.

Has she every expressed interest in old cut diamonds (old European cut, old mine cut, old cushion cut, transitional), often found in vintage rings? If she is "in" on the discussion, have a look at Jewels by Grace and look at videos of the stones. Don't worry so much about the exact budget now, just trying to get a feel for the cut and her interest.

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/