About to purchase a 1.0-1.2ct diamond. Looking for opinions!

[deraj090]

hi all,

brand new here! i'm going to propose to my girlfriend soon, and am looking to purchase a Round center stone -- ideally from 1.0 - 1.2 carat weight. I haven't set a firm budget yet, but I'd like to stay under $6500 if possible. Is this possible? I was thinking: 1.1, H, SI2 "eye clean", Ex or VG -- ideally with no fluorescence.

Thoughts on what I should expect to pay?

Thanks!

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: About to purchase a 1.0-1.2ct diamond. Looking for opini

Here are some options near/in your price range.

All of these stones have top-notch cuts and come from established, well-vetted vendors:

1.06ct, H, SI2 - August Vintage Round (different facet pattern)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-06ct-h-si2-august-vintage-round-diamond.html

1.058ct, G, SI2 (verified eye-clean)
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3157623.htm

1.025ct, I, VS2
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.025-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104076722043

1.01ct, H, SI2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-01ct-h-si2-superior-round-hearts-and-arrows-diamond.html

1.00ct, H, SI1
http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=store-product-detail&id=238

 

[deraj090]

Re: About to purchase a 1.0-1.2ct diamond. Looking for opini

Thanks! Is it unrealistic to expect to be able to find a nice stone larger than 1.1ct for $6500 or less?

 

[sweet_jane]

Re: About to purchase a 1.0-1.2ct diamond. Looking for opini

Here are some options near/in your price range.

All of these stones have top-notch cuts and come from established, well-vetted vendors:

1.06ct, H, SI2 - August Vintage Round (different facet pattern)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-06ct-h-si2-august-vintage-round-diamond.html

1.058ct, G, SI2 (verified eye-clean)
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3157623.htm

1.025ct, I, VS2
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.025-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104076722043

1.01ct, H, SI2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-01ct-h-si2-superior-round-hearts-and-arrows-diamond.html

1.00ct, H, SI1
http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=store-product-detail&id=238

Based on the criteria you mentioned, Rocky gave you some good leads on where to start looking. The diamond form Brian Gavin comes in under the $6500 budget you outlined.

Thanks! Is it unrealistic to expect to be able to find a nice stone larger than 1.1ct for $6500 or less?

Well, it depends. What are you looking for in terms of a diamond? What are the most important "C's" and where are you willing to compromise? Are you willing to go down in cut, clarity, or color to get a certain size?

If you are having a difficult time finding what you want within your budget you could try giving Martin Sheffield with USA Certed Diamonds a call. He does not offer some of the imaging that other vendors offer and has virtual listings (meaning: he does not actually have the diamond in his possession); but, he does have an excellent reputation on PS, he is a gemologist with a few decades of experience, easy to work with, and if you ask - will not hesitate to give you an honest opinion on any diamond. FWIW, I recently bought a diamond from him and saved over $600 for the exact same diamond that was listed with another PS vendor.

Just my $0.02 on another option for sourcing your diamond...good luck!

 

[deraj090]

Re: About to purchase a 1.0-1.2ct diamond. Looking for opini

great, thanks! That's exactly the feedback I was looking for.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: About to purchase a 1.0-1.2ct diamond. Looking for opini

Thanks! Is it unrealistic to expect to be able to find a nice stone larger than 1.1ct for $6500 or less?

Here is an option, though you would have to drop to J-color:
1.114ct, J, SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3192755.htm

The stone has been judged as eye-clean by Whiteflash, and has a top-notch cut. It is exactly at your budget.

One important note - face-up size (diameter) is more important than carat (a measure of weight).

The 1.058ct G-colored stone I had linked in the previous post is approximately the same size (6.63x6.5, when compared to the 1.114ct, J-colored stone (6.63x6.64). You would not be able to tell the difference in size, even if you're an expert.

For me, the G-color and still being eye-clean for only $500 more than the J-colored option makes the 1.058ct G an easy pick.

 

[deraj090]

Re: About to purchase a 1.0-1.2ct diamond. Looking for opini

face-up size (diameter) is more important than carat (a measure of weight).

Great point! I've seen a large variace in face-up size on many 1.00's.

 

[teobdl]

Re: About to purchase a 1.0-1.2ct diamond. Looking for opini

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.17-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-394899
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.15-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-425117
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.14-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-309055
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-382105

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: About to purchase a 1.0-1.2ct diamond. Looking for opini

Thanks! Is it unrealistic to expect to be able to find a nice stone larger than 1.1ct for $6500 or less?

Well cut H&A stones

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.213-h-si2-round-diamond-8-104076853006
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.092-i-si2-round-diamond-ags-104076722026#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/3/

 

[deraj090]

Re: About to purchase a 1.0-1.2ct diamond. Looking for opini

What does H&A stand for? Apologies for the ignorance.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: About to purchase a 1.0-1.2ct diamond. Looking for opini

What does H&A stand for? Apologies for the ignorance.

Heart and arrow stones. Take a look at the stones I posted above. They show 8 perfect hearts and arrows when viewed under a H&A scope.