Advice needed on a few stones

[uffda]

Hello!

It’s finally time for this long-time dater to propose to his lovely girlfriend. We will be taking a camping trip in late September and at some scenic spot along the way, I’ll be popping the question to her.

I’m a little over whelmed at the moment looking for a diamond though. I’ve read up on my 4cs and know that she wants a round brilliant diamond and that my priority is not size but cut quality and fire/brilliance.

The idea budget is to stick around the 7-8k mark and with that in mind, I’ve picked out a few stones that I would greatly appreciate some feedback on! Trying to go just above a carat on so on size and would like to stick to lower end of budget if possible.

1) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3303084 ($6,680, 1.0 HCA, inclusion in the center of the table)

2) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3300751 ($7,170, 2.2 HCA)

3) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3011805 ($8,110, 1.9 HCA, budget busting option but looked like good value)

4) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3086253 ($7,770, 0.7 HCA, at top of budget)

What do you expert PriceScopers think? I’m open to other options too but would like to stick to JA if possible. With your help, I know I can avoiding falling into the “fool with his money” category. Thank you!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Welcome! First of all, you are on the right track making cut your first priority! High clarity can really bump up price, though. I'd normally recommend VS1-VS2 clarity, but sometimes you can get lucky and get a VVS that is not priced higher than some other VS1s.

So of the ones you linked, I'd eliminate #1 because of the black inclusions right under the table as well as a feather (crack) being the primary inclusion, #2 may be good but needs an ASET image to see if there is any leakage, #3 looks good but needs an ASET, #4 The H VVS1 looks good and probably is fine but I'd still ask for the ASET image.

Just so you know, you can also access superideal cuts within your budget:

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3833696.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3788919.htm

 

[Snowdrop13]

Love those Whiteflash options!

 

[rockysalamander]

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamo...nd&wire_price_max=8000#diamond=R127-0569Z5136

Here are few that vary mostly in color from @diamondseeker2006 , and thus gain some size -- just to give you some options.

1.218,I, SI1. https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3872128.htm
1.284, H, SI1, $7682, https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3857551.htm {would like to see IRL video to check inclusions}
1.29, J, VS2, $7440, https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3735109.htm

Have you looked at old cuts? Transitional stones are a nice blend of old and new cutting getting the floral look of old with some of the fire of new. Be sure to compare old and new cuts by size in mm, not weight in carats. Make sure to click on the video to really see how these perform.
http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-54ct-transitional-cut-diamond-ags-j-vs1/ {7.59 mm}
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-02ct-transitional-cut-diamond-gia-k-vs1 {6.21 mm}

 

[uffda]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Just to add a little bit more detail, I think I'd like to stick with a stone that is at least an H color or better and really try to stick around that 7k mark. Should I post a few more options for you to look at?

 

[rockysalamander]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Just to add a little bit more detail, I think I'd like to stick with a stone that is at least an H color or better and really try to stick around that 7k mark. Should I post a few more options for you to look at?

7k diamond only?

 

[uffda]

7k diamond only?

Yep, thinking a fairy simple solitaire setting so most of my budget will be on the diamond itself.

 

[rockysalamander]

All at 1 carat, but note the spread size difference. I listed the size, ignore carats (weight). Pretty tiny, but though it worth noting. I have a thing about black inclusions, I can't not see them, so I would eliminate #2, but you should make your own choice.

My top choice is #1 (biggest and clean). If you can't stretch over $7k, then it would be #5.

#1 $7246. VS2 H. 6.55mm. Superideal with similar type of inclusion.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3833705.htm {inclusion barely noticeable}

#2. $6920, VS1 H 6.38 mm. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-
diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2358714 {tiny black inclusion in the center of the table, but at VS1 should be invisible to the naked eye}

#3. $6700 VS2 H 6.42 mm. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-h-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2359321 {small inclusion in center of table, bigger but clear}

#4. $7193. 6.44 mm. Superideal. https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3816375.htm {clear inclusion on the table}

#5. $6720 VS2 H 6.45 mm. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-h-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3267945 {largest cloud is off to side and might be covered by a prong, confirm with JA that it will be covered}

 

[rockysalamander]

I'm assuming white metal...American white gold contains nickel. Nickel can be an allergen to some, its a contact issue and the more contact the more an issue. Some people never have an issue. From WF, you can order white gold without nickel (palladium white gold) or platinum. JA does not have this option, so you'll need to decide if you can afford platinum or stick with white gold.

WF Settings. 18k Palladium White Gold or Platinum. I would assume palladium white gold is between WG and platinum in price.
https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...-sleek-line-solitaire-engagement-ring-728.htm {$875 WG, $1275 plat}

https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...ni-1rz7242-solitaire-engagement-ring-3996.htm {$440 WG, $732 plat}

JA Settings.
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...e-flower-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-50242 {$730 WG, $1260 platinum}
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...dern-tulip-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50671 {$660 WG, $940 platinum}

 

[Scandinavian]

Based on your username, I'm guessing that you might be from Scandinavia. If so, my general advice would be to stay above 1ct and choose a G colour (or H if you need to for price reasons). As long as it is eye clean, you should be fine with a VS2. Cut is very important, as you know, but for a girl talking to her friends, size and colour might be important too. Especially if she doesn't know that much about diamonds and cuts. Good luck!