Advice Needed. Stone for E-Ring.

[FreshlyStoned]

Hi PSers,

I've been lurking the forum for weeks now to try and get the most bang for my buck. I've learnt a lot in that time and narrowed down a few options. Looking to buy just a loose stone for now, as I figured getting it set later on would be much easier.

My criteria has changed a few times since the start of my search. The more I read the more I realized you pay a premium for mind-clean specs on a sheet. So far I've come up with this. 0.78 - 0.85ct, H, VS1 - SI. Budget is about AUD$5500. Although, can stretch it a bit if it means better quality stone.

Below are what I've narrowed it down to. I've kept it to WF as I've found the website really easy to use and the prices seemed better than other online vendors often mentioned here (not ruling them out. just haven't searched on them as much).

Option A
ACA - 0.836 H si1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3709384.htm

Option B
ACA - 0.846 H si1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3685701.htm

Option C
Expert Selection - 0.8 H vs1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3365325.htm

Option D
ACA - 0.821 H vs2
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3664953.htm

As most of them are ACA, I'm not too concerned about them not performing and I'm not too fussed about the size variance. My main concern is with clarity. That is why I've included the Expert Selection option C. If option C was an ACA stone, I think I would've already purchase it. The fact that it's not is what's holding me back (upgrade policy for later on).

I guess my question is which option do you guys think represents the best value and is the clarity anything to worry about? Can they be seen by eye in real life or affect it's performance?

Also open to other suggestions.

Looking forward to your responses.

Cheers,
Jc

 

[ac117]

Option A or D would be my choice. Option B says 'Inquire' under eye clean, so that might not be 100% eye clean. Option C is more mind clean but has some painting along the edges and VS1 is overkill (to me) so I'd rather a perfectly cut stone than that clarity.

I'd ask WF to pull stones A and D and compare them for you...which one performs better and has more sparkle/fire....how eye clean is the G SI1 (at what angle/distance), is the G a lot whiter than the H...etc...they both hit 6mm, which is nice. WF has excellent customer service and that is also included in their price tag so use it to your advantage!

 

[farrahlyn]

Did you notice that WF has info under PERFORMANCE on whether or not the stone is eye clean? While it will differ for each person, this is a really great guide. Remember too that this is a relatively small stone. mark up on a piece of paper how big 6mm x 6mm is and then consider how tiny the inclusions are on the clarity plot. Also, some inclusions are just more visible than others. Then some people just want the "mind clean" stone, inclusion plots bug them just knowing what's there.

ANyway, WF definition from the website FAQ section: "No inclusions visible to the naked eye of a person with 20/20 vision when viewing the diamond in the face-up position at a distance of approximately 10 inches under normal overhead lighting."

Remember too, these are all ideal stones, the ACAs are Super Ideal so basically we are nit-picking stones that are all going to be great performers.

The first stone would be my choice. It says eye clean and I have a hard time finding the crystals in the video and that's magnified! Don't care for the twinning wisps in stone B. Stone C... nothing wrong with it, still beautiful but i'd go for Stone A over it because of better color for the price, not to mention stone A is an ACA. Stone D, i'd still choose stone A to get the higher color but you can always ask WF to send a video of the two or have them help you choose.

 

[bmfang]

Outta options at the other super-ideal vendor I look at a lot (Brian Gavin Diamonds) as there's nothing in their inventory for that carat range within your budget.

Victor Canera has a limited range, but would you consider going from an H to an I in colour?
https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/ags104089834009-0.832-i-vs2-ideal-hearts-arrows-round

James Allen has limited True Hearts as well in that carat range.

Of the four WF choices, like the others, I'd take Option A. It seems like that is the best bang for buck you're gonna get.

 

[tyty333]

Option D would be my choice for you...its a VS stone and an ACA at about the same price.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

D would be my choice as well. I like H VS2 and ACA!

 

[FreshlyStoned]

Thanks for all the replies!

I went with option A (I had only seen the first two replies at the time of ordering). Surely can't go wrong with an eye clean ACA. I'm just glad it's done.

Now to find a jeweller to make the setting!!