advice on choosing a loose diamond and setting, budge 3K

[Elly]

Hi all,

Look for a diamond no more than 3K, D-F color, VS1-IF, >0.55 Cart, GIA 3X or AGS0, faint or none fluorescence. Have found two, both in-house:
Option 1) round shape, 0.58 Cart, signature ideal-cutting, F-color, VS1-clarity, $2934
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD02352255

HCA grade: 1.4
Factor Grade
Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread Very Good

Option 2) princess shape, 0.66 Cart, a-cut-above, F-color, VS1-clarity, $2392
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2681930.htm

AGA total grade: 2A
Tab Percent: 2A
Crown Height: 1A
Girdle: 1A
Depth: 2B
Polish: 1A
Symmetry: 1A

The second one is larger and cheaper, not sure about princess cut, would it be better choice than the first one, in terms of brightness and fire?? What further information should I ask for from the retailer?

This one seems very cheap:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1450583.asp
But does the big black spot in the center indicate light leakage??

About setting, I'm confused is 18k white gold more durable or platinum? And which looks better to wear with a platinum band easily getting faded (╯-╰)

Any advice and/or suggest would be much appreciated!

Thanks a million!
Elly

 

[Amys Bling]

What ate the dimensions of the princess cut?? Princes cuts face up smaller than round brilliants, so even thought the second stone is .08 larger in carat weight it actually will smaller.

 

[Amys Bling]

Not loving that third one. The other princess is ACA which is a premium princess cut-

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I like this one:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2291009.htm ($3019)

 

[Elly]

For the first round shape, measurements: 5.34 x 5.37 x 3.30 mm

For the second princess cut, measurements: 4.77x4.74x3.57

 

[Elly]

Good point, the face of the princess is actually slightly smaller
Is it possible to ask for ideal scope from blue Nile ?

 

[Elly]

I like this one:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2291009.htm ($3019)

Thanks, but this one has feather and cloud inside at the center, would it be an issue?

 

[dmz]

If you're working on a budget, you might consider going down in color and/or clarity. Most people would have trouble telling the difference between a F/VS1 and a G/VS2 for example.

This is a fairly objective video showing the differences in color: http://vimeo.com/3288695

Also, it wasn't clear from your original question -- does your budget include the setting or just the diamond?

 

[JulieN]

Good point, the face of the princess is actually slightly smaller
Is it possible to ask for ideal scope from blue Nile ?

The princess is every so slightly larger in face-up dimensions, they are basically the same size.
PR 22.61 sq mm
RB 22.52 sq mm

 

[Elly]

Good point, the face of the princess is actually slightly smaller
Is it possible to ask for ideal scope from blue Nile ?

The princess is every so slightly larger in face-up dimensions, they are basically the same size.
PR 22.61 sq mm
RB 22.52 sq mm

Thanks a lot! I was wrong, the pr is larger, sorry for my bad math.
Is the price of the princess cut one right for such quality? It seems more expensive than that on the price report.

 

[Elly]

The bughe is for the loose diamond only.
What else information should I ask from the diamond retailer?

 

[50shadesofblack]

I'd go down to VS in clarity and down to G-I in colour if I were you. I don't know if you had the chance to compare colours, but I have an I and it's completely and only ice white with no hint of any warmness in it.


For example, I think this RB 0.557 G VS1 looks very nice. It has 1.6 - Excellent HCA score with the following grades:
Factor Grade
Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread Very Good
or diameter for weight


Pricescope Wire Price $2,308.64

 

[Elly]

Thank you for you suggestion, it's at the same price range with the above princess cut one, but 0.11 ct smaller. I would prefer the larger one.

 

[dmz]

Elly,

I think you need to provide a little more guidance. What are you looking for, and what are your priorities? There's a large visual difference between a princess cut and a round brilliant. Which one do you want? All other things being equal, a princess cut costs less per carat. At the same time, all other things being equal, a princess cut "faces up" smaller than a round brilliant. What's more important to you: a bigger carat weight, or a bigger visual appearance? Are you willing to sacrifice in other areas (clarity, colour) to achieve a larger size?

Do you need / want an upgrade policy?

As for gold vs platinum, there are multiple posts here that talk about that (use the search). In a nutshell, platinum costs more, but the difference isn't as large as it used to be. With wear, platinum develops a patina and requires repolishing occasionally (if you don't like the patina). Most white gold is rhodium plated, and has to be replated occasionally. I started with white gold, and ended up with platinum. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer. The one consistent piece of advice is to keep everything the same (i.e., don't wear a white gold e-ring beside a platinum wedding band).

Is there a particular setting, or style of setting you're looking at? You might find it most cost efficient to get a setting from the same place you get your diamond. So that might factor into the equation as well.

 

[Elly]

Thank you so much, dmz, I will absolutely consider your questions.
Not sure about the update in the future, probably not. Cut is more important to me than others, I may not tell any difference between F and G-color, but still won't go down below F.
I have tried a princess cut, and found round brilliant suits me better.
Actually, I decide to look for those with VS2-clarity, and found this:
0.625 ct F VS2 A CUT ABOVE, measurements 5.51x5.54x3.36, $2920.58,HCA<2
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2724658.htm




Can anyone review the pictures, and give me some advices? About the price, do you think there are still space to budget?

Along with other two options, both HCA<2, and AGA 1A, shall I request images?
0.66 Carat E-VS2 Excellent Cut, measurements 5.57*5.60*3.34, $2970
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1445914.asp
0.62 Carat E-VS1 Excellent Cut, meansurements 5.4*5.44*3.37, $2910
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1434948.asp

 

[Amys Bling]

Love the whiteflash stone you just posted!!

 

[dmz]

Thank you so much, dmz, I will absolutely consider your questions.
Not sure about the update in the future, probably not. Cut is more important to me than others, I may not tell any difference between F and G-color, but still won't go down below F.
I have tried a princess cut, and found round brilliant suits me better.
Actually, I decide to look for those with VS2-clarity, and found this:
0.625 ct F VS2 A CUT ABOVE, measurements 5.51x5.54x3.36, $2920.58,HCA<2
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2724658.htm

I'm not an expert, but I'd want to know that the crystal isn't eye visible in that. On the 40X magnification pictures, it looks like you can see the crystal in the 6 o'clock arrow, and then it looks like there are reflections of it in the 12 o'clock arrow. Maybe someone else here can comment as to whether that's a valid concern.

A couple similarly graded diamonds to consider:

0.638 F VS2 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2724665.htm

0.605 F VS2 http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/D...ls/0.605-F-VS2-round-Diamond-AGS-104054189048

 

[Elly]

As indicated in the certificate the crystal is at the 9 o'clock, not sure why there are spots at other places in the image.
Will definely ask WF...

 

[slg47]

As indicated in the certificate the crystal is at the 9 o'clock, not sure why there are spots at other places in the image.
Will definely ask WF...

sometimes it can be a reflection...but I would ask WF. also remember these pictures are SUPER magnified, the actual diamond is only about 6 mm or so