Advice on Selecting a Diamond

[CryHavoc]

Hello! I've been lurking for a month or so, reading through all the helpful advice on these forums, and am ready to purchase an engagement ring diamond online.

I've narrowed it down to the few below within my budget range and specs (1.3 to 1.5 ct, H color, VS2-SI1):

1) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3955175.htm

2) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3961916.htm

3) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3952900.htm

4) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3955174.htm

Do any of the above look like a better choice than the others? There are also a few more options in that size/price range at I color and VS2, with images that seem a bit cleaner. Would it make sense to consider these, or should I prioritize color (assuming all are eye clean)?

Greatly appreciate your advice on this. Thanks!

 

[Gussie]

I personally would go to I and a bit larger. Ideal cut stones face up very white. Of the ones you listed, I like the 2nd one as it has a smaller table.

 

[ac117]

All stunning stones! I would personally prioritize color over clarity because I see color more than I do clarity and as long as the stone is eye clean from the top down I'd be fine with that.

I'll give you my opinion but I think you could also narrow it down to 3 and ask WF to pull the 3 stones to compare and tell you what they see - which has the most fire/is the best performer, looks the whitest, is most eye clean. etc.

All that being said, this is my favorite of the bunch: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3955174.htm
If you did want to drop to an I colored stone and stay at VS2 clarity, I prefer this I over the one you linked: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3947711.htm

I don't prefer the inclusion under the table of the 1.405 H and the 1.375 H is at least .10mm smaller than the other choices, which is noticeable to me.

 

[CryHavoc]

Thanks for the input! This is tough... I guess H / VS2 would be ideal for me to get, but the price on those starts going a bit over my budget.

As for the setting, I was thinking of getting it in the cheapest one WF has available for the proposal, and then resetting it later to a nicer one from a local jeweler. Would JM be the best insurance option to cover this?

 

[ac117]

We all make compromises! You COULD get H VS2 for the same price but only if you go slightly smaller I wouldn't want to compromise on the size, though!

Which setting are you considering?

I use JM and would recommend them (it's also easy to insure through them with WF...I think they're linked). Others here use other companies like GemSafe I think and Chubb but they don't do standalone policies (you could do a search on here...I know there are several threads re: insurance).

 

[rockysalamander]

I'm not in favor of having an local jeweler unset and set the WF ACA. Diamonds can be damaged when being set and if that happens, you want WF to be able to replace it with another ACA. I like the temp setting idea, but can I suggest you have your GF work with WF or another PS vendor who we know will have the right kind of coverage to make sure they can re-source a ACA?

 

[CryHavoc]

Was thinking of just getting this basic setting as a temporary one: https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...ni-1rz7286-solitaire-engagement-ring-4026.htm

What happens if the diamond is damaged while being transferred into a new setting (with WF or a local jeweller)? Am I not covered either way with JM?

 

[CryHavoc]

I’ve asked for a comparison and additional details on a few - apparently the 1.375 H has one natural (confined to girdle) and two indented naturals (one extending slightly above and one extending slightly below the girdle). The report only shows a single indented natural though. Is this something I should be concerned about? Do AGS reports omit inclusions?

 

[rockysalamander]

Was thinking of just getting this basic setting as a temporary one: https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...ni-1rz7286-solitaire-engagement-ring-4026.htm

What happens if the diamond is damaged while being transferred into a new setting (with WF or a local jeweller)? Am I not covered either way with JM?

If you insure the diamond with JM, they will cover damage to the stone during setting. I still hesitate, personally, to have ACA set with an unknown jeweler. In fairness, I'm assuming you don't know the local jeweler and it would be a risk. They could be quite competent. But, I'd still rather have the vendor who sold me the super-ideal actually set it.

The report only shows a single indented natural though. Is this something I should be concerned about? Do AGS reports omit inclusions?

All inclusion plots omit inclusions. First, they are only looking at what is visible at 10x magnification. Then, they only plot the ones that actually set the clarity grade. They may note additional one in the comments, but there are sometimes others. Especially with a good vendor, they will verbally tell you what their eyes can see -- which is often more important than what you see on a computer screen.