Another newbie seeking help

[AmJoe]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to join the throng of people who crowd-sources their diamond from the helpful prosumers around here

Hahah, no actually I have been reading the forum and trying to get as much knowledge as possible for the (slightly scary) proposal that I am going to attempt to foist on my unlucky girlfriend next year. At this stage I am planning on purchasing a ring then taking it to a local jeweler for a custom setting.

Anyway, after looking around I stumbled over this rock:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.24-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-222325

It looks good to me (HCA = 1.1, idealscope doesn't appear to have major distortions), but as I have indicated I am totally new to this. Would any kind soul like to point out either the critical flaw that I have overlooked, or the soul-crushing ordinariness of this rock (or even perhaps that it isn't that bad) I would be very grateful.

 

[AmJoe]

Can I be so bold as to bump this?

Feel free to bring my world crashing down around me if it's justified.

Cheers.

 

[JulieN]

What variable do you want to optimize?

I don't think it should qualify for an H&A rating at all but it doesn't seem like the price is higher than non branded ones. Otherwise it looks fine.

 

[AmJoe]

Ideally I'd like to optimise the fire of the rock - why don't you think that it deserves a H&A rating? I noticed some distortion on the hearts - is that what you are referring to?

 

[JulieN]

yes, the hearts.

what are you trying to optimize after that? cut is a given around here.

 

[AmJoe]

Oh I see, I still haven't entirely worked out the social mores obviously.

I guess from there it would be carat, my partner doesn't seem to have a predilection towards icy clear diamonds or warm ones - for the sake of my OCD I tend to gravitate towards VS1+ and G+ but only because I know it maximises the possibility of getting something with a bit of sparkle. Less than 1.5 carats but more than 1 would be ideal. At the moment my thoughts are that it would be paired with 2 sapphires, if that makes any difference.

These are only my thoughts and I am open to convincing arguments either way - as a general rule I tend to obsess over minor details with all my purchases, so it's always nice to hear a voice of reason about what qualities actually affect the look of a diamond (outside of aesthetic preferences of course).