Assistance on my first lab diamond purchase

[mystery222184]

This is my first post on Pricescope (Hi everyone ) and first lab engagement ring purchase. I’ve been reading before joining, especially the ideal proportion posts from @DejaWiz, but would greatly appreciate some help so I have a better chance of getting this right!

Looking for a ~ 2.4-2.6ct round brilliant stone (I’ll be using in a white gold pave twisted band).

Also confirmed eye clean and white - So I’ve narrowed to G color, VS1 clarity to be safe.

Budget is around ~$2k for the stone, but if I had to move on that for the right diamond I would. I’d like to get the ring and stone from the same place and have been looking at Adiamor, Brilliance, RareCarat, Ritani.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Kim N]

Take a look at this HPHT GCAL 8x stone. If you see something you like, put it on hold right away.

2.52 Carat E VS1 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond GCAL 8X Certified 332210610 Affinity Cut - D54452757

2.52 carat, Round, E Color, VS1 clarity, GCAL 8X Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Lab Grown Diamond, D54452757

www.adiamor.com

 

[mystery222184]

Take a look at this HPHT GCAL 8x stone. If you see something you like, put it on hold right away.

2.52 Carat E VS1 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond GCAL 8X Certified 332210610 Affinity Cut - D54452757

2.52 carat, Round, E Color, VS1 clarity, GCAL 8X Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Lab Grown Diamond, D54452757

www.adiamor.com

Thank you! This stone looks nice, but wouldn’t a Color E be overkill for me? Just need it to face up white (would think F would be highest I need even if I was being extra safe in white gold?)

Any blue color to be concerned about with this HPHT?

 

[DejaWiz]

Karl_K any issues with the optics for this diamond that you can discern?

Video:

Media Links

 

[tyty333]

Thank you! This stone looks nice, but wouldn’t a Color E be overkill for me? Just need it to face up white (would think F would be highest I need even if I was being extra safe in white gold?)

Any blue color to be concerned about with this HPHT?

Labs are not like Earth grown where it costs thousands more to go up in color/clarity on these size stones. In labs its only hundreds
to go up and sometimes not even that. I would not restrict myself to such tight parameters (G/VS1). That E is in your budget.

2.57 Carat G VS1 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond GCAL 8X Certified 321861137 Affinity Cut - D52954997

2.57 carat, Round, G Color, VS1 clarity, GCAL 8X Certified Diamond, GCAL 8X Certificate 321861137, Affinity Cut Lab Grown Diamond, D52954997

www.adiamor.com

 

[crbl999]

Thank you! This stone looks nice, but wouldn’t a Color E be overkill for me? Just need it to face up white (would think F would be highest I need even if I was being extra safe in white gold?)

Any blue color to be concerned about with this HPHT?

Unless you prefer your diamonds to have some tint (I'm color sensitive and G is tinted to my eyes), I would recommend going F+ in color and GCAL 8X since your budget allows for it. Cost difference is minimal between color grades and not overkill IMO.

 

[mystery222184]

Unless you prefer your diamonds to have some tint (I'm color sensitive and G is tinted to my eyes), I would recommend going F+ in color and GCAL 8X since your budget allows for it. Cost difference is minimal between color grades and not overkill IMO.

Thanks that's helpful. I was originally filtering for GIA or IGS, so I only started reading on GCAL 8X over the last day or so. Im sure nothing is foolproof, but are these generally safer picks? Do I need to still worry about the HCA score being under 1 for example?

 

[Karl_K]

Karl_K any issues with the optics for this diamond that you can discern?

Video:

Media Links

link is not working for me.
Combo works but needs to be checked for obstruction issues.
If its reasonably tight its probably fine.

 

[Kim N]

Thank you! This stone looks nice, but wouldn’t a Color E be overkill for me? Just need it to face up white (would think F would be highest I need even if I was being extra safe in white gold?)

Any blue color to be concerned about with this HPHT?

No blue nuance to worry about with this one. I generally prefer HPHT without blue nuance to CVD since there's no worry about striations or haziness.

GCAL 8x, although not as strict as A Cut Above or BGD Signature, does make selection easier because of all the light performance analysis they've done on the stones.

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com

For this particular stone, I wouldn't worry about HCA <1. The HCA was also revamped in the last several years, and it's more on a case-by-case basis whether there's an issue with low-scoring stones.

 

[DejaWiz]

link is not working for me.
Combo works but needs to be checked for obstruction issues.
If its reasonably tight its probably fine.

I took a screenshot head-on, although not sure how much help it will be.

 

[Karl_K]

That is one of the worst video setups.
It should be fine, im not seeing anything major that can not be explained by the environment/lighting.

 

[DejaWiz]

That is one of the worst video setups.
It should be fine, im not seeing anything major that can not be explained by the environment/lighting.

Thank you, Karl_K - much appreciated.

mystery222184 let me know when you are active here on the forum...I've got a link for you in case you want to act quick and place a diamond on hold. Killer deal on a very clean and well cut HPHT for around $1350.

 

[mystery222184]

Thank you, Karl - much appreciated.

@mystery222184 let me know when you are active here on the forum...I've got a link for you in case you want to act quick and place a diamond on hold. Killer deal for around $1350.

@DejaWiz Im here! Would love to see thanks

Also adding to the above discussion I watched the Pricescope video on GCAL 8x and it was super helpful (since I don't have access to this imagery).

 

[DejaWiz]

@DejaWiz Im here! Would love to see thanks

Also adding to the above discussion I watched the Pricescope video on GCAL 8x and it was super helpful (since I don't have access to this imagery).

Here you go!
Nice fiery proportions!

You are being redirected...

...you can check with other sellers for availability and price match, if you desire.

 

[mystery222184]

Here you go!
Nice fiery proportions!

You are being redirected...

...you can check with other sellers for availability and price match, if you desire.

Thank you! Any concerns with it falling out of GCS excellent?

Also pardon the basic question - but any idea of optical performance? Without the 8x or something similar I don't have much to go on right?

 

[DejaWiz]

Thank you! Any concerns with it falling out of GCS excellent?

Also pardon the basic question - but any idea of optical performance? Without the 8x or something similar I don't have much to go on right?

Should lean more fiery due to the PA and CA pairing
If Frank Darling has access to it in their supply channels, then they may be willing to provide you with ASET Scope images and videos in various lighting conditions.

 

[mystery222184]

Should lean more fiery due to the PA and CA pairing
If Frank Darling has access to it in their supply channels, then they may be willing to provide you with ASET Scope images and videos in various lighting conditions.

Thank you! Reached out to put on hold from vendor and they are looking into imagery for me. Otherwise, there seem to be many G, VS1 8x stones around that price to pull the trigger on if this doesn't work.

 

[DejaWiz]

Thank you! Reached out to put on hold from vendor and they are looking into imagery for me. Otherwise, there seem to be many G, VS1 8x stones around that price to pull the trigger on if this doesn't work.

I think you're going to end up with an amazing diamond no matter which route is more feasible!

 

[Kim N]

Thank you! Reached out to put on hold from vendor and they are looking into imagery for me. Otherwise, there seem to be many G, VS1 8x stones around that price to pull the trigger on if this doesn't work.

Most of the G VS1 8x stones are CVD. All else being equal, I would still recommend an HPHT without blue nuance over CVD.

 

[mystery222184]

Most of the G VS1 8x stones are CVD. All else being equal, I would still recommend an HPHT without blue nuance over CVD.

I think you're going to end up with an amazing diamond no matter which route is more feasible!

While the other stone is pending, I would like to try and select the best GCAL 8X that fits my criteria (~2.5ct, Face up very white, def eye clean).

Given these are all 8X stones already - any advice on criteria I can use filter this down? Do either of you see a standout from the lot you recommend? Thanks again! (Link should only have GCAL 8X selected but giving me trouble!)

https://www.adiamor.com/Lab-Diamonds/Search?lab_only=1&cut_low=affinity&shape=round&lprice=1200&hprice=1900&lcarat=2.48&hcarat=2.60&color_low=g&color_high=e&clarity_low=vs2&clarity_high=vs1&polish_low=excellent&symmetry_low=excellent&photo=filter

 

[Kim N]

While the other stone is pending, I would like to try and select the best GCAL 8X that fits my criteria (~2.5ct, Face up very white, def eye clean).

Given these are all 8X stones already - any advice on criteria I can use filter this down? Do either of you see a standout from the lot you recommend? Thanks again! (Link should only have GCAL 8X selected but giving me trouble!)

https://www.adiamor.com/Lab-Diamonds/Search?lab_only=1&cut_low=affinity&shape=round&lprice=1200&hprice=1900&lcarat=2.48&hcarat=2.60&color_low=g&color_high=e&clarity_low=vs2&clarity_high=vs1&polish_low=excellent&symmetry_low=excellent&photo=filter

Unless I'm missing something, only the 2.59 F is a GCAL 8x, and it looks excellent.

 

[mystery222184]

Unless I'm missing something, only the 2.59 F is a GCAL 8x, and it looks excellent.

Sorry the link is being wonky. If you unselect (GiA, IGS, GCAL) and only leave GCAL 8X selected - you should have 77 results.

 

[Kim N]

Sorry the link is being wonky. If you unselect (GiA, IGS, GCAL) and only leave GCAL 8X selected - you should have 77 results.

I like these two.

2.59 Carat E VS2 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond GCAL 8X Certified 332210706 Affinity Cut - D54452767

2.59 carat, Round, E Color, VS2 clarity, GCAL 8X Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Lab Grown Diamond, D54452767

www.adiamor.com

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com

2.50 Carat E VS2 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond GCAL 8X Certified 332210597 Affinity Cut - D54451449

2.50 carat, Round, E Color, VS2 clarity, GCAL 8X Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Lab Grown Diamond, D54451449

www.adiamor.com

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com

 

[mystery222184]

I like these two.

2.59 Carat E VS2 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond GCAL 8X Certified 332210706 Affinity Cut - D54452767

2.59 carat, Round, E Color, VS2 clarity, GCAL 8X Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Lab Grown Diamond, D54452767

www.adiamor.com

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com

2.50 Carat E VS2 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond GCAL 8X Certified 332210597 Affinity Cut - D54451449

2.50 carat, Round, E Color, VS2 clarity, GCAL 8X Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Lab Grown Diamond, D54451449

www.adiamor.com

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com

Thanks! Makes sense to go up in Color if I can confirm the VS2s are totally eye clean. Most of these 8X look great to me, I feel like I’m over analyzing the same imagery for each.. haha

 

[mystery222184]

Adding they were able to get me an aset on the stone I have on hold that @DejaWiz found. Looks good. GCAL 8s may be safer due to all the imagery provided, but would love any thoughts!

 

[DejaWiz]

Adding they were able to get me an aset on the stone I have on hold that @DejaWiz found. Looks good. GCAL 8s may be safer due to all the imagery provided, but would love any thoughts!

Looks absolutely A-OK - that should be one heck of a fire breathing diamond

 

[Kim N]

Adding they were able to get me an aset on the stone I have on hold that @DejaWiz found. Looks good. GCAL 8s may be safer due to all the imagery provided, but would love any thoughts!

The ASET image is terrific, and the stone will definitely have excellent fire. My personal preference is for proportions closer to the Tolkowsky ideal of 34.5/40.8.

 

[DejaWiz]

@Karl_K and @Kim N does the ASET match up with the diamond? I'm looking for the tiny inclusion at the 9 o'clock position, but not sure if it would be visible in the ASET image.

 

[Karl_K]

Check the report to see if there is a plot, the 9 oclock one looks like a reflection of the inclusion across from it.
Can you find that one in the ASET? im not at my pc.

 

[Kim N]

@Karl_K and @Kim N does the ASET match up with the diamond? I'm looking for the tiny inclusion at the 9 o'clock position, but not sure if it would be visible in the ASET image.

Interesting, I don't see the 3 o'clock inclusion in the ASET either. Does the LGF seem higher on the stone in the ASET image?