Bad diamond?

[Na_crh]

Just by looking at the photos, is this a bad diamond? What types of specs should I ask the vendor for?

 

[Dancing Fire]

Don't look good!... any lab report?

 

[OoohShiny]

You need more than photos to ascertain just how good a diamond is.

Buy an ASETscope and IdealScope if you do not have them.

 

[ringo865]

Is it a 1.3 GIA J/I1 for $2500 "plus trade"? Trade what? Looks significantly more included. Most people here won't look for I1 stones for engagement rings.

Does it have a lab report?

 

[Na_crh]

This diamond doesn’t have GIA certification

 

[ac117]

Then definitely yes, bad diamond. 1.3 J I1 means nothing if it's only their assessment and not certified by a reputable lab - for all we know it could be an L I3 if you were to get it certified. It has very visible inclusions and appears to be dull and lifeless. If you post your budget we could help you find the most bang for your buck but please don't spend your hard earned money on that stone.

 

[metall]

@ac117 took the words right out of my mouth....this is pretty far from a good looking rock.

 

[Dancing Fire]

This diamond doesn’t have GIA certification

How fast can you run???...

 

[Na_crh]

I am considering upgrading my current enagagement ring stone hence the “plus trade”. I have a beautiful 1.18ct K colored stone but I think it faces up a bit small (attaching photo of my current ring). I am hoping to upgrade to 1.30ct without paying more than $3k out of pocket.

I reached out to this jeweler because they are willing to trade in my current stone (for $1k) which is laser enhanced.

 

[AprilBaby]

Your current ring is prettier.

 

[Bron357]

If size is your only criteria, yes, that one is bigger.
Without a report (and they aren’t that expensive) whose word is it that it’s a “J, I 1?
Your current diamond, as a clarity (laser) enhanced diamond (that’s a laser burning out the worst of any inclusions) is not an easily saleable diamond on the “pre loved” market. Most here would say “run away fast from anything clarity enhanced” because it’s not a good or respected treatment.
The fact is that with diamonds, you pretty much get what you pay for.
Your “trade” will get you a bigger diamond, but it won’t be a “good” diamond in terms of colour or clarity. To improve those factors you will have to spend more money.
So, it’s a decision only you can make.

 

[LaylaR]

What makes a transparent diamond beautiful is the light return, sparkle, and light performance that result from the ideal angle alignment of the facets.

I think if you spend some time researching what makes diamonds beautiful, and become a savvy knowledgeable consumer that diamond wouldn't even be on your radar.

Here's just one difference cutting makes in the appearance of faceted diamonds. The diamond on the right is larger and heavier than the one on the left. The one on the left looks larger even though it is .25mm smaller in diameter.

 

[arkieb1]

I don't see the point of upgrading to a bigger size if the stone doesn't have a decent enough cut or is not free of enough inclusions to allow it to be really bright and sparkly and do all the things a diamond is supposed to do. Is this stone laser enhanced too?

 

[Dancing Fire]

I am considering upgrading my current enagagement ring stone hence the “plus trade”. I have a beautiful 1.18ct K colored stone but I think it faces up a bit small (attaching photo of my current ring). I am hoping to upgrade to 1.30ct without paying more than $3k out of pocket.

If I had a $3K budget I would buy a nice .70 -.75ct from WF or CBI and then upgrade in the future. Stop throwing your good money into horrible stones.

 

[justdeb__]

I am considering upgrading my current enagagement ring stone hence the “plus trade”. I have a beautiful 1.18ct K colored stone but I think it faces up a bit small (attaching photo of my current ring). I am hoping to upgrade to 1.30ct without paying more than $3k out of pocket.

I reached out to this jeweler because they are willing to trade in my current stone (for $1k) which is laser enhanced.

Like you, I was mainly focused on carat size when I started my diamond search. With the help of all the invaluable tips from PSers, I learned that you should try to focus on cut (ideal or better) to really get the best bang for your buck. A stone can be cut too deep to increase its carat weight but you end up with a lifeless diamond that doesn’t look its size. You’ve essentially spent majority of your money for carat weight that you cannot see because the diamond is not cut to its best proportion.

My vote is to keep your current stone and save up for a well-cut diamond in the future. If you were to trade up to this 1.30ct, you may be disappointed to find out that it looks the same size as your current stone once set in a solitaire setting and you’ve just wasted $2k.

Are you craving more finger coverage? Would you consider a different setting? Three stone or halo? A solitaire setting with a thinner band may make your current stone appear larger as well.

 

[metall]

Is this the only stone that your jeweler is willing to trade to you? If so i think that is very telling that they haven't shown you others.

With a 1k trade in value, i would leave the trade and either save up for a little better diamond or spend the 3 k now somewhere with a fabulous trade in policy...but stop spending your hard earned money on bad stones.