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Deciding between round ideal cut diamonds

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zyybux

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 20, 2025
Messages
3
Hi,

If you all can give your thoughts on the following five diamonds, that would be a huge help!

The first is significantly less $ than the rest, $17k versus $22-$25k for the rest (the second at 1.9 carat is also less expensive at around $19.5K).

I feel like the cut is similar, but the rep was saying that the inclusions are on reflectors and will amplify the effect - that this diamond should be a no go out of these options. Should I avoid this one, compared to the others? Or are the cuts/dimensions close enough to go for it.

Can you help me to rank these by cut (sparkle/brilliance)? They are all very close in size, and mostly near the ideal ranges.

Three of the diamonds are on hold and so show as unavailable.

Thank you so much.

Option 1: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-24563363



2:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-25165237



3:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-25726033



4:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-24367239



5:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-24181321
 
Are you locked into James Allen or are you able to look at inventory with other vendors?
 
i notice they are all steep CA's 36 and 36.5... did you say you wanted a fiery diamond ? I would say pretty much they will all be similar performance.... very Firey but less bright depending on the lighting conditions and position of the viewer...

#1 the 2.02 ct E si1 ? the rep is right - it's like a hall of mirrors - crystals and pinpoints repeat all over the stone... it's probably eye clean but has a "smudgey vibe"

1753402539552.png


What is your time frame ? I'm sure the folks @ PS could find you some others for consideration...
 
This is a great stone - similar specs but SIC and AGS report attached - it does have fluorescence- but it’s very well cut and will be well balanced for brightness and fire.

www.briangavindiamonds.com

2.17 H SI1 Black by Brian Gavin Round

Brian Gavin Diamonds
www.briangavindiamonds.com www.briangavindiamonds.com
 
I'm not one of the real experts and this would be on the high end, but what do you and the experts think of this one for $25,243?

www.rarecarat.com

2.02 Carat Natural Diamond, Round Cut, VS1, E Color, GIA Certified

Rare Carat Ideal cut, 2.02 carat natural diamond, certified by GIA. E color and VS1 clarity. Priced at $26543, 36% lower than our fair price estimate.
www.rarecarat.com www.rarecarat.com
1753406413233.png

And of course this will be beautifully cut, for $25,511 if you pay by wire: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...-vs2-clarity-round-excellent-cut-sku-a4739308

1753406535002.png

1753406619698.png

And of course @jjca's BGD choice is amazingly cut! Remember that the brightness of a diamond comes from the cut quality, not from the color grade.
 
Thanks for your quick replies

1) I am not locked into James Allen. The only reason these are from their site is because their selection seemed like the most reasonably priced for ~2 carat, well-cut and colorless range.

2) I am looking for a balanced stone rather than fire heavy, and did not realize until now that steeper CA's cause high firey and less bright/brilliance. Thanks for this insight.

3) For stone #1, I agree it's like a hall of mirrors. I mainly wanted confirmation that this would impact the vibe of the diamond.

4) I do not have a tight timeframe, 2 months or so, but as the research takes a lot of time I would like to not drag it out if possible.

5) Thank you for the Brian Gavin recommendation. Maybe I should check out their site further as I haven't spent much time on here. This diamond looks very nice, however, I was looking at colors D - F. Is this being unreasonable given a budget of less than $25K?

Thanks
 
@newtojewels Just seeing your post now. This diamond looks very solid, thanks for the recommendation. It's on the very very high end haha. My budget is $25K but I would feel more confortable closer to $20K if I can find the right stone.
 
zyybux said:
Thanks for your quick replies

1) I am not locked into James Allen. The only reason these are from their site is because their selection seemed like the most reasonably priced for ~2 carat, well-cut and colorless range.

5) Thank you for the Brian Gavin recommendation. Maybe I should check out their site further as I haven't spent much time on here. This diamond looks very nice, however, I was looking at colors D - F. Is this being unreasonable given a budget of less than $25K?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I didn’t care for any of those James Allen stones.

There’s not a lot of inventory in that size range for SICs right now

That ACA is gorgeous! You can always contact them and ask if they have any sales coming up? They are so nice!

Cut is king. If you’re not in a rush - wait until something good comes a long. Good luck - keep us posted
 
I think whether you can manage it closer to $20k depends on the most important factors to you. Although the diamonds you're looking at have decent cut, they aren't the top tier that most people on Pricescope are seeking. Because of the deeper cut style you were looking at on James Allen, a G-H super ideal cut (SIC) will probably look brighter. But if you or your partner feel like you need that D-E-F color and 2 carats and you want the best cut quality, you probably won't be at $20k. Then the question becomes where to compromise.

Closer to $20k here's an option from Whiteflash but it's 1.84 carats:
www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 1.84 ct G VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4760704

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.84 carat G color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). | 4760704
www.whiteflash.com
1753409809309.png

But do you see how much more symmetrical and crisp this looks than your James Allen options?

Option 2, for example:
1753410052291.png

Here's a website you can use to compare face-up size, though keep in mind this doesn't account for brightness differences which can make a diamond seem a little larger: https://www.diamdb.com/
 
Most folks think G or even H color looks "colorless". Not everyone (some have extremely attuned vision and see the "tint" in G/H, but itd not the norm.
 
lovedogs said:
Most folks think G or even H color looks "colorless". Not everyone (some have extremely attuned vision and see the "tint" in G/H, but itd not the norm.
Click to expand...

I have 2 G side stones next to my E center and you absolutely can’t see any color. When I finally get around to getting a wedding band I will do Gs to save some $$. If I ever upgrade through BGD - I need 2 areas to upgrade - I’ll go for a G or H but increase in size and clarity.
 
jjca said:
....... If I ever upgrade through BGD - I need 2 areas to upgrade - I’ll go for a G or H but increase in size and clarity.
Click to expand...

A Future Upgrade is something to also consider ~ JA and BN have a 2 x orig spend full credit trade in feature... so maybe don't stretch the budget now... keep 50% of the powder $ dry and save/invest it towards an upgrade in few years.... (highly likely diamonds will keep falling in price so eventually you can move up to a great 2CT colorless....)
if you stretch $ budget now for a compromise "stone" then the upgrade cost will be just that much more.....
also D/E/F with med or strong FL trade at discount to non so you can get them for G/H prices (bonus they nat w/FL is easier to distinguish from Lab Stones and may actually improve appearance )

example... this likely eye clean 1.61 E Si1 w Med Blue.... @ $ 9,660
1753457678069.png

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