Diamond help, much appreciated!

[mk206]

Hello PSers!

My fiance-to-be and I have been talking about rings and diamonds for a while now, and we are getting closer to making a final decision. I've gotten to choose the setting, and he will be choosing the diamond to fit the budget (which is a secret from me). I originally wanted the classic Tiffany setting in 18K YG/platinum prongs- I was convinced they had the best diamonds and settings available, and that we would just choose a smaller stone to accommodate for the higher price point... However, he did some research and introduced me to WF and PS- and my world is changed! Thank you for being such an incredible resource. I have learned more than I ever knew existed about the importance of cut before anything else, and we are looking at WF ACA stones.

Setting: will likely be the Vatche U-113 in 18K yellow gold with platinum prongs. I wish I could clone the Tiffany setting exactly, but after scouring PS this looks like the best replica. Will eventually likely be worn with an eternity band.

Questions about diamonds:
He asked me for my preferences on color/clarity (which then determines the size of stone, given the budget). I originally thought G+ color, and VS1+ clarity, but I've read some things recently that are making me re-think. Also since it will be in a solitaire setting, size is important here too. Any help or advice is very appreciated!

Color: I am not the most color sensitive person in the world, but I can see a little bit of "warmth." It will also be in the solitaire setting and therefore more visible from the side. I've seen many PSers recommending I color for a larger diamond that still looks "white" (esp being an ACA), and heard of people asking for a "high I" (closer to H than J). Could someone tell me if this is really something we can ask them to look at for us? What would you recommend?

Clarity: I am a very detailed person and will probably look at this diamond much closer than the "eye clean" measure of 10-12 inches away. I'm worried that if I notice an inclusion, I will always be looking for it. Some VS2 stones I've seen on WF have lots of inclusions (clouds, crystals, pinpoints, etc) that are visible in some of the images (H&A, ASET, Idealscope). Some have notes "additional clouds not shown." Is there anything specifically we should be staying away from or looking for in regards to clarity? Is staying at VS1 necessary to avoid seeing inclusions when looking up close?

The reason I ask this is because I notice there are significantly larger diamonds available for similar prices if we drop down to I/VS2 than G-H/VS1. Again, I don't know the exact specs/budget, but for instance there is a 1.603 I/VS2 ACA for $12,271 (7.52mm) versus a 1.368 G/VS1 ACA for nearly the same price (7.12mm). My ring size is 4.75/5, and I anticipate the carat weight will be somewhere in the range above depending on specs.

Any help/advice/ideas are very appreciated! Thank you!

 

[pfunk]

Hello PSers!

My fiance-to-be and I have been talking about rings and diamonds for a while now, and we are getting closer to making a final decision. I've gotten to choose the setting, and he will be choosing the diamond to fit the budget (which is a secret from me). I originally wanted the classic Tiffany setting in 18K YG/platinum prongs- I was convinced they had the best diamonds and settings available, and that we would just choose a smaller stone to accommodate for the higher price point... However, he did some research and introduced me to WF and PS- and my world is changed! Thank you for being such an incredible resource. I have learned more than I ever knew existed about the importance of cut before anything else, and we are looking at WF ACA stones.

Setting: will likely be the Vatche U-113 in 18K yellow gold with platinum prongs. I wish I could clone the Tiffany setting exactly, but after scouring PS this looks like the best replica. Will eventually likely be worn with an eternity band.

Questions about diamonds:
He asked me for my preferences on color/clarity (which then determines the size of stone, given the budget). I originally thought G+ color, and VS1+ clarity, but I've read some things recently that are making me re-think. Also since it will be in a solitaire setting, size is important here too. Any help or advice is very appreciated!

Color: I am not the most color sensitive person in the world, but I can see a little bit of "warmth." It will also be in the solitaire setting and therefore more visible from the side. I've seen many PSers recommending I color for a larger diamond that still looks "white" (esp being an ACA), and heard of people asking for a "high I" (closer to H than J). Could someone tell me if this is really something we can ask them to look at for us? What would you recommend?

Yeah, if you are looking at whiteflash in house diamonds, they will be happy to pull the diamonds and give you an honest assessment. When I shopped for my wife, size was more important than color and we started in the same boat with that same cutoff that seems to be so often stated... not to go below I color. We ended up with a 2 ct J and it is set in an open 4 prong solitare. I am definitely more color sensitive and I can see the color from the side in indoor lighting (face up it is white), outside it is pretty hard to notice the color but I still notice the faint warmth. If I was the wearer, my cutoff would be H because I am willing to sacrifice some on the size. I don’t blame my wife though, for favoring size, because the 2ct J was noticeably bigger than a 1.76ct I we had originally picked out, and the larger size means larger facets with larger flashes that you defnitely notice too!

Clarity: I am a very detailed person and will probably look at this diamond much closer than the "eye clean" measure of 10-12 inches away. I'm worried that if I notice an inclusion, I will always be looking for it. Some VS2 stones I've seen on WF have lots of inclusions (clouds, crystals, pinpoints, etc) that are visible in some of the images (H&A, ASET, Idealscope). Some have notes "additional clouds not shown." Is there anything specifically we should be staying away from or looking for in regards to clarity? Is staying at VS1 necessary to avoid seeing inclusions when looking up close?

If you are staying in the VS clarity or higher, there should’t be any concerns or red flags about what to avoid. If there are clarity issues affecting light performance or durability, I think it would be exceedingly rare for it to happen in a GIA graded VS clarity diamond. When you get to the SI clarities and lower, you need to be mindful of notes like this: “clarity based on clouds not shown”. This can be a red flag, but what you described (additional clouds not shown), just means there are additional inclusions that are not shown on the clarity plot, but these inclusions were not responsible for the clarity grade given by the lab. I try to stay away from large or dark inclusions right under the table located in a position where they can be reflected like they are inside of a house of mirrors and show up as reflections all over the place. Try to stay away from feathers that pass through the girdle, though these arent always an issue and shouldnt be in a VS clarity. Don’t get scared by a busy looking clarity plot. Lots of inclusions added up to give an SI1 grade can be better than one big ugly crystal that has the same SI1 grade. Inclusions under the crown facets tend to disappear pretty well. Staying at VS1 is not necessary to get eye clean up close, though that doesnt mean that every VS2 will be eye clean no matter how you look at it. My wifes 2 ct is a VS2 with a cloud under the table but it is pretty deep in the diamond and I can’t find it without a loupe.

The reason I ask this is because I notice there are significantly larger diamonds available for similar prices if we drop down to I/VS2 than G-H/VS1. Again, I don't know the exact specs/budget, but for instance there is a 1.603 I/VS2 ACA for $12,271 (7.52mm) versus a 1.368 G/VS1 ACA for nearly the same price (7.12mm). My ring size is 4.75/5, and I anticipate the carat weight will be somewhere in the range above depending on specs.

I would not be afraid to go to VS2 in most cases, and not at all afraid if you are working with Whiteflash. They will give you an honest opinion. Just tell them how you intend to look at it and the lighting conditions and they will replicate that to give you honest feedback as to whether it is eye clean in those conditions. As far as color goes, no one can make that call for you. You need to look at some diamonds in person. Make sure they are of similar size, in similar lighting, and GIA or AGS graded. Do NOT determine your color sensitivity with uncerted stones unless you really trust that jeweler. Look at them in a grading tray, face up, and sitting in a setting. Try to see them in different lights because they will be a bit chameleon like. See if you can see stones with differing undertones. Most are yellow, some are brown, others are gray. You can see examples of these on James Allen. The undertone can significantly impact the price.

Any help/advice/ideas are very appreciated! Thank you!

Answers are bolded above. Glad you found PS. You are gonna end up with a stunner... no doubt. Enjoy the ride!

 

[mk206]

Answers are bolded above. Glad you found PS. You are gonna end up with a stunner... no doubt. Enjoy the ride!

Thank you so much for this, I really appreciate it!!!

 

[Dancing Fire]

IMO, G VS2 should be a safe bet.

 

[tyty333]

ACAs are Super Ideal AGS000 stones that face up very white for their color. Most people will notice size over color...its really difficult to notice color
without a stone right next to your ering to compare with. When its just your stone all by itself it will look quite white and bright.

I* would take a significant size increase in an "I" over a smaller G in an ACA anyday (but thats me).

Edit...you should not be able to see anything in a VS2 at up close range but do ask for your own
peace of mind.

 

[HappyNewLife]

Based on my experience, my new sweet spot is I/VS2. My ACA looks white in nearly all situations - the only time I notice warmth is in my crappy yellow bathroom lighting. If it were me, I’d go bigger and drop down to this combo- you WILL notice a .4mm difference. And trust me, the diamond shrinks almost overnight and you’ll be glad you went bigger

 

[HappyNewLife]

 

[mk206]

Based on my experience, my new sweet spot is I/VS2. My ACA looks white in nearly all situations - the only time I notice warmth is in my crappy yellow bathroom lighting. If it were me, I’d go bigger and drop down to this combo- you WILL notice a .4mm difference. And trust me, the diamond shrinks almost overnight and you’ll be glad you went bigger

Thank you so much for the help!! I really appreciate it!