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Diamond shopping online...what to look for...what to avoid??

C

CarFul

Rough_Rock
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Joined
Mar 5, 2018
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22
Shopping for a Round Brilliant diamond online. I've educated myself on the basics of the 4C's and know to only select something with an excellent cut. There are so many options out there, how can I further narrow down? Particularly, what parameters for depth, table, crown and pavilion? Do I need to see a defined arrow pattern in order to know the diamond will truly sparkle? And why do some diamonds look lighter, brighter and others look darker even thought they have the same 4C's, including the same cut?

I really want a "good value" diamond. I would much rather go larger in carat and lower in color to get more size for my dollar.

I have looked at several diamonds in person and I actually prefer the warmer color diamonds and was very happy with the K colored diamonds I looked at. I looked at a 2.8 carat K VS2 with strong fluorescent yesterday in a big box store that I loved...but I think they had the big box markup on it as well.

Thank you!
 
B&M will usually have a markup. You can always post your budget and wants and let some of the more experienced membres help you find a stone.

These are the parameters you should use to narrow down stones:
table: 54-58
depth: 60-62.3
crown angle: 34-35.0 (35.5 can sometimes work with a 40.6 pav angle)
pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (poss 41.0 if crown angle is close to 34)

So, GIA XXX is a broad category. those complimentary parameters above can make a huge difference on how light enters the stone and so makes the stone look sparkly. So yes, you can absolutely have a stone with all the same 4 C's and one will outshine the other due to the cut parameters.
read here:
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut

The HCA is a great tool on weeding out non performers. anything under 2 is worth looking at further
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca
 
Thank you Farrahlyn!

I have a 1 carat now and would like to upgrade to at least a 2 carat. I would REALLY a 3 carat one day, so I was thinking of getting a 2 carat now and then upgrading with a trade-in program down the road. For budget, I would like to be somewhere in the $9,000 to $11,000 price range. Anyone have any suggestions?
 
Yes! My budget is tight and I am really trying to stretch it. I have not heard of Adiamor.com, but I will check out that website. I have been looking at diamonds on JamesAllen.com until I am blue in the face!
 
CarFul said:
Shopping for a Round Brilliant diamond online. I've educated myself on the basics of the 4C's and know to only select something with an excellent cut. There are so many options out there, how can I further narrow down? Particularly, what parameters for depth, table, crown and pavilion? Do I need to see a defined arrow pattern in order to know the diamond will truly sparkle? And why do some diamonds look lighter, brighter and others look darker even thought they have the same 4C's, including the same cut?

I really want a "good value" diamond. I would much rather go larger in carat and lower in color to get more size for my dollar.

I have looked at several diamonds in person and I actually prefer the warmer color diamonds and was very happy with the K colored diamonds I looked at. I looked at a 2.8 carat K VS2 with strong fluorescent yesterday in a big box store that I loved...but I think they had the big box markup on it as well.

Thank you!
Click to expand...
For best value, consider clarity grades in the VS/Si range. Higher clarities are more expensive primarily from a rarity standpoint, rather than a performance one. Since you like warmer colors, you are in luck as prices come down substantially from the colorless range.
The biggest factor determining sparkle is cut quality. If that is your focus, go with GIA Excellent cut at a minimum. But because GIA cut grades are broad, it's better to consider diamonds with AGS light performance grade of Ideal, or GIA Excellent with additional light performance imagery such as ASET, Ideal Scope, and hearts and arrows views.
 
Yeh, I checked JA, Enchanted Diamonds, BlueNile...only went down to SI1. You may be able to find an eye-clean si2 but I didnt want to go there yet.
Also, dropping just below 2 may help so you dont get that big hit at the 2.00 mark.

That stone I posted has a "natural" along the girdle so you'll have to ask about that and make sure its not something to worry about. The "Affinity" cut
is also suppose to be H&A but YMMV depending on the vendor. Not sure if Affinity stones are in Adiamor's possession.

Edit...may want to call Yuketiel at ID Jewelry.
 
CarFul said:
In searching I've gone down to 1.7. When going down in carat, I keep going back to this diamond from JA:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...k-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4471378

Is this a good options? Should I hold out and continue to look for something larger?
Click to expand...
As a trade member I can neither recommend another vendor's diamond nor criticize it. I can only make comments that apply to any diamond. Strong fluorescence is a characteristic that lowers cost, which can be a good thing for someone looking for the biggest diamond in a given budget. And some people really like the effect. However, it is important to understand to this property before deciding if it is for you. You can find an overview in the pricescope knowledge base here:
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-flourescence
 
CarFul said:
In searching I've gone down to 1.7. When going down in carat, I keep going back to this diamond from JA:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...k-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4471378

Is this a good options? Should I hold out and continue to look for something larger?
Click to expand...

LOVE that stone! But since you're going to upgrade to get to that 3ct mark at some point, i'd look closely at the upgrade policy. i believe JA is double. which really shouldn't be a problem. BUt consider Whiteflash and High Performance diamonds, you can upgrade at any time as long as the stone is $1 more than the cost of your purchase. i've seen several members take advantage of this once they're at their ideal ct weight to upgrade in color or clarity. Anyway, just a thought!

WF has this 1.7
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3872117.htm
 
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