E-Ring Critique and Help

[Ryan Bradley]

Hello All,

Been searching educating myself as much as possible and have been looking at potential diamonds for purchase. This is my first ever diamond purchase and want to make sure I make a good one! My criteria I wish to stay around is:

.95-1.05 Carat
SI2
I
Excellent Cut
Budget of $5000 CAD ideally, but have flexibility to go up to $6000 CAD.

I found this ring here, let me know your thoughts:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3275362

Thanks!

 

[KKJohnson]

I would pass on that one, what color setting are you going to put the diamond in and is this CAD5k just for the diamond or setting included?

 

[Ryan Bradley]

Thanks for the input. Budget would be up to and around $6000 CAD just for the diamond. Total budget for Diamond and setting is $7500.

Looking to put it in a solitaire gold setting by Noam Carver that the gf is in love with, which is about $1400 CAD.

 

[KKJohnson]

Wonderful, lets see what we can find!

 

[cmd2014]

You'll likely need to factor in duty too. Not sure what it is for loose diamonds, but for jewelry from the US it's typically the equivalent to GST + PST/HST for where you live.

That's a beautiful setting. I hope people here can help you find a diamond to match.

 

[rockysalamander]

The angles are good, but the inclusions will be very visible.

Ask the JA gemologist to review these for eye-cleanliness. If they are, then ask for an Idealscope image (IS), which will let us look at light return. I added some J colors as there was simply not much in your range.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3763674
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3736685 {clarity based on clouds that need to be reviewed for impact on light return; yellow flour! }
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3697461 (J color, but pretty good angles.)

For your budget and size goal, these are by far the best options I found and the are super-ideal cut.
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8917
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3607524.htm

Antique diamonds/preloved rings
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-11ct-old-european-cut-diamond-ags-j-vs2
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-04ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-j-si1
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-15ctw-vintage-3-stone-diamond-ring

 

[KKJohnson]

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3889156 This one is my first choice, it is within budget with a cushion for taxes, very lovely stone

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3753222

I like this one but I think it would be a bit far out of budget with import tax and the crown is a little higher than what is recommend on here
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3697930

 

[KKJohnson]

Oh I was writing but Rocky beat me to it! Rocky always has the best suggestions!

 

[rockysalamander]

Adding...There may be cost advantages from buying from BN, as it will be duty free, but they won't provide IS images on rounds. Hold CTRL when clicking.

https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD09538938?refTab=DIAMONDS

https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD09536078?refTab=DIAMONDS {lovely J VS2 with solid angles)

Edited to add:
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD08140259?refTab=DIAMONDS {also solid angle and clarity of VS2 looks good}

 

[rockysalamander]

Oh I was writing but Rocky beat me to it! Rocky always has the best suggestions!

Awwww...p.s. I like your new avatar better than the one with doll eyes. That was waaaay creepy.

 

[rockysalamander]

Given that your setting is 4-prong with on open side, I'd personally trade down size for color...I from JA or BN, but you can likely get a J in super-ideals.

 

[kmarla]

Adding...There may be cost advantages from buying from BN, as it will be duty free, but they won't provide IS images on rounds. Hold CTRL when clicking.

https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD09538938?refTab=DIAMONDS

https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD09536078?refTab=DIAMONDS {lovely J VS2 with solid angles)

People are mixing up terms here with duty vs taxes. We don’t pay duty on loose diamonds due to Free Trade Agreement with U.S. We don’t pay duty on settings or other jewelry either if they are manufactured in the U.S. There are exceptions sometimes for settings/jewelry that may be purchased from the U.S. but were manufactured elsewhere. Blue Nile will identify which jewelry items are duty free or not. Duty is an extra surcharge/tax in addition to GST/HST. You will always pay GST/HST taxes however. You can’t avoid it, and Blue Nile is no exception. Here in Ontario it’s 13%. It depends on your provincial tax rate. Either you pay the taxes at time of purchase (Blue Nile does it this way), or if you purchase from a different vendor you will pay FedEx or whoever delivers the purchase to you, usually upon delivery. Sometimes you’ll get a call from Customs/Fedex asking you to pay taxes etc before delivery. I’ve had it happen all three ways.

Hope this helps to clarify and good luck with your diamond!!

 

[metall]

Awwww...p.s. I like your new avatar better than the one with doll eyes. That was waaaay creepy.

Thread hi-jack for a minute to add....Oh thank heavens I wasn't the only one!! (just happy I wasn't the one to say it ) I say it with all love @KKJohnson

 

[rockysalamander]

Very helpful. I guess BN labels things "duty free" like stores label apples "gluten free".

 

[pearaffair]

OP I really like the setting you’ve selected!

 

[KKJohnson]

Awwww...p.s. I like your new avatar better than the one with doll eyes. That was waaaay creepy.

Thread hi-jack for a minute to add....Oh thank heavens I wasn't the only one!! (just happy I wasn't the one to say it ) I say it with all love @KKJohnson

HAHA but I liked the doll eyes lol

 

[alamana]

That setting is really beautiful. I love it.

 

[Ryan Bradley]

Thanks for all the suggestions @KKJohnson and @rockysalamander! I've narrowed it down to a couple that I like that you have mentioned. I like the idea of keeping the clarity above an SI2 as the main goal is for it to look good to a clean eye. Thanks for the suggestion to keep it I color and above with the setting that I have chose. That really helps!

These are the ones that stand out to me:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3889156 ***The JA consultant does highly recommend this one over the other below, though they also do not have an IS image. "Proportions look great! Nice color and clean to the naked eye and will sparkle like crazy". So I am starting to lean towards this one here!
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD09538938?refTab=DIAMONDS
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD08140259?refTab=DIAMONDS
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3736685 ***This one stood out to me the most, but talking to the JA consult, they don't have IS images and also stated "Based on the clarity of "based on clouds not shown" it will likely not sparkle or perform well."

Thanks so much for the confidence in the setting! It is very nice, have yet to see it in person, but will be next week!

 

[rockysalamander]

Don't dicount the Si2 due to it being called a Si2. A lot of PS members have eye clean SI2. I would judge based on if the inclusion was visible at 8 or so inches. I often find pairing higher color and clear inclusions to work well. Itf eye clean, it's a G and .3 mm bigger which are both visible changes. If it was me, I'd put both on hold and ask the JA gemologist not sales associate, to review the SI 2.

 

[Ryan Bradley]

Sorry I meant to say SI2 and above. I am perfectly fine with an SI2! And the larger size will make her happy as she ideally wanted a 1.0Carat. I will get the gemologist to compare the two and see what they say. Only question...how do you put them on hold for the gemologist review? I can't seem to find it on the website where to request this.

 

[rockysalamander]

Add both to your cart and then look in the lower left. Click on chat and speak to the online person. At that time request that the gemologist review both for eyeclean and performance. The HPD diamond is the same size in mm as your I and close in price and also an I. If the SI2 does not come back eyeclean, I'd pick the HPD stone next. They are super ideal cut and have more generous upgrade and buyback than JA . You can message them via their site and they will send you a video. They can also put the stone on hold for you. That will give you 3 solid option to consider.

JA requires an upgrade be 2x the original stone. HPD allows you to upgrade for a stone that is $1 more, and guarantees buyback at 80% of price.

 

[Ryan Bradley]

Well, kind of difficult to talk to these guys at JA, added both to my cart and started the chat feature to request the gemologist review and in that time stock: 3889156 sold, and then stock: 3736685 they cannot verify the diamond as it is oversees, and they keep mentioning 'the clarity grade is based on clouds which aren't plotted. Reviewing the stone, I'd worry that it may appear hazy due to this being the case,' and they wont provide a gemologist review unfortunately. They told me to buy it and review it myself....slightly annoyed with them right now...lol

The HPD HPD8917 one appears to be on hold, but I did put in the request for it and see what happens.

 

[alamana]

Well, kind of difficult to talk to these guys at JA, added both to my cart and started the chat feature to request the gemologist review and in that time stock: 3889156 sold, and then stock: 3736685 they cannot verify the diamond as it is oversees, and they keep mentioning 'the clarity grade is based on clouds which aren't plotted. Reviewing the stone, I'd worry that it may appear hazy due to this being the case,' and they wont provide a gemologist review unfortunately. They told me to buy it and review it myself....slightly annoyed with them right now...lol

The HPD HPD8917 one appears to be on hold, but I did put in the request for it and see what happens.

Ugh, sorry ... it's a tough time of year to be trying to buy a diamond.

 

[doberman]

I'm not a James Allen fan, but I was coming here to recommend this one:

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9713

I always sacrifice clarity first. Unless it's full of clouds most people aren't going to see inclusions. The J color will be fine in a good setting. And it's over 1 carat. An HP diamond will be beautiful.

 

[Ryan Bradley]

HPD8917 .91ct I-SI2. This diamond is already spoken for. They don't appear to have much in my range and budget for roughly $4200 USD as well currently.
HPD9713 looks nice but is over budget unfortunately.

 

[Ryan Bradley]

Ugh, sorry ... it's a tough time of year to be trying to buy a diamond.

Definitely starting to find that out! Haha

 

[rockysalamander]

So frustrating. Id call up hpd and speak to them. They may be able to get a diamond from another within your range. Also worth calling whiteflash.

 

[Ryan Bradley]

I am actually in touch with HPD right now and discussing some options. I am starting to fall in love with the diamonds they have. Really like their after sales benefits as well for upgrading. They look great. She has suggested:

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8323 HPD8323 .80ct I-VS1

It is below budget but with that it is smaller then what I was originally looking for. Not sure if I want to sacrifice the size at this time. But she did say that they are little low on stock right now because of Christmas and more options should become available in the new year.

 

[tyty333]

Another options (full trade up value and just spend 1x).
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3930755.htm

 

[rockysalamander]

I think the HPD 0.80 is lovely! You can always upgrade once they get more in stock, but this would let you get engaged sooner. You can save up money for a larger stone, if she ends up wanting one. You could even do that in the next few months if you end up wanting to. Or, you could hold off and see what comes in...but, that is a bit of an unknown waiting period (although diamonds around 1 carat are high demand so likely preferred to produce). I slightly prefer CBI over other super-ideals, but the difference may not be visible to others.

Haha. tyty333 beat me to the WF option.

No matter what....you will be giving her a knockout stone that will be better than nearly every other person she knows.

Similar specs, not super ideal, better price. But, you'd give up the upgrade policy.
https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond...lliant-EX-GIA-I-VS2-diamond-stock-16308-cert-