Engagement Diamond Advice

[steelers_10]

I have been doing my research and had it narrowed down to two diamonda on blue nile. Today one of them is gone so I guess that made my decision a little easier! I still have a few choices though given my criteria. Below is a link to the diamond I *think* I settled on but it would be nice to get the nod of some experts first.

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-very-good-cut-g-color-si2-clarity_LD02510568

I wanted something around 1 carat and .9 seems to be good bang for your buck. I went as high on cut (Very Good) and color (G) as my budget would allow and didn't worry about Clarity Grade so much. Is it safe to assume a SI2 will be eyeclean? Ultimately I'm looking for the most sparkle for my dollar (who isn't right?).

Thanks for your help!

 

[atp223]

Oof. I will let the experts chime in. But 1) very good cut is not necessarily going "high" on cut, 2) si2 will quite likely NOT be eyeclean - but in any event you definitely can't assume it will be, and 3) if you get something that is ideal cut that is vs2 or si1 and eyeclean, you could probably go down to at least an H and poss even an I, unless you or your gf is super color sensitive.

Eta: I see the hca is a 2.4 (I think) and the inclusion is twinning wisps. That could be promising...but I will still let others weigh in.

Maybe in the meantime call bluenile and ask about whether it is eyeclean?

 

[farmer gal]

Way to steep, it is measuring small you would be better off buying an ideal cut .80. I would call ID and tell them you are from pricescope what your budget is and what you are looking for, they pull out some really beautiful rings on a budget.

http://idjewelryonline.com/index.php

 

[steelers_10]

Thanks for the quick responses. I will definitely give ID a call, I still have a couple weeks before I'm planning on buying. I found this diamond as well, scores a 1.0 using Halloway cut advisor...whatever that's worth. Dropping down to H color though but I'm not sure either of us would notice. She isn't a diamond girl at all, this will be her first over .2 carats.

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-very-good-cut-h-color-si2-clarity_LD02489466

Again thanks and keep the advice coming, I need the help!

Edit: I guess "eyeclean" can be a relative term, at least as far as my ability to detect inclusions. I think it would take a big inclusion for me (or my girlfriend) to notice. I have had jewelers point out inclusions in the store that I was unable to detect on an SI2, but of course all inclusions are not created equal.

 

[atp223]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.835-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-104057888065

I have a bgd diamond, so I'm a little biased, but what about that one? Its measurements are 6.07x6.09. The first one you posted was 6.08x6.15. The bgd one is an unnoticeable smidge smaller, but far more symmetrical (even though it's 0.07 carats less in terms of weight).

It's a few hundred dollars more, but I swear it would be worth every penny! I've had friends, coworkers, and strangers come up to me and compliment my ring and then bluntly ask why/how my diamond is so sparkly lol - I'm completely serious. Keeping it clean helps, too, but cut is so important!

Eta: there is a pricescope bgd discount, so it would not be the full price listed (in case you thought I was bad at math ). Also I think the feather in the second one you posted is not a very good "si2" inclusion to have. But other people know more than me...

Back to work! Good luck!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I wouldn't use BN if going with SI1 because you need some magnified images as well as a gemologist description of how eyeclean the stone is. Limit your search to GIA Excellent only. Even some of those are not great because that category is quite broad. But the very goods will either face up smaller than they should making them look like a smaller stone for the weight or have some other problem like a very thin girdle. I wouldn't spend 5 seconds looking at very good cut.

 

[steelers_10]

Great advice everyone, I'm definitely starting to lean towards and ideal cut in the .80-.85 range and drop to H color if need be. Sounds like I need to make another trip to a store and look at some more stones in person to see where I can compromise. I basically need to be out the door BELOW $5,500 (don't want to finance) and my setting is about $1,700...that leaves ~$3,800 for a stone.

Here's the setting I have in mind, which is the main reason I have been looking at BN diamonds. Would like to get it all from one place and haven't found a setting I like as much on WhiteFlash but haven't really looked anywhere else.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_17374

 

[audball]

This setting from BGD looks almost identical and will be way better quality. I like it better because the head is more integrated. In 18kt white gold it's 1,540 which is less than the Blue Nile one. If you're going for Platinum, it's a bit more at 1,940. But honestly for 240 more than the Blue Nile one, it would be well worth the quality upgrade.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/e...nes/engraved-cathedral-18k-white-gold-5453w18

I don't know if you like old cuts, but they are fascinatingly beautiful and one of our regulars has a gorgeous, nearly 1ct OEC for sale in the Preloved forum. Here it is, $3495 and open to reasonable offers.
https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/0-97ct-oec-i-vs2-egl-t173769.html

Under budget even with platinum!

 

[marymm]

If it were me and I could swing it financially, I'd *for sure* go with the BGD stone and setting - beautiful diamond and I also prefer the integrated head in the BGD setting.

BUT if you are still preferring to go with Blue Nile, here's a couple of stone options within your budget:

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-h-color-si1-clarity_LD02487695
0.80ct H-SI1 - $3,226.00
5.96 x 5.99 x 3.64mm
AGA 1A, HCA 0.9 (3ex/1vg)
(listed inclusions: twinning wisp, crystal)
strong blue fluorescence

As this is a SI1 stone, you’ll want to have BN check it to see if eyeclean and to confirm the fluor has no adverse effect on the stone (very rarely fluor can cause haziness). * This stone would be my first choice if eyeclean

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-h-color-vs2-clarity_LD02480665
0.79ct H-VS2 - $3,896.00
5.90 x 5.93 x 3.66mm
AGA 1A, HCA 1.3 (3ex/1vg)
(listed inclusions: crystal, feather)
VS2 is most likely eyeclean but you may want to have BN confirm this.

OP - if you are interested in pursuing the BGD stone (or any BN stone), please ask the vendor to place it/them on hold for you.