Engagement Ring Help Please!

[MOLiving]

I am looking to buy an engagement ring. My budget is around 30 K. I am new to buying diamonds so would appreciate any help from you guys/gals. I am looking for a diamond with the following characteristics:
- Color: D-E-F
- Clarity: VS2 and above
- Cut: excellent
- Carat: 2
- Fluorescence: none

I don't really understand much about table, depth, symmetry etc

I am planning to put the diamond on a 6 prong platinum or white gold simple ring.

What do you guys/gals think of this diamond? https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-14898239

Here are other options on the James Allen website: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...=1.9&CaratTo=2.4&Polish=EX&Lab=GIA&Flour=None

Appreciate any input before I make this huge buy.

 

[RetroQT]

Also, is D-E-F a must? If you find an extremely well cut G or even H, you may find that there isn’t a noticeable tint (especially once set) and it would save you money or even allow you to go up in size or clarity.

 

[mayaINaU]

I am looking to buy an engagement ring. My budget is around 30 K. I am new to buying diamonds so would appreciate any help from you guys/gals. I am looking for a diamond with the following characteristics:
- Color: D-E-F
- Clarity: VS2 and above
- Cut: excellent
- Carat: 2
- Fluorescence: none

I don't really understand much about table, depth, symmetry etc

I am planning to put the diamond on a 6 prong platinum or white gold simple ring.

What do you guys/gals think of this diamond? https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-14898239

Here are other options on the James Allen website: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...=1.9&CaratTo=2.4&Polish=EX&Lab=GIA&Flour=None

Appreciate any input before I make this huge buy.

I would suggest searching in the diamond search engine on this website and limit HCA score to “excellent” and post what you find. Those who are more experienced can help you narrow those down. I don’t think the first one you posted would be recommended, but for some reason I’m not able to find it when I search for ACA score by GIA report number.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Diamond | 2.040 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4490299

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.040 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4490299

www.whiteflash.com

Here is a super ideal cut diamond from Whiteflash. With the wire price, it is a bit over your budget. Check out the images and videos of the diamond and compare them to the ones you have posted. You will see there is a considerable difference. Many here, including myself, have purchased diamonds from Whiteflash.

 

[Kim N]

The diamond you posted is not one we'd recommend.

If you're open to another vendor, Whiteflash has super ideal cut diamonds which are cut with more precision and have superior light performance to any James Allen stones. They also have one of the most generous upgrade policies in the industry.

In addition to the diamond MissGotRocks recommended, here are a few more suggestions.

Diamond | 2.095 ct F VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4443705

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.095 carat F color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4443705

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 2.033 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4462537

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.033 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4462537

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 2.024 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4490297

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.024 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4490297

www.whiteflash.com

A better cut diamond will also face up whiter than a poorly cut one, as RetroQT mentioned.

 

[Lookinagain]

if you are for some reason wed to JA this stone seems to fall within your parameters and had good proportions but I'd ask about the "additional clouds not shown"

2.01 Carat round diamond

2.01 Carat round diamond

www.jamesallen.com

 

[MOLiving]

if you are for some reason wed to JA this stone seems to fall within your parameters and had good proportions but I'd ask about the "additional clouds not shown"

2.01 Carat round diamond

2.01 Carat round diamond

www.jamesallen.com

Lookinagain I am not wedded to JA. I just found their website easy to use. The diamond you suggested falls within my parameters. Does anybody else have any opinions on this diamond? https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-15756971?a_aid=ps

 

[MOLiving]

So I looked using the search tool on this website and limited to excellent HCA score. I only found 2 inhouse diamonds and 30 virtual diamonds of which I selected a few for people on this site to review for me and give their opinions.

So for In-House:

2.20 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 2.2 carat G color vs1 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

2.01 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 2.01 carat G color vvs2 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

This is what I picked from Virtual:

2.03 Carat G VS2 Round Brilliant Natural Diamond GIA Certified 1433412394 Affinity Cut - D50615004

www.adiamor.com

2.01 Carat F VS2 Round Brilliant Natural Diamond GIA Certified Affinity Cut - D50984284

2.01 carat, Round, F Color, VS2 clarity, GIA Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Natural Diamond, D50984284

www.adiamor.com

2.01 Carat F VS2 Round Brilliant Natural Diamond GIA Certified Affinity Cut - D51037604

2.01 carat, Round, F Color, VS2 clarity, GIA Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Natural Diamond, D51037604

www.adiamor.com

2.00 Carat F VS1 Round Brilliant Natural Diamond GIA Certified Affinity Cut - D50815098

www.adiamor.com

B2C Jewels | Brilliant Round Cut Certified Natural Diamonds

www.pricescope.com

 

[Kim N]

So I looked using the search tool on this website and limited to excellent HCA score. I only found 2 inhouse diamonds and 30 virtual diamonds of which I selected a few for people on this site to review for me and give their opinions.

So for In-House:

2.20 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 2.2 carat G color vs1 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

2.01 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 2.01 carat G color vvs2 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

This is what I picked from Virtual:

2.03 Carat G VS2 Round Brilliant Natural Diamond GIA Certified 1433412394 Affinity Cut - D50615004

www.adiamor.com

2.01 Carat F VS2 Round Brilliant Natural Diamond GIA Certified Affinity Cut - D50984284

2.01 carat, Round, F Color, VS2 clarity, GIA Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Natural Diamond, D50984284

www.adiamor.com

2.01 Carat F VS2 Round Brilliant Natural Diamond GIA Certified Affinity Cut - D51037604

2.01 carat, Round, F Color, VS2 clarity, GIA Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Natural Diamond, D51037604

www.adiamor.com

2.00 Carat F VS1 Round Brilliant Natural Diamond GIA Certified Affinity Cut - D50815098

www.adiamor.com

B2C Jewels | Brilliant Round Cut Certified Natural Diamonds

www.pricescope.com

My favorites are the 2.20 G VS1 and the 2.00 F VS1.

Are you not interested in any of the super ideal cut diamonds from Whiteflash?

 

[tyty333]

The nice thing about the Super Ideal cuts (ACAs)...well, are mostly the cut. H&As with Ideal light return (AGS000) with Ideal
scope and Aset images that prove their cut quality.

But...ACAs also have 100% trade-in value with just spending more than it cost (JA is 2X original cost). So, say 5 or 10 years later
you/she may want to upgrade to a bigger size... it's very easy with a Super Ideal. I've done it myself (as well as many other Pricescopers.)

 

[MOLiving]

My favorites are the 2.20 G VS1 and the 2.00 F VS1.

Are you not interested in any of the super ideal cut diamonds from Whiteflash?

Well these are some A Cut Above from WhiteFlash. From what I am understanding from you guys/gals, WhiteFlash is preferred because I can upgrade in the future, 30 day returns accepted, and can get 70% back within a year if it's a diamond that is "in stock?"

Diamond | 2.033 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4462537

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.033 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4462537

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 2.040 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4490299

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.040 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4490299

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 2.048 ct G VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4490295

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.048 carat G color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4490295

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 2.095 ct F VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4443705

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.095 carat F color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4443705

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 2.024 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4490297

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.024 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4490297

www.whiteflash.com

This is a huge purchase. I don't want to spend all that money and regret it. I appreciate all the help. Thank you

 

[MOLiving]

Two separate questions.

1. Does it matter that they're all AGS certified diamonds from Whiteflash and not the more common GIA?

2. For engagement rings, I am looking for an HCA score between 1.0-2.0. Why is that?

 

[emmy12]

Two separate questions.

1. Does it matter that they're all AGS certified diamonds from Whiteflash and not the more common GIA?

2. For engagement rings, I am looking for an HCA score between 1.0-2.0. Why is that?

The simple non-pro answer to these is

1. AGS is more strict on the cut and light performance grading than GIA. AGS 000 would always get GIA 3X, but not all GIA 3x diamonds would score AGS000. In short: AGS is a better grading system for the most important of the 4C's (cut)

2. HCA is a screening tool to rule out diamonds that definitely don't have good proportions (i.e. don't even bother looking at them). Diamonds that fall within the OK range of the HCA are worth investigating further, usually with optical tools (ASET, ideal scope). Evaluating these tools requires some skill and knowledge....or an army of PSers to help you, which you now have.

If you buy a super ideal cut (eg. ACA from Whiteflash (WF), Brian Gavin, BGD, etc) then those companies and their experts have already gone through all these screening processes and tests for you to only have the best of the best cuts available. There is a price premium associated with this, but you're guaranteed something without having to do all the research and sift through diamonds on your own and hope you got a good one

 

[Kim N]

To add to emmy12's post, diamonds scoring under 2 or even 2.5 are worth further consideration. The HCA's note about stones scoring under 1 being better for pendants and earrings is sometimes outdated, and with the more recent updates to the HCA, many stones scoring under 1 are just fine for a ring.

 

[MOLiving]

Well these are some A Cut Above from WhiteFlash. From what I am understanding from you guys/gals, WhiteFlash is preferred because I can upgrade in the future, 30 day returns accepted, and can get 70% back within a year if it's a diamond that is "in stock?"

Diamond | 2.033 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4462537

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.033 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4462537

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 2.040 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4490299

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.040 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4490299

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 2.048 ct G VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4490295

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.048 carat G color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4490295

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 2.095 ct F VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4443705

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.095 carat F color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4443705

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 2.024 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4490297

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.024 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4490297

www.whiteflash.com

This is a huge purchase. I don't want to spend all that money and regret it. I appreciate all the help. Thank you

Can anybody comment on these diamonds form Whiteflash with regards to which they would recommend please?

 

[lulu_ma]

You can’t go wrong with any of these. I would pick 3 of the 4 and ask WF to take side by side pics to help you choose your favorite.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Can anybody comment on these diamonds form Whiteflash with regards to which they would recommend please?

I am glad with your budget that you are looking at the finest cut diamonds! I would lean toward the 2.09 F VS2 primarily due to the size and higher color.

As far as the G stones go, I would ask them to line them up and choose the highest color G that is totally eye clean (which all should be).