Engagement Ring Help

[tha0sand6man]

Hello,

Just like most of you, I value the best bang for my buck and admittedly don't know much about diamonds.

I do value quality over size. I've been leaning towards JamesAllen but I'm open to anything. Thank you in advance!

Shape: round brilliant
Budget : <6500 (total with Pave setting ~8000)
Size : > 0.94 carat
Color: >= F
Clarity: Was thinking nothing less than VVS1?
Cut: as close to ideal as possible

Best regards!

 

[flyingpig]

Hello,

Just like most of you, I value the best bang for my buck and admittedly don't know much about diamonds.

I do value quality over size. I've been leaning towards JamesAllen but I'm open to anything. Thank you in advance!

Shape: round brilliant
Budget : <6500 (total with Pave setting ~8000)
Size : > 0.94 carat
Color: >= F
Clarity: Was thinking nothing less than VVS1?
Cut: as close to ideal as possible

Best regards!

It will be tough to find a diamond within your specifications, notably 0.94 carat.
Cutters make the best effort to maintain the magic 1ct whenever possible; leaving a stone at 0.94c is a huge ding on their profit.
For this reason, you don't see too many well cut 0.94~0.99c stones. When there is any, it is quickly snatched, because many want 1 carat ish stone without the 1 carat premium. It gets tougher when you consider F+ and VVS1+. Many will say VVS is unnecessary.

My recommendation is to expand your search to include 0.90c+ and SI1+ (and maybe G+). You will get to save couple thousands and/or upgrade the color to E or even D.

or

Get a well cut 1.0c H/G VS/SI1
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.04-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1943674

The following is something close to your specifications with the exception of VS2 clarity
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/0.95-platinum_select_round-I-AGS-F-VS2-diamond-stock-14409-cert-0008610307

 

[Niel]

There is nothing wrong with a high color and clarity stone - Obviously. Bit u want to bring up you saying you want the best bang for your buck.

To me that is saying you dont want to pay more than you have to. If that's the case, one could make an argument against high color and clarity. Clarity in particular is near impossible to tell the difference between a vs and a vvs stone to the naked eye.

Something to think about.

Edited to correct myself. Taking cold meds, apologize

 

[marymm]

I checked James Allen, WhiteFlash, and Brian Gavin Diamonds, and did not find any eye-clean ideal-cut-quality diamonds that fit your parameters.

I checked Blue Nile, and found two options which may be worth following up on, both very slightly over-budget:

1.01ct F-VS1 with strong blue fluorescence ($6510), facing up at 6.4mm - http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07439638. I ran the HCA tool, and this stone received a 1.0 Excellent Total Score, falling within the white-bordered AGS O box. I ran the AGA Cut Class Tool and the stone received a 1A total score, scoring 1A in all categories excepting 1B for crown angle.

0.93ct F-VVS2 with faint blue fluorescence ($6515), facing up at 6.2mm - http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD06143473. I ran the HCA tool, and this stone received a 1.6 Excellent Total Score, falling right on the border of the white-bordered AGS O box. I ran the AGA Cut Class Tool and the stone received a 1A total score, scoring 1A in all categories excepting 1B for crown angle.

Neither stone has clarity issues. My preference would be for the 1st stone, the 1.10ct F-VS1, as long as Blue Nile confirms the strong blue fluor presents no oily/hazy effects (very rare, but wise to check).

Blue Nile has an excellent return policy. If time and budget allows, if either stone appeals to you, I'd suggest buying it and having it sent loose to you so you can examine in various lighting conditions to make sure it passes muster for you.


If your diamond parameters can be loosened, to perhaps 0.89ct and/or including G-color and/or higher budget, likely other candidates could be found.

 

[tha0sand6man]

Thank you all for the great suggestions. I actually found this one to be quite attractive (same as posted above): https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.04-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1943674

The one from BlueNile as also was suggested is very nice.

I'm willing to wiggle my parameters around as most of you suggested. VS2 and above would be fine (I think) and color down to G is reasonable. Around 1 ct is preferable and I realize it is at a premium.

I really appreciate the suggestions.

Ken

 

[Niel]

What would you say to this
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.93-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2021390

Sure it's .01 less than what you were aiming. But truly that would be negligible and the savings would allow you a nice setting.

This is a designer setting in platinum.
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/engagement-rings/danhov/platinum-danhov-classico-single-shank-engagement-ring-style-cl138-item-58196

 

[tha0sand6man]

Hello,

Just like most of you, I value the best bang for my buck and admittedly don't know much about diamonds.

I do value quality over size. I've been leaning towards JamesAllen but I'm open to anything. Thank you in advance!

Shape: round brilliant
Budget : <6500 (total with Pave setting ~8000)
Size : > 0.94 carat
Color: >= F
Clarity: Was thinking nothing less than VVS1?
Cut: as close to ideal as possible

Best regards!

It will be tough to find a diamond within your specifications, notably 0.94 carat.
Cutters make the best effort to maintain the magic 1ct whenever possible; leaving a stone at 0.94c is a huge ding on their profit.
For this reason, you don't see too many well cut 0.94~0.99c stones. When there is any, it is quickly snatched, because many want 1 carat ish stone without the 1 carat premium. It gets tougher when you consider F+ and VVS1+. Many will say VVS is unnecessary.

My recommendation is to expand your search to include 0.90c+ and SI1+ (and maybe G+). You will get to save couple thousands and/or upgrade the color to E or even D.

or

Get a well cut 1.0c H/G VS/SI1
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.04-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1943674

The following is something close to your specifications with the exception of VS2 clarity
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/0.95-platinum_select_round-I-AGS-F-VS2-diamond-stock-14409-cert-0008610307

Just out of curiosity, the diamond you posted on James Allen is also listed on B2C Jewels for ~$800 less. In comparing the policies, I would assume the value added by James Allen is worth it?

Thanks again,
Ken

 

[flyingpig]

B2C is legit and popular and offers very competitive pricing, if not the best pricing
They provide both actual photo and IS/ASET images. They also offer free return shipping.

However, B2C charges 20% restocking fee when you upgrade your stone.
JA does not charge any restocking fee. 100% goes to the new stone. However, the new stone needs to be at least 2x the price of the original stone.

JA's rotating images are helpful if you think of upgrading to a fancy cut diamond later.

Each vendor has pros and cons. You need to decide which vendor works for you the most.

I went thru B2C's inventory. There are so many 1.0c G VS and F VS stones under 6.5k. There is even a decent E VS for additional $300.
I would go with 1.0c G/F VS from B2C for this purchase. I would not consider a sub 1.0c considering options you have and the healthy budget.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8656383-1.01-carat-Round-diamond-F-color-VS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=8656383&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07463738?click_id=876683465
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8474500-1.05-carat-Round-diamond-F-color-VS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=8474500&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8653149-1.00-carat-Round-diamond-G-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=8653149&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8463559-1.00-carat-Round-diamond-E-color-VS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=8463559&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8581463-1.01-carat-Round-diamond-G-color-VS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=8581463&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

NOTE: medium fluo on many of these stones. You need to verify there is no haziness