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Engagement Solitaire Brilliant

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psubz1008

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 27, 2020
Messages
17
Hi! I’m trying to pick a diamond for a solitaire engagement ring — I’m so nervous to not pick a ring with poor proportions as I don’t know if I’ll be able to see the ring in person before getting it. Wanted to post the GIA reports to get oPinions..

I’m so confused by the HCA - I looked It up and it said 1.6 and that it would Be good for a pendant? I can’t seem to find clear guidance on the ideal HCA for this. I’ve been looking at a lot on James Allen, but what should I consider For this? How can I be sure I’m picking something good? Should I lean towards reducing clarity and increased size? What should I be Considering?




57F5F016-C236-4274-AAC7-E8BFE0658A4D.png

Below is another one that was recommended to me by the consultant:

713C8DFC-BB5D-4D2E-93DE-E3E8A3DE28E4.png

Any thoughts or advice?
 
Can I ask why such high colors with VVS?

Also what is your budget? Because I’m guessing that you can get a very nice stone from WF or a CBI

Diamond | 2.635 ct F VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4187419

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.635 carat F color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4187419
www.whiteflash.com


HCA scores less then a 2 mean the angles work but without seeing a visual of the stones or an ASET imagine
 
KKJohnson said:
Can I ask why such high colors with VVS?

Also what is your budget? Because I’m guessing that you can get a very nice stone from WF or a CBI

Diamond | 2.635 ct F VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4187419

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.635 carat F color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4187419
www.whiteflash.com


HCA scores less then a 2 mean the angles work but without seeing a visual of the stones or an ASET imagine
Click to expand...

I’m not sure I understand the question of why such high color with VVS - should i not go for high color?

This is the ASET report for the second 2.7 carat one :1D280C47-7321-4564-8E96-FAB07811FF51.jpeg
 
I like the WF F KKJohnson found. Looks like WF is bit low on G’s. I like this one, eye clean, lively & large. With WF generous upgrade policy, you can upgrade to higher colour down the road. We don’t know your budget, clarity & color tolerances. For any of these or stones from JA, make sure you put them on hold or they might be scooped up from under you while you wait.


Diamond | 3.063 ct H SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4269793

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 3.063 carat H color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4269793
www.whiteflash.com
 
Color is a preference and it also depends on if you are color sensitive. Some have cultural reasons for going with high color.

Most are more flexible with clarity as long as the stone is "eye clean." For some, high clarity is important for the stone to be "mind clean."
 
the stones I posted tend to be labeled as “super ideal” the reason is because their cutting standards are very strict, they also tend to appear whiter in appears due to such. So you are able to go down in color but still have a nice white bright appearance, again as stated above color and clarity are subjective to the stones owner.

dropping down to an H color is typically a good bet as the average consumer doesn’t really see a color difference and most on here will sacrifice clarity to optimize the size

Personally I like this H

Diamond | 2.817 ct H SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4227585

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.817 carat H color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4227585
www.whiteflash.com

but if you wanted to go lower in color then I would jump on this one

Diamond | 3.243 ct I VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 3009309

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 3.243 carat I color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 3009309
www.whiteflash.com


what I like about the above vendors is all their branded diamonds are in house so that means they can pull them and do a side by side comparison on color for you, the reason this is so nice is because there are variations to each color grade such as a high or low H or I. Meaning you hypothetically purchase an H but it its a high H and looks like a G when comparing thus you just saved $ on the color grade or it can be vise versa, Low H looks like an I and you basically “lost“ money When you could have gotten the same look for a lower grade color.
 
ccuheartnurse said:
I like the WF F KKJohnson found. Looks like WF is bit low on G’s. I like this one, eye clean, lively & large. With WF generous upgrade policy, you can upgrade to higher colour down the road. We don’t know your budget, clarity & color tolerances. For any of these or stones from JA, make sure you put them on hold or they might be scooped up from under you while you wait.


Diamond | 3.063 ct H SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4269793

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 3.063 carat H color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4269793
www.whiteflash.com
Click to expand...

Are E and F considered high colors? I thought they’re part of the colorless category?

my budget is between $50-$60k

I really don’t want to go so low on clarity.

on WF, CBI I canT seem to get the clarity, cut, color, and size that I want.

I’m looking for something closer to 3carat, VVS, but would go to VS1, and want colorless - trying to figure out the other items like the right crown, pavilion, depth, table, etc.
 
KKJohnson said:
the stones I posted tend to be labeled as “super ideal” the reason is because their cutting standards are very strict, they also tend to appear whiter in appears due to such. So you are able to go down in color but still have a nice white bright appearance, again as stated above color and clarity are subjective to the stones owner.

dropping down to an H color is typically a good bet as the average consumer doesn’t really see a color difference and most on here will sacrifice clarity to optimize the size

Personally I like this H

Diamond | 2.817 ct H SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4227585

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.817 carat H color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4227585
www.whiteflash.com

but if you wanted to go lower in color then I would jump on this one

Diamond | 3.243 ct I VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 3009309

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 3.243 carat I color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 3009309
www.whiteflash.com


what I like about the above vendors is all their branded diamonds are in house so that means they can pull them and do a side by side comparison on color for you, the reason this is so nice is because there are variations to each color grade such as a high or low H or I. Meaning you hypothetically purchase an H but it its a high H and looks like a G when comparing thus you just saved $ on the color grade or it can be vise versa, Low H looks like an I and you basically “lost“ money When you could have gotten the same look for a lower grade color.
Click to expand...

Ahh this is helpful!! Thank you!!

have heard a lot about this vendor - going to check out what you sent.
 
If you have a healthy budget then I would definitely inquire over this one as well, this vendor has a high standard and restrictions on their cut stones so you are always guaranteed a stunner no matter which stone you pick. Like seriously you could just say I don’t know and randomly select it and be absolutely happy with it.

 
Most people consider colorless to be D,E,F, and almost everyone sees G as colorless as well. And you really dont need VVS clarity. VS2 will be eye clean.
 
psubz1008 said:
Ahh this is helpful!! Thank you!!

have heard a lot about this vendor - going to check out what you sent.
Click to expand...

All vendors recommend are vetted and trustworthy

since you want a colorless I wouldn’t go past a G, sadly it’s slim pickings due to COVID so if you go down to an H have them do a side by side compariso. It might take a bit more work but you could find a very white H.
 
Only 2 options at WF in a G

Diamond | 3.027 ct G VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4136978

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 3.027 carat G color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4136978
www.whiteflash.com

great value diamond due to it being a premium select, it just missed the ACA cut restrictions. Still a sparkle bomb

Diamond | 3.01 ct G VS2 Premium Select Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4248578

This fabulous 3.01 carat Round Excellent cut diamond has a clarity grade of VS2 and color grade of G.It is an excellent choice for diamond engagement rings or other fine diamond jewelry. | 4248578
www.whiteflash.com
 
KKJohnson said:
If you have a healthy budget then I would definitely inquire over this one as well, this vendor has a high standard and restrictions on their cut stones so you are always guaranteed a stunner no matter which stone you pick. Like seriously you could just say I don’t know and randomly select it and be absolutely happy with it.

Click to expand...

That is amazing and very reassuring!!
 
High Performance Diamonds (HPD) can cut-to-order a diamond for you to your strict specifics as well.
 
You can ask for pictures side-by-side to see any differences.

Diamond | 3.066 ct H VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4054989

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 3.066 carat H color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4054989
www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 3.01 ct G VS2 Premium Select Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4248578

This fabulous 3.01 carat Round Excellent cut diamond has a clarity grade of VS2 and color grade of G.It is an excellent choice for diamond engagement rings or other fine diamond jewelry. | 4248578
www.whiteflash.com
 
If you aren’t going to see it in person, I would go G — maybe H but definitely not I. I am a tad color sensitive. And the stones you are looking at are large.

I just woke up lol and haven’t had coffee yet. I’ll look around in a minute.

Do you know what kind of ring you are looking for? (The setting)
 
tyty333 said:
You can ask for pictures side-by-side to see any differences.

Diamond | 3.066 ct H VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4054989

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 3.066 carat H color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4054989
www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 3.01 ct G VS2 Premium Select Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4248578

This fabulous 3.01 carat Round Excellent cut diamond has a clarity grade of VS2 and color grade of G.It is an excellent choice for diamond engagement rings or other fine diamond jewelry. | 4248578
www.whiteflash.com
Click to expand...

What about the white flash diamonds that are virtual - do you know what this means? I presume I can’t see those side by side?
 
whitewave said:
If you aren’t going to see it in person, I would go G — maybe H but definitely not I. I am a tad color sensitive. And the stones you are looking at are large.

I just woke up lol and haven’t had coffee yet. I’ll look around in a minute.

Do you know what kind of ring you are looking for? (The setting)
Click to expand...

You are so so kind and so helpful!! Thank you!!

I just want a solitaire with an 18k gold band, platinum 6 prong - think the Tiffany setting..
 
psubz1008 said:
What about the white flash diamonds that are virtual - do you know what this means? I presume I can’t see those side by side?
Click to expand...

Yes. Those are not in house and not subject to the benefits of having them see the stones in person. Only look at their 'in house ' options.
 
lovedogs said:
Yes. Those are not in house and not subject to the benefits of having them see the stones in person. Only look at their 'in house ' options.
Click to expand...

Ahh okay - that just limits the options I suppose. Are options limited due to Covid right now? Or is this how it always is - how often are new diamonds added..?
 
Everyone is different in how fine tuned their color perception is. Also, people vary as to whether or not they prefer cooler (whiter) or warmer (yellower) diamonds.

For me, H is very obviously yellow tinted. Just saying.
 
psubz1008 said:
Ahh okay - that just limits the options I suppose. Are options limited due to Covid right now? Or is this how it always is - how often are new diamonds added..?
Click to expand...

Options might be somewhat limited because of covid. The biggest issue is that you are looking for a big stone and most people dont stock a ton of those at any given time.
 
lovedogs said:
Options might be somewhat limited because of covid. The biggest issue is that you are looking for a big stone and most people dont stock a ton of those at any given time.
Click to expand...

I was just going to say this. Covid shut down Antwerp and other places overseas, so I think there is a lag on inventory right now.


Whiteflash, High Perfomance Diamonds, Victor Canera and Brian Gavin Diamonds are always a good choice.
 
If you go with any of the above, they have done the work for you, so you don’t have to work out the angles and pavilions and percentages etc.

That’s the beauty of the super ideals, they are in house and have already been vetted by the companies. It really does take a load off your mind, and they have better upgrade policies than James Allen and the other drop shippers.
 
Like @RunningwithScissors states, some people can see tint in an H. To me, F is perfect, but G is also white to me but a D is just glam (but my first engagement ring is a D so I was set loving a D).

My favorite range is D-G, and actually I will go much lower clarity because I find inclusions to be natural and interesting and with super ideals, they can be very hard to find though with a larger stone, they might also be able to be seen more clearly.

So consider lower clarities but ask about at what point can you see them and if they are clear inclusions.
 
Also, look at mm measurements for size instead of carat weight. MM is what you are truly getting— accurate representation of size.
 
What is your time frame? You could also consider getting a made to order diamond from on of these vendors.
 
Ok. The choices already presented are nice, but I also used the diamond finder at the top of the page.

I found this one from Martin at USA certified diamonds.


He is less expensive because he doesn’t show images. He can probably get images and he understands the HCA tool. You have to old fashioned call or email him about the diamond and he has no upgrade policy and very limited basic setting choices. (Or you could send the stone to David Klass or someone else to be set).

This is a 3.01 G vvs2 $40,692 HCA 1.2 but it does have medium fluorescence (which I love and it could sort of boost the G to a so to speak higher G in certain lighting condition).

Ok. That’s my contribution for today.

Here is the search link from the top of this page: https://www.pricescope.com/diamonds...1&pageview=24&adv=false&days=100&cert_number=
 
Here is an H. It might be decently white.

black.briangavindiamonds.com

3.053 H VS2 Signature Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS graded 3.053 carat H VS2 Round super ideal cut Black By Brian Gavin Diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!
black.briangavindiamonds.com black.briangavindiamonds.com
 
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