Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Exhausted....

M

mikewhyatt

Rough_Rock
Trade
Joined
May 17, 2018
Messages
13
Hi all,

After learning from tremendous experience on the forum and soaking up all of your forum posts for quite sometime, I'm finally making a post of my own! My girlfriend and I were discussing getting engaged soon which sent me down into the depths of diamond world.

As someone who over researches the heck out of everything my progression of buying a diamond went from ..... online price aggregators -> friend of a friend wholesaler in NYC -> trying to find a good price/HCA on BlueNile/JamesAllen/Etc -> HCA is only a sorting tool so try to find ideal proportions -> cut matters most so gotta get super ideal to heck with everything else!!! -> spend time learning ideal scope images/ASET/the science behind the cut -> ideal cut diamonds can be in my price range but they're all J SI2 (not mind clean!) -> back to square one......

I spent hundreds of hours looking at stones, driving around to stores in different states, educating myself, and trying to get the best possible stone that my girlfriend will be looking at everyday for the rest of her life (she's not into trading up!). I thought I had a solid budget around $15,000 but it seems like when I try to go for everything thats recommend looking at 1.5ct+ the prices for the loose diamond is $15,000 forget about the setting. I'm lost and not really sure where to even start again....
 
:wavey: Take a deeeeeeep breath ... and welcome! You should be commended for having done so much research, and it IS a lot of info to take in and sort through. But this should be fun; not frustrating.

Let’s start with your criteria. Can you post your budget (and specify if it is for stone only or includes the setting), shape preference (round, cushion, pear, etc), and your color & clarity tolerances? Has your intended given you any ideas on what she wants to see on her finger - stone- & setting-wise? That would help as - if she does not intend to upgrade - you want to get it right the first time.
 
mikewhyatt said:
Hi all,

After learning from tremendous experience on the forum and soaking up all of your forum posts for quite sometime, I'm finally making a post of my own! My girlfriend and I were discussing getting engaged soon which sent me down into the depths of diamond world.

As someone who over researches the heck out of everything my progression of buying a diamond went from ..... online price aggregators -> friend of a friend wholesaler in NYC -> trying to find a good price/HCA on BlueNile/JamesAllen/Etc -> HCA is only a sorting tool so try to find ideal proportions -> cut matters most so gotta get super ideal to heck with everything else!!! -> spend time learning ideal scope images/ASET/the science behind the cut -> ideal cut diamonds can be in my price range but they're all J SI2 (not mind clean!) -> back to square one......

I spent hundreds of hours looking at stones, driving around to stores in different states, educating myself, and trying to get the best possible stone that my girlfriend will be looking at everyday for the rest of her life (she's not into trading up!). I thought I had a solid budget around $15,000 but it seems like when I try to go for everything thats recommend looking at 1.5ct+ the prices for the loose diamond is $15,000 forget about the setting. I'm lost and not really sure where to even start again....
Click to expand...

I feel your pain...I do the same thing! Good luck! I am sure you will find the perfect diamond and your GF will be thrilled.
 
Adjust one or more of your criteria. Like an equalizer. Obv, adjust your budget last.

So, what if you went slightly under 1.5 ct to avoid the price jump, and looked at stones of similar diameter? What kind of setting are you looking to get?

To have more diamond budget, you would look at a 14 or 18k gold (white, yellow, or rose) solitaire without diamonds in the shank as opposed to a hand forged micropave halo with diamonds on the struts.

People on here will search, find and help you vet stones and also give you lots of ideas and knowledge.

You've come to the right place :read:
 
@mikewhyatt Here are a few super ideal cut diamonds that hit the 1.5ct mark, all are I color, and all are deemed to be eye clean (as expected with VS clarity grades). And each should leave you with ample funds for a lovely setting if your $15K budget included it.

And there are plenty more options at WF if you opt to go just under the 1.5ct mark, but this gives you an idea (and some confidence) that you can get a great performing, beautiful 1.5 ct diamond and setting in your $15K budget.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=1466947,3985923,3965450
 
@the_mother_thing I agree! I had tons of fun in the beginning but now.....:eek2:

I had set the following criteria:
- Budget $15k (stone & setting) -- flexible here (+1k) if the perfect stone came around
- Round
- 1.5+/H/VS1/No Flour -- willing to go down to VS2 but seems like most of the time its because the darn crystal is right in the center on VS2s
- We discussed the setting and she had a preference for a solitaire/pave diamonds on the band/cathedral setting.
 
Last edited:
@the_mother_thing Thank you for putting that together! I know I'm crazy but the I color really gets to me, I'm sure it will look perfect with the super-ideal cut but it'll be on my mind. Someone from her family will eventually ask me what color the diamond is :oops:
 
Last edited:
mikewhyatt said:
@the_mother_thing Thank you for putting that together! I know I'm crazy but the I color really gets to me, I'm know it will look perfect with the super-ideal cut but it'll be on my mind. I know someone from her family will eventually ask me what color the diamond is :oops:
Click to expand...

No worries. Are there any cultural concerns to be aware of here? Some cultures are more ‘demanding’ of high color/clarity diamonds, so if that is the case, it’d be helpful to know as we help you.

Here are a few more that are G/H, and above or just below the 1.5ct mark which also leave ample funds to get the setting she loves. Yes, a couple are SI1; however, WF deems them to be eye clean, and if they say it is, I fully trust that. And I wouldn’t pay for what my eyes cannot see so long as it doesn’t impact performance - and if the inclusions in the SI stones did impact performance, they would not be categorized as ACAs (super ideals), as WF is quite strict on its ACA criteria/branding. They can also talk with you about what - if anything - they do see in viewing/comparing the diamonds in person and help guide you in that regard.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=3636386,3983288,3947713,3986359,3986361

Here is a CBI option from High Performance Diamonds as well, though lower in ct weight from the WF options: https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9546
 
With your budget, you can get a 1.5 carat super ideal diamond, but you will have to compromise on either color or clarity. I personally would compromise on clarity, but everyone is different with their criteria. If you don’t mind being just under 1.5 carats you have options.

Here’s one just under 1.5 carats, and it’s an H, VS1.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3961917.htm
 
@Snowdrop13 I'm loving the 1.7 H VS2 (it looks pretty clean for a vs2!).

I initially started my search at 1.7ct but dropped to 1.5 for a super-ideal so thats definitely my minimum ct wt criteria.
 
mikewhyatt said:
@the_mother_thing I agree! I had tons of fun in the beginning but now.....:eek2:

I had set the following criteria:
- Budget $15k (stone & setting) -- flexible here (+1k) if the perfect stone came around
- Round
- 1.5+/H/VS1/No Flour -- willing to go down to VS2 but seems like most of the time its because the darn crystal is right in the center on VS2s
- We discussed the setting and she had a preference for a solitaire/pave diamonds on the band/cathedral setting.
Click to expand...

Don't be afraid of VS2 or even SI1. there are quite a few that are eye clean. I think you have lots to choose from that are not super ideals but still will be great performing stones. Also, check other sites for these blue nile stones. Often times they will be listed on other sites as well and if you find a cheaper price, BN will price match.

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...color-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-4556658

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...color-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-4556666

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...color-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-4930663
 
 
Wow thank you so much everyone -- so many options I need to sort through!
 
@mikewhyatt - welcome!

Here's 2 wonderful options, tho I think one is slightly better than the other.

1.52ct H VS2 - nice clean stone. Ideal proportions - lovely clean arrows. HCA 1.7 $11,350. I'd be happy with this one, and I'm very picky - and picky even within the ideal range.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4637344

1.51ct H VS2 - another nice clean stone. Ideal proportions and a James Allen branded 'True Hearts' stone. HCA 1 $13,870

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...color-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-4556658

I prefer the first one.

Send it to David Klass Jewelry in LA (very highly thought of on these boards and you can find happy customers here all over the place) - and ask for one of their micro pave specialists to set it. You'll probably end up with around $1.5-2k to put in your pocket towards your honeymoon, as well as a KILLER ring.
 
mikewhyatt said:
Thoughts on the following? Just linking to the video on BN, its cheaper elsewhere..

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD10290856
Click to expand...

No, hard pass. the crown is EXTREMELY low at 32.5, it's super shallow with a larger table. :hand: not within ideal at all.

If you want to stay within ideal parameters, stick within these and then run them through the HCA:

Depth: 60 - 62.3
Table: 53 - 58 (i personally like less than 57%)
Pavillion: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41 works with a crown agle close to 34)
Crown 34-35 (sometimes up to 35.5 paired with a 40.6 pavillion)
 
@farrahlyn Okay, awesome! I'll go through the links above in an hour. Thanks again everyone.
 
@mikewhyatt

My two cents only. Since you have done all your research, which means you care enough in the first place, I would stick with the one thing that makes he biggest difference in the beauty of your diamond and that is to stick with super ideal. His means whiteflash, CBI, Brian Gavin, Victor Canera, GOG.

Next I k ow the feeling of that inclusion under the table even if vs2. But, you can look st these before you commit. If it is eye clean to YOUR standards then you have a VS2 and you may not need to compromise with color if you had to go down to a I for a VS1. You just have to be willing to talk to the representatives at WF and HPD and they will tell you honestly. With regard to the color, H or I, would your girl be fine with standing up to “cultural and family expectations” to go with an I if it is stunningly beautiful to you both in real life? If yes, f*** ‘em and get what is beautiful to you both. She is ge one looking at it day in and day out. This is coming from an Asian girl that bought two F MRBs and ended up trading them in for a K OEC. When my very Asian family grabs my finger and say OMIGOD that is so sparkly what color is that???? I say “GUESS”. And they always OVER guess. F, D, G, etc. I gives me such pleasure to tell them “K b!txhes!” Ok, I leave out that last part. My point is to put your and your girls preferences to the eye test and prioritize your desires over anyone so irrelevant to the daily enjoyment of your stone. Be willing to view things IRL and then make a decision based on what you see. CBI will ship to you for your viewing without commitment. WF has a return policy. You’ve already done all your research. Now you just need to use your eyes to decide what you prefer.
 
 
Last edited:
Slowly processing through this list. I really liked the 1.7 H/VS2 and was able to connect with Yekutiel at ID Jewelry. He sent me the following images, and wanted to gather thoughts..

GIA 7276201097-IdealScope-01.jpg
GIA 7276201097 Hearts-Hearts-01.jpg
 
nice stone! It's not perfect but still really nice. I will point out that the image on the link is just a sample image, it's not actually this stone. Maybe see if you can get an actual picture and a video, doesn't hurt to ask.
 
VERY nice IDJ stone - great color and specs, not perfect cut but a significant bump in size that I would definitely value! Great find @Snowdrop13!!
 
Do you want a top ideal H&A cut? if so then I'd go with BGD, CBI or WF.
 
mikewhyatt said:
@the_mother_thing Thank you for putting that together! I know I'm crazy but the I color really gets to me, I'm sure it will look perfect with the super-ideal cut but it'll be on my mind. Someone from her family will eventually ask me what color the diamond is :oops:
Click to expand...
Tell them is a G color. ;))They couldn't tell the difference from G-I ...:bigsmile:
 
I agree with @coda72 if you wish to hit 1.50ct on the nose it is better to compromise on clarity over colour as the hue of the stone is more negligible to the naked eye. Even If you go to an SI1 from a jeweller who vets it for you, or go with a reputable brand known to be eye-clean, the diamond will face up beautifully with no imperfections visible.

I would also consider coming slightly down on the carat weight. If you stay with perfect proportions and top cut quality a stone slightly below the 1.50ct will visually look like it has a larger spread which can maximize edge to edge light performance.
 
mikewhyatt said:
@the_mother_thing I agree! I had tons of fun in the beginning but now.....:eek2:

I had set the following criteria:
- Budget $15k (stone & setting) -- flexible here (+1k) if the perfect stone came around
- Round
- 1.5+/H/VS1/No Flour -- willing to go down to VS2 but seems like most of the time its because the darn crystal is right in the center on VS2s
- We discussed the setting and she had a preference for a solitaire/pave diamonds on the band/cathedral setting.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top