Final Decision (purchasing tomorrow)

[ashjade]

Okay, I have posted a few threads here already (not sure how to delete them, so sorry if this is a problem)
My boyfriend will be purchasing setting and diamond tomorrow, I’m down to 4 diamonds and need/want opinions!

Setting: (size 4)
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...shion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49493

Diamond options:
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...ut/0.86-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4389073

-

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...t/0.90-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-4327775

-

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...ut/0.81-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3655649

-
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...ut/1.00-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-3532278

From reading the certificates on them, I’ve noticed the following:
4389073, true hearts - pinpoint and crystal (mind you, small)
4327775 - pinpoint, and a sales associate was surprised it wasn’t higher than vvs2 since pinpoints are hard to detect.
3655649 - crystal, cloud (not sure the cloud would hurt anything since eye clean)
3532278 - you can see from the 360 video it has inclusions - feather, pinpoint, needle, crystal, cloud, indented natural. (still would be eye clean though, but messes with my mind some that you can see them anyway compared to the others where you can’t)

All opinions are appreciated!

 

[Matthews1127]

I’m team 0.86HVS1.
1.00HSI1 is off the table, for me.
0.90GVVS2 is my second choice (it’s more rectangular in shape and has beautiful contrast). I think the VVS clarity is overkill, and why spend more for clarity, when you have a perfectly eye clean, unobstructed VS1?
I’m not a fan of 0.81EVS2 for the obvious reason:

It’s too dark in too many places, and does not light up enough to please my eye.
Curious to learn what others see....and suggest.

 

[ashjade]

@Matthews1127 thank you for your feedback! A lot of the JA sales associates seem to be in favor of 0.86 as well because of true hearts. My only issue is, when I have all options side by side on the computer, the others look more white and 0.86 (H) looks slight yellow, however, I was told that at 10x magnification the yellow tint does get picked up more. Personally the H 1 carat is probably a no for me as well, as I said in above post, just seeing those inclusions at 10x bother me, just knowing they’re there, even though it’s eye clean. Plus the ASET between 0.86 and the 1 are slightly different and the 0.86 has more brightness (also confirmed this with JA associates)

 

[ringo865]

Can they get an ASET on your top two?

 

[ashjade]

@ringo865 the first one I listed (0.86) has an ASET image on the certificate on the link to it. I’ll post it in here.
Unfortunately I “wasted” two more ASET picks on other diamonds aside from the second one, but I’ve sent an email to a JA gemologist for their opinion.

 

[ashjade]

 

[JmeeMrie]

Hmm..I like the .86 best as well it seems to be the brightest and I like it's pillowy shape.

 

[ashjade]

I think I’m debating mainly between 0.86 and 0.90 - but I don’t know lol.

 

[TreeScientist]

Another vote for the .86. Looks like it would perform really well!

 

[Yimmers]

I vote .86 as well. Although they are different shapes, the size difference between the two is miniscule. While I like rectangular shaped cushions, the pillow of the .86 speaks to me more.

 

[rockysalamander]

I like the .86.

I did find this one that is as big in spread as the 1.0 above. Might be worth your last ASET request as it gains some spread over the .86.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.92-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3601308

 

[Matthews1127]

I like the .86.

I did find this one that is as big in spread as the 1.0 above. Might be worth your last ASET request as it gains some spread over the .86.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.92-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3601308

Great find!!

 

[Matthews1127]

I’m still Team 0.86HVS1.
0.92HVS2 is a strong contender with 0.90GVVS2...for me*.

I don’t see much color difference among these 3, and 0.86HVS1 appears, to my* eye, to be a high H. It eludes to the idea that it will face up white, esp because it is a crisp H, has beautiful contrast, beautiful clarity, and it’s labeled “Ideal/Ideal” for Sym/Pol. Cut, as we all know, makes the difference pertaining to the presence of a diamond; Ideal Cut will face up white(er), appear larger than its size, and sparkle to the max. You are fitting this beauty in a gorgeous halo setting, and, unless the stones in the halo are D-F, I don’t believe the color contrast will show with an ID/ID HVS1 diamond. The dimensions of the 0.86HVS1 are exact: 5.44*5.44, which makes it perfectly square & ideally proportioned with the shape of the halo you have chosen.
For me*, all fingers point to 0.86HVS1.
I really love it!

 

[ashjade]

@Matthews1127 according to the JA site, average color stone for my chosen setting is F-G. However, I don’t think the H would make a big difference, but could be wrong?
@rockysalamander good looking diamond! I’ll see if I can get any feedback on it from JA today.

 

[rockysalamander]

p.s. Put your top choices on hold. asap!

I don't think most see any difference between H and F/G or ever I and F/G unless you are color sensitive. Tiny melee diamonds are all fire and sparkly and make seeing color hard.

 

[ashjade]

@rockysalamander putting top 3 on hold now. Boyfriend had to work today so tomorrow is the ordering day! Unfortunately the gemologist hasn’t messaged me back in about 2 days - so I’ll talk with a sales associate in chat just to get their final opinion.
Which do you think should be the 3 I put on hold? Definitely 4389073 (0.86) but I’m having a rough time with the last two.

 

[Matthews1127]

0.92, and 0.90.

 

[Matthews1127]

p.s. Put your top choices on hold. asap!

I don't think most see any difference between H and F/G or ever I and F/G unless you are color sensitive. Tiny melee diamonds are all fire and sparkly and make seeing color hard.

You’ll be fine with Melee in F/G color & High H diamond.

 

[ashjade]

Okay, so, I’m talking with a JA associate right now.
I usually speak with Connie, but she isn’t in. Anyway...
He says the G-VVS2 is considered a rectangular (which was pointed out previously)
He also says that 4389073 (0.86) is a little too deep, he said preferred range is 59-69% and that the girdle is thin-very thick, and he says girdle variation is not a big concern with cushions but he typically would stay away from girdles with large variation and thin if possible.


That said, his choice would be 0.92 H 3601308 @rockysalamander choice as well

 

[ashjade]

Also:
I personally like when the crown sticks up some/ has the “puffy” look. He said 0.81 would offer that look the most because of the small table. But he also said cushions run small, but that all of my choices are great, and all pretty.

Ahhhh.

 

[ashjade]

Update: since my ring size is small - 4 and I’m choosing a halo setting, the coverage will be fine

 

[TreeScientist]

I actually prefer the .92 H posted by @rockysalamander over any of your original choices. Yes, cushions do run small, but I think that 5.6mm will be fine if set in a halo.

 

[ashjade]

I’ve placed a hold on the following:
4389073 (0.86)
4327775 (0.90)
3601308 (0.92)

 

[ashjade]

0.92 is more a rectangular shape while both others are square

 

[ashjade]

Also, the setting comes standard with ball prongs - claw prongs are extra, ($50) but which would you go with?

 

[WillyDiamond]

groooooooooowllllllll..................claw prongs!!!!!

 

[ashjade]

Posting this since I put them on hold and they aren’t available on the site now. I believe I’m leaning more towards the last one, first one has a yellow tint and middle is rectangular.

 

[ashjade]

@WillyDiamond I think that’s what I’ll get!

 

[ashjade]

*** Not in same order as above picture*** first image here is last image in above, middle is same, last image here is first in above.

 

[tyty333]

It would be the .92 that Rocky found for me because every mm counts at this size...however, if you're fine with the size the
.86 is pretty also.

Definitely pay for the claw prongs. They did claw prongs on my setting...they are yummy (obviously the tip is not a claw) Sometimes the blob
prongs just turn out too big and blobby-y.