shape
carat
color
clarity

Finally buying a Diamond! Suggestion needed!

jazzmailman

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 28, 2017
Messages
5
Long time lurker, first time poster.

I have read a lot of information on how to pick out a good diamond and i'm down to 2 choices, so I was wondering if you can help me with these two diamonds, both check off my requirements (1.5+ Carat, VS1+, F+, Excellent Cut/Symmetry/Polish, Medium+ Flurescence, HCA <2.0).

1) http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_rou...tm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc#?p=8321410

Is there any concern about this one? Table and Depth aren't ideal but HCA score is 1.0

2) http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/1050498...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

This one has the comment "Clarity grade is based on clouds that are not shown", is that any concern?

Thank you so much!
 
#2 is a vvs2. High clarity. Don’t worry about the clouds at that clarity grade. Even though the crown angle is a bit larger than preferred (34-35) I would take a chance on it. B2c has a decent return policy right? I prefer those dimensions to #1, which may return more white light. I think you will see more fire with #2. Make sure you are ok with the fluorescence and how the stone looks in bright sunlight. Compare it to one without Fluor so you know for sure.
 
I agree with LLJsmom. #1 is really a 60/60 diamond. Will either vendor give an ASET or IS? I'd really want you to see those given these are both a little outside the advised ranges.

What about something like this? Great angles, AGS0. It has balance of white light and fire. ASET is great.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3276298

This will all be eyeclean. Need an ASET.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3303526

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3430965

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3303526
 
p.s. JA is having a 25% off setting sale only today (10/29/17).
 
Hi LLJsMom and rockysalamander, i want to thank you so much for replying. I agree that #2 is a better Diamond as the first one was a 60/60 Diamond, which i failed to see at first.

@ rockysalamander, thank you for linking those James Allen Diamonds! I did take a good look at them, and James Allen does a great job with those ASET images! (i've asked for some on other websites in which they replied they don't have them!)

However, I'm looking for a Diamond at VS1+ (please correct me if VS2 is also good enough), but mainly James Allen only has a 14 days return policy which doesn't really work out for me. I'm going on a 3 weeks around-the-world trip with my girlfriend (in which i'll propose at the end of the trip), and 14 days return policy would be a huge problem for me.
 
I spent the whole day searching for Diamonds, made an excel spreadsheet and picked up the following, any suggestion would be greatly appreciated!

I'm mainly looking for:

Color: F+, Clarity: VS1+, Cut/Polish/Symmetry: Excellent, Fluorescence: Medium Blue or better, Table Size 54%-57%, Depth 61%-62.5%, Crown Angle: 34-35, Pavillion Angle 40.6-41., HCA Score < 2.0 (as a filter tool).

I'd really appreciate any opinion on the following 3 Diamonds (looking for 1.5+ carat Diamonds):

1) $13,120 USD - 1.57 carat

http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_rou...tm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc#?p=8413538

This is #2 from the original post.

This one has the comment: "Clarity Grade is based on clouds that are not shown". Looks like it'll be a little hazy but if it's VS2+ it's less of an issue, The crown angle is a little high at 36.0 as well.

2) $13,510 USD - 1.61 carat

https://diamondsdirect.com/loose-diamond?stock=171099-311&utm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc

Unfortunately this website forces you to download the GIA report instead of just viewing it...

This one has an obvious spot in the middle, medium blue and crown angle is slightly higher at 35.5. I don't think this is ideal but is this good bang for the money?

3) $13,743 USD - 1.50 carat

http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_rou...tm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc#?p=8413536

This one looks pretty good, crown angle is a little high, but it is $1.2k cheaper than #4.

4) $14,959 USD - 1.53 carat

http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_rou...tm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc#?p=8138883

This one is my ideal one right now, it matches all the requirements i want and the photo looks pretty clean.

5) $14,903 USD - 1.70 carat

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/9505880...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

This one also meets most of the requirements but it has strong blue fluorescence. I was just wondering how that strong fluorescence will affect the diamond, and whether this at 1.70 carat is worth going for. I know my girlfriend will definitely appreciate a bigger diamond.

Thank you so much for everyone's help! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
 
Adding Hearts & Arrows Images that the website just sent me:

1) $13,120 USD - 1.57 carat

http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_rou...tm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc#?p=8413538

This is #2 from the original post.

This one has the comment: "Clarity Grade is based on clouds that are not shown". Looks like it'll be a little hazy but if it's VS2+ it's less of an issue, The crown angle is a little high at 36.0 as well.

119203_829539_4.png

3) $13,743 USD - 1.50 carat

http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_rou...tm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc#?p=8413536

This one looks pretty good, crown angle is a little high, but it is $1.2k cheaper than #4.

119203_829539_0.png


Unfortunately they don't have the images for the other ones :(2
 

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I'm not clear why you feel VS1 is required? Diamonds down to SI1 and even 2 can be eyeclean. I like high clarity, but it is black or dense inclusions I really avoid. Will look at your choices.
 
Note that many companies start the "clock" on the date of shipping. But, given your plans, I would images a smaller more specialized company like Whiteflash or HighPerformanceDiamonds may be willing to work with you on your timeline for a return.

In the case of HighPerformanceDiamonds, they are part of the Crafted By Infinity super-ideal network. I wonder if you could pickup the ring and diamond from an affiliate overseas to avoid having to carry it around and risk the loss and damage. Maybe drop HPD an email and see if they have any ideas based on your itenerary. Given that they offer 100% of the cost to an upgrade (and 80% buyback for life), maybe a budget bump or slight size decrease now would be worth it if they can worth with you on your plan and manage your return window?
 
Hi Rockysalamander, thank you for your reply!

Like many first time Diamond buyers, i really don't know what to expect. I did a lot of research and come up with a filter range that i'm comfortable with, and to be honest i don't really know what the difference between VS1 or VS2 (or VVS2 for that matter).

I actually just checked the James Allen website and they do offer 30 days return policy! I'm more concerned about my girlfriend not liking the setting so a good return policy is very important to me. So i checked the website and found another good option, VS2 this time.

I think i'm now down to three choices:

1) $13,743 USD - 1.50 carat

http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_rou...tm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc#?p=8413536

This one looks pretty good, crown angle is a little high, but it is $1.2k cheaper than #4.

119203_829539_0-png.599685


2) $14,959 USD - 1.53 carat

http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_rou...tm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc#?p=8138883

This one is my ideal one right now, it matches all the requirements i want and the photo looks pretty clean. Unfortunately they do not have ASET nor hearts and arrows pictures.

3) $15,250 USD - 1.50 carat

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...arity-ideal-cut-sku-3240188?a_aid=recommended

This one is VS2, but the hearts and arrows pictures look really good!

Any other suggestion would be greatly appreciated! i think i'm pretty set on picking out of these three.
 
Hi Rockysalamander, thank you for your reply!

Like many first time Diamond buyers, i really don't know what to expect. I did a lot of research and come up with a filter range that i'm comfortable with, and to be honest i don't really know what the difference between VS1 or VS2 (or VVS2 for that matter).

I actually just checked the James Allen website and they do offer 30 days return policy! I'm more concerned about my girlfriend not liking the setting so a good return policy is very important to me. So i checked the website and found another good option, VS2 this time.

I think i'm now down to three choices:

1) $13,743 USD - 1.50 carat

http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_rou...tm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc#?p=8413536

This one looks pretty good, crown angle is a little high, but it is $1.2k cheaper than #4.

119203_829539_0-png.599685


2) $14,959 USD - 1.53 carat

http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_rou...tm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc#?p=8138883

This one is my ideal one right now, it matches all the requirements i want and the photo looks pretty clean. Unfortunately they do not have ASET nor hearts and arrows pictures.

3) $15,250 USD - 1.50 carat

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...arity-ideal-cut-sku-3240188?a_aid=recommended

This one is VS2, but the hearts and arrows pictures look really good!

Any other suggestion would be greatly appreciated! i think i'm pretty set on picking out of these three.
Of these three, #3 wins by a mile for me :love:. I like #2, but without images its not 'safe' enough for me to risk performance given the 0.02 mm difference in size. If it was your only choice (or the biggest or the cleanest), maybe, but when #3 is available, its a non compromise options? #3 is a AGS0 (stricter on cut) and beautifully clean. Great H&A. I'd put that on hold ASAP. We can look for others, but I'd snag that one for now.

Tell us about what your GF wants in a setting....
 
#3 is dreamy !!! Try to reserve it? And i believe there is a % off settings at the moment
 
So, here are a few alternatives.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3276298 {Clean and G color. Higher weight, 0.01 mm smaller. But, it may be quite a bit less expensive. ASET looks great - its in the AGS cert. Inclusions between 6 and 7 should be totally invisible, $12,200}

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3858601.htm (if you are open to an H, this is a beautiful option, 1.618 H VS2; top of budget buy bigger and super-ideal performance)

If your gal ever wants to upgrade, JA will require the new diamond be 2x cost, then give you 100% of the value toward that upgrade. WF requires you only spend $1 more on an upgrade and gives 100% of value. This can be a really nice option to leave flexibility for the future. A number of PS members have used this benefit multiple times (on the same original stone) allowing them to add size/color/clarity over time.
 
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