First diamond purchase

[Plantce21]

I'm in the market for an engagement ring and have been doing a decent amount of research the past few weeks. I have this one on hold and was just wondering what you all thought before I pulled the trigger on it (price, cut, color etc.). It will be in a solitaire platinum setting (size 7). Also thanks to all great info I have found on this site!!

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3590087

View attachment 601778

 

[Plantce21]

They also will be sending me an Ideal-Scope image of it Monday and will post it.

 

[Plantce21]

this one also caught my eye
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3114299

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That top one is out of the safe numerical range. That's good that you asked for the idealscope image, but try to get ASET images from here on out.

These are measurements to help you stay in ideal cut territory with a GIA excellent cut stone.

table: 54-58

depth: 60-62.3

crown angle: 34-35.0 (up to 35.5 crown angle can sometimes work with a 40.6 pav angle)

pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0 if the crown angle is close to 34)

The second one is better numerically, but I would want excellent on symmetry. Do you have to stick with F color any reason? I'd look at G VS to see if you have other options.

 

[Plantce21]

Thanks so much! No there is no reason I need to stay with F. My only constrictions are to stay around 5300 for the diamond, and I'd like to stay between a .9-1c eye clean lots of sparkle and looks go in a platinum setting. I know this one is a downgrade in color but has excellent everything but strong flor.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3297116

Thoughts? Open to suggestions.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, I am going to say don't go down to I color if you can find G or H! I have an I color, but if your budget will allow G-H, I'd not go down to I color. I didn't see a great G, but I'll take a look at H.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

This is pretty, but I'd like to maybe find one a little larger.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3505035

 

[Plantce21]

How do you think this one is? Thanks again for the help!!

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3651258

 

[Plantce21]

#5) This looks good just a little worried if it is eye clean with that center inclusion.
Thoughts?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3679196

 

[Plantce21]

Here is the scope of the first stone in this post. As I compare it to the charts it looks good but would greatly appreciate the feedback.

 

[EvaEvans]

If you are not sure which one, stick with your first choice. I personally like best your first option 0.9 F VS1.

 

[rockysalamander]

Couple of more options.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3438175
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2752538

 

[Plantce21]

Thanks for both your recommendations! How will the J color in the first look with a white gold/ platinum band do you think? And what is the advantage for the "true hearts" with the second? My big decision it seems is to either go with a .9 high color and clairity or with a 1 with lower color and decent clairity. With Excelent cut, Polish and symmetry and Excelent in HCA ratings will the color and clarity changes detract from the overall appearance? Thanks again for all you help, I've been to a chain stores ( overpriced and dull rings) and a local store (very limited selection) and I find open forums like this get true honest answers and opinions without the fear of being swindled.

 

[rockysalamander]

The ability to see color is pretty individuals. But, I find most people begin to see a tint at an I. Color is most visible in diamonds between 45 degrees and straight on the side. But, if you go with a setting with less side visibility, you can often make detecting the tint much harder. Here are two that retain an elegant, feminine feeling but make the side view hard to see.
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...e-flower-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-50125

TH by JA are a little better cut (the actually faceting) to be near a true Hearts & Arrows and they post the IS and H&A images so you can make a better, quicker choice. I'm listing the options below with numbers to help keep track (forgive my organized ways). I also listed the size in mm.

#1) 6.17 F VS1; https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3590087 {the IS shows what you see in the photo. It is well cut from a lack of leakage perspective, but that same arrow is off in symmetry. This would bug me and its the smallest in spread}
#5) 6.32 mm G VS2; https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3679196 (the inclusion is less worrying to me than that I can't get all the arrows to light up}, I would eliminate as an option.
#6) 6.21 mm H VS2; https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3505035 {H is a very safe color, beautiful choice} $4960
#7) 6.59 mm, J VVS2; https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3438175
# 8 ) 6.28 mm, I color-VS1 TH; https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2752538
#9) 6.22 mm, H SI1 TH; https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3598822 {They list this as a TH, so should have the H&A and IS images to sent rather quickly. Good option for your budget} $4920

I would eliminate #1 and 5, personally. If you want to be done, #8 is larger than #6 & #9 and has a solid IS. It would be a fine choice. You gain a bit of size for slightly lower color.

But, if you want to try to stay at an H color, then #6 & 9 would by my next choices for good color and great numbers. I'd put #6 and 9 on hold and request an IS (and H&A for #9). They should not count #9 toward your 3 requests as it should have them posted online anyway.

6.21 mm on left, 6.28 mm on right. Size 7 (using www.diamdb.com).

 

[Plantce21]

Here is the IS for #5