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First time buyer on LGD, looking for advice/guidance.

S

serenity118

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 29, 2022
Messages
19
Hi everyone,
I'm looking to upgrade my engagement ring. I did some research and understand the basics. I would like some help or guidance if I am picking the correct diamond. Budget is up to 5k and would prefer HTPT over CVD lab diamonds. Also looking for a True H&A.

I was looking at a 2.55 round carat at ritani.

2.55 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG532249723 | Ritani

2.55 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG532249723
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

Thoughts on this lab or any others similar would be great. Also just wondering if this diamond is a True H&A or a near H&A. Not sure if Ritani would be able to provide ASET images but to be honest I'm probably not going to be able to know what to look for.

Looking to buy online and see it in store in case I find I don't like the stone IRL. Any tips for what to inspect in store?

Thanks in advance for all the help/advice. :)
 
That stone looks pretty nice but has some pavilion variation that may result in a bit of leakage. It could be a true H&A, but we wouldn't know unless we see actual H&A images.

Here are some others for you to take a look at.

2.54 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VVS2 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.54 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG516242425
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.51 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG523282393 | Ritani

2.51 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG523282393
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.50 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG530208190 | Ritani

2.5 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG530208190
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.58 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG500149032 | Ritani

2.58 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG500149032
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com
 
Thank you so much @Kim N! I like the 2.58 Carat one the most and the cost savings as well. I checked the HCA score and it was at .9 should I be worried? I read in the posts most aim for 1.2 to 1.6 for rings.

For the 2.55 carat would the images on the on the certification be enough to determine the H&A? Screenshot_20221130_123322_Samsung Notes.jpg
 
serenity118 said:
Thank you so much @Kim N! I like the 2.58 Carat one the most and the cost savings as well. I checked the HCA score and it was at .9 should I be worried? I read in the posts most aim for 1.2 to 1.6 for rings.

For the 2.55 carat would the images on the on the certification be enough to determine the H&A? Screenshot_20221130_123322_Samsung Notes.jpg
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry at all about an HCA score of 0.9. While there can be some combinations that are better for pendants and earrings, this combo should be fine.

The H&A on the report is a stock image, so if you want to be completely sure, you'd have to ask for actual H&A images. But it at least gives you an indication that the optical symmetry will be quite good.

I'd put it on hold right away, though! Lurkers often grab diamonds out from under people.
 
Can't find a video of the 2.58 to confirm, but it should be checked for blue nuance.
 
Kim N said:
I wouldn't worry at all about an HCA score of 0.9. While there can be some combinations that are better for pendants and earrings, this combo should be fine.

The H&A on the report is a stock image, so if you want to be completely sure, you'd have to ask for actual H&A images. But it at least gives you an indication that the optical symmetry will be quite good.

I'd put it on hold right away, though! Lurkers often grab diamonds out from under people.
Click to expand...

Good to know! Thank you!
 
DejaWiz said:
Can't find a video of the 2.58 to confirm, but it should be checked for blue nuance.
Click to expand...

Oh wow I didnt know blue nuance can happen on a colorless LGD. How would I be able to check? Would it be similar to a blue fluorescent?
 
serenity118 said:
Oh wow I didnt know blue nuance can happen on a colorless LGD. How would I be able to check? Would it be similar to a blue fluorescent?
Click to expand...

It appears as a slight blue hue. You can usually see it from the side view of the diamond at the edges of the crown.

e-vs1-blue-nuance-jpg.913105


I recommend putting your two favorites on hold and requesting a video of the 2.58. That way if the 2.58 turns out to have blue nuance, you'll have a backup.
 
Kim N said:
It appears as a slight blue hue. You can usually see it from the side view of the diamond at the edges of the crown.

e-vs1-blue-nuance-jpg.913105


I recommend putting your two favorites on hold and requesting a video of the 2.58. That way if the 2.58 turns out to have blue nuance, you'll have a backup.
Click to expand...

I see a slight tint of blue on both diamonds. Is that correct?

I submitted a hold for both and just got an email back saying diamond is not available. Not sure if it's both or just one, the email doesnt specify. I'll keep searching.
 
serenity118 said:
I see a slight tint of blue on both diamonds. Is that correct?
Click to expand...

No, the one on the right doesn't have blue nuance.

serenity118 said:
I submitted a hold for both and just got an email back saying diamond is not available. Not sure if it's both or just one, the email doesnt specify. I'll keep searching.
Click to expand...

I hope you'll keep this one in the mix. It looks really beautiful.

2.54 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VVS2 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.54 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG516242425
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com
 
@Kim N Thank you so much!! <3

I was able to put a hold on the 2.58 and the 2.54. Asking for additional images for the 2.58 one. I'll post the images if the vendor is able to provide. So excited to see the stones. =)2
 
It looks gorgeous to me
 
serenity118 said:
https://imgur.com/a/ug4pBiS
https://imgur.com/a/yPSGzkp
https://imgur.com/a/NBWGO9t

@Kim N @DejaWiz
I ended up choosing the 2.58. How does it look? Is there a blue nuance? I tried looking at the crown closely but couldn't detect it. Thoughts? I quite love the extra burst of spark in the sun.

Two of the videos are in the bathroom lighting. One is in direct sunlight but our windows are tinted to block out summer heat.
Click to expand...

Can you take some pictures/videos of it table-down/pavilion-up parked in the crease of a folded piece of white paper so that we can try and check for blue nuance?
 
DejaWiz said:
Can you take some pictures/videos of it table-down/pavilion-up parked in the crease of a folded piece of white paper so that we can try and check for blue nuance?
Click to expand...

Thanks @DejaWiz Here are the pictures/videos. Let me know if you need in different angles or lighting.

https://imgur.com/a/Ak3g718
 

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DejaWiz said:
You can place them both upside down next to each other like you did before and compare the hue that way.
Click to expand...

@DejaWiz Ah thanks for the suggestion. Looks like the engagement ring stone has a slight yellow tint. It's an uncertify stone so I'm not sure what color grade it is.

I saw this YouTube post on comparing blue nuance. I don't see it on the 2.58 if it's upside down but without another one to compare it to its hard to tell?

Is blue nuance a bad thing? Hubby says it's still a very nice and sparkly stone.

Edited to ask: Type 2b diamonds have boron impurities is that the same as saying blue nuance?


20221214_151211.jpg
 

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serenity118 said:
@DejaWiz Ah thanks for the suggestion. Looks like the engagement ring stone has a slight yellow tint. It's an uncertify stone so I'm not sure what color grade it is.

I saw this YouTube post on comparing blue nuance. I don't see it on the 2.58 if it's upside down but without another one to compare it to its hard to tell?

Is blue nuance a bad thing? Hubby says it's still a very nice and sparkly stone.

Edited to ask: Type 2b diamonds have boron impurities is that the same as saying blue nuance?


20221214_151211.jpg
Click to expand...

Yes, blue nuance = Type IIb = presence of boron.
The boron causes the diamond to absorb yellow light which results in the blue appearance.

It comes down to personal preference and subjective tolerance...if you don't mind it or quite like it, then it's no problem at all!
There are some notable famous diamonds that are Type IIb, such as the Hope Diamond.

You can spot the concentration of the faint blue/grayish-blue hue in the circled areas:

Screenshot_20221214-182634-651.png
 
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serenity118 said:
https://imgur.com/a/ug4pBiS
https://imgur.com/a/yPSGzkp
https://imgur.com/a/NBWGO9t

@Kim N @DejaWiz
I ended up choosing the 2.58. How does it look? Is there a blue nuance? I tried looking at the crown closely but couldn't detect it. Thoughts? I quite love the extra burst of spark in the sun.

Two of the videos are in the bathroom lighting. One is in direct sunlight but our windows are tinted to block out summer heat.
Click to expand...

Late to the party, but I agree with DejaWiz that there's blue nuance. It's not a bad thing at all--some people actively seek it! It's just if you're looking for a diamond as natural looking as possible, it's better to get one without blue nuance.
 
DejaWiz said:
Yes, blue nuance = Type IIb = presence of boron.
The boron causes the diamond to absorb yellow light which results in the blue appearance.

It comes down to personal preference and subjective tolerance...if you don't mind it or quite like it, then it's no problem at all!
There are some notable famous diamonds that are Type IIb, such as the Hope Diamond.

You can spot the concentration of the faint blue/grayish-blue hue in the circled areas:

Screenshot_20221214-182634-651.png
Click to expand...

Thank you for the visuals! It's very helpful and for sharing your knowledge @DejaWiz

Just wondering, if the boron particles absorbs yellow light then does that mean in the absence of boron particles the color grade would be different?

I'll have to ponder some more on the blue nuance. I am also wondering how a setting will affect how the stone will look.

I was able to take some ASET images with my phone. Thoughts? I've tried to compare some images online and was wondering if the contrast levels where it's lighter means light leakage.20221215_082433.jpg
 

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I loved my blue nuance stone! I loved the faint hue and everything about it. I only upgraded to get a bigger size. That said, my stone did glow in the dark. I didn’t mind but if yours does and it bothers you, then you may want to exchange it.
 
serenity118 said:
Thank you for the visuals! It's very helpful and for sharing your knowledge @DejaWiz

Just wondering, if the boron particles absorbs yellow light then does that mean in the absence of boron particles the color grade would be different?

I'll have to ponder some more on the blue nuance. I am also wondering how a setting will affect how the stone will look.

I was able to take some ASET images with my phone. Thoughts? I've tried to compare some images online and was wondering if the contrast levels where it's lighter means light leakage.20221215_082433.jpg
Click to expand...

The diamond looks very well cut with no leakage, and you took some great ASET photos. So other than the blue nuance, it looks like a winner.
 
Runningmama said:
I loved my blue nuance stone! I loved the faint hue and everything about it. I only upgraded to get a bigger size. That said, my stone did glow in the dark. I didn’t mind but if yours does and it bothers you, then you may want to exchange it.
Click to expand...

Thank you @Runningmama for pointing that out. I am glad you love your stone! After examining the stone I selected for a few days, I am okay with with the blue nuance. I would have to actively seek it out to see it's really there. However, I am not keen on a glowing diamond. :(

I googled how to test for phosphorescence. There's quite a bit of overcast today. So there wasn't strong direct sunlight (will have to try again later). But I did leave the stone under a 60 second timer in a UV LED gel nail lamp and walked into a dark closet immediately after. The diamond didn't glow. Is it a safe bet it that it won't glow? If you don't mind sharing, how did you test that your diamond glowed?
 
serenity118 said:
Thank you @Runningmama for pointing that out. I am glad you love your stone! After examining the stone I selected for a few days, I am okay with with the blue nuance. I would have to actively seek it out to see it's really there. However, I am not keen on a glowing diamond. :(

I googled how to test for phosphorescence. There's quite a bit of overcast today. So there wasn't strong direct sunlight (will have to try again later). But I did leave the stone under a 60 second timer in a UV LED gel nail lamp and walked into a dark closet immediately after. The diamond didn't glow. Is it a safe bet it that it won't glow? If you don't mind sharing, how did you test that your diamond glowed?
Click to expand...

I have a tennis bracelet with EM diamonds and some of them have Blue Fluorescence and when I get my nails done they glow blue under the UV light :)
 
serenity118 said:
Thank you @Runningmama for pointing that out. I am glad you love your stone! After examining the stone I selected for a few days, I am okay with with the blue nuance. I would have to actively seek it out to see it's really there. However, I am not keen on a glowing diamond. :(

I googled how to test for phosphorescence. There's quite a bit of overcast today. So there wasn't strong direct sunlight (will have to try again later). But I did leave the stone under a 60 second timer in a UV LED gel nail lamp and walked into a dark closet immediately after. The diamond didn't glow. Is it a safe bet it that it won't glow? If you don't mind sharing, how did you test that your diamond glowed?
Click to expand...

Very interesting!
If it doesn't glow, then maybe it leans grayish due to whatever elements were used in the doping during growth and might not be a Type IIb, after all.
 
I think it’s a great stone and the blue nuance doesn’t take away from it. I can’t wait to see it set.
 
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