G'day from Sydney, Australia! LGD help needed.

[jc212]

Hi Pricescope members,

I have been digging into the diamond selection process and let me say it's been overwhelming! However, I feel lucky that I stumbled upon the Pricescope forums where I can lean on your expert opinions!

First of all, we (my future fiance and I) are pretty much set on this setting in platinum:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...d-with-a-scalloped-six-prong-head-item-117151

However, when it comes to the lab grown diamond... it's a whole other kettle of fish I tells ya!
Some of our parameters for the lab grown diamond:
Budget: 3k - 4.5k (USD)
Color: Not too sure how important this is
Clarity: >VS1
Cut: Ideal/True Hearts
Carat: >1.5~1.6

We initially felt like this was a good option
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...olor-vs1-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-11431336
Then after a live chat with a consultant she gave us this suggestion but it has no idealscope image.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...at-d-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-12888854
And then this one
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...olor-vs1-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-13395217

It's fair to say I got no clue how to proceed in the matter. Can I get some suggestions from you fine folk?


Also, I know James Allen has been vetted by Pricescope but I saw some unusual activity regarding pricing:
Approximately 2 hours ago I was in a live chat with a rep. As you can see SKU 13395217 was priced at $3710. However, as soon as I went to add the diamond to my cart the price jumped to $4640. Is this just some kind of glitch? Hope so!

​

Anyway thanks for your help!

Cheers

Jason

 

[DejaWiz]

Welcome to PriceScope!
Glad you came here to research and get advice before making a purchase. With hundreds of thousands of LGDs for sale all over the world, you'll have no problem being able to identify beautifully proportioned diamonds that will offer maximum performance for your money.

Here are some alternatives, since I think you can do a lot better than the diamonds that were recommended for their pricing.

Lab-Created 1.72 Carat round diamond

This 1.72 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.71 Carat round diamond

This 1.71 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.70 Carat round diamond

This 1.7 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.67 Carat round diamond

This 1.67 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.64 Carat round diamond

This 1.64 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

 

[mayaINaU]

Hi Pricescope members,

I have been digging into the diamond selection process and let me say it's been overwhelming! However, I feel lucky that I stumbled upon the Pricescope forums where I can lean on your expert opinions!

First of all, we (my future fiance and I) are pretty much set on this setting in platinum:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...d-with-a-scalloped-six-prong-head-item-117151

However, when it comes to the lab grown diamond... it's a whole other kettle of fish I tells ya!
Some of our parameters for the lab grown diamond:
Budget: 3k - 4.5k (USD)
Color: Not too sure how important this is
Clarity: >VS1
Cut: Ideal/True Hearts
Carat: >1.5~1.6

We initially felt like this was a good option
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...olor-vs1-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-11431336
Then after a live chat with a consultant she gave us this suggestion but it has no idealscope image.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...at-d-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-12888854
And then this one
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...olor-vs1-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-13395217

It's fair to say I got no clue how to proceed in the matter. Can I get some suggestions from you fine folk?


Also, I know James Allen has been vetted by Pricescope but I saw some unusual activity regarding pricing:
Approximately 2 hours ago I was in a live chat with a rep. As you can see SKU 13395217 was priced at $3710. However, as soon as I went to add the diamond to my cart the price jumped to $4640. Is this just some kind of glitch? Hope so!

​

Anyway thanks for your help!

Cheers

Jason

Love the setting you chose. I am not enough of an expert, but you’ll get some great advice from others here!

 

[jc212]

Welcome to PriceScope!
Glad you came here to research and get advice before making a purchase. With hundreds of thousands of LGDs for sale all over the world, you'll have no problem being able to identify beautifully proportioned diamonds that will offer maximum performance for your money.

Here are some alternatives, since I think you can do a lot better than the diamonds that were recommended for their pricing.

Lab-Created 1.72 Carat round diamond

This 1.72 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.71 Carat round diamond

This 1.71 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.70 Carat round diamond

This 1.7 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.67 Carat round diamond

This 1.67 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.64 Carat round diamond

This 1.64 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Thanks for the speedy reply DejaWiz; should I be worried about the lack of ideal-scope images for these diamonds?

Also, would you be able to suggest some diamonds on the *cough* cheaper side? 3k-4k range

Cheers

 

[jc212]

Love the setting you chose. I am not enough of an expert, but you’ll get some great advice from others here!

Thank you MayalNaU, we went for this setting because it shows off the sides of the diamond nicely.

 

[DejaWiz]

Thanks for the speedy reply DejaWiz; should I be worried about the lack of ideal-scope images for these diamonds?

Also, would you be able to suggest some diamonds on the *cough* cheaper side? 3k-4k range

Cheers

While an Ideal-Scope or ASET can affirm light return and performance, I feel that JA's markup for their True Hearts lineup van be a slippery slope since they tend to charge quite a bit extra for them. Thankfully, JA has rather high standards for quality and consistent pictures and videos, so assessing diamonds is a bit of an easier task.

Here are some more recommendations, both with and without Ideal-Scope images. I have also included SI1 grade, but only those that would be extremely clean (inclusion types, sizes, and position that would not inhibit transparency and light return or be visible from a typical viewing distance of 8+ inches away).

Lab-Created 1.75 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 1.75 carat Lab-Created E color si1 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.65 Carat round diamond

This 1.65 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color si1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.64 Carat round diamond

This 1.64 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color vs2 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.64 Carat round diamond

This 1.64 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.63 Carat round diamond

This 1.63 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color vs2 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.63 Carat round diamond

This 1.63 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color si1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.63 Carat round diamond

This 1.63 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color si1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

If it's a more fiery diamond that you're after, then this is probably my favorite because of the proportions and angles with that nice tall 16% crown height:

Lab-Created 1.61 Carat round diamond

This 1.61 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

If you have any questions about any of these or others that you have found, please don't hesitate to ask.
If any of these are really jumping out at you, then I highly recommend that you contact JA and put them on hold/reserve so they don't get sold while you are continuing to research, compare, and shop. They have a hold limit of three diamonds, if I am not mistaken.

 

[DejaWiz]

From an alternative PS vetted vendor, here is a 1.6 E SI1 with a GCAL 8X grading report:

1.60 Carat E SI1 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond GCAL Certified 312220659 Affinity Cut - D48647653

www.adiamor.com

Here is the link to the GCAL report with images, videos, and a whole slew of additional information/details:

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com

Here is a nearly identical setting in platinum, available in either 4 or 6 prong:

French Cut Pavé Engagement Setting 2mm in Platinum

French Cut Pave Engagement Setting 2mm

www.adiamor.com

 

[musicloveranthony]

If it's a more fiery diamond that you're after, then this is probably my favorite because of the proportions and angles with that nice tall 16% crown height:

Lab-Created 1.61 Carat round diamond

This 1.61 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Looove that one!

 

[jc212]

From an alternative PS vetted vendor, here is a 1.6 E SI1 with a GCAL 8X grading report:

1.60 Carat E SI1 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond GCAL Certified 312220659 Affinity Cut - D48647653

www.adiamor.com

Here is the link to the GCAL report with images, videos, and a whole slew of additional information/details:

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com

Here is a nearly identical setting in platinum, available in either 4 or 6 prong:

French Cut Pavé Engagement Setting 2mm in Platinum

French Cut Pave Engagement Setting 2mm

www.adiamor.com

While an Ideal-Scope or ASET can affirm light return and performance, I feel that JA's markup for their True Hearts lineup van be a slippery slope since they tend to charge quite a bit extra for them. Thankfully, JA has rather high standards for quality and consistent pictures and videos, so assessing diamonds is a bit of an easier task.

Here are some more recommendations, both with and without Ideal-Scope images. I have also included SI1 grade, but only those that would be extremely clean (inclusion types, sizes, and position that would not inhibit transparency and light return or be visible from a typical viewing distance of 8+ inches away).

Lab-Created 1.75 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 1.75 carat Lab-Created E color si1 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.65 Carat round diamond

This 1.65 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color si1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.64 Carat round diamond

This 1.64 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color vs2 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.64 Carat round diamond

This 1.64 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.63 Carat round diamond

This 1.63 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color vs2 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.63 Carat round diamond

This 1.63 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color si1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.63 Carat round diamond

This 1.63 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color si1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

If it's a more fiery diamond that you're after, then this is probably my favorite because of the proportions and angles with that nice tall 16% crown height:

Lab-Created 1.61 Carat round diamond

This 1.61 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

If you have any questions about any of these or others that you have found, please don't hesitate to ask.
If any of these are really jumping out at you, then I highly recommend that you contact JA and put them on hold/reserve so they don't get sold while you are continuing to research, compare, and shop. They have a hold limit of three diamonds, if I am not mistaken.

Thank you so much Dejawiz! I will take your advice and put the best of those on hold.

 

[DejaWiz]

Thank you so much Dejawiz! I will take your advice and put the best of those on hold.

You're very welcome and good hunting!

 

[monipod]

Is the price change because you had a setting chosen on their website and they've tallied up the price? Otherwise I'm thinking you saw the price in USD and then it got converted to AUD.

I've been happy with my James Allen purchases (I'm also in Australia) and you've been given some nice options. Can you get cheaper? I'm sure you can as JA labs aren't cheap but they do bundle things up well with the setting and offer 25% discounts periodically so it would probably all work out well in the end.

 

[jc212]

Is the price change because you had a setting chosen on their website and they've tallied up the price? Otherwise I'm thinking you saw the price in USD and then it got converted to AUD.

I've been happy with my James Allen purchases (I'm also in Australia) and you've been given some nice options. Can you get cheaper? I'm sure you can as JA labs aren't cheap but they do bundle things up well with the setting and offer 25% discounts periodically so it would probably all work out well in the end.

Hey Monipod,

I suspect the price change was something to do with the virtual diamond inspection prices not being up to date and not anything dodgy of JA's part.

In the end we ended up going for:


Got $365 i.e. 25% off on the setting and a $74 wire transfer discount.

Just want to say a massive thanks to Dejawiz for helping pick out the right diamond!

 

[DejaWiz]

Just want to say a massive thanks to Dejawiz for helping pick out the right diamond!

So glad you chose that 1.61 with the 16% crown height!

Here's the link to the grading report so that you can download a high resolution digital version in PDF format:

Verify Your Report

Ensure authenticity & accuracy of your report here. Verify your gemstone report online for complete confidence in your precious investments.

www.igi.org