Help choosing a rock for engagement ring

[fefonpe]

Dear PS community, I am a new user looking for your seasoned opinion on which diamond to choose for my engagement ring
For setting I'm planning to go with JA 17158P, a platinum pave setting (http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/platinum-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-2018)
Basically, I narrowed down my choices to three different rocks and I am looking for the best cost benefit. I'm aiming at a budget of $1.750 but could go up to $2.000 if necessary including the setting of $830
* Rock 1 – Something must be wrong - Visually and technically this rock looks great except for the Girdle but with this price something must be wrong - http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.46-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-430912
*Rock 2 - Budget choice - Fits my budget but as always it could be bigger - http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.42-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-368854
* Rock 3 - The round number – Even though it goes above my budget, round numbers are always nice - http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.50-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-447002

I’d be most grateful if you could give me your opinion about the diamonds above and also other diamonds you think could be a better fit
Thanks in advance

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Both SI2 stones have primary inclusions of feathers (cracks) which I can easily see in the videos. So scratch those. The G VS2 has a lot of potential subject to an idealscope image. I'll look and see if I can see anything else. You can ask for idealscope images on three stones.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I am sorry but I just didn't see another stone that I liked within your budget in G-H-I VS2-SI1 at JA.

I used the PS search and found some others:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3213714.htm?source=pricescope

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3265478.htm?source=pricescope

 

[pfunk]

Here is another one to add to your list of potentials from JA. Higher color but lower clarity so check with JA on eye cleanliness. Also be sure to ask about discounted pricing on the loose stone to help get you in budget.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...arat-g-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-430857

If you order before the 14th you'll get 15% off the setting too, so make sure to request your ideal scope images as soon as you pick out your top 3 stones.

 

[fefonpe]

Thanks diamondseeker2006 and pfunk, nothing beat an expert eye.
I've requested the images on both rocks and put them on hold for me.
The 0.48c G color video shows a few black dots or is it my impression? http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.48-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-430857
Also, the valentines day discount is not cumulative with PS discount (I'll try again before closing the deal anyway)

 

[pfunk]

The valentines sale doesn't apply to loose diamonds so I would think you could still use the PS discount for the stone but maybe I am wrong? Yes it does look like it has some carbon crystals in it which may not be acceptable to you. Remember the videos are magnified big time so it won't look like that in real life. Do ask JA to have the gemologist inspect it for eye cleanliness and they can let you know whether the crystals are visible or not.

 

[fefonpe]

Pfunk, they say the promotions are not cumulative even though I do agree with you. Theoretically I could buy both of them separately. I'll make my case once I'm about to close because then I can have much more leverage.

I was wondering, what is your opinion about necessarily buying diamonds of 0.5 or above? I know they only have trade value after that to most jewelers but in theory the chances of my bride to be exchanging her engagement ring for something else are slim to none

 

[pfunk]

Pfunk, they say the promotions are not cumulative even though I do agree with you. Theoretically I could buy both of them separately. I'll make my case once I'm about to close because then I can have much more leverage.

I was wondering, what is your opinion about necessarily buying diamonds of 0.5 or above? I know they only have trade value after that to most jewelers but in theory the chances of my bride to be exchanging her engagement ring for something else are slim to none

As far as buying 0.5c or above, I certainly wouldn't do that in hopes that it will hold greater value in the future. I think you are smarter to target stones just under 0.5 carat, as the price will jump significantly when you hit the 0.5c mark due to demand. If you are thinking that an upgrade is possible in the future, be sure to consider the trade in policy of each vendor. Many places will allow you to trade in your diamond to upgrade but there are different conditions that come along with it. For example, with James Allen your upgrade diamond will need to be at least twice as expensive as your original stone.

 

[fefonpe]

Hi guys, I`ve finally received the JA ideoscopic images. What do you think of them both? For the untrained eye, both of them look good so I`m more inclined towards the $990 as it fits beter in my budget
Item 430857:
Carat weight:0.48
Certificate:AGS
Color:G
Shape: Round
Clarity: SI1
Cut: Ideal
Price: $1230
Link: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.48-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-430857
Ideoscopic image:

Item: 368854
Carat weight:0.42
Certificate:GIA
Color:G
Shape: Round
Clarity: VS2
Cut: Excellent
Price: $990
Link: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.42-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-368854
Ideoscopic image:

 

[Gypsy]

The VS2 has a better ASET and fits your budget better.

 

[pmsomani]

I would prefer VS2

 

[fefonpe]

Thanks. I'm going with the VS2 then