Help choosing between two Radiants and Halo setting.

[AL12]

Hello everyone,

I stumbled across this site a week ago and have already learned so much (but there's still so much!)

I pretty much have my heart set on a square radiant cut in the 0.8ct to 1.0ct range. I've been to all the more popular sites mentioned on here (GOG, WF, JA etc.) but went to a very trusted jeweler today and he showed me this one for ~$3650. Diamond + Setting we want stay under $5000 pref mid $4000's.

OPTION ONE:
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pagename=GST%2FDispatcher&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=1158532211

I saw it in person and it looked clean to my amateur eye and I took two pretty shabby pictures of it that I can post if it would help. I def trust this jeweler but second opinions on price and quality of the diamond are welcome! I know the depth and table% aren't amazing (i think) but in person it looked nice.

Pros: >1ct, clean to eye
Cons: Way above price pt., smidgen more rectangle pushing 1.05 ratio but still very acceptable.

I would only feel comfortable choosing this diamond because the jeweler offered to make a custom setting (single, pave halo) for a total package of ~$4600. That's a huge deal on the setting (i think?) but I do feel very uncomfortable not being able to see the setting beforehand as we went back and forth on the thickness of the halo which is another story that I can share if necessary.

OPTION TWO?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.82-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-164163

Pros: more square ratio 1.04, cheaper price point, very similar surface area at 5.6x5.41mm
Cons: unable to see in person, is option one a better deal?, i'm not sure why the GIA report doesn't have comments about possible visible obstructions like the first one did?

Honestly, my major hangout might just be the setting. With research, I've realized that the cost of the setting is really limiting possibilities on the diamond. I went to Robbins Brothers (I know) and loved this Simon G. double halo:

http://www.robbinsbrothers.com/Engagement-Rings/Ring-With-Sidestones/Simon-G--i48701.ring

It's $1870 and I could care less about brand name but haven't come across anything like it so far with a decent price. There are some that come very close but are much more expensive and I and actually chose the double halo over it's single counterpart because it was cheaper (!!) I find it very hard trust what a setting looks like on a website vs. in person. Even this Simon G ones looks very different in person versus the picture online! So if anyone has any experience with this setting or know of something similar that they have seen in person, please feel free to post!

Sorry if this is overload. Any input on either radiants, the halo setting, or both would be much appreciated! I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed as the jeweler can only hold the diamond for 10 days as of today!

 

[JulieN]

Ask your jeweler if he can get this one: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3823299-1.01-carat-Radiant-diamond-H-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=3823299&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
It's a specific kind of radiant, I'm hoping it is a square hearts and arrows.

 

[AL12]

Ask your jeweler if he can get this one: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3823299-1.01-carat-Radiant-diamond-H-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=3823299&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
It's a specific kind of radiant, I'm hoping it is a square hearts and arrows.

Thank you so much JulieN for another beautiful find!! If you don't mind, I have a few questions though?

1. How do you know it's a "specific kind of radiant"?
2. What would be the difference between purchasing the loose stone myself versus asking the jeweler to obtain it and is this something that they usually do? Only reason being I would feel bad purchasing an outside stone but then still trying to take advantage of the discount he is giving me on the setting.
3. Do you have personal experience with B2C jewels? Since it has a GIA certificate I'm assuming they are pretty legit.

 

[JulieN]

The GIA report says "cut cornered square brilliant" and virtually all radiants out there are cut cornered modified brilliants. This is actually the only cut cornered square brilliant report I've ever seen, as the square H&A GIA labels them modified brilliants. So I don't know what it really looks like, but I'm curious and it would be a good price if it turned out to be a good looking stone and eye-clean, because the main inclusion is crystals right under the table. There's also this one: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.77-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-256156

Since most of these stones are virtual, part of your decision is choosing the vendor. If you're interested in the radiant I linked, you could ask any jeweler if they can get it for you, most should be able to. Other posters seem to have good experiences with B2c, the only negative I have noted is poor picture quality.

 

[AL12]

Thank you again JulieN for taking your time to answer! You seem very knowledgeable!

Now I'm also curious about the B2C diamond especially as the price range is so similar and I'm especially liking the fact that it's so square. So many decisions! I think my amateur-ness in the field is making me a little hesitant to ask the jeweler about purchasing from an outside vendor and also the fact that he a bit of a drive from where I live. I don't want to come off as a very demanding person as it seems as if he is going out of his way to give us a great deal.

I'll mull on it a little more and definitely update you if I proceed.

Thank you also for the James Allen link. From what I can see from just their 360 view, is probably what I would want my ideal radiant to look like. It's very square and I think I'm leaning towards a more chunky sparkle vs. a more crushed ice one...but I keep going back and forth.

Decisions, decisions...

 

[AL12]

The GIA report says "cut cornered square brilliant" and virtually all radiants out there are cut cornered modified brilliants. This is actually the only cut cornered square brilliant report I've ever seen, as the square H&A GIA labels them modified brilliants. So I don't know what it really looks like, but I'm curious and it would be a good price if it turned out to be a good looking stone and eye-clean, because the main inclusion is crystals right under the table.

I contacted B2c and they sent me this digital picture. People were right when they mentioned that the picture quality is not too great but their online chat was very prompt and helpful!

I'm posting it since I knew you were curious but not sure if you are able to see more than what I see. Not sure if I love the facet pattern, but of course no real way to tell from this picture.'

 

[JulieN]

Wish it wasn't tilted, but it has potential. Yes, it does look like an unmodified brilliant pavilion, can't tell if H&A or not. If you don't love that kind of facet pattern you aren't looking for a chunkier style radiant. If it is eye-clean I wouldn't hesitate to order it since B2C has free shipping both ways and they have a very long return period. Its probably going to blow 95% of radiants out of the water, but that only matters if you want a chunkier sparkle, if you are looking for a regular radiant then that doesn't matter.

 

[AL12]

Thank you again JulieN for shedding more light. You def can see more than my untrained eye can. For me the facet pattern just looked unsymmetrical?? I really don't rethink I know what I'm looking at.

H&A is not necessary, but if just from that picture you think it has strong potential, I may have to take advantage of the return policy so that I can see it in person. I'll post pics again if I end up ordering it!

 

[JulieN]

It looks unsymmetrical because it is really tilted.