Help choosing diamond please

[PandaDiamond]

I’m looking for a Gia cert, g color, 1.7 carat, vs1 or better, round diamond with excellent cut. I don’t know much about the other specifications and I’m overwhelmed with trying to choose a diamond. Is $15,000-16,000 a reasonable range? https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab

I found this one but I have limited understanding of the other parameters like girdle thickness etc. Can someone help or suggest a better diamond from blue nile another vendor?
I apologize if I’m violating any rules of this board. I’m new to this. Hopefully someone can help.

 

[PandaDiamond]

Is 15,300 a good price for this one?

 

[lovedogs]

No, that is not a goo stone. Stay within the following parameters AND run all stones through the HCA calculator (under "tools").

Table: 54-57
Depth: 60-62.4
Crown: 34-35
Pavillion: 40.6-40.8

The stone you linked is too deep, and has too steep crown and pavilion angles.

 

[jp201845]

Is 15,300 a good price for this one?

I would definitely pass on this stone, with a depth of 62.6 that would be outside the ideal range we recommend. Also a crown of 36.5 would not be complimentary with a Pavillion of 41. Easy pass for me

Is your budget 15 to 16 k you are working with?

We can definitely help find you an amazing diamond with awsome light performance.

 

[lovedogs]

Do you need to stick with VS1+ clarity for cultural reasons? If not, eye clean SI1 or VS2 will help with cost.

 

[PandaDiamond]

I suppose eye clean is what’s important. I just don’t know how to determine what would be eye clean.

 

[lovedogs]

I suppose eye clean is what’s important. I just don’t know how to determine what would be eye clean.

We can help you with that. What is the smallest stone you'd be ok with?

PS. AGS certifications are as good or better than GIA and are what is used by super ideal vendors that people are likely to recommend. Just so you aren't surprised.

 

[PandaDiamond]

I would definitely pass on this stone, with a depth of 62.6 that would be outside the ideal range we recommend. Also a crown of 36.5 would not be complimentary with a Pavillion of 41. Easy pass for me

Is your budget 15 to 16 k you are working with?

We can definitely help find you an amazing diamond with awsome light performance.

Yes budget is as close to 15,000 as possible

 

[PandaDiamond]

We can help you with that. What is the smallest stone you'd be ok with?

PS. AGS certifications are as good or better than GIA and are what is used by super ideal vendors that people are likely to recommend. Just so you aren't surprised.

Really want a 1.7 but willing to do 1.6 if it’s needed to be good in other areas.

 

[lovedogs]

Ok. I'm going to keep looking, but here are super ideal options (the best cut you can get, and all come with $1 upgrade policies). Unfortunately you'll either need to go down in size or in color to get close to the size you want in budget. But here are some options:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4113556.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3988015.htm
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10812

All of the above will be eye clean from a normal viewing distance. My personal favorite is the HPD one (the third), but it's an H color so you'd need to be ok with that. I'll search for non super ideal options in a bit.

 

[PandaDiamond]

I would definitely pass on this stone, with a depth of 62.6 that would be outside the ideal range we recommend. Also a crown of 36.5 would not be complimentary with a Pavillion of 41. Easy pass for me

Is your budget 15 to 16 k you are working with?

We can definitely help find you an amazing diamond with awsome light performance.

I’d really appreciate your help. I think I’m in over my head. Never have been good with math...

 

[lovedogs]

This is a non branded stone, but is amazing and darn close to a super ideal.
https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/117917...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

It's amazing and I love it. Gets you the G color and all the amazing specs. Sadly doesn't come with the upgrade policy and is a bit smaller than 1.6, but that wouldn't stop me at all.

Another good one (but I'd ask them if they can get IS or ASET images)
https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/128226...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

 

[lovedogs]

one more. I don't like james allen right now because they hide their certifications and you have to email/chat to ask them for it. But this gets you close to 1.6ct, G color, and is cheaper than the other options. But definitely make sure you get the cert before buying.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...color-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-5234224

 

[PandaDiamond]

Ok. I'm going to keep looking, but here are super ideal options (the best cut you can get, and all come with $1 upgrade policies). Unfortunately you'll either need to go down in size or in color to get close to the size you want in budget. But here are some options:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4113556.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3988015.htm
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10812

All of the above will be eye clean from a normal viewing distance. My personal favorite is the HPD one (the third), but it's an H color so you'd need to be ok with that. I'll search for non super ideal options in a bit.

Can you explain how super ideal is better than excellent cut with GIA? I was told that excellent cuts would have plenty of sparkle and be cut to the correct ratio. Thank you for these links. I’m at work but will check them out more thoroughly later today.

 

[headlight]

Can you explain how super ideal is better than excellent cut with GIA? I was told that excellent cuts would have plenty of sparkle and be cut to the correct ratio. Thank you for these links. I’m at work but will check them out more thoroughly later today.

You should read my threads from yesterday (for starters). Such great feedback and participation from the members of this awesome forum.
Bottom line, if you want the very best, you go with one of the super ideals that lovedogs very generously offers her time in helping people source the best options within their budget and preferences. If you want a beautiful diamond but doesn't need to be "state of the art" (for lack of a better description), or it isn't within budget (although lovedogs can find you one but you may have to go down on color, carat size, or clarity), you can still find a nice stone amongst the GIA 3X. But you would be best served if you present options to the forum to help you weed out the better ones from the not-as-great ones. GIA's parameters for what they consider to be Excellent is not the same as the Super Ideals. The knowledgable people here can walk you through the process to get a good 3X. They just aren't all "created equal". I saw an analogy on another website that said that if you took students that took a test or got the final grade in the class and scored a 90%, they would get an A. But the students that scored 100% also got an A. Clearly the ones that got 100% performed better. Does that mean that the student who got 90% isn't a good student?... of course not. But the "star pupil" got a perfect score. If you let the people here help you find your diamond, even amongst the GIA 3x, you will end up with a nice stone. The point of the threads I started yesterday was with regard to the fact that there is a wide range of what GIA will give a 3X to. And exactly as you said, you thought that 3x was good. To me there is a misleading element as why wouldn't we trust GIA if they say something is excellent. So let the people here help you. I wish I had their help when I got my current diamond. It is 3x and it definitely isn't horrible by any means. Most of the specs are right within range... it is just that mine is cut a little too deep than what would be preferred, and there are SO MANY of the 3x's cut this way. Also, the precision of cutting isn't as fine as I would like, yet it still made 3x. If I wasn't a perfectionist and always wanting the best (my husband always asks why can't I just be happy with what I have), then there'd be no issue for me. So you came to the right place. Keep asking questions and allow the people here to help you find the best diamond for you. They are giving their time freely because they are passionate about diamonds and truly empathetic.

 

[PandaDiamond]

Thanks so much for this. I have been googling about the hca score and have learned a lot in the past hour. I had no idea. I’m so thankful for the help I’m receiving here.

 

[lovedogs]

Can you explain how super ideal is better than excellent cut with GIA? I was told that excellent cuts would have plenty of sparkle and be cut to the correct ratio. Thank you for these links. I’m at work but will check them out more thoroughly later today.

Unfortunately that is incorrect. GIAXXX is way too liberal, and often are cut terribly. All GIA XXX stones need to be within the proportions above AND need to score under 2 on the HCA. An easier way to go about this is to buy a branded "super ideal" from whiteflash or high performance diamonds.

 

[PandaDiamond]

Ok. I'm going to keep looking, but here are super ideal options (the best cut you can get, and all come with $1 upgrade policies). Unfortunately you'll either need to go down in size or in color to get close to the size you want in budget. But here are some options:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4113556.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3988015.htm
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10812

All of the above will be eye clean from a normal viewing distance. My personal favorite is the HPD one (the third), but it's an H color so you'd need to be ok with that. I'll search for non super ideal options in a bit.

So after some thought I have decided to increase my budget to get closer to the specs I want (g color, vs2+ , and 1.6 -1.7). I definitely want the super ideal since that seems to be most important in how good the diamond will look. New budget is max 17000). What do you think of this one?
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4148015.htm

 

[Wewechew]

So after some thought I have decided to increase my budget to get closer to the specs I want (g color, vs2+ , and 1.6 -1.7). I definitely want the super ideal since that seems to be most important in how good the diamond will look. New budget is max 17000). What do you think of this one?
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4148015.htm

You really can’t go wrong with a WF stone.

 

[PandaDiamond]

That’s encouraging. The first I heard of whiteflash was from lovedogs suggestions. I was also intrigued by their upgrade policy. Will the site still be around in 5-10 years?

 

[Wewechew]

@PandaDiamond they’ve been around for at least 18 years. So yes, no need to worry about them going out of business.

 

[lovedogs]

So after some thought I have decided to increase my budget to get closer to the specs I want (g color, vs2+ , and 1.6 -1.7). I definitely want the super ideal since that seems to be most important in how good the diamond will look. New budget is max 17000). What do you think of this one?
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4148015.htm

Great choice!

 

[sledge]

If you buy from WF, rest easy as they have great stones and are genuinely good people.

Another good vendor is Brian Gavin Diamonds (BGD), which is also located in the Houston area. Precision cut stones with H&A symmetry. This is where I bought my wife's stone and I was treated like royalty from day one. They have a good upgrade policy but it's a little more restrictive than WF or HPD. To get full credit, BGD requires you spend $1 more AND upgrade 2 of the following 3: carat weight, color or clarity.

At the top of your budget they have a stone that would work...

1.732 G SI1 @ $17,556
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...ls/1.732-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-104065663001

54.8 table, 61.8 depth, 34.5 crown, 40.7 pavilion and 75 LGF for some big fat sexy arrows that will deliver bold rainbow flashes

Normal wire price of $18,939 but if you enter coupon code LD2019 you get 10% off.

 

[emipastor21]

Hey pandadiamond,
Love dogs and a few others had helped me out in an earlier forum with similar specs to the ones that you provided. Ultimately everyone here is really helpful, im sending you my thread since I just finished up my search and it was really similar. I would request ideal scope and aset images to narrow down the options . A lot of the options that they sent you above are really good as well! Good luck In your search!
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/engagement-ring-help.250774/

 

[PandaDiamond]

If you buy from WF, rest easy as they have great stones and are genuinely good people.

Another good vendor is Brian Gavin Diamonds (BGD), which is also located in the Houston area. Precision cut stones with H&A symmetry. This is where I bought my wife's stone and I was treated like royalty from day one. They have a good upgrade policy but it's a little more restrictive than WF or HPD. To get full credit, BGD requires you spend $1 more AND upgrade 2 of the following 3: carat weight, color or clarity.

At the top of your budget they have a stone that would work...

1.732 G SI1 @ $17,556
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...ls/1.732-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-104065663001

54.8 table, 61.8 depth, 34.5 crown, 40.7 pavilion and 75 LGF for some big fat sexy arrows that will deliver bold rainbow flashes

Normal wire price of $18,939 but if you enter coupon code LD2019 you get 10% off.

That is a nice stone! Now I’m going to have trouble deciding.

Do SI1 inclusions affect the light performance of a diamond? How would I be able to find out?

 

[Wewechew]

That is a nice stone! Now I’m going to have trouble deciding.

Do SI1 inclusions affect the light performance of a diamond? How would I be able to find out?

Brian Gavin has a little thing under the pics that says “eye clean”. It won’t affect performance.

Just FYI- Brian Gavin’s upgrade policy is more restrictive than WF. You have to upgrade two of the three C’s.

 

[Starfacet]

Here are a couple of CBIs for comparison. Great upgrade policy if you ever decide to go bigger/higher color/clarity:
Higher end of your budget but both 1.6+ G VS2
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10619
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10562

 

[PandaDiamond]

Hey pandadiamond,
Love dogs and a few others had helped me out in an earlier forum with similar specs to the ones that you provided. Ultimately everyone here is really helpful, im sending you my thread since I just finished up my search and it was really similar. I would request ideal scope and aset images to narrow down the options . A lot of the options that they sent you above are really good as well! Good luck In your search!
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/engagement-ring-help.250774/

Thank you, your ring is beautiful and it looks like you got it at a great price.

 

[KKJohnson]

While I know that you want to stick to a G, I think you should consider a high H (color grades have a color range so it is possible to get an H that is very very close to a G)

I think this one because it is the size and clarity you desire and kinda middle ground to your original budget. You can request that WF do a video/ photo comparison of the diamonds and determine if you can tolerate the color differences between a G and H.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4152851.htm

This one is a really good deal, for an SI1 it is very clean. Gives you size and color, lose of clarity (but shouldn't be noticable) but it is a tad over budget. Still would be a good one to inquire over, you might be able to negotiate a bit with them (like maybe a $100 off)

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4123879.htm

 

[lovedogs]

I would easily choose HP diamonds or WF over Brian Gavin due to the former two having $1 upgrade policies. Brian Gavin does not.