Help choosing round WF diamond to set w/ yellow gold and platinum prongs.

[nightynite]

Hi all,

We are shopping for a diamond for a solitaire ring, yellow gold with platinum prongs. We are upgrading from a prior diamond purchase from Whiteflash, so we are only looking for diamonds on Whiteflash in their Expert Selection or ACA collections. Hoping to get something in the 1.00-1.3 carat range, round, and budget is around $7,500, maybe up to $8,000. We are novices at understanding the diamond images and information provided on Whiteflash, and knowing where to sacrifice on color and clarity.

First, would a J colored diamond be fine for the setting and size, or should we aim for something in the higher range?
Second, below are some diamonds I've found on Whiteflash so far. Any opinions on the best of these, or other selections from Whiteflash, would be greatly appreciated!

1. https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3935938.htm
2. https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3963051.htm
3. https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3942012.htm
4. https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2199908.htm
5. https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3935934.htm
6. https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3735109.htm
7. https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3872128.htm

Thank you in advance!

 

[rockysalamander]

Can you tell us the specs of your current diamong so we know what you are using as a visual baseline? Color and clarity especially

 

[nightynite]

Can you tell us the specs of your current diamong so we know what you are using as a visual baseline? Color and clarity especially

Current diamond is color F and clarity SI1.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

First I will say that I wouldn't go to J color when you have had an F. That's a big jump. I color is a good compromise.

1) This stone you didn't list, I assume because it is at the top end of your budget, but I think it's a great choice if it is possible. 1.25 I VS2 ACA about 6.9mm, $8014

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3963067.htm

2) Then there's the Expert Selection stone, 1.20 I VS2 at 6.8-6.85mm, $7544

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3963051.htm

3)Then just for comparison to #2, here's the 1.17 I VS1 ACA at 6.78-6.80mm, $7482

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3942012.htm 1.17 I VS1

What I will say is that if you can go for the 1.25, that's great. If you prefer to stay closer to $7500, then I actually might go for my #3 (1.17 I VS1 ACA) for two reasons. It's not really going to be visually smaller than my #2, and it is a clarity grade higher and ACA. #3 seems to be a better value than the second one.

So my first choice is the 1.25 ACA, then the 1.17 ACA, and the 1.20 ES third. I didn't vote in the poll since I needed to explain my reasons and added a stone.

 

[nightynite]

First I will say that I wouldn't go to J color when you have had an F. That's a big jump. I color is a good compromise.

1) This stone you didn't list, I assume because it is at the top end of your budget, but I think it's a great choice if it is possible. 1.25 I VS2 ACA about 6.9mm, $8014

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3963067.htm

2) Then there's the Expert Selection stone, 1.20 I VS2 at 6.8-6.85mm, $7544

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3963051.htm

3)Then just for comparison to #2, here's the 1.17 I VS1 ACA at 6.78-6.80mm, $7482

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3942012.htm 1.17 I VS1

What I will say is that if you can go for the 1.25, that's great. If you prefer to stay closer to $7500, then I actually might go for my #3 (1.17 I VS1 ACA) for two reasons. It's not really going to be visually smaller than my #2, and it is a clarity grade higher and ACA. #3 seems to be a better value than the second one.

So my first choice is the 1.25 ACA, then the 1.17 ACA, and the 1.20 ES third. I didn't vote in the poll since I needed to explain my reasons and added a stone.

Thank you so much for your informative response, as well as your suggestion for that beautiful 1.25 diamond! It's great to learn how more knowledgeable people would practically value different diamonds. You're correct that the diamond was out of range on my price filter, so I hadn't even seen that one. The current diamond is a 0.6 carat, does that affect the visual jump to a J color bigger diamond at all? Or, does size not really make a difference to color (like it does to clarity, for example).

 

[rockysalamander]

I think it is easier to detect color in larger stones. There is just more diamond to actually see. You could go visit a nice independent store and determine your color acuity (not mall store, but not Tiffany/Harry Winston). The ability to see color is very individual. You may not see color in an I or J, or you may notice it at a G. Then, decide if it bothers you. For many, they can see color, but it does not bother them (especially as they can gain size). But, I would not suggest going from D to J without this. I is as low as I'd suggest just as @diamondseeker2006 stated.

 

[nightynite]

I think it is easier to detect color in larger stones. There is just more diamond to actually see. You could go visit a nice independent store and determine your color acuity (not mall store, but not Tiffany/Harry Winston). The ability to see color is very individual. You may not see color in an I or J, or you may notice it at a G. Then, decide if it bothers you. For many, they can see color, but it does not bother them (especially as they can gain size). But, I would not suggest going from D to J without this. I is as low as I'd suggest just as @diamondseeker2006 stated.

Thank you for that input and suggestion, I may force myself to go to a store and test my color acuity but based on what you and diamondseeker2006 said, it sounds like I should stay in the I and upwards range. And here I was hoping to be able to go even bigger with a lower color..

 

[ringo865]

Make sure you ask to view only stones graded for color by GIA or AGS. EGL, and "house graded" colors may actually be lower than those graded by GIA/AGS (meaning, the "I" color EGL, IGI, or house-graded stone could actually be a J, K, or even L color if graded by GIA/AGS).

So, for apples to apples comparisons, specify that in your request. Oh, And ask to see their best cut stones for this comparison (GIA XXX or AGS Ideal).

 

[nightynite]

I totally forgot I had 2 J-colored diamonds right on my ears. I compared, and side by side, I can definitely see the color difference between the J diamonds (GIA certified) and the F diamond. Knowing that, would it be advisable to still aim for the 1.25 I diamond that diamondseeker suggested, or go toward the H level but get a smaller diamond around the 1.0-1.1 carat range?

 

[nightynite]

Hi,

I've determined that I'm pretty color sensitive, so we are looking to go no lower than H diamonds. With that in mind, we're considering increasing our budget a little to go for G-H diamonds that are on the larger end. However, we'd also consider some smaller diamonds within our initial budget. I would appreciate any opinions on the following diamonds below:

A) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3916986.htm (1.152 G VS1, $9,408 )
B) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3965458.htm (1.068 G VS1, $8,809)
C) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3947659.htm (1.211 H VS2, $9,262)
D) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3935943.htm (1.117 H VS1, $8,224)
E) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3956088.htm (1.09 H VS1, $7,324)

For these, is it just a matter of slight difference in size and price at this point, or do any stick out as particularly good values/superior to the others? I don't know how visible the difference in size is between say, the 1.152 ct and 1.117 ct, so if it's going to look essentially the same but save over $1,000, that would be great.

Thanks!

 

[december-fire]

Regarding the size difference of the 1.152 and the 1.117, the relevant information/comparison are the measurements shown in mm on the Whiteflash page for each diamond.

As a general comment, it seems as though less than 10% difference in size will probably not be noticed. There is only a 5% size difference with these two diamonds, so you might want to save the money.

Here's a comparison of the two on a size 6 finger.