Look at auctions!
OP: You can get an ideal cut round under budget that's over 3ct, but not 4ct and it'll be warm.The nice thing about WF stones from the ACA or ES lines is that you can upgrade forever by only spending $1 more. So if you'd like a bigger stone or higher color you can do that down the line.
Here are some options:
Diamond | 3.272 ct K VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4227313
This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 3.272 carat K color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4227313www.whiteflash.comDiamond | 3.177 ct J SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4187474
This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 3.177 carat J color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4187474www.whiteflash.comDiamond | 3.147 ct I SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4095780
This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 3.147 carat I color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4095780www.whiteflash.com
Here are some bigger options from other vendors (but they don't have the upgrade policy). The blue nile one isn't perfectly cut, but it looks good relatively speaking. My view is always to get the best possible cut, so I'd prefer an ideal cut 3ct vs a less ideal cut 4ct, but if ct is your priority this is a decently good choice. The JA ones you'd need to see the GIA certs to check, but they look good just based on my quick scan of them. The JA ones are a bit over 35K, but get you the size.
4.01-Carat Round Cut Diamond | Blue Nile
www.bluenile.com
4.00 Carat round diamond
This 4 carat round diamond K color si1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIAwww.jamesallen.com
4.16 Carat round diamond
This 4.16 carat round diamond K color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIAwww.jamesallen.com
@lovedogs can you explain the Blue Nile clarity characteristics? I can not see the naturals in the girdle as it spins and the other clarity characteristic - do you know what that is? Thanks. Just curious.
I would not suggest that for someone new to diamonds. If this is for an engagement ring, you want the best possible cut. Having a poorly cut stone that is big will not look as good/sparkly as a smaller stone that has an ideal cut.
What’s a good site or where do you find auctions?
Make sure to see the objects in person before bidding. And maybe take someone who can help .Yes I have both Since I live in Los Angeles. I will look into these. Thank you.
Why not? They sometimes come with papers and you have plenty of time to look at the pieces in person and can ask someone to help. You‘ll find excellent deals. So I certainly wouldn’t exclude that option.
I‘m not talking of online auctions...
I thought you meant online. Yes, if there's a high quality auction house near OP that is definitely an option. However, I think for someone new to diamonds it makes the most senses to buy from a trusted vendor who has papers, images, etc.
So far my local jeweler has offered me a 3.76 round si1/g and a slightly cheaper 4.13 cushion vs2/h. I don’t have any other details yet and I know it’s hard to judge from just that info but what would you recommend between the 2
So far my local jeweler has offered me a 3.76 round si1/g and a slightly cheaper 4.13 cushion vs2/h. I don’t have any other details yet and I know it’s hard to judge from just that info but what would you recommend between the 2
This will be a beauty!It seems that you could call this in to take a look - www