Help finding my dream stone

[cinnabon1234]

Hi everyone!

My boyfriend and I have found a stone that we both loved:
1.85 carats
H color
SI1 (eye clean)
Triple excellent
GIA certification #7316405325

I even ordered a gemologist report from Rare Carat and they said the cut was good. I use the HCA calculator and although the result was over 2, it stated that it was fine.

My problem is I fell in love with a 2 carat stone (I color, SI1 that was VERY eye clean) but the HCA result was horrible and it was $2000 more than our budget.

We got an excellent deal for the first stone. With the setting, it will be roughly $13,500. Our ideal budget for stone and setting is $14,000 and we're trying to stay around $12,500 for the stone alone (this is a little flexible) because I want a pretty hefty setting.

Do you guys think I'm crazy for passing up this deal for 0.15 carats more? Would it be possible to find a decent, eye clean 2 carat stone that is within our budget? The only thing that I won't give up on is cut. Please let me know your thoughts!!

 

[lovedogs]

If the HCA score was over 2, you should reject the stone entirely. Reports from Rare Carat don't mean much, so I would largely ignore that. Have you seen an ideal cut stone (e.g. one that performs under 2 on the HCA)? I ask because while it's true that some people prefer stones that don't necessarily perform as well on the HCA, those people have seen the options with their own eyes and made an educated decision.

My concern is that if you're looking at stuff in jewelry store lights and don't know what you're comparing it to (e.g. what a stone under 2 HCA would look like), there's really no way to make an informed decision. Especially if you don't want to compromise cut, I wouldn't choose either of these.

 

[cinnabon1234]

If the HCA score was over 2, you should reject the stone entirely. Reports from Rare Carat don't mean much, so I would largely ignore that. Have you seen an ideal cut stone (e.g. one that performs under 2 on the HCA)? I ask because while it's true that some people prefer stones that don't necessarily perform as well on the HCA, those people have seen the options with their own eyes and made an educated decision.

My concern is that if you're looking at stuff in jewelry store lights and don't know what you're comparing it to (e.g. what a stone under 2 HCA would look like), there's really no way to make an informed decision. Especially if you don't want to compromise cut, I wouldn't choose either of these.

We've been ring shopping for a month now and I don't have time to run an HCA report on each stone we've seen, which is a high number, then compare. So that's why I'm asking for help in finding a stone.

 

[lovedogs]

We've been ring shopping for a month now and I don't have time to run an HCA report on each stone we've seen, which is a high number, then compare. So that's why I'm asking for help in finding a stone.

That totally makes sense, and we are happy to help! Unfortunately, you'll have a really hard time finding a well cut 2ct stone at 12.5K or under, in I+ color.

I don't know how you feel about color or if you are willing to try a lower color stone in a super-ideal stone, but here's one in budget and almost the size you want:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4059366.htm?source=pricescope

Another WF option that's J color, but smaller (although IMHO certainly not too small):
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3186656.htm?source=pricescope

Also, WF has an amazing upgrade policy, if you ever want to take advantage of that.

If you can stretch budget to 14,500 then here's a good option:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4097161.htm?source=pricescope

Another K color but gets you over 2 carats
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4097134.htm?source=pricescope

For a non WF option, this one looks promising. @Karl_K and @flyingpig is this an example of the camera angle making stuff look weird even though IRL the stone would be good?
https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/121204...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

Another good option, but not quite 2 its
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...color-vs1-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-5363033

 

[Karl_K]

For a non WF option, this one looks promising. @Karl_K and @flyingpig is this an example of the camera angle making stuff look weird even though IRL the stone would be good?
https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/121204...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

Check ASET looks much better than the picture.
34.5/40.6 does not handle being grossly over obstructed like in the image but as long as the facets on the pavilion stay above ~40.45 they can be great stones for any use. If the pavilion angles in the average drift under that they might be better in a pendant or earring.
Viewing it in person will tell the tail.

 

[lovedogs]

Check ASET looks much better than the picture.
34.5/40.6 does not handle being grossly over obstructed like in the image but as long as the facets on the pavilion stay above ~40.45 they can be great stones for any use. If the pavilion angles in the average rounding drift under that they might be better in a pendant or earring.
Viewing it in person will tell the tail.

Yeah, the ASET looked good to me, but didn't want to accidentally recommend something bad.

 

[Karl_K]

Yeah, the ASET looked good to me, but didn't want to accidentally recommend something bad.

Thanks to the GIA BS rounding some beautiful diamonds become harder than they should be to sort out.
I am happy to help anytime you have a question or doubt.