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Help me choose a replacement diamond from JA

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emac11

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
37
Two years ago, people here helped me pick out an engagement ring from James Allen for my then girlfriend. We ended up going with this diamond:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...color-vs1-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-2208003

for this ring:

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...-and-twisted-shank-engagement-ring-item-17467

It was a truly beautiful ring, and she loved it and obviously said yes. We've since gotten married, and unfortunately, she lost it a few weeks back. Fortunately the ring was insured and now we're looking to replace it. She wants the same ring, but I need help picking another good diamond for it. The diamond we selected for it before was a True Hearts cut, and I'd like to get something that had a really nice cut again as I think it made the ring extra shiny. It also has to be round cut again. Perhaps we could go slightly larger for it, somewhere between the .83 carats that it was and maybe around 1 carat.

I know people here can tell by the picture if the diamond looks good or not, but I don't see what you all can see and I'm not nearly as good with diamonds. So I'd love some suggestions from everyone here! Thanks so much. :)
 
I’m sorry she lost it :(2 Hopefully she’ll love the new ring just as much!

What kind of budget do you have and are you wanting to stick with I color?
 
Very sorry to hear about the loss, but so glad you were smart enough to carry insurance.

What kind of a budget do you have? Any reason you are married to JA -- economics or just they treated you right before? What's main objective, besides cut? Size, color, etc?
 
We're going to stick with JA because she wants the identical ring setting, and it's just easier to get the diamond the same place as the ring. Plus we had a good experience there.

Budget for the diamond is probably somewhere around $5000. We don't need to stick with an "I" color for the diamond, but I'm not opposed to it either.
 
emac11 said:
We're going to stick with JA because she wants the identical ring setting, and it's just easier to get the diamond the same place as the ring. Plus we had a good experience there.

Budget for the diamond is probably somewhere around $5000. We don't need to stick with an "I" color for the diamond, but I'm not opposed to it either.
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I'm really liking this one!
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...color-si2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-2876562

I know it's an SI2, but darned if I can see any inclusions. It's a nice spread for .9cts and bumps you up a color grade =)2
 
 
I did look on the JA site. I saw two true H&A stones that were within your budget and color requirements. I didn't care for either as they had nasty inclusions on the table. Didn't figure that would interest you much coming from a VS1. Also, since you have a true H&A stone now I didn't think you'd want to give that up on your replacement. I know I wouldn't.

My initial thoughts are I'd call WF and ask them if they have anything similar, or if they can custom make that setting. Nice thing about custom is they'd also upgrade the pave stones to ACA's so they match the quality of your center stone.

Depending on price, you could just buy the setting from JA and have shipped to WF and let them mount the stone. They may charge you an extra $100 or so to set their stone in another vendor's setting, but it'd be hassle & risk free.
 
Thanks everyone. So far ILikeShiny's post is winning. We're going to stick with JA. Our insurance is working with them directly and we don't want to go through the trouble of ordering the ring from one place and the diamond from another.

Any other suggestions from James Allen?
 
Dancing Fire said:
:love: Love the specs!
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Yeah, I liked that one myself and since they are okay with I color, seems like a no brainer. Better upgrade policy, full imaging, etc.
 
sledge said:
I did look on the JA site. I saw two true H&A stones that were within your budget and color requirements. I didn't care for either as they had nasty inclusions on the table. Didn't figure that would interest you much coming from a VS1. Also, since you have a true H&A stone now I didn't think you'd want to give that up on your replacement. I know I wouldn't.
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Check out the one I posted. Thoughts? To me, it looks like a winner. Great angles, no visible inclusions, up a color, great spread, and right at budget.
 
emac11 said:
Thanks everyone. So far ILikeShiny's post is winning. We're going to stick with JA. Our insurance is working with them directly and we don't want to go through the trouble of ordering the ring from one place and the diamond from another.

Any other suggestions from James Allen?
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Just curious, who is your insurance company? Only asking because depending who and how the policy is written, you can work with an array of vendors. It's okay if you want to stay with JA, I don't want to make you feel pressured to leave. I just want you to be aware you typically have options when dealing with insurance companies, even though they do not always make you feel like you do.

Are you open to dropping the true H&A designation? As I said earlier, I wouldn't because that's what you bought before and what insurance should be paying to replace, but if so that would open more options. Unfortunately it just doesn't appear JA has a very good stock of the size/price range in a true H&A stone right now.

In regards to the 0.90ct H SI2, I like the fact you get 1 color bump, but you are coming down 3 clarity grades. The size isn't significantly different either. I just feel you have more value in the stone that was lost than the one you'd be getting. Also, I'd like to see an inclusion plot, H&A images and also an ASET or Idealscope image to confirm light performance.

Here are two of the inclusions I've spotted in the video.

FYI, more info about feathers. Not saying they are bad, but you need to understand what you are getting into. The fact the feather is the grade setting inclusion causes me concern.

https://yourdiamondteacher.com/diamond-4cs/clarity/diamond-inclusions-feather/

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ILikeShiny said:
Check out the one I posted. Thoughts? To me, it looks like a winner. Great angles, no visible inclusions, up a color, great spread, and right at budget.
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Yeah, the angles work good. Lands you precisely on the fringe of ideal according to the AGS proportions charts. Below is a screen cap showing that. I've made a bigger circle in blue showing where the actual cut COULD land depending on how the reported GIA angles & percentages were rounded & average. As we know, they do funky stuff that sometimes makes you land outside what is reported.

Running the data through the HCA, it scores a 1.3.

At this stage, if OP is considering, he'd need to put on hold while he decides and request ASET, Idealscope images to confirm light performance. And since a true H&A stone, JA should also provide H&A images to confirm symmetry.

Again, my biggest concern is the clarity rating. Of the images I posted earlier, the one of the left is a little disturbing. Granted, it's a magnified view, but that seems very large.

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sledge said:
Here are two of the inclusions I've spotted in the video.

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I didn't even look at the edges as the diamond is going to be halo'd. My thought is that any inclusions there won't be of consequence, especially since they don't break through the girdle. It wouldn't hurt to ask JA their opinion though.
 
My insurance is Jewelers Mutual. They work closely with James Allen and I would prefer to stay with JA if possible.

I like SimoneDi's first suggestion. Does anyone else have thoughts on that diamond? Any other suggestions? Thanks for all of your help everyone! :)
 
ILikeShiny said:
I didn't even look at the edges as the diamond is going to be halo'd. My thought is that any inclusions there won't be of consequence, especially since they don't break through the girdle. It wouldn't hurt to ask JA their opinion though.
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Yes, the ring is going to be a halo ring, so keep that in mind with your suggestions! Good point ILikeShiny.
 
emac11 said:
My insurance is Jewelers Mutual. They work closely with James Allen and I would prefer to stay with JA if possible.

I like SimoneDi's first suggestion. Does anyone else have thoughts on that diamond? Any other suggestions? Thanks for all of your help everyone! :)
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I like that one a lot! I didn't even search for F colors... nice find @SimoneDi :appl:
 
emac11 said:
My insurance is Jewelers Mutual. They work closely with James Allen and I would prefer to stay with JA if possible.

I like SimoneDi's first suggestion. Does anyone else have thoughts on that diamond? Any other suggestions? Thanks for all of your help everyone! :)
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OP, Reserve the stone with JA while you are making a decision. Also, ask them about their advantage pricing, not sure if they offer it when the stone is a replacement, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
 
@emac11 - Here's a photo comparison of the sizes between the F/VS1 and the H/SI2

Screen Shot 2018-08-06 at 2.19.04 PM.png
 
SimoneDi said:
Here is another really pretty stone of comparable size to the old stone, but with higher color: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...rat-f-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-5075682
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:love: :love:

My favorite of the JA stones thus far. Great color & clarity. AGS cert that confirms ideal cut. This is like the prom queen.

Only potential downfall I can see is it has medium blue fluor. Seriously doubt it's an issue, but OP needs to be aware what he is buying.

Absolutely put this stone on hold while you decide. Seriously, call right now and do it! Also, ask them to send you ASET & Idealscope images.

SimoneDi said:
Here are two more that I like as well that are at a lower price point: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5486089
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4983944
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Of these two I prefer the 0.90 H VS2 for better color, clarity and that smaller table.

Here are the AGS charts for each. Again, request all images if you are seriously considering. These are GIA stones so the charts are "best guesses" where cut quality lands because of funky rounding & averaging they do when they report values.

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emac11 said:
My insurance is Jewelers Mutual. They work closely with James Allen and I would prefer to stay with JA if possible.

I like SimoneDi's first suggestion. Does anyone else have thoughts on that diamond? Any other suggestions? Thanks for all of your help everyone! :)
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Gotcha. Preference is preference. Just don't let JM, or anyone else pigeon hole you into a certain vendor.

FWIW, if you have $5k to spend on a diamond I'd use every last cent. You pay premiums and it sucks this happens, but since you are here I'd want full benefit of the premiums I paid and wouldn't skimp on quality. The exception being you have $5k to spend. You only spend $3k and they write you a check for the other $2k.

I've tried to provide some technical analysis on all the stones being considered. Maybe others can comment more or have additional thoughts.

Did you put that F VS1 on hold yet? GO DO IT NOW!!!
 
sledge said:
:love: :love:

My favorite of the JA stones thus far. Great color & clarity. AGS cert that confirms ideal cut. This is like the prom queen.

Only potential downfall I can see is it has medium blue fluor. Seriously doubt it's an issue, but OP needs to be aware what he is buying.

Absolutely put this stone on hold while you decide. Seriously, call right now and do it! Also, ask them to send you ASET & Idealscope images.



Of these two I prefer the 0.90 H VS2 for better color, clarity and that smaller table.

Here are the AGS charts for each. Again, request all images if you are seriously considering. These are GIA stones so the charts are "best guesses" where cut quality lands because of funky rounding & averaging they do when they report values.

Capture.PNG

Capture2.PNG



Gotcha. Preference is preference. Just don't let JM, or anyone else pigeon hole you into a certain vendor.

FWIW, if you have $5k to spend on a diamond I'd use every last cent. You pay premiums and it sucks this happens, but since you are here I'd want full benefit of the premiums I paid and wouldn't skimp on quality. The exception being you have $5k to spend. You only spend $3k and they write you a check for the other $2k.

I've tried to provide some technical analysis on all the stones being considered. Maybe others can comment more or have additional thoughts.

Did you put that F VS1 on hold yet? GO DO IT NOW!!!
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Thanks for all the information. Yes, I put it on hold!
 
emac11 said:
Thanks for all the information. Yes, I put it on hold!
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I'd ask them for a better video of the H diamond too. It doesn't look as well-lit as the F. It would be even better if they could video them side by side (or at least photograph them for you that way).

The other possibility is that the H has a gray body color (vs the usual yellow). Not common, but not unheard of either.
 
I just want to add a quick clarification that JM won’t pay out any difference. They will rarely pay out the entire amount as well because the vendor, JA, has to provide an invoice for replacing with an “alike” diamond. In OP’s case that is a 0.83 I VS1 true hearts Gia certified diamond. Something like this stone would be considered a close replacement: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5221789

It could be argued that because JA doesn’t have an exact same replacement in stock, that then the actual replacement value is higher. JM will only pay out an amount for one alike stone, they won’t upgrade OPs diamond. OP can then pay any difference in cost.

OP, I suggest you get in touch with JA and have them guide you through the the process. Explain that you are concerned that they don’t have an exact true hearts replacement in stock and that you would like JA to submit an invoice to JM for a true hearts diamond, not a generic GIA xxx. They will know how to calculate their cost.

Lastly, I would not be concerned at all about medium blue flouro.
 
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SimoneDi said:
I just want to add a quick clarification that JM won’t pay out any difference. They will rarely pay out the entire amount as well because the vendor, JA, has to provide an invoice for replacing with an “alike” diamond. In OP’s case that is a 0.83 I VS1 true hearts Gia certified diamond. Something like his stone would be considered a close replacement: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5221789

It could be argued that because JA doesn’t have an exact same replacement in stock, that then the actual replacement value is higher. JM will only pay out an amount for one alike stone, they won’t upgrade OPs diamond. OP can then pay off any difference in cost.

OP, I suggest you get in touch with JA and have them guide you through the the process. Explain that you are concerned that they don’t have an exact true hearts replacement in stock and that you would like JA to submit an invoice to JM for a true hearts diamond, not a generic GIA xxx. They will know how to calculate their cost.

Lastly, I would not be concerned at all about medium blue flouro.
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Ditto @SimoneDi about not being worried on the fluoro. I just mentioned it because it's info he needs to be aware of, as strong UV light will produce blue hues. With my BGD stone, I got a UV light and it looks like party tricks with all the lights out.

As far as insurance goes, I'd personally cause a little hell if they reject the F replacement. Let them know it's not a true H&A labeled stone and the F color helps equalize things out. Utilize the medium fluor as well indicating your other stone had none and you are aware fluor stones sell for less money on the market because they are less desirable.

So many ways to approach this. No doesn't always mean no when you negotiate strongly.

If you aren't successful I'd go to WF and get the I VS1 ACA I posted earlier. It is a true H&A so should be no problems. Then I'd jump in a plane, buzz the JA tower, invert yourself and work on foreign relation communications...

 
@sledge, it doesn’t really matter how much you want to argue with insurance. JM has rules and regulations in place. They will not replace a GIA graded stone with an AGS branded stone, unless the vendor can submit an invoice for a GIA graded diamond that would end up being of a comparable value to AGS. JA is a fine vendor, they can certainly help OP in this case. It’s all about following the process. Once JM approved the replacement amount, then OP can apply that toward any stone, but they won’t upgrade OPs stone just like that.
 
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Interestingly, James Allen just called me and said "I noticed you have this diamond on reserve, and it is a color upgrade from your current diamond. Due to that, you may be stuck with the balance." I said "Well the cost is about the same" and she said "Well that cost is for the same kind replacement, and this diamond isn't the same kind replacement." Ugh... Depending on what the balance is I may go for it anyway, but it's annoying nonetheless.
 
emac11 said:
Interestingly, James Allen just called me and said "I noticed you have this diamond on reserve, and it is a color upgrade from your current diamond. Due to that, you may be stuck with the balance." I said "Well the cost is about the same" and she said "Well that cost is for the same kind replacement, and this diamond isn't the same kind replacement." Ugh... Depending on what the balance is I may go for it anyway, but it's annoying nonetheless.
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Here's a thought... what's JA's trade-in policy? Could you get a "like" stone with the insurance and then trade it in right away for an upgrade?
 
ILikeShiny said:
Here's a thought... what's JA's trade-in policy? Could you get a "like" stone with the insurance and then trade it in right away for an upgrade?
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It's 2x original value :-(
 
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