Help me find the best quality diamond online for <$5000?

[pinkandgreen]

Hi everyone-

I have been reviewing this website for quite some time and have learned so much about diamonds as a result. I am looking to purchase a loose diamond online for my engagement ring (halo setting.) I was hoping some of the seasoned vets might help me search for the best value for my money. Here are the specs:

- 1 carat (from what I understand, a .95 carat is practicallyalmostmaybenearly a 1 carat to the naked eye, so I'd be fine with that too)
- Color H or better (but I'd love F or G)
- Clarity SI1 or better (but I'd love VS1 or VS2)
- Cut - excellent or ideal

As for grading...I thought I was fine with EGL but the more i read, the more I feel like I should only trust GIA since I am buying sight unseen. But I am open to suggestions.

My budget is $5000.

Thank you!!

 

[Niel]

Its a slight stretch for you specs and budget but theres this

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.92-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-223808
( if you pay by wire and ask for a pricescope discount, itll get you closer to 5k)

 

[marymm]

I looked real quick at WhiteFlash, Brian Gavin Diamonds, Good Old Gold, and High Performance Diamonds, but did not see diamonds within your budget and preferences, unless you drop to below 0.90ct or go higher in color to I.

I know you'd like to hit the one carat mark, or between 0.95ct and 1.0ct, but as you may know, ideal-cut diamonds in this carat range are quickly purchased once listed.

I did find a few solid candidates at James Allen but they are between 0.90ct and 0.93ct:

This 0.93ct H-SI1 is the largest - $4,740 - http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-259813 - with an HCA score of 1.2-Excellent and an AGA Cut Class score of 1B. You would need to ask JA if it is eyeclean to your standards.

This 0.92ct H-VS2 is a great prospect - $5,200 - http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-223808 - with an HCA score of 1.3-Excellent and an AGA Cut Class score of 1A (in every category). You would need to ask JA if it is eyeclean to your standards.

Here's a 0.90ct G-VS2 - $5,210 - http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-238212 - with an HCA score of 0.8-Excellent and an AGA Cut Class score of 1B. Although this is a VS2, I think the crystal inclusion is on the table so you'd need to ask JA whether it is eyeclean to your standards.

JA offers a discount to PS members, I think it is something like 1-5% depending on the diamond - so be sure to let them know you are a PS member to get the best price.

If you are interested in all or any of these, keep in mind that JA will provide up to 3 Asets per customer/purchase, and the Aset will provide more information as to the performance of the diamond.

Good luck with your search!

eta: just saw Niel had posted the same 0.92ct H-VS2 diamond, while I was still typing this out... so that's 2 votes for that diamond.

 

[pinkandgreen]

Thank you both!

 

[pinkandgreen]

Do you have any thoughts on this diamond: http://www.brilliance.com/diamonds/1.01-carat-round-f-color-vs2-clarity-super-ideal-cut-egl-certified-loose-diamond-D12696680

 

[Niel]

Do you have any thoughts on this diamond: http://www.brilliance.com/diamonds/1.01-carat-round-f-color-vs2-clarity-super-ideal-cut-egl-certified-loose-diamond-D12696680

I don't like it.
Its too deep. I they and search for rounds no deeper than 62.4, but usually I try and stick 62.2 or less.

It also has a big table. I usually have a cut off of 57, and prefer smaller.

Plus its EGL, which means who knows what color it really is. I could grade it a D, doesn't make the stone any whiter. KWIM

Also, notice how it measure 6.3? The h we posted with a good depth is only 0.1 mm smaller. So face up they are going to look the same size.


You're right stick with gia or AGS stones. No reason to buy a stone with a soft grading lab attached.

Try and stick to stones in these parameters.

depth - 60 - 62% - although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%
table - 54- 57%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above 

And use the HCA tool. That can be found in the upper right hand corner under tools. Or by googling "hca tool pricescope"

 

[pinkandgreen]

Thank you SO much for that information. I was basically a complete novice about a month ago...and now I feel like I have a good grasp on the four C's but any specs beyond that are beyond me. I will definitely use this as a guideline going forward.

How do you like this diamond: http://www.brilliance.com/diamonds/0.96-carat-round-g-color-vs2-clarity-super-ideal-cut-gia-certified-loose-diamond-D12749828

 

[marymm]

Thank you SO much for that information. I was basically a complete novice about a month ago...and now I feel like I have a good grasp on the four C's but any specs beyond that are beyond me. I will definitely use this as a guideline going forward.

How do you like this diamond: http://www.brilliance.com/diamonds/0.96-carat-round-g-color-vs2-clarity-super-ideal-cut-gia-certified-loose-diamond-D12749828

Using the HCA tool - https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca - it scores 0.8-Excellent
Using the AGA Cut Class tool - https://www.pricescope.com/tools/AGA_NAJA_Cut_Class_Grader - it scores 1A (in all categories)

The GIA report does not include a plot that shows where the inclusions are located - I'd want to ask Brilliance where the crystal is located and whether it is dark, clear or white in color - even at VS2 clarity, if it is a dark crystal located in the center of the table, that might make me pause.

Not sure if Brilliance will provide an enlarged photo or video or Aset or Idealscope upon request, but it looks like shipping is free and they have a 30-day return policy - so if you have the time available, this G-VS2 definitely looks worth examining in person.