Help me find the right rock

[OCAlan]

First post, but I've been doing research on/off for about a month or so.

I've visited my local jeweler with GF to help narrow down setting and I've looked at some rocks.
Here is what I think I'm looking for at the moment.

Budget: $10-12k (would like to stick closer to 10k if possible) including setting

Diamond:
1.4-1.5c
G to H Color
GIA Triple X
VS1 to SI1
Flr: I'm not too sure about this yet, mixed answers on this
Table: Seems 60% will yield a larger top surface to create the image or a larger rock. Maybe 7.2mm diameter min.
HCA <2.0

Setting:
My GF liked 2 different Simon G settings, they liked the basket center of the MR1618-A but liked the shank on the MR1518-D, hope that makes sense, not the 3 stone part, but just the thin band part all the way to the basket. Jeweler quoted $1,800 for the custom setting direct from Simon G. That a reasonable price? Below are a couple frankenstein images.



So I gave jeweler some prelim specs and they proposed GIA#6175062291. They brought it in for me to view and I assumed VS2 was supposed to be eye clean but I saw the flaw fairly easily. They showed me quite a few other SI1's and VS2's but I always seemed to see the flaws, not sure if its just psycological or some marketing technique to make me go up in clarify but seemed fairly easy to spot. They said I just have a really good eye to spot them because people usually need a loupe. They never really pushed me above my budget though. I saw some VS1's which flaws were difficult to see or I couldn't find them.

Should I be looking at VS1 or is it possible to find eye clean S1 and VS2's? I'm okay with a SI1 as long as its eye clean. Is personally though the H looked a little yellow and wouldn't mind going up but still trying to stick with a budget.

I'm also having a hard time determining is the "images" , hearts and arrows, aset, sarin, idealscope, etc. which ones are recommended and how hard is it to obtain these images. Which ones are sufficient in determining the performance? Are these images fairly easy for a local jeweler to obtain?

If I look at a diamond top down and it dosn't look symmetrical? That is bad right? For sure it'll be bad on the "images"?

If there are any recommendations to look for a stone please let me know. I'm just using the priescope tools and my local jeweler. Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[Dancing Fire]

How about this one?
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2336870.htm#

 

[OCAlan]

How about this one?
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2336870.htm#

Thanks for the response, from what I can tell that diamond looks beautiful, but I'd like to get more size if possible 1.4c + is my target.

 

[telephone89]

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3260753.htm
Very close to 1.4

eta - sorry I didnt see 12k including the setting. This might push you over that.

eta - these are both lower colours, but you could get a bit more size within budget. Just another option to consider!
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3256276.htm 1.476 J
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3260764.htm 1.341 I

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

I'm also having a hard time determining is the "images" , hearts and arrows, aset, sarin, idealscope, etc. which ones are recommended and how hard is it to obtain these images. Which ones are sufficient in determining the performance? Are these images fairly easy for a local jeweler to obtain?

You are going to find the PriceScope members most often encourage the use of light-performance images (the Ideal-Scope or ASET). Most internet sellers who deal with PriceScope will be able to provide Ideal-Scope and/or ASET images for any diamond you are considering but if you are looking to buy from your local store, and they are unable or unwilling to provide IS or ASET images, purchasing your own Ideal-Scope or ASET viewer (to take into the store with you) is really quite inexpensive.

 

[OCAlan]

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3260753.htm
Very close to 1.4

eta - sorry I didnt see 12k including the setting. This might push you over that.

eta - these are both lower colours, but you could get a bit more size within budget. Just another option to consider!
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3256276.htm 1.476 J
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3260764.htm 1.341 I

Is going with a AGS0 diamond a shortcut to finding a good diamond? So I don't have to find a GIA XXX and then get the images taken? Seems to be quite a premium ~10% for a AGS0 diamond.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The Whiteflash ACA diamonds posted aren't just AGS 000, they are the top quality AGS Ideal cut stones with true hearts and arrows cut. So you know you are getting the best diamond possible.

Here is another one:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3260764.htm

This one is closer to your size range and appears to be a great AGS 0 although in the Expert Selection category which is right below ACA:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3260753.htm

Going up to VS1 really raises the price, although I personally prefer VS1 or VS2, as well. It is sort of unfortunate that you seem to have exceptional vision! Finding a well cut stone in the 1.40-1.49 range is very challenging, because most cutters are going to try for 1.5 as there is a big price jump at that weight. I know, I tried to find one once and was not successful because you'll find many around 1.3x and then they seem to jump to 1.5.

The great thing is that Whiteflash is a Simon G dealer, and it is always preferable to buy the stone and setting from the same jeweler when possible. WF would be totally responsible while the stone is being set and then it would be sent to you as a complete ring ready to insure.

 

[OCAlan]

How is James Allen true hearts and diamonds rated? They seemed to be reasonably priced.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.52-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-284270

Any feedback on this diamond? thanks in advance.

 

[Cushion87]

How is James Allen true hearts and diamonds rated? They seemed to be reasonably priced.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.52-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-284270

Any feedback on this diamond? thanks in advance.

I'm not an expert, but it seems that ideal cut diamonds of lower color rating will tend to face up whiter than you'd think because of the greater light performance.

That seems like a nice stone for a decent price. Good luck.

 

[OCAlan]

How is James Allen true hearts and diamonds rated? They seemed to be reasonably priced.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.52-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-284270

Any feedback on this diamond? thanks in advance.

I'm not an expert, but it seems that ideal cut diamonds of lower color rating will tend to face up whiter than you'd think because of the greater light performance.

That seems like a nice stone for a decent price. Good luck.

So I did bring in that James Allen diamond but it was a tad yellow for my taste so I am trying to go with a G color so.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.404-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104078104014#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/2/

Could I get some opinions on this diamond? I requested the ASET and Hearts and Arrows Images which they just uploaded. They are actually missing the hearts image right now. I hear the Blue Signature line's cuts are not as stringent as the traditional hearts and arrows signature round diamonds from BG, just wanted to make sure the cut is good.

Thanks!

 

[proto]

your eyes are really good.

what inclusions did you see on a VS2? Were they black carbon or something? a feather right in the middle of the table? damn, and I thought I had good eyes.

I wouldnt worry about cut on a BG Blue.

if you are ok with fluor, this is an excellent way to get fantastic cut and a small discount due to fluor

 

[OCAlan]

your eyes are really good.

what inclusions did you see on a VS2? Were they black carbon or something? a feather right in the middle of the table? damn, and I thought I had good eyes.

I wouldnt worry about cut on a BG Blue.

if you are ok with fluor, this is an excellent way to get fantastic cut and a small discount due to fluor

I saw white lines or cloudy looking areas. I was looking at them very close maybe a few inches in good lighting. Took me a little time as well.

 

[OCAlan]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/news/brian-gavin-blue-vs-hearts-and-arrows/

"However it is also possible that they do not exhibit a pattern of hearts and arrows which is quite as precise as the diamonds featured within the Brian Gavin Signature collection of Hearts and Arrows diamonds because we’re not examining each diamond to ensure that it does, so I’m hesitant to say that they will exhibit a crisp and complete pattern of hearts and arrows. Suffice to say that they quite often do and I find them to be just as bright in terms of the volume of light return and sparkle…"

Those with experience with Brian Gavin Blue, have the diamonds had excellent light return? The images look decent to me but I'm not expert by any means. I just read the above so got me a little worried.

 

[RockyRacoon]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/news/brian-gavin-blue-vs-hearts-and-arrows/

"However it is also possible that they do not exhibit a pattern of hearts and arrows which is quite as precise as the diamonds featured within the Brian Gavin Signature collection of Hearts and Arrows diamonds because we’re not examining each diamond to ensure that it does, so I’m hesitant to say that they will exhibit a crisp and complete pattern of hearts and arrows. Suffice to say that they quite often do and I find them to be just as bright in terms of the volume of light return and sparkle…"

Those with experience with Brian Gavin Blue, have the diamonds had excellent light return? The images look decent to me but I'm not expert by any means. I just read the above so got me a little worried.

Yes.

I have purchased a BGD Blue stone in the past and the cut was exceptional. Obviously some of the stones in the line will be better than others, so it is important to do your due diligence prior to purchase.