Help me make decision please. 2ct Round diamond

[timberwolf]

Option 1: WF 2.05 ct H VS2 ACA Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round cut $29,975 HCA 1.0
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2927987.htm

Option 2: 1.703 ct G VS2 Expert Selection Round Cut Loose diamond $20,240 HCA 2.5
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2762643.htm

Options 3: BN 2.12 ct H VS2 Ideal Cut 3 EX $26,575 HCA1.6
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-vs2-clarity_LD02714114?click_id=250984360

Option 4: Costco 2.31 H VS2 3EX $36,999.99 HCA 1.0


Which one has the best value? Should I stick with 2.0x carat? Does 2.0x looks much bigger than 1.7x ct or 1.8 ct?

 

[tweeter8177]

A couple of thoughts, yes, in my opinion there will be a sizable difference between the 1.7ct and the 2.05 from whiteflash. The diameters have a .5mm difference (7.62mm vs 8.12mm), which you would visibly see. The question is whether the difference is worth almost 10K to you? Have you looked at James Allen? They seem to have a number of diamonds in your criteria. My understanding is that you can pick 3 diamonds and have a gemologist give you their opinion on them (although I have never purchased from them.) Of the 4 you selected, whiteflash is probably the safest purchase in my opinion. Hopefully, some of the experts will chime in...

 

[teobdl]

Yes the difference is noticeable, but mostly only in direct, side-by-side comparison to other diamonds of similar size. Check out this chart to see what I mean. http://www.thediamondbuyingguide.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/carat_size.gif Get an amazing cut, and it will look great regardless.

I wouldn't advise anyone to spend $20,000 without being able to get at least an idealscope image on these, so drop the Blue Nile and Costco diamonds.

Another 2 ct diamond you might want to consider is http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.008-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104061006030
Its quite similar to the WF ACA diamond, but slightly cheaper (probably due to the SI1 clarity --ask if it's eye-clean).

One very cool diamond to throw into the mix is http://highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity-new&id=963
It's a 1.81 I VVS1, with strong blue fluorescence. It's 7.8 mm--getting closer to 8.1 mm of a 2 ct. Since it was cut and branded by CBI, I highly doubt the fluorescence would affect it adversely, and it may even make it appear slightly whiter than an I color normally appears (which is near colorless anyway). I'd be very tempted by this if I had your budget .

 

[heididdl]

I would go with WF my first reaction was for 2.01....then you said best value I thought WF 1.7 then I saw the other options were all over 2.00 so I'm back to WF. do not buy costco. I would call WF and tell them your specs and see if they can come up with something else. or we all love Jonathan at GoG he is amazing call him.....

 

[timberwolf]

I am new to diamond purchase. I found there are 2 types of diamond lab reports. One is called AGS report, the other is GIA. Which one is more authentic? In GIA, the highest rating is "Excellent" while in AGS highest rating is "Ideal". Do they have the same meaning? How to tell from the reports that the cut is Heart and Arrow cut? In AGS report, Optical Symmetry rating is called "Superior". Is that one the highest rating for that category?

 

[Dancing Fire]

I am new to diamond purchase. I found there are 2 types of diamond lab reports. One is called AGS report, the other is GIA. Which one is more authentic? In GIA, the highest rating is "Excellent" while in AGS highest rating is "Ideal". Do they have the same meaning? How to tell from the reports that the cut is Heart and Arrow cut? In AGS report, Optical Symmetry rating is called "Superior". Is that one the highest rating for that category?

GIA Ex = AGS ideal
it is impossible to confirm H&A w/o a photo.

 

[teobdl]

Among the above-mentioned diamonds, the "A Cut Above" Whiteflash, the Brian Gavin Signature, and the Crafted by Infinity are all hearts and arrows diamonds. They are the cream of the crop as far as cut is concerned. Just different "flavors" and sizes. If I were in your situation I'd go with the Crafted by Infinity because it looks incredibly precisely cut, it's about 25% cheaper and not much smaller, it has the awesome blue fluorescence, and I like the Crafted by Infinity brand (small batch cutters, only put out high-end diamonds, great policies in my opinion).

But I'm not you, and frankly I don't have a good sense of what you're looking for. So I should ask:
1. What is your true budget (or at least, what is your target desired budget)? The range at the outset was pretty wide--from $20,000-37,000.

2. Are you okay with slightly included "eye-clean" diamonds (SI1 or SI2 clarity grades)? Eye clean means that you cannot see the inclusions (black marks or white smudges or white dots) in the diamond. Some people can't stand knowing that there is an inclusion like this, even if they can't see it with their own eyes.

3. How colorless do you want the diamond to be? Are you okay with any kind of hint of color (such as I or J color) that looks white in probably 90% of situations? or would you much prefer as close to colorless as possible (such as a G, at which point price begins to skyrocket)? I think most people (read: non-PriceScopers) would be comfortable with an H or I... I'm even okay with a J as long as it's well-cut.

4. How important is size? You mentioned you wanted help finding a 2 ct diamond... is it an expectation that the diamond you purchase be this weight? or do you just want a diamond approximately that large?

5. Is cut quality the absolute most important thing to you? You can save some money by getting a non super-ideal cut, but still a graded AGS Ideal or GIA excellent, that still has great light performance. It just won't be guaranteed top of the line light performance. Of course, having a non super-ideal diamond may be anathema to some around here. My feeling is that if you're already comfortable putting good money into a great cut quality, you might as well take it all the way because cut is what makes a diamond special. Otherwise, it's just an expensive piece of crystal that sometimes looks nice. That's my opinion.

6. Lastly, what is the end goal for this diamond? for an engagement ring? are there any other expectations about the diamond or completed ring/jewelry that might be important for us to know?

 

[timberwolf]

Among the above-mentioned diamonds, the "A Cut Above" Whiteflash, the Brian Gavin Signature, and the Crafted by Infinity are all hearts and arrows diamonds. They are the cream of the crop as far as cut is concerned. Just different "flavors" and sizes. If I were in your situation I'd go with the Crafted by Infinity because it looks incredibly precisely cut, it's about 25% cheaper and not much smaller, it has the awesome blue fluorescence, and I like the Crafted by Infinity brand (small batch cutters, only put out high-end diamonds, great policies in my opinion).

But I'm not you, and frankly I don't have a good sense of what you're looking for. So I should ask:
1. What is your true budget (or at least, what is your target desired budget)? The range at the outset was pretty wide--from $20,000-37,000.

2. Are you okay with slightly included "eye-clean" diamonds (SI1 or SI2 clarity grades)? Eye clean means that you cannot see the inclusions (black marks or white smudges or white dots) in the diamond. Some people can't stand knowing that there is an inclusion like this, even if they can't see it with their own eyes.

3. How colorless do you want the diamond to be? Are you okay with any kind of hint of color (such as I or J color) that looks white in probably 90% of situations? or would you much prefer as close to colorless as possible (such as a G, at which point price begins to skyrocket)? I think most people (read: non-PriceScopers) would be comfortable with an H or I... I'm even okay with a J as long as it's well-cut.

4. How important is size? You mentioned you wanted help finding a 2 ct diamond... is it an expectation that the diamond you purchase be this weight? or do you just want a diamond approximately that large?

5. Is cut quality the absolute most important thing to you? You can save some money by getting a non super-ideal cut, but still a graded AGS Ideal or GIA excellent, that still has great light performance. It just won't be guaranteed top of the line light performance. Of course, having a non super-ideal diamond may be anathema to some around here. My feeling is that if you're already comfortable putting good money into a great cut quality, you might as well take it all the way because cut is what makes a diamond special. Otherwise, it's just an expensive piece of crystal that sometimes looks nice. That's my opinion.

6. Lastly, what is the end goal for this diamond? for an engagement ring? are there any other expectations about the diamond or completed ring/jewelry that might be important for us to know?

Thanks for your detailed reply.

1. My budget is open. I can go up to 28k. But the important thing is that I am looking for good value diamond.

2. I prefer VS2 and G color (maybe I can go down to H)

4. I prefer size to be 2ct. I only need to pay around 20K for a 1.7ct diamond. Is it worth to upgrade to 2.0ct with around $10K more payment?

5. For cut, I prefer Heart and Arrow cut. The question is Cut and Color which is more important. Should I go with Non H&A cut and G color, or H&A cut with H color? Right now the tradeoff is between Cut and Color if I want to meeting 2ct and price less than $28k.

6. This is to upgrade my old e-ring. I am also looking for diamond for Solitaire necklace. what color and size would you recommend?