Help me pick a nice RB 0.7 - 0.8+ ct

[Tommotommo]

Hi all,

I've recently joined the forum and have been reading up on all the great information here for knowledge and inspiration for purchasing an E ring for my girlfriend.

I'm looking around for some suitable diamonds and am looking in the 0.7ct - 0.8ish range.
I'm looking for the best bang for my buck up to around $4500AUD (approx $3,300 USD).

I'd like some advice on whether I'm on the right track in terms of my search and some advice or tips on how to find the best diamond.

My strategy so far....

I am looking for the largest Round Brilliant in my price bracket that has a high quality cut and balancing that with colour (G - I) and clarity (I'm looking at the enlarged photos of the diamonds and looking for ones where the inclusions aren't too noticeable.

I've been looking at the James Allen search using the following parameters.
Cut = Ideal and above
Colour = I to D
Symmetry - VG to Excellent
Polish - Excellent

I basically set the search and find the diamonds that seem most pleasing in the photographs and then run them through the HCA calculator and shortlist all that score 2.0 and below.

Doing this, I have found the following diamonds and would be interested in feedback on which of these will likely be the best for a solitaire setting.

Scored 0.6 on HCA
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-520356

Score of 1.4 on HCA
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-531379

Score HCA of 1.0
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-518343

Score of 2.0 HCA
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-515569

If anyone could provide some feedback on my search strategy or the diamonds above that would be most appreciated! Alternatively,will also appreciate feedback if you think I'm going about this all backwards as well!

Regards

 

[D_]

Hi Tommo,

Good strategy.
Looks like you have a good idea what you are looking for.

Let's name the diamonds A-D.
I'd pick C (G SI1 w/ HCA 1.0), A is a close second:
- better colour (slightly whiter) than A, size almost identical (.05mm difference won't be noticeable)
- inclusions are less busy than A's
- both score excellent on symmetry, but C' looks a tad better

Ask JA if C is eye-clean and if possible, request for the ASET and Ideal Scope images after placing a hold on the stone.

Are you fixed on getting your diamond from JA or are you open to looking at other vendors?

PS: Is it me or D looks like it has a brown hue?

 

[Tommotommo]

Thanks for the response!

I'm not set on James Allen, they were just one of the first I looked at and I thought their search interface was pretty great for a first timer!

If you have other suggestions on other vendors would be much appreciated.

 

[JDDN]

Here are two more options in budget from a different well respected vendor. One is an A Cut Above (ACA), which is their top tier hearts and arrows diamonds and the other is an Expert Selection, which just misses the ACA mark.

Like James Allen, they have a nice selection of ring settings as well.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3408371.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3171986.htm

For the JA stones you posted, I like the 3rd one the best. With an SI1 you must confirm with JA that it is eye clean though. You can request Idealscope and ASET images from them if you are serious about it. Post them and we can help interpret. For the WF stones I posted it will say if it's eye clean on the webpage and they have all the additional images right there for you. An ACA and Expert Selection will all score below 2 on the HCA and have great performance.

 

[ecf8503]

JA is great for looking at the videos - but it does take a little work to filter through the inventory to find "the one". And they don't provide idealscope images unless you ask, and even then they can't always get the stone back in to do it. And you really shouldn't buy a rb without that piece of info! I wish they'd just take the IS / ASET images while they had the stone in the first place - they're already shooting a video... but... they do keep their prices down a bit by NOT offering all that important info up front. That said, other vendors, including Whiteflash as already mentioned but also Brian Gavin, Good Old Gold, High Performance Diamonds, etc do have that info for you. And you will pay for it. But it is necessary info to know that you have made the best choice.

 

[D_]

The .81 H VS2 JDDN suggested has good stats for its price.
Light performance images look good too.
You may want to double check with them re the medium yellow fluorescence though.
If it makes it look like an I colour, that may be ok (provided it's still within your tolerance level for colour) since the price is closer to an .8 I VS2 anyway.
If it makes it look slightly yellower than an I colour, then you'll be better off with an I colour diamond w/ no fluorescence (or faint/medium blue, depending if it makes the diamond look milky or not).

Here's another good one:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3408365.htm

Depends on how good of a cut you'd like to have/how important cut is for you.

If "C" is eye-clean and has good light performance images, then you've found a good one.

I personally prefer to deal w/ in-house inventory - easier to request for info.

Let us know how it goes. Good luck!