Help picking first diamond

[pnijjer]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and just looking for a bit of advice regarding choosing between these round cuts. I've been looking for a diamond in the range of Color: F-G, Cut: Excellent, Clarity: VS1-VS2, Carat: ~1.3-1.4, Budget: 10-13k CAD (not including setting). I've focused on hopefully finding an eye clean diamond which doesn't affect the brilliance. This is what I've narrowed it down to.

1. http://diamonddealfinder.com/enquiry.php?id_field=6896458 / http://www.kapugems.com/kapuutilnew/search.do?method=load&stoneId=1000988800
2. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...11346,2623803,3299500,3125098,2608234,3243112

I would like to place the diamond in a square halo setting. Similiar to this one: https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...shion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49998. I'm leaning towards the 1st option but it looks dull to me. I've checked the HCA score and they range between 1-2. Lighting part is where I'm having trouble narrowing down a diamond. Which one would you recommend? Any help is much appreciated. Thank your for your feedback.

 

[Matthews1127]

Helpful advice from fellow knowledgeable PSers regarding Round Cut Diamonds...


It appears you're sticking with the "Cut is King" theme, and going for XXX!! Smart man! Round diamonds require excellent Cut, Polish & Symmetry to display maximum brilliance!
Check out each stone, and compare each with the above parameters.
Do you have/have you seen ASETS for any of them?
CRM

 

[rockysalamander]

While I'm looking at yours, how about this one?

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3692937.htm {1.4 H SI1, confirm eye clean, but looks great in the video and you get super-ideal and top of your size preference -- in budget }

Setting: https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...on-halo-diamond-band-engagement-ring-4693.htm

 

[rockysalamander]

Both WF and HPD have a generous trade-up policy. Give them a read, but 100% of cost applied to upgrade. JA requires upgrade to be 2x cost.

I really didn't love most of the JA you selected. I look for no inclusion on the table, no inclusions on the edges a prong can't hide, no inclusions that reflect a lot (then you have twice as many), no black inclusions (even on VS1...I know they are there). Fat arrows over skinny, all else equal. Down to H in well-cut ideal, down to J in super-ideal.

WF above 7.17 mm.

{1.35 I SI1, CBI, $9003, 7.12 mm}. Competitive with WF and is super-ideal cut. Would like to see a close-up video to look at inclusion.
http://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8136

{1.32 H, VS1, True Hearts, $9430 usd, 7.05 mm}. Arrows not perfectly symmetrical, but nice overall.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2600688

{1.4 ct, I, VS2, transitional, $7900, 6.89-7.09 mm). Diamond cut between old and new. Great size and choice if your gal likes classic of vintage looks.
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-40ct-transitional-cut-diamond-gia-i-vs2

 

[Scandinavian]

How about this one?

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3177323

A little over budget but perhaps you could borrow from the budget for the setting...?

A good idea might be to include the search parameters listed above and see if you find something you like. Personally, I would not go below a G if you don't know that she is OK with that.

 

[pnijjer]

Hey guys,

Spent the past week looking at diamonds locally. What do you think of this diamond? I was assured it was eye clean. Score a 1.8 on HCA tool.

 

[Matthews1127]

Hey guys,

Spent the past week looking at diamonds locally. What do you think of this diamond? I was assured it was eye clean. Score a 1.8 on HCA tool.

I would need to see that stone in person, with the naked eye, in all sorts of different lighting environments. The magnification shows the inclusions so well, that I'd be reluctant to do anything, until I was able to test the "eye clean" quality. If I couldn't see it in person, I'd pass on it just because of the obvious inclusions. The inclusions appear to be clear, but they fall right along the arrows, straight across the stone, which may make them more visible than if they were located within the hearts portion of the diamond. Difficult to say, without seeing it in person.
That's ME. How do YOU feel?

 

[SimoneDi]

I actually disagree on the inclusions comment. Twinning wisps are some of the best inclusions to have because most of the time they are completely invisible to the naked eye. However, they can sometimes affect transparency and that is what I would want to verify that is not present here. Also, I don't necessarily think that you should go up to G color, opening your search to an H would provide you with other options for consideration. Do you have ASET/IS images on the above stone? Is that one from JA?

 

[pnijjer]

I actually disagree on the inclusions comment. Twinning wisps are some of the best inclusions to have because most of the time they are completely invisible to the naked eye. However, they can sometimes affect transparency and that is what I would want to verify that is not present here. Also, I don't necessarily think that you should go up to G color, opening your search to an H would provide you with other options for consideration. Do you have ASET/IS images on the above stone? Is that one from JA?

I went diamond shopping with my SO. She is able to tell the difference between colors F-H and found the color H to have a yellow tint so I'm sticking to F-G. I'm not sure what you mean by transparency. Like will it look dull with those inclusions? I don't have any ASET/IS images and the local loose diamond dealer I'm talking to looks like is buying diamonds from James Allen. The stock pictures have James Allen watermark on them. He gave us his guarantee that it's eye clean and we just need to put down a deposit so he can get it delivered here.

 

[rockysalamander]

I don't have any ASET/IS images and the local loose diamond dealer I'm talking to looks like is buying diamonds from James Allen. The stock pictures have James Allen watermark on them. He gave us his guarantee that it's eye clean and we just need to put down a deposit so he can get it delivered here.

He is not buying FROM JA. He is trying to use JA's photos to sell you a diamond that they both would have access to from an overseas supplier. I find that pretty shady. Why wouldn't you buy from JA? You could have their gemologist review the stone for eye-clean. JA can also provide an IS.

Did any PSer find this on JA? I looked at JA and there is no stone that matches the certificate shown above. The closest is this, but clearly a different stone:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3043689

So, I also check B2C and still can't find it. Perhaps it is sold. But, absent this...the cynic in me feels this seller is just shadier and shadier.

 

[LLJsmom]

This is a steal. It's pre-loved, and I've seen it in person. An E, VS2 BGD is priced at $22K, NOT including the Erika Winters setting.

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ture-rb-in-platinum-erika-winters-jin.233170/

 

[pnijjer]

I didn't end up buying that diamond from that seller. Looking at this diamond. Thoughts?

1.51 H VS2 strong fluorescence

 

[bmfang]

Surely that area of white at 9 o'clock isn't just a lighting issue or an issue with the photography? @flyingpig @gm89uk + any others with better knowledge of interpreting IS imagery than I can

 

[rockysalamander]

What's the spread and depth in mm?

 

[gm89uk]

That area at 9 is misalignment of the lower halve facets leading to leakage and some over obstruction, (some more info here https://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/diamond-education/facets-the-lower-halves.htm) demonstrating some lack of symmetry (not H&A stone). Otherwise a nice idealscope with good light return apart from that small area.

Personally I would want a smaller table with a 35.5/40.6 combo than 59, some trade members have previously stated this combination works better with a smaller table (like 55), and with a larger table this diamond may not achieve AGS 0 (had it been graded by AGS), although this is technically possible according to the AGS light performance tables (https://agslab.com/docs/pbcg/AGSLProportionCharts.pdf).

Really depends on price, convenience. How much does it cost? What is your budget?

 

[pnijjer]

That area at 9 is misalignment of the lower halve facets leading to leakage and some over obstruction, (some more info here https://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/diamond-education/facets-the-lower-halves.htm) demonstrating some lack of symmetry (not H&A stone). Otherwise a nice idealscope with good light return apart from that small area.

Personally I would want a smaller table with a 35.5/40.6 combo than 59, some trade members have previously stated this combination works better with a smaller table (like 55), and with a larger table this diamond may not achieve AGS 0 (had it been graded by AGS), although this is technically possible according to the AGS light performance tables (https://agslab.com/docs/pbcg/AGSLProportionCharts.pdf).

Really depends on price, convenience. How much does it cost? What is your budget?

It cost 10130 USD without the setting. Max I would like to spend is 10500USD. Buying it from james allen.

 

[pnijjer]

What's the spread and depth in mm?

SHAPE: Round
CARAT WEIGHT: 1.51
COLOR: H
CLARITY: VS2
CUT: Excellent
POLISH: Excellent
SYMMETRY: Excellent
FLUORESCENCE: Strong
L/W/D (MM): 7.29*7.34*4.50
L/W RATIO: 1.01
DEPTH %: 61.50
GIRDLE: Medium - Slightly Thick
TABLE %: 59.00
CULET: None
CERTIFICATE: GIA
CROWN ∠: 35.50
CROWN %: 14.50
PAVILION ∠: 40.60
PAVILION %: 43.00

 

[gm89uk]

You can ask if this is eyeclean, looks great to me but will need an idealscope. There's a sizable feather at the girdle which people here may not be happy with but I personally wouldn't mind it in an MRB

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3141415

EDIT; sorry I only just noticed the specs in your original post. I'll have another look for you

 

[pnijjer]

How about this one same price as the previous one I posted. Smaller table and higher color.

 

[rockysalamander]

How about this one same price as the previous one I posted. Smaller table and higher color.

The stone looks good. With strong blue, you'll have to ask a gemologist to review the diamond to be sure that the fluorescence is not causing the stone to look milky or hazy or oily (a pretty rare thing, but worth being positive).

 

[whitewave]

How about this one same price as the previous one I posted. Smaller table and higher color.

Pretty!

 

[ac117]

This new option is a beautiful one!