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Help selecting a 1ct round diamond

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jdazer

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 7, 2009
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Just started doing research here and was looking for a stone that has at least these specs:

Cut: Ideal (AGS0)
Clarity: VS2
Carat: 1 (her ring size is 5.5 if that matters)
Color: F (maybe a G)
Budget: ~7-8k give or take (more if it's a "deal")

I took my SO to look at rings the other day, and she said she's perfectly fine with a 1ct, but I'd like to get her something a little bigger if possible.

So far I'm evaluating white flash and james allen and found these stones:

1) http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-2149963.htm $7648
. Color: F
. Clarity: VS2
. Report: GIA
. Shape: Round
. Carat: 1.20
. Depth %: 60.5
. Table %: 59
. Girdle: M-TK
. Measurements: 6.85-6.88X4.15
. Polish: Excellent
. Symmetry: Very Good
. Culet: None
. Fluorescence: None

2) http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1247477.asp $7370
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 1.20
Cut: Ideal
Color: F
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 62.4%
Table: 58.0%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.76*6.79*4.23

Thoughts? I'm basically trying to focus on quality first, and then increase the carats from there.

Please let me know if I left out anything... I'm ignorant about the other stats (Table, Depth, Cutlet, etc) thanks in advance.
 
why do you think that one is favorable over the ones i posted? What stood out is that the color went down a notch to G, has a pointed culet, and it's graded by AGS. Thanks!
 
Oh, if you really want me to find you an F, that's fine, but a G will get you a bigger stone.
2.gif


But in your specs, you said you wanted AGS 0, but you picked two GIA stones? Pointed culet is normal.

The other two aren't very well cut.
 
I make no claims to be an expert, but I would look for H&A with the Idealscope, ASET, etc. also might want to consider dropping down a bit in clarity to sacrifice for color grade you want and maybe this will give you a little more in carat weight.
I went to local jeweler, armed with a good amount of knowledge gleaned from this site, and seeing H&A, AGA graded ''super ideal'' stones in person and up close, made my mind up in terms of the value of the highest quality stones.
No comparison IMHO, once I viewed ''good'' stones versus true H&A, AGA, etc. quality stones. night and day difference.
my 2 cents.
 
JulieN,

duh! very silly of me. i''ll bookmark this stone and have it down as one of my candidates and use it as a benchmark for now. sorry, I was just curious what would make the price go up despite the color being a lower grade, but you just justified that. thanks again.
 
how do i search for a hearts & arrows attribute? i only see the search box at the top of the forums. so is the one that julie posted not a H&A or is it just the information is not available?

edit: nm... it seems like H&A are the "signature" ideal cuts listed for a jeweler's site.
 
yes, that stone is actually not an H&A. It's a very nice stone, though, and costs less than Whiteflash's ACAs.

You can restrict to H&A and/or AGS0 here but you might miss some good finds: https://www.pricescope.com/panning.aspx
 
would the performance of the ring's light return be the same as an H&A? I read the pricescope article and wikipedia and I get the feeling that an H&A's attributes provide negligible performance boost.

the more i search for stones, the more I want to slide certain things, like color and clarity (perhaps to an SI1). given that my gf prefers quality over carat, should I bother venturing into SI1 range?
 
Date: 12/8/2009 3:15:06 AM
Author: jdazer
would the performance of the ring's light return be the same as an H&A? I read the pricescope article and wikipedia and I get the feeling that an H&A's attributes provide negligible performance boost.

the more i search for stones, the more I want to slide certain things, like color and clarity (perhaps to an SI1). given that my gf prefers quality over carat, should I bother venturing into SI1 range?
Click to expand...
The first two diamonds, the WF stone isn't in house and the JA diamond shows leakage from the loupe image. Yes you could go for SI1 if verified eyeclean but maybe if your GF prefers quality stick to VS.

Some suggestions

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6674/

Not h&a but still a beautiful diamond below

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2212172.htm#

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-55860.htm
 
The first two diamonds posted have larger tables, too. Many people here prefer the smaller tables, say 55 to 57%. I like 55% to 56.5%, personally. In an idea cut H&A, the depth is probably going to be range 61.3 - 61.8%.

These are Todd Gray''s (Nice Ice) ranges:
Total depth between 59 - 61.8%
Table diameter between 53 - 57%
Crown angle* between 34.3 - 34.8 degrees
Pavilion angle* between 40.6 - 40.9 degrees
Girdle between thin to slightly thick
Culet: GIA none or AGS pointed (same concept)
 
i spent the past few hours doing some more searches based on the feedback above and have found these results, in addition to what was provided by you kind folks. i know i came back with a lot (7), so if it's less hassle, could you please help me at least scratch out what definitely looks like an non-optimal choice? of course, feel free to provide suggestions not listed or pick one that clearly stands out... (I really wish i could update the original post)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1260911.asp
- $7260
- 1.14 ct G VS1 Ideal Cut Round Diamond not H&A
- table: 55
- depth: 61.1
- measurements: 6.76*6.78*4.14

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-55860.htm
- $7,529.70
- 1.117 ct G VS2 Whiteflash ACA
- table: 55
- depth: 61
- measurements: 6.74*6.76*4.12

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2199914.htm
- $7750.30
- 1.126 ct G VS2 Whiteflash ACA
- table: 55.6
- depth: 61.6
- measurements: 6.68*6.71*4.12

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2212172.htm
- $7818.43
- 1.174 ct G VS2 Round Ideal Cut not H&A
- table: 55.8
- depth 61.3
- measurements: 6.68*6.71*4.12

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1197202.asp
- $8000
- 1.11 ct G VS1 Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Round Diamond
- table: 56
- depth: 62
- measurements: 6.59*6.67*4.12

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2199919.htm
- $8569.95
- 1.13 ct G VS1 Whiteflash ACA
- table: 56.9
- depth: 61.1
- measurements: 6.70*6.71X4.10

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6674/
- $8495
- 1.14 ct G VS2 Round Hearts and Arrows Diamond
- table: 55.5
- depth: 61.41
- measurements: 6.73*6.76*4.14
 
Date: 12/9/2009 1:37:28 AM
Author: jdazer
i spent the past few hours doing some more searches based on the feedback above and have found these results, in addition to what was provided by you kind folks. i know i came back with a lot (7), so if it's less hassle, could you please help me at least scratch out what definitely looks like an non-optimal choice? of course, feel free to provide suggestions not listed or pick one that clearly stands out... (I really wish i could update the original post)


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1260911.asp

- $7260

- 1.14 ct G VS1 Ideal Cut Round Diamond not H&A

- table: 55

- depth: 61.1

- measurements: 6.76*6.78*4.14


http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-55860.htm

- $7,529.70

- 1.117 ct G VS2 Whiteflash ACA

- table: 55

- depth: 61

- measurements: 6.74*6.76*4.12


http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2199914.htm

- $7750.30

- 1.126 ct G VS2 Whiteflash ACA

- table: 55.6

- depth: 61.6

- measurements: 6.68*6.71*4.12


http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2212172.htm

- $7818.43

- 1.174 ct G VS2 Round Ideal Cut not H&A

- table: 55.8

- depth 61.3

- measurements: 6.79*6.82*4.12


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1197202.asp

- $8000

- 1.11 ct G VS1 Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Round Diamond

- table: 56

- depth: 62

- measurements: 6.59*6.67*4.12


http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2199919.htm

- $8569.95

- 1.13 ct G VS1 Whiteflash ACA

- table: 56.9

- depth: 61.1

- measurements: 6.70*6.71X4.10


http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6674/

- $8495

- 1.14 ct G VS2 Round Hearts and Arrows Diamond

- table: 55.5

- depth: 61.41

- measurements: 6.73*6.76*4.14
Click to expand...
Fixed a little mistake there for you under one of the stone's measurements.

IMO, the last three are out, as well as the 1.126 ACA.

I want an Ideal Scope for the first stone. This leaves the first stone on the list from JA, the first WF ACA, and the WF Expert Selection.

If I had to choose I'd probably pick the 1.117 WF ACA.
 
All look promising from the numbers and those that has IS.
 
Date: 12/8/2009 12:53:47 AM
Author:jdazer

... I''m ignorant about the other stats (Table, Depth, Cutlet, etc) thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I strongly reccomend rectifying this situation by visiting the PS Knowlege Section and working through the Avanced Tutorial.
Many of your questions will be answered there. This important step will save you time and money!!!

good luck
 
appreciate the responses!


i have read up on the basics on pricescope and i''m now restricting my search to the ranges suggested by the members on this forum to help narrow my search. it''s still difficult for me to get a feel for why one diamond, with similar specs, would be better than the other after my narrow search. i look at the images and my eye is still raw and untrained :-(, so I think just trying to view the images and recognize what images look "better" than another diamond''s image is difficult for me because they all look so pretty and symmetric to me.
 
what do you mean by those that has "IS"?
 
The more I think about it, the 1.117 is my favorite of the bunch... maybe you can put it on hold? Ask if eye-clean.
 
Date: 12/9/2009 1:20:10 PM
Author: jdazer
what do you mean by those that has ''IS''?
Click to expand...

Idealscope (IS) image.
 
Date: 12/9/2009 1:20:10 PM
Author: jdazer
what do you mean by those that has ''IS''?
Click to expand...
SC means those diamonds which have Idealscope images.
 
by the way JulieN i have requested an idealscope and will let you all see the results! thanks
 
Date: 12/9/2009 2:02:19 PM
Author: Laila619

Date: 12/8/2009 5:27:25 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
This? Ask if eye-clean and request an idealscope image if interested.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1216273.asp
Click to expand...
This one looks good and is quite a bit bigger than any of the others at 1.36 carats. Your girlfriend will probably want the bigger size diamond if given a choice.
2.gif
Click to expand...
Ditto.

You say your gf wants quality... what is her definition of that? Color it seems, and G is a good safe bet there. But does she care about clarity? Because I personally love and SI1 stone that is eye clean.
 
Date: 12/9/2009 4:35:14 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
Date: 12/9/2009 2:02:19 PM

Author: Laila619


Date: 12/8/2009 5:27:25 AM

Author: Stone-cold11

This? Ask if eye-clean and request an idealscope image if interested.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1216273.asp
Click to expand...

This one looks good and is quite a bit bigger than any of the others at 1.36 carats. Your girlfriend will probably want the bigger size diamond if given a choice.
2.gif
Click to expand...

Ditto.


You say your gf wants quality... what is her definition of that? Color it seems, and G is a good safe bet there. But does she care about clarity? Because I personally love and SI1 stone that is eye clean.
Click to expand...

I've asked her like 50 times is she sure she'd rather have a 1 carat diamond of higher quality than one that's like 1.5 and not as good quality, but still very hard to see (because it's tough to guarantee eye clean). I guess she's concerned about easy-to-see inclusions because one of her friends just got a 1.5 carat stone that had big black inclusion near the middle of it facing up, according to her.

Anyhow, I sent an email to the site to ask if it's eye clean and am awaiting a reply. If it's eye clean, I'll strongly consider this. Eye clean S1 is virtually the same as a VS2 right?

I'm narrowing down my choices to like 3 now... almost there!

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-55860.htm

- $7,529.70
- 1.117 ct G VS2 Whiteflash ACA
- table: 55
- depth: 61
- measurements: 6.74*6.76*4.12
** Confirmed Eye Clean

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1260911.asp

- $7260
- 1.14 ct G VS1 Ideal Cut Round Diamond not H&A
- table: 55
- depth: 61.1
- measurements: 6.76*6.78*4.14
** See Idealscope in subsequent post

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1216273.asp

- $7670
- 1.36 ct G SI1 Ideal Cut Round Diamond not H&A
- table: 57
- depth: 61.5
- measurements: 7.10*7.11*4.37
** Awaiting "Eye Clean" analysis
 
That looks like a lovely IS.

To me, and eye clean SI1 is the same as an eye clean VS2, because I do not examine my diamonds with a loupe. Be sure to speak to the vendor and tell them what your defition of "eye clean" is.

I personally really like the 1.36 for its size and the color is great. Twinning wisps are the major inclusions, and although they look a little scary in the magnified image, those inclusions are actually *the hardest* ones to see with the naked eye. Apparently if you have tonnes of them it can affect brilliance of the diamond. But there are only 2-3 it seems from the plot. Anyways, call and talk to the rep and see what they say because that diamond really would look a lot bigger than the previous.

I think your gf would love a bigger diamond
2.gif
You said, "Hey would you like a high quality 1ct or a low quality bigger diamond?" what is she gonna say? hee hee. That diamond is a high quality diamond if it is eye clean. There are no black dots in it, all the inclusions are white.
 
The IS for the 1.14 G VS1 is fine, cut not quite on the level of the ACA, but still very nice. It's pretty much still in the running because of its lower price.

So you've got the super-duper cut ACA; the cheap, high clarity VS1; and the big SI1.
 
I see a tiny bit of leakage in the IS image but still not a bad diamond. Please post the IS for the 1.36 carat when you get that one!
 
IS looks good. Did you request IS for the 1.36c?
 
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