Help selecting a diamond from JA?

[kmk42019]

Hey guys,
Im new to diamonds here and have been doing my homework to purchase one for an engagement ring. Ive researched and found JA to be the best site to purchase one online. Ideally, Im looking to stay under $4500, ideal cut, H or better in color and less than 1 carat. Ive found some on JA that seem to look good but another opinion would be a huge help. I ran the HCA test on these and they are all below a 2. Any thoughts? Here are some that Ive looked into. Thanks so much!

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-662246

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-612822

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-322789

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-648585

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.92-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-658637

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-739064

 

[tyty333]

The number 6 and number 3 look the best to me as far as inclusions go. Pick your top 3 and request idealscope images.

I would do the 6, 3 and 1 (I was between 1 and 2). Ask JA to evaluate the stones. Tell you if they are eye-clean or not...
which performs the best and get idealscope images if possible.

 

[kmk42019]

Can you tell the better cut by the pictures or is that what the ideal scope image is for?

 

[Gypsy]

Can you tell the better cut by the pictures or is that what the ideal scope image is for?

You can tell some. But to decide between several well cut stones, you need more than just an image or one of those videos.

 

[kmk42019]

After contacting them, they said they wont be able to provide an ideal scope image until after january since its the "busy" season. I was going to propose to my gf new years day. Should I wait to get the ideal scope images before purchasing a diamond?

I also found this one, even though its an I color....

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-775041

 

[Gypsy]

After contacting them, they said they wont be able to provide an ideal scope image until after january since its the "busy" season. I was going to propose to my gf new years day. Should I wait to get the ideal scope images before purchasing a diamond?

I also found this one, even though its an I color....

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-775041

I don't think it's going to be eyeclean.

What is your budget? All in, and what do you want for it?

 

[kmk42019]

Im looking to spend no more than $4500. The lady on the chat said it was eye clean. Looking for best cut possible, H or better in color(will consider I) Si1/2 that is eye clean and 1 carat or less will be fine.

 

[Gypsy]

4500 is for the entire ring? Or just the stone?

 

[Gypsy]

You didn't set up your search parameters right. You should never rule out higher charities. Only set a minimum.

Here are some options in order from least expensive to most:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-772906
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-743860
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-682204
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-770542
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-702101
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-739064 if eyeclean and in budget this is the nicest.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-678780
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-529520

 

[Gypsy]

One more:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.96-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-674889

 

[kmk42019]

Thanks so much for the help Gypsy. Should I wait to see ideal scope images before buying? $4500 for just the stone. Also, wouldnt I get more bang for my buck for an si1/2 that is eye clean rather than vs1/2?

 

[Gypsy]

Thanks so much for the help Gypsy. Should I wait to see ideal scope images before buying? $4500 for just the stone. Also, wouldnt I get more bang for my buck for an si1/2 that is eye clean rather than vs1/2?

What bang for the buck are you expecting to get? All the stones you are looking at, regardless of clarity are in the 6.1-6.5mm range. Most of them are 90 points.

You are losing site of your goal. What you want is a gorgeous stone your lady will be proud to wear.

These are the stones that gives you the most bang for your buck:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.96-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-674889
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-739064

One has size. The other has color.

What neither of them has is a big black inclusion on the table.

JA's definition of eyeclean is 10 inches. SO if your lady decides to really examine her new shiney closely, or she has unusually good vision (it happens) she'll see the inclusion in that full carat stone. You don't want that.

So you are getting bang for the buck. I'd take a J over a stone with a black crystal on the table any day of the week.

 

[Gypsy]

And yes, I think those two are sage to buy without an idealscope.

So is this one, if you want a full carat: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.07-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-775061

 

[kmk42019]

Awesome. Thanks gypsy. Been looking at this one also

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-9ct-g-si2-premium-round-ideal-cut-diamond.html

 

[Gypsy]

Awesome. Thanks gypsy. Been looking at this one also

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-9ct-g-si2-premium-round-ideal-cut-diamond.html

Is it eyeclean?

 

[kmk42019]

im waiting to hear back from them.

What do you think of this one?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-536496

 

[Gypsy]

I am thinking you are wasting my time and yours. What does that stone offer that the others do not? Except another inclusion on the table?

At least this one has a chance of being eyeclean. But there's no way I'd take the sales associates word on it, either they can get a gemologist to look at it, or it's a full pass.

Is the feeling of "getting a deal" (regardless of whether or not its true) because you are buying an SI1 stone so important to you??



Again, the point is a lovely ring in budget. It's not about you. It's about the person you are gifting the ring to.

 

[kmk42019]

I guess I'm confused. According to ja these all seem to be eye clean. Should I purchase the stone and have a gemologist look at it after I receive it?

 

[smitcompton]

Hi KM,

Well, you do appear to be behind the eightball as all those that Gypsy has recommended have been sold. There are lurkrs on here who grab them up. I don't think you are ready to make a purchase. You missed some really nice ones at your price point. I was beginning to get annoyed at you.

Good Luck,

Annette

 

[kmk42019]

I didn't realize that they go that quickly, and you're right I'm not ready to buy quite yet. I'm trying to get a feel for what I should be looking. Gypsy had some great stone suggestions. It's a learning process for me I guess. Thanks for all the help gypsy!

 

[16ocean]

Gypsy has been doing this for a long time, look at the number of posts she has on Pricescope.
She's a pro and gave you some great advice: it's something for your sweetie and lay off inclusions on the table.
Keep looking around and best of luck on this process.

 

[Gypsy]

When you are ready to buy come back.

Until then, please do you research using the search function here. You will find YEARS upon YEARS of posts that will help you.

I'll start you off here:
Round diamond 101:

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough.
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want? Well, we have tools to help you with that. But that is not enough.
What you need after that is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. All our best vendors do though.

Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium. With AGS0 stones you don't strictly need an idealscope image. But getting one is nice to confirm performance and that is why almost all our best vendors provide them for you. Not all AGS0's are created the same though, so if you want to make sure it's the very best cut, post it and we'll evaluate it for you.

Generally you will want a table 60% or less. A depth between 59 and 62.4. Crown angle 33.5-36. Pavilion Angle: 40.6-41 (there is a little give on this)

And the crown and pavilion angles must be complimentary which is what the HCA does for you.

ON COLOR:

It is important to remember is that color is graded FACE DOWN. Where there is NO light return. Not face up where there is light return and refraction. You wear diamonds set. FACE UP.

Within one color grade, even the labs can't agree on the color grades of stones and something could be a "high" H or a "low" E. So... no. Not really. Within 2 color grades it is hard. Not impossible. But very hard. And it gets harder once set. If you are talking ideal rounds, or any stone with ideal light return and no sharp corners it gets harder still because the ideal light return masks body color.

Generally we say to be conservative stay above H in a round. But MANY people have happily bought white I or even J diamonds when trying to eek out a little more size.

This is how I think of it.

Ever gotten one of those HUGE paint fan decks? Where there are literally 100s of colors of whites? And when they are RIGHT next to each other you can TOTALLY tell that one is bluer/colder and one is a bit warmer and which one is one is TOTALLY warmer. One there's one that's slightly greener. One that's slightly pinker? But really. They are all white?

Then you pick one after agonizing over this white or that white and when it's on the walls and people are like: Oh. You painted again. And it's STILL white. Great.

And you're all... BUT it's BLUE white. Or it's a WARM white now. It used to be ____ white. It's TOTALLY different.

It's like that. You are talking about shades of white. D is colder... J is warmer. But it's all white.

YES. If you have an accurately graded F and an H THAT HAVE THE SAME PERFORMANCE you are going to be able to tell them apart when you compare them. Just like you would be able to tell if you painted your walls a warm white, but painted the crown molding a cold/straight white. But both are STILL white.


I want you notice all the qualifiers thought. I'm talking about stones with the SAME performance. An ideal H will out white an F that has compromised light performance from a poor cut.

NOTHING impacts the appearance of a diamond as much as cut. CUT is king.

You want the shinest whitest and brightest diamond out there: Cut is King. No other factor, not color or clarity or anything else impacts how white bright an shiny a stone is.

ON CLARITY:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs/Clarity/SI/ and http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs/Clarity/VS/ Generally we say that eyeclean SI1 and VS2 are as high as you need to go with round brilliants, but occasionally you will find a VVS2 or a VS1 that are priced very well, so don't limit your searches to SI clarity as you will be ruling out some perfectly great stones.