Help selecting a diamond

[tejama]

Hi everyone,

Over the past month or so since I've begun looking at engagement rings as a complete newbie. Initially I thought buying one locally at a chain jewelry store would be perfectly acceptable but after more research it seems like most of the diamonds they sell are of a lower quality and a higher price. So I've moved my search online and gone through the regular big websites (Blue Nile, James Allen, etc) but after reading so many threads on Pricescope it seems like they're not the best route to go either as they're not considered preferred vendors by this community.

So with that said, I was hoping some of you can assist me in finding a diamond that meets my criteria. My budget is $7K CDN (which is approx $5400 USD). I understand cut is king and I was hoping by some chance that I would be able to get a diamond in the 1 ct range.

(Edit: Initially I was looking at princess cut diamonds, but the rounds appear to be much, much more popular. So I'm hunting for a round diamond.)

Could any members point me in the direction of some quality stones? I understand I may be reaching based on my budget, but I'd be open to compromises based on your suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[flyingpig]

5K can get you a "1 carat I color VS2 stone with ideal light performance.

From there, it is just a matter of picking which "C" you consider the most important.

I VS2
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-832502
5k is a popular budget, so is 1 carat, so is I color and VS2 clarity. I cannot find any I VS2 stone with ideal proportions at this point (at least at James Allen). This is just to give you an idea what 5k can get you.

If you are willing to downgrade to 0.9 carat (or 0.2mm in diameter)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-804948
You get to save substantially.

If you are ok with J color...
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.05-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-771289
You get to save a bit.

If you are ok with K color...
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.35-carat-k-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-821936
Whopping 1.35 carat.

If you want something higher in color and willing to sacrifice in clarity
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.02-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-813457

Here is a great video on diamond color.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziZ1S8ZlZEE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHvnYtIpD3Q

Here is a thread on ideal diamond proportions.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/what-are-the-perfect-diamond-proportions.167553/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/what-are-the-perfect-diamond-proportions.167553/[/URL]

I think it is important you first to pick the color you want. Then people here will find you a diamond in no time.
Or pick a few stone, provide the links, and members here will comment on them.

James Allen is a preferred vendor here.
Other "premier" vendors such as Whiteflash and Brian Gavin offer other services James Allen and Bluenile don't, such as lifetime upgrade policy and additional assurance, quality control and light performance images (ASET, Idealscope). Of course, there is a price premium. For an example, 1 carat I VS2 from Whiteflash is priced at 7.3k. That's the top of line "A Cut Above". Even their premier selects cost you 6.3k. Only you can determine whether or not these value added services are worth extra $$.
I think Jame Allen provides a really good balance of value, assurance, and service. They provide the actual photo of each diamond, and idealscope imange upon request. I got my engagement ring and wedding bands from JA. I am 100% happy. and I am from Canada as well.

 

[tejama]

Thanks so much for the detailed post. I was told this community was helpful but that was more helpful than I could have imagined.

Based on your reply I have a couple of additional questions that could help me narrow my search.

Color:
How big of a difference is there between an I and a J. I was considering getting a J to allow me to hit the 1 ct mark under budget, but if it's noticeably yellow I'd prefer to avoid this.

(Edit: I just watched the Youtube videos you listed on color. After watching that video I think I'd be comfortable with a J - that 1.35 ct K stone looks fantastic though!)

Clarity:
I've spent quite a bit of time on the James Allen website and love the fact that I can see the actual diamonds. What I was hoping to get clarified is how obvious are the inclusions of an SI1 when viewed, say a foot front your face? Are they as obvious as some of the SI1 inclusions look on the JA website?

Thanks again!

 

[flyingpig]

"Color: How big of a difference is there between an I and a J. I was considering getting a J to allow me to hit the 1 ct mark under budget, but if it's noticeably yellow I'd prefer to avoid this"

This is HIGHLY subjective, and noone can tell you. For example, my fiancee and I are completely ok with "J" color. When I showed her the ring, she loved it. I told her it's "J" color and there should be some yellow tint from a certain angle. She replied "what yellowness?? It is white". But I must say many prefer I or better. Some cannot stand any yellowness and go for H and G. That's why I provided you with those videos link. ONLY YOU can tell. or go to a local store and ask them to show you J, I and H color diamonds.

"Clarity: I've spent quite a bit of time on the James Allen website and love the fact that I can see the actual diamonds. What I was hoping to get clarified is how obvious are the inclusions of an SI1 when viewed, say a foot front your face? Are they as obvious as some of the SI1 inclusions look on the JA website"

Eye-cleanliness really depends on the location, size, and type of the inclusion. Some S1 stones are eye-clean, while others are not. It is the best to ask the vendor whether the stone is eye-clean or not; James Allen tells you if you ask. For an example, this stone from whiteflash is eye clean.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3180405.htm
Whereas this is not guaranteed to be eye-clean by Whiteflash.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3604619.htm

Many people actually pick S1 clarity for value, some wants to be "mind-clean" and go as high as VS1

 

[spon88]

Some very good advice from flyingpig. Be sure to use the HCA tool to help predict the light performance - I've not plugged them in but a couple of those examples looked a tad deep to me? Ask for light reports too.

Colour - personal but in the range where tint starts to become apparent.

Clarity - at SI1 you will need to ask them to confirm "eye clean" and understand their definition.

 

[flyingpig]

Some very good advice from flyingpig. Be sure to use the HCA tool to help predict the light performance - I've not plugged them in but a couple of those examples looked a tad deep to me? Ask for light reports too..

Yes, I agree. Some are deep, and not the most ideal. The purpose was to give the OP a general idea. There are some serious experts here who will find better diamonds.

The following is HCA link
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca
You want a score of less than 2.0

Ensure the diamond you pick is graded by either AGS or GIA with a cut quality of AGS Ideal or GIA excellent.

 

[Gypsy]

You said you were looking for princesses and switched to rounds because they are more popular.

Not a good idea.

Do you know what your lady actually likes? A women who wants a square stone might be happy with an asscher, a princess or a cushion. BUT will NOT be happy with a round.

Does your lady have a pinterest page?

If so please go on there and see if she has pinned rings. Then link us.