HELP! Too many choices!

[Jason23]

Hello! I have to first preface this post with how impressed I have been with the amount of knowledge on this website! It was been an invaluable tool in helping me begin my search for an engagement ring for my soon to be fiance

There is one downside though. I'm finding the more time I spend on here the more my stipulations and comfort level changes. I was hoping for some guidance in helping me define my search parameters a little more to find that perfect diamond.

I've done my fair share of research so I can hold my own when I'm discussing and reading about diamond specs but I am finding myself constantly revising and re-prioritizing my 4 Cs as I believe I am still uncertain about the information I am absorbing.

My latest incarnation of the 4 C's is ranked as such:

Cut - nothing short of Ideal/Excellent and/or H&A if available
Carat - 0.70 or bigger
Colour - having difficulty finding my absolute minimum, currently set at G
Clarity - SI and greater so long as it's eye clean

My goal is obtain a diamond that shine's and has fire like no other. If anyone has any more input I will GLADLY listen.

As for the setting, I am leaning towards a platinum ring due to my girlfriend's sensitive skin. She presently doesn't have any white gold jewelry so I'm uncertain of any allergies to gold so platinum is a safe bet. I have already decided on Whiteflash's Contemporary TIffany Style ring.

I have a budget of $4500 USD total as I live in Canada and after the exchange rate and applicable taxes, I would be hitting my absolute limit of $5200 CAD

Can anyone lend me a hand?

 

[kelpie]

Can you go to a Birks or somewhere to see the colors of some GIA or AGS graded diamonds to test your comfort with color? Personally I can start to see color in H but don't actually mind (or even like it) and my engagement ring is an L-M. I do think you can't go wrong with a classic Tiffany style solitaire. I've had a J colored ideal round brilliant and I thought it was incredibly white. The cut of a good round hides color, the H color I used to own that I could see a tint in was a cushion.

 

[kenny]

My goal is obtain a diamond that shine's and has fire like no other. If anyone has any more input I will GLADLY listen.

Cut is more important than color or clarity to a diamonds light performance.

For rounds plug in 4 numbers from the GIA or AGS report into the HCA. https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

Reject diamonds that score over 2.0.
Get an idealscope image on those that score under 2.0. https://www.pricescope.com/tools/ideal-scope
Post the Idealscope pic here for feedback or compare it to this chart:


The reason the HCA is not enough to make a final selection is the crown and pavilion angles you get from the report are actually the average of 8 numbers each.
(Standard modern round brilliant diamonds have 8 sides so there are 8 pairs of crown and pavilion angles.
Averages can be deceptive; some of the 8 angles might be high and some low - but they average to one good number.
This would be revealed by a poor Idealscope picture the diamond.

I agree that you should go to see AGS/GIA diamonds in person to discover your color comfort zone.
Do not consider diamonds graded by other labs since their grading standards are too generous.
Example: a diamond that GIA graded H SI2 may get grades of F VS2 or better from the other labs.
Shocking but true.

 

[Jason23]

Much appreciated! I have actually been to both Birks and Tiffany's so see diamonds in person and it appears I am rather colour sensitive. I can distinguish between E, F and G and can definitely notice a tint in H and lower on diamonds in settings. The sensitivity is even more intense on loose diamonds even when viewed table up BUT I realize I may be in the minority which is why I am not putting too much emphasis on it as the diamond will not be for me!

I'm currently limiting my search to ACAs, should I be broadening my search if cut is still my absolute top priority?

 

[Imdanny]

Much appreciated! I have actually been to both Birks and Tiffany's so see diamonds in person and it appears I am rather colour sensitive. I can distinguish between E, F and G and can definitely notice a tint in H and lower on diamonds in settings. The sensitivity is even more intense on loose diamonds even when viewed table up BUT I realize I may be in the minority which is why I am not putting too much emphasis on it as the diamond will not be for me!

I'm currently limiting my search to ACAs, should I be broadening my search if cut is still my absolute top priority?

Not necessarily. ACA's are top of the line cut.

 

[Jason23]

Thank you. What would you all think of this one?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2728105.htm

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think that is a gorgeous stone! However, I would not hesitate to consider a WF Expert Selection or Premium Select stone, either! There is someone else that is looking a the same size and color range as you right now, so I hate to repost the links, but you can do a search on G-H around.79-.82 and probably find 2 excellent Premium Select stones.