Help with 3.5 ct purchase

[Babacah]

Been looking for a new center stone for my wife's ring for at least 6 months but every time I go to pull the trigger I have doubts and don't go through with it. I'm looking for a round 3-3.5 ct stone to get set in her Platinum setting that currently holds a 1ct natural marquise (nice stone but can't remember specs from 25 years ago). I'm looking to spend around 10k give or take and I see stones with all kinds of specs in this range which only adds to my confusion. I was recently looking at this stone for example: https://www.yadavjewelry.com/diamond/round-diamond-3.56-carat-h-vs2-yd15346048

Would appreciate any guidance on this purchase, I've read some of the other help threads and wish I would have found this site long ago

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

Calling @DejaWiz for this one!

 

[DejaWiz]

Have a look at this beautifully proportioned HPHT diamond.
It is an SI1, but is has an advantage: the thin strands are quite a bit thinner than human hair, and there are no glaring inclusions present such as carbon crystals, metallic flash, straining/graining, or the like.

SOLD ITEM 3.09 CARAT Round | LAB-GROWN DIAMOND | E COLOR | SI1 CLARITY | super cut CUT | IGI CERTIFIED | STOCK ID: 3027969 | The Art Of Jewels

3.09 CARAT Round | LAB-GROWN DIAMOND | E COLOR | SI1 CLARITY | super cut CUT | IGI CERTIFIED | STOCK ID: 3027969

www.theartofjewels.com

If you would rather stick with a VS or better grade, then you are on the right track with decreasing the color grade. Here's a CVD that appears pretty clean with no inhibiting striations.

SOLD ITEM 3.08 CARAT Round | LAB-GROWN DIAMOND | G COLOR | VS2 CLARITY | super cut CUT | GIA CERTIFIED | STOCK ID: LDI-M58636 | The Art Of Jewels

3.08 CARAT Round | LAB-GROWN DIAMOND | G COLOR | VS2 CLARITY | super cut CUT | GIA CERTIFIED | STOCK ID: LDI-M58636

www.theartofjewels.com

 

[Kim N]

Not @DejaWiz, but here are a few other options. These are CVD with minimal stria.

SOLD ITEM 3.26 CARAT Round | LAB-GROWN DIAMOND | G COLOR | VS2 CLARITY | Excellent CUT | IGI CERTIFIED | STOCK ID: 3226494 | The Art Of Jewels

3.26 CARAT Round | LAB-GROWN DIAMOND | G COLOR | VS2 CLARITY | Excellent CUT | IGI CERTIFIED | STOCK ID: 3226494

www.theartofjewels.com

SOLD ITEM 3.3 CARAT Round | LAB-GROWN DIAMOND | H COLOR | VS1 CLARITY | Excellent CUT | GIA CERTIFIED | STOCK ID: 3189642 | The Art Of Jewels

3.3 CARAT Round | LAB-GROWN DIAMOND | H COLOR | VS1 CLARITY | Excellent CUT | GIA CERTIFIED | STOCK ID: 3189642

www.theartofjewels.com

SOLD ITEM 3.35 CARAT Round | LAB-GROWN DIAMOND | H COLOR | VS1 CLARITY | Ideal CUT | IGI CERTIFIED | STOCK ID: LDI-M57941 | The Art Of Jewels

3.35 CARAT Round | LAB-GROWN DIAMOND | H COLOR | VS1 CLARITY | Ideal CUT | IGI CERTIFIED | STOCK ID: LDI-M57941

www.theartofjewels.com

 

[DejaWiz]

To comment on the original diamond in question: there are a few things that stand out as triggers which I would strongly advise further scrutiny and vetting.

1. The crown angle is a bit shallow for the shallower pavilion angle. A PA of 40.6° is usually best paired with a slightly steeper CA to keep the inverse relationship intact.
2. The table width and overall depth are nearing a 60/60 style cut.
3. CVD (especially with PGT) needs to be checked for striations which can interfere with transparency, cause a hazy appearance, and even cause rare cases of birefringence (double refraction like a Moissanite).

 

[Babacah]

Thanks DejaWiz, you answered the question I was going to ask about what made the one I was looking at less attractive then the selections provided.

All the one's suggested look great to me, the SI1 E is interesting, is there that much visible difference between a E and a G? Seems like there would be but honestly not sure I've ever seen any stone that was an E let alone a G as they are so expensive in natural stones.

Is HPHT generally preferred over CVD or is it just depend on the individual stone?

 

[DejaWiz]

Thanks DejaWiz, you answered the question I was going to ask about what made the one I was looking at less attractive then the selections provided.

All the one's suggested look great to me, the SI1 E is interesting, is there that much visible difference between a E and a G? Seems like there would be but honestly not sure I've ever seen any stone that was an E let alone a G as they are so expensive in natural stones.

Is HPHT generally preferred over CVD or is it just depend on the individual stone?

You're welcome!

There can be a noticable difference between an E and a G depending on the grading lab and growth method. CVD diamonds, especially those with PGT, tend to lean brownish, grayish, or brownish-pink. HPHT can lean yellow, gray, green, or blue depending on any trace elements in the crystalline lattice.

I typically recommend HPHT over CVD, as long as the rough that the diamond was cut and polished from is higher quality. CVD diamonds can be beautiful, as long as there are no inhibitors present.

 

[Kim N]

Thanks DejaWiz, you answered the question I was going to ask about what made the one I was looking at less attractive then the selections provided.

All the one's suggested look great to me, the SI1 E is interesting, is there that much visible difference between a E and a G? Seems like there would be but honestly not sure I've ever seen any stone that was an E let alone a G as they are so expensive in natural stones.

Is HPHT generally preferred over CVD or is it just depend on the individual stone?

That E SI1 was a really nice find, @DejaWiz!

OP, if you do end up going for the E SI1, I found the exact stone on Yadav for several hundred dollars cheaper, and there's a coupon available too.

Shop Round 3.09-3.59 carat Loose Diamonds at Yadavjewelry.com -

Shop wholesale natural loose diamonds at Yadav Jewelry. As jewelers and diamonds wholesalers since 1983, you can trust Yadav to bring you fine quality, prompt service, and excellent prices.

www.yadavjewelry.com

 

[DejaWiz]

That E SI1 was a really nice find, @DejaWiz!

OP, if you do end up going for the E SI1, I found the exact stone on Yadav for several hundred dollars cheaper, and there's a coupon available too.

Shop Round 3.09-3.59 carat Loose Diamonds at Yadavjewelry.com -

Shop wholesale natural loose diamonds at Yadav Jewelry. As jewelers and diamonds wholesalers since 1983, you can trust Yadav to bring you fine quality, prompt service, and excellent prices.

www.yadavjewelry.com

Nice find at Yadav, Kim N!

There may be some coupon codes for each site, so whichever one gives you best overall deal on the same diamond from their shared virtual inventory should keep your wallet a little more happy, Babacah.

 

[Babacah]

Thank you both for your help, I really like the SI1 E and looking at report and video it looks fantastic. Is that how you came to the conclusion that it was clean to the eye?

I'm probably going to order tomorrow and with bank wire and discount will be under 9k.

 

[DejaWiz]

Thank you both for your help, I really like the SI1 E and looking at report and video it looks fantastic. Is that how you came to the conclusion that it was clean to the eye?

I'm probably going to order tomorrow and with bank wire and discount will be under 9k.

Great choice, in my opinion!
Yes, checking for the type(s) and location(s) of inclusion(s), we can gauge the overall cleanliness of a diamond. This, to me, is a stellar example of an SI1 diamond and makes it a bargain.

 

[DejaWiz]

I'm probably going to order tomorrow and with bank wire and discount will be under 9k.

Since you aren't planning on buying now, please contact them to put it in hold so that someone else doesn't buy it before you do. Many, many anonymous visitors come to PS every day and many diamonds that get suggested end up getting poached.

 

[Babacah]

Since you aren't planning on buying now, please contact them to put it in hold so that someone else doesn't buy it before you do. Many, many anonymous visitors come to PS every day and many diamonds that get suggested end up getting poached.

Done, thank you, I'll be back an post picture of the ring when complete

 

[Babacah]

Just to follow up, couldn't be happier with the finished product, I picked out a platinum setting locally and had the ring completed.



beside the 1ct it replaced

 

[DejaWiz]

Just to follow up, couldn't be happier with the finished product, I picked out a platinum setting locally and had the ring completed.



beside the 1ct it replaced

Woooooow your new diamond is absolutely gorgeous!
Love the setting, too!