Help with buying a stone

[doubledogdare]

Hi! I'm picking out a diamond for an engagement ring and really want to get this right. Preference for a hearts and arrows cut in the 1.5 to 2 carat range. I've been offered this diamond - I haven't see it in person yet. It's IGI LG467154400. I've looked up the certificate online - is there a way to find a video of it?

Is there anything I should specifically look for when seeing it? Are the specs good? I'm kind of relying on the hearts and arrows designation to ensure the cut is optimum but maybe that's not the correct approach. I'm open to other suggestions (must be able to ship to Canada).

 

[Kim N]

On paper it looks great. When will you get to see it in person? If you'll have it in your possession, check it out in many different kinds of lighting environments (office, diffuse daylight, etc.). You're looking for edge-to-edge light return. Can you ask for an Ideal-Scope or ASET image?

I like this stone as well: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...olor-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-11404023

And this one is on sale: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...olor-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-10665015

 

[doubledogdare]

For that first James Allen stone, would the black mark be visible to the eye? It's a VS2 so I imagine not but it just seems to stand out so much on the zoomed in video.

 

[Tourmaline]

For that first James Allen stone, would the black mark be visible to the eye? It's a VS2 so I imagine not but it just seems to stand out so much on the zoomed in video.

I would definitely see that black spot.

What is your budget for the stone?

 

[DejaWiz]

For that first James Allen stone, would the black mark be visible to the eye? It's a VS2 so I imagine not but it just seems to stand out so much on the zoomed in video.

Yes, most likely it will be visible in certain lighting conditions and viewing angles/distances, and it depends on your personal tolerance and what you deem acceptable. It is likely the grade setting inclusion since it is a single larger inclusion not considered SI1-sized, but still a VS2 (but, unlike a VS2 with many smaller inclusions that "add up to" being graded as a VS2).

It is also a Type IIb diamond which has boron present (blue nuance). You'll have to want that look, since it does make for a different appearance than a Type IIa diamond.

The one you are asking about is a G color made with the CVD method and has post-growth treatment, which means the rough emerged from the growth chamber tinted with a brownish, brownish-pink, or grayish color, then subjected to pressure and heat treatment to force a better color and clarity. The problem is that most CVD growers are "cheating" by intentionally speeding up the stop-start process between layers, leaving microscopic uneven rough gaps that are then squished and fused together with the post-growth treatment, which then leaves a series of grain/strain layers which can impact the diamond in a few negative ways.

1. There's still a slight hint of color.
2. The strain/grain layers can make the diamond appear slightly hazy/blurry.
3. The layers can further interrupt the way light travels through the diamond and cause double refraction, making it look like a moissanite instead of a diamond, even though it is chemically and molecularly a diamond (this can happen with natural diamonds, but I think that it is so rare it's probably statistically impossible to encounter as a consumer).

In short, a CVD diamond *must* be scrutinized and vetted to ensure it will not exhibit any/all of the potential issues highlighted above.


Not sure what your budget is, but have a look at these:

Lab-Created 1.74 Carat round diamond

This 1.74 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color si1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.65 Carat round diamond

This 1.65 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color si1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

This one has a table inclusion that would also be iffy, again depends on your personal tolerance.

Lab-Created 1.74 Carat round diamond

This 1.74 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color si1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

 

[DejaWiz]

Yes, most likely it will be visible in certain lighting conditions and viewing angles/distances, and it depends on your personal tolerance and what you deem acceptable. It is likely the grade setting inclusion since it is a single larger inclusion not considered SI1-sized, but still a VS2 (but, unlike a VS2 with many smaller inclusions that "add up to" being graded as a VS2).

It is also a Type IIb diamond which has boron present (blue nuance). You'll have to want that look, since it does make for a different appearance than a Type IIa diamond.

The one you are asking about is a G color made with the CVD method and has post-growth treatment, which means the rough emerged from the growth chamber tinted with a brownish, brownish-pink, or grayish color, then subjected to pressure and heat treatment to force a better color and clarity. The problem is that most CVD growers are "cheating" by intentionally speeding up the stop-start process between layers, leaving microscopic uneven rough gaps that are then squished and fused together with the post-growth treatment, which then leaves a series of grain/strain layers which can impact the diamond in a few negative ways.

1. There's still a slight hint of color.
2. The strain/grain layers can make the diamond appear slightly hazy/blurry.
3. The layers can further interrupt the way light travels through the diamond and cause double refraction, making it look like a moissanite instead of a diamond, even though it is chemically and molecularly a diamond (this can happen with natural diamonds, but I think that it is so rare it's probably statistically impossible to encounter as a consumer).

In short, a CVD diamond *must* be scrutinized and vetted to ensure it will not exhibit any/all of the potential issues highlighted above.


Not sure what your budget is, but have a look at these:

Lab-Created 1.74 Carat round diamond

This 1.74 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color si1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.65 Carat round diamond

This 1.65 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color si1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

This one has a table inclusion that would also be iffy, again depends on your personal tolerance.

Lab-Created 1.74 Carat round diamond

This 1.74 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color si1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

...just realized I posted the same diamond twice.
Sorry about that.

 

[DejaWiz]

Here's the one that I meant to link last (with an inclusion that might be iffy):

Lab-Created 1.62 Carat round diamond

This 1.62 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs2 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Here are a couple others to add to the list of candidates:

Lab-Created 1.59 Carat round diamond

This 1.59 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.90 Carat round diamond

This 1.9 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color si1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

 

[doubledogdare]

Thank you so much for the additional information and other stones to consider. I'm seeing the first diamond tomorrow. What should I be looking for in terms of scrutinizing a CVD lab diamond to see if it exhibits the issues you mentioned above. Will I be able to see issues with color, haziness, and disruptions to light traveling with the naked eye?

 

[doubledogdare]

In terms of the 1.90 carat you linked (the last one), would the marks in the lower right hand (around 5 o'clock) be visible to the naked eye?

 

[DejaWiz]

In terms of the 1.90 carat you linked (the last one), would the marks in the lower right hand (around 5 o'clock) be visible to the naked eye?

Highly doubtful, especially if a prong is placed over that particular arrowhead. What you're seeing is about 40 times magnification.

See the links in my signature...my wife's SI1 has a needle inclusion that's a little bit bigger than what's in this 1.90ct.

 

[doubledogdare]

Your wife's ring is beautiful!

I've been searching James Allen with the True Hearts filter on. You made me realize that there are other Hearts and Arrows under the ideal cut (and not True Hearts). Not sure what the difference is.

 

[doubledogdare]

Just thought I'd follow-up now that I've seen the 1.67 carat in person. It was shown to me with two other non-hearts and arrows lab diamonds and to be honest, I couldn't tell the difference! And I now understand how small inclusions can't really be seen in person - it's so different on the close-up videos.

 

[DejaWiz]

Any further thoughts on which direction you're leaning towards?

 

[doubledogdare]

I've decided not to buy the diamond I saw in person. Instead I'm compiling a shortlist of 2ct (approximately) hearts and arrows that I can buy online. I've seen prices from $3500 to 8k so I'm trying to find the best diamond at a reasonable price. That 1.9ct is on the shortlist!