Help with diamond for engagement ring

[ss2286]

Hi everyone,

I'm buying a diamond for the first time for an engagement ring, and I don't know much about this. I've been looking around and I am wondering what thoughts you might have on this diamond?

1.89 ct, F, VVS1, 0.9hca - https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/1....gn=201804&utm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc

Unfortunately, they do not have Idealscope or ASET images but they did send a Hearts and Arrows image:


I was mostly wondering if, at this price, this diamond would be worth taking a shot on? (It falls within my budget)
I am also open to other suggestions for other diamonds if you think there are better options out there.

 

[HappyNewLife]

it looks good to me. As long as their return policy is good, you could always buy your own idealscope to check for light return.

 

[ss2286]

it looks good to me. As long as their return policy is good, you could always buy your own idealscope to check for light return.

Thank you for responding! I had a few other questions after doing a little more research. As someone who is new to all of this, would purchasing my own Idealscope or ASET be useful for me? Would I be able to discern whether the light return is optimal on my own? If so, should I purchase one over the other or both? I also plan on having the diamond appraised by an independent appraiser. Would he/she be able to give me this information? Also, should I be concerned about the medium fluorescence due to the color being F? with Sorry for all of the questions, just a little nervous about making a big purchase like this, and I just want to be sure that I'm getting the best that I can. The company does have a 30 day return policy, so I guess so long as I can get the information in time it should be okay.

 

[HappyNewLife]

I'll do my best with answers, but hopefully others will chime in too:

would purchasing my own Idealscope or ASET be useful for me? I've honestly never tried one. I've always used a vendor who provided the images. Based on the photos, the diamond does look really good though.

Would I be able to discern whether the light return is optimal on my own? If so, should I purchase one over the other or both? you could make a new post in rocky talky and ask for help with how to take a good idealscope. I probably would just buy that vs. an ASET device. It should be enough for a modern brilliant (me thinks).

I also plan on having the diamond appraised by an independent appraiser. Would he/she be able to give me this information? You'd have to ask I doubt all of them do, but some of them might. There is a tab on PS for reputable appraisers in your area.

Also, should I be concerned about the medium fluorescence due to the color being F? I doubt it. The diamond doesn't look hazy. I'd watch some videos on fluorescence to see if that bothers you. My "I" colored Whiteflash ACA is "negligible fluorescence" on the certificate, but there is definitely probably medium fluor in my diamond. I do notice a bluish tint in JUST RIGHT outdoor sunlight, but it's actually quite pretty. The fact that your diamond is medium blue is probably one of the reasons it's a good value. the other reason is because it's nearing a 60/60 stone's parameters. there are lots of articles on PS about that too.

overall, I think the diamond looks good. @rockysalamander - do you mind weighing in?

 

[HappyNewLife]

that's my diamond on the right

 

[ss2286]

I see. Apologies for not responding until now. That was very helpful, and thank you for answering all of my questions! Unfortunately, it seems that someone has purchased that diamond already. I found another one at the higher end of my budget:

https://www.fourmine.com/diamonds/index/diamonddetail/id/1727075

Here are the Idealscope and ASET images they sent:



It looks like there might be some light leakage in the right side a little, but I'm also quite new to looking at these images. Any thoughts?

 

[rockysalamander]

Sorry @HappyNewLife. Missed your call.

The images are pretty good, but I'm really bothered by that facet at 5'oclock. @gm89uk @tyty333 @Karl_K @Lorelei @diamondseeker2006 others? Can you have a look at that area see if that is an artifact of the photo-setup?

While we wait on that...

If you lower your color to G and focus on an "eyeclean" stone, you'd be able to find something in a super ideal. Super ideal means they are cut for light return and performance. They have excellent angles, but are also precision cut. So, this is the creme de la creme.
Something like these have all the imaging you need...
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3788915.htm
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD7807

You can get larger stones with higher color at this size in non-super ideals. But, this takes some patience and leg-work. These you'd need to request an IS image from JamesAllen (you only get 3/email so be sure of your choices)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...d-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3725094 {need an IS}
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2628600 {this is lovely in the video and has excellent angles. Totally worth requesting that IS; and canadian stone if that is important}
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...d-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4631652 {another beauty}

 

[ss2286]

Thanks @rockysalamander! I was looking at that facet as well, and wasn't sure about it. I managed to get the Idealscope images for two of the diamonds that you listed from JamesAllen.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2628600 :


and https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...d-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4631652 :



How do these look? Would the inclusions in these diamonds show up to the naked eye? How important is the clarity of the diamond in comparison to the color? I am willing to drop down to G for color, but my impression is that I wanted to keep the clarity to VS1, but again, I would defer to the experts here. As for carat size, I think that anything from 1.75-1.9 is about the limit for me.

I also took your advice and looked at other diamonds with the color G, and managed to find this, which I think looks good, but am awaiting Idealscope images for it at the moment as well:

https://www.fourmine.com/shop/diamo...ce=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=2017

 

[rockysalamander]

Thanks @rockysalamander! I was looking at that facet as well, and wasn't sure about it. I managed to get the Idealscope images for two of the diamonds that you listed from JamesAllen.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2628600 :


and https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...d-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4631652 :



How do these look? Would the inclusions in these diamonds show up to the naked eye? How important is the clarity of the diamond in comparison to the color? I am willing to drop down to G for color, but my impression is that I wanted to keep the clarity to VS1, but again, I would defer to the experts here. As for carat size, I think that anything from 1.75-1.9 is about the limit for me.

I also took your advice and looked at other diamonds with the color G, and managed to find this, which I think looks good, but am awaiting Idealscope images for it at the moment as well:

https://www.fourmine.com/shop/diamo...ce=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=2017

Wow! Both are totally respectable IS images. The G 1.9 is larger, but there is something about that 1.8 that keeps pulling me in. Its got a crispness that you see in that IS. It edges out the 1.9 for me and its a very white D. The 1.9 also has a few more inclusions that while I doubt are visible even upon close inspection, may bother you. But, both are really nice.

The fourmine stone you found is a different flavor of diamond called a 60/60. They tend to favor white light over fire. They can be very brilliant, but not very firey. The low CA of 33.5 will add to the lower fire. But, let's look at the ASET to judge light return.

Clarity vs. color. Clarity is judged based on looking at the diamond at 10x magnification. You are looking on a computer at way more than that - so that's why we try to give some description and our judgement on likely visibility. For most, as long as the stone is eyeclean at 6-10" and the inclusions are not black or concentrated -- that works. To me, I'll take a bigger stone over a IF/VVS any day (and I have access to a 40x scope at work!). Diamond color is graded with the stone face down, so don't get too caught up in the actual letters. I find that G and most H read as "white" except to the most color acute or if they have a D diamond next to their (but, most of those Ds are not selected with the kind of tight filter we use here on PS and won't be as sparkly). I color is when most people can see color (from the side and at 45 degree tilt). To me, I look for the best balance among all the C's with no compromise on performance.

 

[ss2286]

@rockysalamander, I also like the 1.8 a little more. I was able to put a hold on that diamond.

I also emailed the vendor about the original diamond regarding the 4-5o'clock facet that looked like possible light leakage, and got this reply:
"We were able to confirm that it is the photograph, not any kind of meaningful light leakage. Ultimately, the diamond has a perfect 56% table facet for the right amount of light in and out of the diamond. However, the depth could be a little shallower, ideally below 62.5%. The differences would be imperceptible in viewing though."

It seems like it was an artifact of the photo? If that is the case, how would you feel about that diamond then?

I also found another diamond that looked okay and was able to get an ASET image for (hca of 1.0, also a 60/60 diamond):
https://parcelandstone.com/diamond/...0723036452?utm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cp



Thoughts?

 

[rockysalamander]

@rockysalamander, I also like the 1.8 a little more. I was able to put a hold on that diamond.

I also emailed the vendor about the original diamond regarding the 4-5o'clock facet that looked like possible light leakage, and got this reply:
"We were able to confirm that it is the photograph, not any kind of meaningful light leakage. Ultimately, the diamond has a perfect 56% table facet for the right amount of light in and out of the diamond. However, the depth could be a little shallower, ideally below 62.5%. The differences would be imperceptible in viewing though."

It seems like it was an artifact of the photo? If that is the case, how would you feel about that diamond then?

I also found another diamond that looked okay and was able to get an ASET image for (hca of 1.0):
https://parcelandstone.com/diamond/...0723036452?utm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cp



Thoughts?

This last one (Parcel&Stone, G VVS2 1.83 c) is a very well proportioned 60/60 style diamond. This style of diamond will have a lot of white light return (brilliance), but generally lack fire (small pinpoint flashes). I really don't love the amount of white under the table on this stone. And, I concur wtih the vendor on the one with the photo-artifact (Fourmine 1727075). So, I still really like the 1.8 of these three. But, the 1.9 Fourmine 1727075 still edge out the Parcel&Stone G VVS2 1.83 for me.

A few more options:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...d-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3725094 {really nice proportions and lovely VS2, no clarity issue to worry about. I'd ask for an IS from JamesAllen, but that chubby arrows indicated by those 75% lower girdle facets add a nice contrast to the stone }
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4320593 {another pretty option}

I know nothing about Parcel & Stone or the quality of their setting but I found in their database. Worth an ASET review.
https://parcelandstone.com/diamond/Round/1.72-carat-G-color-VS2-clarity-stockNo-818001198/

But, at this size and price, I'd personally choose something like this from WF. Super-ideal, bright white and VS1 raises no inclusion worries. 77 LGF makes me happy to have those chubby arrows. Added to that, PS knows this vendor and their customer service is above and beyond wonderful.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3947600.htm