Help with diamond suggestions??

[omar815]

Happy Friday,

I am finally ready to pull the trigger on an engagement ring for my GF of three years! As of the last few months I have been learning everything I can about diamonds. Unfortunately, that has left me more torn and insecure about buying the perfect ring for her.

I am turning to you all for help/suggestions.

My initial budget of $6K has been increased to roughly 8,300 in an effort to get as close to the 1.5ct weight as possible. This is my criteria:
1. Round
2. Ideal Cut
3. Eye-Clean
4. Brilliance, brilliance, brilliance (No cloudiness)!

Below are three examples of the types of diamonds that catch my eye. The first is a H&A from James Allen that I am sure will have incredible light performance, the second is a H&A with compromise in color quality in an effort to go bigger, and the third is a compromise in cut and color in order to get the 1.5 weight with a more comfortable price tag.

1. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2519545

2. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2208008

3. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2123632

Should I not consider a J color and risk too much warmth or coudiness? Or should I not force the H&A cut and be fine with a regular ideal cut? I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or opinions!!

Thank you!!

 

[Xyathn]

Just a thought on #3:

That'd be a downgrade in color, with a shallower stone (40.6 pav angle, 34 crown angle), which may cause the stone to appear darker. You may not be happy with that combination when it's viewed up close, just be sure you're good with it.

 

[Stephan]

Xyathn, nr 3 won't appear darker because there is no evident obstruction.
In fact I think it will appear very bright.
Also, from the inclusions, it seems to be the most attractive one.

 

[fair75]

Personally, I wouldn't choose any of the diamonds you posted on here. I understand the need to go for the lowest clarity and J color to get to 1.5 ct. However, all three diamonds have cloud as one of the inclusions and the comments about the additional clouds not shown. I would be weary of SI1 and SI2 diamonds having clouds and the additional comments because they would be somewhat cloudy for the most part. That's why you have people on here saying that these types of diamonds require professional assessment to make sure the brilliance isn't affected. It is possible that the cloud doesn't affect the brilliance too much, but having looked at many SI1 and SI2 diamonds with clouds, I would say that many of them have some degrees of cloudiness.
All three diamonds you chose have depth > 62%. Is there a reason for that? I would suggest looking for diamonds that have total depth <= 62%. Don't sacrifice the cut to gain carat weight.