Help with engagement ring diamond

[nupraptor]

I'm a novice diamond buyer but I've been doing extensive research over the last month. I've decided to go with a IF D XXX no florescence diamond. And i've narrowed it down to 4 . I was hoping to get some advice on which would be the best. I believe from my investigations that I should be pretty happy with any of them but some professional advice would be most welcome.

1 https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

2 https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

3 https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-d-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6260620

4 https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true


The james allen seems to fall just outside AGS ideal cut estimator calculator grade but scores a 1.1 on the HCA. Other than that the rest seem near identical. I do like the scope images provided by whiteflash but the don't seem to have any IF's in my price range. Can i safely assume that my diamonds should be close to having excellent scope images?

Thanks for everybody's consideration.

Ryan

P.S. Plan on setting into a noam carver. Either
http://www.noamcarver.com/details.asp?SKU=B081-02RM-100A
or
http://www.noamcarver.com/details.asp?SKU=B185-02RM-100A

I'm a little worried my smaller diamond will not show well in the first setting. I know this is a diamond forum but if you'd like to throw in your opinion about settings i wouldn't mind

 

[the_mother_thing]

Welcome! Quick ? - Is there a reason (e.g., cultural) for going with such high color/clarity specs? If not, please know you do not have to go IF on clarity to have an eye clean diamond, nor do you have to go with a D on color to have a ‘colorless’ diamond; both are overkill unless there is a cultural reason or outside of just having a ‘mind clean’ requirement for such high characteristics (and if you do, that’s fine too, so long as you are informed). Flexing on some of those requirements could open up more options (as well as budget) with another vendor who not only offers ideal/super-ideal diamonds but outstanding upgrade programs as well for down the road, should that become desired.

 

[lovedogs]

Congrats on the upcoming engagement! My first question is: are you sure you need D/IF? You will be paying significantly more for differences that arent visible to the naked eye. E/F color will still be extremely white, and VVS/VS clarity won't have inclusions that are visible (except under magification). You could get a larger stone for the same price. No worries if you prefer D/IF, just wanted to tell you.


The other thing I'd say is that none of these are guaranteed great performers bc they are all GIA certified and none have IS/ASET images. BN won't provide them, but JA sometimes will. I'd get those pics before committing to anything.

 

[Matthews1127]

Congrats on the upcoming engagement! My first question is: are you sure you need D/IF? You will be paying significantly more for differences that arent visible to the naked eye. E/F color will still be extremely white, and VVS/VS clarity won't have inclusions that are visible (except under magification). You could get a larger stone for the same price. No worries if you prefer D/IF, just wanted to tell you.


The other thing I'd say is that none of these are guaranteed great performers bc they are all GIA certified and none have IS/ASET images. BN won't provide them, but JA sometimes will. I'd get those pics before committing to anything.

Welcome! Quick ? - Is there a reason (e.g., cultural) for going with such high color/clarity specs? If not, please know you do not have to go IF on clarity to have an eye clean diamond, nor do you have to go with a D on color to have a ‘colorless’ diamond; both are overkill unless there is a cultural reason or outside of just having a ‘mind clean’ requirement for such high characteristics (and if you do, that’s fine too, so long as you are informed). Flexing on some of those requirements could open up more options (as well as budget) with another vendor who not only offers ideal/super-ideal diamonds but outstanding upgrade programs as well for down the road, should that become desired.

All of the above are exactly my thoughts.
I also want to caution that Cut is extremely critical, pertaining to performance. Therefore, if you are considering any GIA grades MRB, proportions are crucial to maximizing performance.
There are PS Preferred proportions, and you need to stay around those proportions, if you insist upon staying outside AGS000 graded ideal/superideal territory just to have D/IF color/clarity.

@diamondseeker2006 can help you out with those proportions....

I’m a step cut girl, so it’s really no nevermond to me, but if it were MY diamond, I’d be searching for the superideal sparkler that is as white as possible, and as eye clean as possible within my budget. CUT would be my #1 concern.
It truly does make a difference, and superideals show less body color in lower color grades than GIA XXX.
Just my $0.02.

 

[OoohShiny]

@nupraptor - don't forget that stones are graded with a 10x magnification loupe, so an IF diamond can/will still have inclusions/internal 'flaws' at a higher magnification...

VVS will definitely be eye-clean from all angles and, very likely, unless you are using a loupe, so dropping to VVS2 will mean you can get a bigger stone that looks no different to an IF stone 'in real life' on the finger

VS1 should also be eye-clean but would require inspection to your satisfaction if you are a clarity-freak like me. lol

You can even get eye-clean SI1 stones, if you are open to that possibility...

 

[rockysalamander]

Did your intended pick those setting specifically? If not, can you tell us what she has said about a setting and metal color.

If you open to lowering color and clarity just a bit, this is a nice size and super-ideal.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4059889.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3954425.htm

I also like this, but I'd choose one of the above two first.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5662884

Of your four...

1 https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab
Eliminate unless you can get ASET from another site (BN won't provide for rounds).

2 https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true
This has potential.

3 https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-d-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6260620
Put this on hold, but I'm not in love with it.

4 https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true
Eliminate unless you can get ASET from another site (BN won't provide for rounds). This is worth doing some searching around. I like these angles, but that 36.0 CA will not be everyone's favorites.

 

[nupraptor]

Thank you everyone for your prompt and in depth replies.

I am very partial to staying with the D IF for personal reasons. I do see lots of beautiful eye clean diamonds throughout the spectrum but part of the charm or idea of this gemstone for me is to have it as pristine as possible. Even if you won't be able to notice it with a 10x magnifier and even if the setting covers much of its beauty, it is something for me to say that what resides within is of a very high quality. Lastly, me and my fiance both agree a 1 carat diamond looks a bit disproportionate.

as for the setting question, she liked the second setting. When we were shopping she gravitated to ones that were not plain, but far from opulent. The first setting is something that caught my eye and would be well within her preference.

Thanks for everyone help again. I'll keep you posted as more information comes in.

 

[lovedogs]

Thank you everyone for your prompt and in depth replies.

I am very partial to staying with the D IF for personal reasons. I do see lots of beautiful eye clean diamonds throughout the spectrum but part of the charm or idea of this gemstone for me is to have it as pristine as possible. Even if you won't be able to notice it with a 10x magnifier and even if the setting covers much of its beauty, it is something for me to say that what resides within is of a very high quality. Lastly, me and my fiance both agree a 1 carat diamond looks a bit disproportionate.

as for the setting question, she liked the second setting. When we were shopping she gravitated to ones that were not plain, but far from opulent. The first setting is something that caught my eye and would be well within her preference.

Thanks for everyone help again. I'll keep you posted as more information comes in.

Thanks for the reply! Totally respect your wishes to get a diamond as perfect as possible. I just wanted to make sure you were making a 100% informed choice. In my mind, part of what makes a "perfect" diamond is the cut. You really don't want a D/IF stone that is poorly cut, because it won't look as nice. I'd recommend getting an ideal cut stone, even if it's a bit smaller. We can definitely help you find a great stone.

Are you willing to share your budgrt for the stone itself?

 

[lovedogs]

This D/VVS1 is as close to IF as possible, and it's a super ideal stone. This is "perfect" in every way, and you won't be compromising cut. If you can afford the premium, I would personally suggest it.

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10575

 

[Matilda]

What is your budget?

a couple more to look at which are super ideals:

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4081310.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4081330.htm

In terms of settings you would like rose gold pave? I do think the first one may distract from the diamond. Maybe a simple halo instead?

 

[nupraptor]

Budget was 4200 CAD....~3176 US.

 

[lovedogs]

Budget was 4200 CAD....~3176 US.

In that case, I like the ones that @Matilda recommended.

 

[rockysalamander]

Budget was 4200 CAD....~3176 US.

Does this include the setting?

 

[nupraptor]

no, thats for the diamond.

 

[rockysalamander]

no, thats for the diamond.

Isnt there 20% tax too, or is that handled in the budget you gave?

 

[lovedogs]

Isnt there 20% tax too, or is that handled in the budget you gave?

Ohh good question. 20% is huge and makes a big difference.

 

[Matilda]

So if you do go down the route of super ideal vendor WF it may be more efficient to get the setting at the same place. What is your budget for the setting? Judging from the two settings you linked your range is from about $1300 to $2800 or so? If this is the case, WF has some rose gold settings in the style to which you linked. For instance:

https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...1rz1323-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-3884.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...ve-diamond-engagement-ring-by-vatche-4662.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...r1394-fabled-diamond-engagement-ring-3436.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...passion-diamond-halo-engagement-ring-4697.htm has a bit of a twist but centre diamond ct weight starting point for setting is higher, so you could ask WF if they can accommodate a smaller diamond.

https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...-criss-cross-diamond-engagement-ring-4513.htm same issue with centre diamond ct weight

 

[nupraptor]

My tax should be around 5% and that will be on top of the budget i gave you but i'm prepared for that. I'm hoping that i'm not going to be hit with some ridiculous broker fees. Thank you for the setting options but I'm pretty happy with my setting choices.

 

[Matilda]

as for the setting question, she liked the second setting. When we were shopping she gravitated to ones that were not plain, but far from opulent. The first setting is something that caught my eye and would be well within her preference.

Sorry missed this entirely!! I thought you wanted other setting choices too, I should read more carefully! Glad you have got that part sorted!