Help with looking for a Round Diamond!

[4tythr3]

I have been looking through this forum for a little over a month now and have been trying to learn as much as I can from the posters. And so far it has been really helpful! I appreciate the active members of this forum and all the knowledge that you bring. Hopefully you will be able to help me out with this decision as well. I don''t plan on purchasing for a little while, but want to see if i can go through what i am currently looking for in my diamond and hear everyone''s opinions.

I am looking for a round diamond to put in a yellow gold setting.

I am looking to spend less than $3000 on the diamond.

Carat Approx. .70 - .75
Color G/H/I
Clarity VS2/SI1

I have been looking at WF as that seems to be a respected choice on this forum. I am leaning towards an ACA and have heard great things about them.

Here are 3 for a start that i like:

Diamond #1 - .720 - I - VVS2
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1445171.htm#
. Report: AGS
. Shape: Whiteflash ACA
. Carat: 0.720
. Depth %: 61.4
. Table %: 56.5
. Crown Angle: 34.8
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible
HCA 1.1


Diamond #2 - .713 - H - VS2

I''m a little concerned about the Crystal/Needle/Feather in the middle of the Diamond on the AGS Report...

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2228592.htm
. Report: AGS
. Shape: Whiteflash ACA
. Carat: 0.713
. Depth %: 61.6
. Table %: 56.8
. Crown Angle: 34.7
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible
HCA 1.7


Diamond #3 - .792 - I - VVS2
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1467026.htm
. Report: AGS
. Shape: Whiteflash ACA
. Carat: 0.792
. Depth %: 60.7
. Table %: 56.9
. Crown Angle: 34.8
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible
HCA 1.4


Is the Color going from H to I worth the change in price? If i am putting the diamond in a Yellow Gold setting is this really a big deal? I almost think i should lean more towards a diamond like #3 Getting .792 Carats. And upgrading to VVS2.

Although i am not sure if that much of an upgrade would be needed in the clarity. Maybe going with a color I - VS2 would allow me to get a larger diamond? Or will that not have a great impact on the price.

Thanks for the help!

 

[swingirl]

All the ACAs are lovely but I like the size of the 0.792. VVS2 is overkill but on the other hand that is a very nice stone in your budget. It would be my pick.

 

[4tythr3]

thanks 4 the opinion. I think that is what i will be shooting for. Maybe try to get closer to .8 Carat and go with an I color and a VS2.

 

[swingirl]

0.90ct I VS1

or this

0.83ct E SI1

You would need to ask them to supply you with images.

But I still think the ACA is a great choice.

I just noticed that you are not looking to purchase right now. It's a good time to do your homework so you'll know what qualities you are comfortable with when the time comes.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I am a cut nut like the rest, but there is a point where for me I don''t really worry about it, and for me a couple of branded H&A cuts reach that point: ACAs from Whiteflash, BGD signatures from Brian Gavin Diamonds, and Infinity diamonds, carried by High Performance Diamonds. Any of these are no brainers, just pick the one you like and go from there. I would also trust God Old Gold''s signature line of hand picked rounds.

But you pay a premium for the brand and going with a non H&A from James Allen will save some money, but you need to be more careful about selecting a winner. Also they do not have the same upgrade and lifetime buyback policies that the above have, which offer peace of mind for me.

I have owned J, K and now a G color diamonds, and in my opinion it really is worth going up in color. G/H is my sweet spot with a preference for G color, and VS2/SI1 is my preference for clarity. Pay for what you can see, color, and compromise on clarity as long as it is eye clean, that is my best advice.

 

[Dreamer_D]

PS: I didn''t suggest any rocks because you are not buying right now and inventory changes.

 

[4tythr3]

Thanks for the post. I checked out both diamonds. I will see if i can request the additional information!

 

[4tythr3]

Date: 1/26/2010 10:19:48 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

I am a cut nut like the rest, but there is a point where for me I don''t really worry about it, and for me a couple of branded H&A cuts reach that point: ACAs from Whiteflash, BGD signatures from Brian Gavin Diamonds, and Infinity diamonds, carried by High Performance Diamonds. Any of these are no brainers, just pick the one you like and go from there. I would also trust God Old Gold''s signature line of hand picked rounds.

But you pay a premium for the brand and going with a non H&A from James Allen will save some money, but you need to be more careful about selecting a winner. Also they do not have the same upgrade and lifetime buyback policies that the above have, which offer peace of mind for me.

I have owned J, K and now a G color diamonds, and in my opinion it really is worth going up in color. G/H is my sweet spot with a preference for G color, and VS2/SI1 is my preference for clarity. Pay for what you can see, color, and compromise on clarity as long as it is eye clean, that is my best advice.

Thanks. I will make sure to look into a companies upgrade and buy back policies. That is definetly important to me.

Thanks for the color opinion. Do you think that i should go with G color even if i am setting the diamond in a Yellow Gold Setting?

 

[4tythr3]

I was wondering which flaws to avoid in a diamond? And what location on the diamond do you want to make sure the flaws are not located?

 

[yssie]

G vs. lower is entirely up to you, your tolerance, and your FF''s tolerance.


Re. inclusions - avoid SI2s with grade setting clouds unless you can verify with a professional that it''s not a problem in that stone. Placement, size, visibility... just no way to tell from the plot. You''re generally safe with VSs, SIs are more likely to be clean face up but not clean through the pavilion. Decide what "eyeclean" means to you, find a stone you like and call the vendor to see if it matches your requirements.