Help with Round Diamond

[FitnessFreak87]

Hello, all! I have been lurking these forums for quite sometime now, but just decided to create a username a few days ago. I was hoping to get some advice and thoughts on diamonds for Ering. Any and all advice is welcome!!

I have a budget of Around 14k including taxes for the stone alone. I have been looking at places like WhiteFlash, BGD, BlueNile, and GoodOldGold....from what i can tell, those are the 4 main companies most talked about on Price Scope.

I am certain that I want an excellent cut diamond, that is the most important to me. The rest of the criteria, i am trying to juggle. I would like to be able to get around the 1.3-1.45 carat area, but not sure if that is possible with the other criteria listed below. I don't want to see any inclusions with the naked eye, from what i am told I need to stay with VS2 or higher (is there any reason i cannot go with an "eye clean" SI1?). As far as color, this is my main sticking point. I like the color F, but have never seen in person, a G or H diamond that is cut Excellent. My main concern being that i don't want the diamond to look "yellow" or tinted while on her finger...She has stated she doesnt really like that. So if anyone has any advice on the F-G-H color range and how they look ( to you) let me know, id much appreciate it. Obviously i could get a larger SI1 H color diamond than one that is VS2 F color. I feel like to get closer to that 1.4-1.5 carat size, id have to sacrifice in color and or clarity, which i guess i haven't seen enough stones to know if thats something i would want to do!

A few that i like are listed below:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2640833.htm

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-...carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-73702

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9633/

Thank you all very much!!!

Taylor

 

[JulieN]

Many people cannot tell the difference between a D and a G face up, as diamonds are graded for color face down. H and I are still very white face up, but not as super bright white as a D.

Going with any combo of H, SI1, or discounts for fluorescence or slightly off makes will get you over the 1.5 mark if you are interested.

 

[Nomax]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaBR6LXSL4U&feature=youtube_gdata_player

This link is a video from GOG showing the benefits of cut vs color where he compares a F, G, and H diamond with different cuts. The H had the best cut and looked the best. With the H&A cuts you have selected, an H or I would still look great with no yellowing.

For clarity, all of the vendors listed will check to make sure an SI1 is eye clean and getting anything higher will just make you feel better at the expense of extra size within the same budget.

I just purchased a 1.3 H SI1 two weeks ago from Brian Gavin and it is a stunner.

You can check out local jewelers to see the difference, however make sure you look at GIA and AGS stones only. EGL and IGI stones are 1 - 2 grades lower in color and clarity and who know what when it comes to cut.

Edit: the larger in size you go, the more visible inclusions become. You may be forced into a VS grade at 1.5 ct. Neither WF or BGD have any SI1 in stock for their top cuts. However you can get a 1.5 I VS2 from either vendor for 14k right now.

 

[FitnessFreak87]

Excellent! Thank you so much for the help!!!