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Help with son's .7 ct round engagement ring

T

THarfam

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Messages
17
I am brand new to this forum and am helping my son find a diamond. He has a limited budget as they are just starting out. He is looking for something around .7 ct round, F-G, VS1-S1 eye clean and ideal cut for around $3500. His girlfriend is very petite, 4'10" 85 lbs so this will look large on her hand. I don't know a lot about diamonds. What does everyone think about these
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2785579
https://www.brilliantlyengaged.com/0.75-carat-e-vs1-ideal-round-cut-diamond-gid-1031406.html
https://www.brilliantlyengaged.com/0.75-carat-e-vs1-ideal-round-cut-diamond-gid-1031406.html
I really appreciate your advice and expertise!
 
The first stone is one of James Allen's True Hearts range and you can't really go wrong with that as the cut quality of that one looks good. Proportions are within super ideal specs. Price is also not too shabby.

The second stone also looks good, but I'd be wanting more information about its past history (if it has one). The AGS grading report for it dates back to 2007 and while it's specs look good, you have no way of knowing what the stone looks like unless you get Brilliantly Engaged to pull the video and photos of this stone from its supplier (if the stone is not already in-house).
 
Thanks for your help. I have asked Brilliantly Engaged to send me video and other info; great catch on the AGS grading report. I didn't even notice that!
 
Pretty stone; will it sparkle as much as the JA true hearts?
 
THarfam said:
Pretty stone; will it sparkle as much as the JA true hearts?
Click to expand...
You will need to request the IS image to verify. But the proportions are within the ideal ranges. The appearance is pretty.

The G VS1 is obviously a safer choice since it is vetted and the IS image is already given. Even if D VS1 is not as well cut as the G VS1, I will consider it because it is a D.
The stone just caught my attention while doing a quick search.

So many good choices in this price range.
 
Oops sorry that is the same one LOL
 
Proportions on the one flyingpig suggested are good as well. From the video, it looks as well cut as the True Hearts option is.
 
Hi OP, just posting this for you so you can be more informed as you do your search.

I am pasting an old post from Gypsy:

"Round Diamonds 101:

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. With round diamonds even a GIA triple Excellent is not enough. And you must stick to GIA and AGS only (HPD in Europe is good as well). EGL is a bad option: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones generally, though you can. In general, AGS0 trumps HCA though as one examines the actual stone and the other does not.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. Under 2 is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score 2 and under is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.

So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. BGD,BE, James Allen, GOG, HPD, ERD and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.

Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium. Some AGS0's are better than others though, so pay attention to any ASET or IS provided.

In general with rounds, you will want a table 60% or less. A depth between 59 and 62.3. Crown angle 33.5-35. Pavilion Angle: 40.6-40.9 (there is a little give on this). And the crown and pavilion angles must be complimentary which is what the HCA checks for you."

Stick to these proportions:

Table: 54-58
Crown: 34-35 (35.5 is OK with pavilion of 40.6)
Pavilion: 40.6 to 40.9 (41 is ok with crown of 34)
Depth: 59.5 to 62.3

Pricescopers will strongly recommend you do some more background reading before committing to buying a diamond (over 2 cts).

The community here are fantastic, experienced and will help you look for a beautifully cut diamond that would get the best bang for your buck. There are several jewellers with in-house stones here as well, depending on your location.

If you must buy from local jewelers, try your best to stick to the above parameters and you will be much more pleased with the results, once you leave the deceiving halogen lights that saturates any poorly cut diamond with sparkle.
 
Wow! Thank you! This is very helpful.

I got the IS Image on the one flyingpig recommended. Which of the JA stones do you prefer?

upload_2017-5-20_21-39-45.png
 
THarfam said:
Wow! Thank you! This is very helpful.

I got the IS Image on the one flyingpig recommended. Which of the JA stones do you prefer?

upload_2017-5-20_21-39-45.png
Click to expand...
It appears to have light leakage, especially in the table area. Probably due to GIA rounding up angles. The G VS1 is better in terms of cut and light performance.

I would also ask ASET for these two
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2744107
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2577771
 
Last edited:
Something not right about the IS. First, it is poorly taken. Second, I see features that I don't see in the magnified photo. Same diamond? Can you double check with JA?

Otherwise, the G VS1 is a more logical choice
 
THarfam said:
Wow! Thank you! This is very helpful.

I got the IS Image on the one flyingpig recommended. Which of the JA stones do you prefer?

upload_2017-5-20_21-39-45.png
Click to expand...

Not the ideal scope I was expecting. The table reflection is much smaller in this than the one flyingpig posted, and smaller than I would expect for a 34 crown with a 56 table.
I cannot see that obstruction pattern on the original video
This could be either because it's the wrong diamond or the idealscope was taken at the wrong distance (poorly taken), I would ask James Allen to ensure this was the same diamond, and to take a better image if it is
 
Whiteflash has a really great upgrade policy should your son ever wish to purchase a bigger stone.
 
Have you looked at Good Old Gold? They have a nice upgrade policy as well.
 
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