Helping a friend with round diamonds

[janban]

Hello Pricescope community! I'm currently trying to help a friend find a round diamond for his soon to be fiancee. When I was getting engaged 6 years ago, pricescope was invaluable in finding my perfect engagement ring. I ended up with my dream ring from Mark Turnowski and Leon Mege. Problem is, mine is a cushion and he's looking for a round so I'm delving into a whole new world. Back then, I was content to read without imposing on the community for help but there is a lot more pressure in helping a friend! I've been using the HCA tool, scouring sites like Whiteflash, JamesAllen, and ID Jewelry but there's always something a little off or there aren't any actual photos/asets. Perhaps I'm doing it wrong. I thought I'd found a winner but discovered it's IGI not GIA and I've heard to stay away from them?
Here's the IGI one I found:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2604904

This is one he sent me that I feel like isn't great but again, I'm not an expert on round diamonds:
https://www.yadavjewelry.com/products/round-diamond-g-vs2-yd698780

I'm hoping you can help me find some viable options for him. Budget is $13-14000 and we're looking in the 1.6-1.7 range. Also hoping those are realistic expectations.

Thanks everyone!!

 

[ac117]

No to both the Yadav stone and the IGI graded stone. There are several nice options in his budget!

Super ideals (just a smidge over budget but come with all the images and a great upgrade policy):
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3634977.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3838494.htm

Other nice options:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2871984
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2845884
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2289814
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2163069
https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond..._round-EX-GIA-H-SI1-diamond-stock-15804-cert-
money saver: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1925508

 

[janban]

Thanks ac117! I searched for hours and knew that it was time to turn for help and these are great! With SI1 clarity diamonds, I'm assuming there's no real way to know if they're eye clean without seeing in person? Or is that a very subjective question? I can see the inclusion on my VS2 but my appraiser did say it was on the low end of VS2 and it doesn't bother me at all.

 

[ac117]

Thanks ac117! I searched for hours and knew that it was time to turn for help and these are great! With SI1 clarity diamonds, I'm assuming there's no real way to know if they're eye clean without seeing in person? Or is that a very subjective question? I can see the inclusion on my VS2 but my appraiser did say it was on the low end of VS2 and it doesn't bother me at all.

Eye clean really needs to be evaluated on a case to case basis with VS2 and below grades and it will also depend on your vision and your tolerance. Darker inclusions will be more noticeable but you could have SI1 stones with a white crystal or feather for example that really just blends in.

The WF H SI1 is labeled as eye clean, but you could ask them to pull the stone and confirm at what distance/angle eye clean means (all of their ACA, ES and PS stones are in house).
For example, this JA stone I can barely see the feather when it's zoomed in (it's right on the 7:30 arrow at the edge)...zoom out and it completely disappears (and a prong could probably be placed over it)(https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2871984). But you could also ask JA to pull their TH stones (which should be in house) and ask at what distance/angle, as well.

 

[janban]

Got it, I will tell him to ask! That JA one seems to check all the boxes so hopefully he agrees.

 

[ac117]

Got it, I will tell him to ask! That JA one seems to check all the boxes so hopefully he agrees.

We have lurkers that snatch up great stones so I'd at least advise him to put the ones he likes on hold (no commitment/purchase required) so he can then review.

 

[gm89uk]

The H SI1 1.68 looks amazing, love those proportions and great value. That would be my choice