How to choose?!

[dc5]

I’m sure it’s come down to really splitting hairs here, as all my research so far shows all options should be pretty solid choices. I figured I’d give it a shot and throw it out there to hopefully get some feedback from more experienced sources when it comes down to diamond selection.

Here’s the deal:

• Budget: $30,000 or just under
• About 2 carats
• Likely will try to set in a 4 prong, platinum, solitaire, Victor Canera setting with pave
• Originally aimed for ideal cut, D-F, VVS range
• Now more realistically I think it’ll have to be Hearts and Arrows super ideal, keeping carat weight about the same, and going down to G and/or VS

The the options I’ve narrowed down to, the part that’s throwing me off is why there seems to be a pretty big difference in price between these stones.

So far I figured Victor Canera’s hand forged settings would be a tough choice to beat, and Brian Gavin’s Black line also a tough choice to beat. Even enough to say some of the best in their respective areas? Am I on the right track?

Would definitely appreciate feedback on which of these would be the better options, and would be open to hearing about anything else as well.

https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/l9y3ef-1.834-g-vs2-ideal-hearts-arrows-round

https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/ags104097665001-2.012-g-vs2-ideal-hearts-arrows-round

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/.../1.803-g-vs2-round-diamond-bkags-104097580039

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/.../1.738-f-vs2-round-diamond-bkags-104089113007

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3905125.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3794737.htm

 

[ac117]

I’m sure it’s come down to really splitting hairs here, as all my research so far shows all options should be pretty solid choices. I figured I’d give it a shot and throw it out there to hopefully get some feedback from more experienced sources when it comes down to diamond selection.

Here’s the deal:

• Budget: $30,000 or just under
• About 2 carats
• Likely will try to set in a 4 prong, platinum, solitaire, Victor Canera setting with pave
• Originally aimed for ideal cut, D-F, VVS range
• Now more realistically I think it’ll have to be Hearts and Arrows super ideal, keeping carat weight about the same, and going down to G and/or VS

The the options I’ve narrowed down to, the part that’s throwing me off is why there seems to be a pretty big difference in price between these stones.

So far I figured Victor Canera’s hand forged settings would be a tough choice to beat, and Brian Gavin’s Black line also a tough choice to beat. Even enough to say some of the best in their respective areas? Am I on the right track?

Would definitely appreciate feedback on which of these would be the better options, and would be open to hearing about anything else as well.

https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/l9y3ef-1.834-g-vs2-ideal-hearts-arrows-round

https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/ags104097665001-2.012-g-vs2-ideal-hearts-arrows-round

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/.../1.803-g-vs2-round-diamond-bkags-104097580039

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/.../1.738-f-vs2-round-diamond-bkags-104089113007

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3905125.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3794737.htm

For $30k I'd be making sure I hit the 2ct mark so for that reason the only stone I'd want of the bunch you posted is the VC 2.012 G VS2. I took a look and I didn't see any comparable 2ct stones with your specs at WF or BG.

I used to have a 1.81 E VS2 and I always secretly wished DH had gone down to G color to hit the 2ct mark and when I upgraded, I chose a 3.24 G VS2. Still extremely white and I do consider myself to be color sensitive.

 

[Rpb]

I certainly agree with ac117...

Here is a good option in my opinion... Nearly 2ct mark... which is eye clean
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3986365.htm

You can also check out https://www.hpdiamonds.com
For super ideals....

 

[OoohShiny]

If you're looking at the SuperIdeals, you can just get into a >2ct G/VS in CBI stones in their current inventory:
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD7776

but there are several H/VS options that are under the 30k budget, which could be worth a look, e.g.: .

2.13 H VS1
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8629

It could be an idea to contact CBI to see what stones they have coming through the pipeline now, as they might have something that suits


Will VC set outside stones, though?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If you want to use Victor for the setting, which is an excellent idea, I would definitely go for the 2 ct G:

https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/ags104097665001-2.012-g-vs2-ideal-hearts-arrows-round

Whiteflash would always be my first choice otherwise, as their diamonds are top of the line and they usually have the best selection. This diamond is GIA graded, which is a good thing for color since they are pretty strict, and WF shows the light return images which prove it's a top cut stone. But I also like the 1.93 G VS1 a lot.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3784278.htm