I bought a diamond

[KarenmO]

I purchased this diamond https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD12122700. It's not the pristine PS-recommended stone but I fell in love with a similar stone of this size and color in person and knew that I wanted a diamond in the 8.6mm range. Similar specs on Blue Nile range from 24-26k so for 21k I thought it was worth seeing since I don't see any other worthy contenders in this size range unless I hit the 30ks.

Blue Nile said the stone was eye clean with no cloudiness so I'm hoping the stone is eye clean enough in person. They said they would try to hide some of the inclusions on the edge with a prong. If it's terrible, I can exchange it.

From a cut perspective, is the stone well cut or is it a terrible choice all around?

Please be nice! This search has not been easy but at least I didn't get the one I started with: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true Thank you!

 

[Snowdrop13]

The price looks good and it scores 1.4 on the HCA. Definitely worth a look in person!

 

[skypie]

The cut is pretty decent, maybe a touch off ideal.

However, I highly doubt this is eyeclean given the size of the diamond and the nature of the inclusions. The crystals in the table won't be able to be hidden by the setting, unfortunately.

 

[kmoro]

I purchased this diamond https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD12122700. It's not the pristine PS-recommended stone but I fell in love with a similar stone of this size and color in person and knew that I wanted a diamond in the 8.6mm range. Similar specs on Blue Nile range from 24-26k so for 21k I thought it was worth seeing since I don't see any other worthy contenders in this size range unless I hit the 30ks.

Blue Nile said the stone was eye clean with no cloudiness so I'm hoping the stone is eye clean enough in person. They said they would try to hide some of the inclusions on the edge with a prong. If it's terrible, I can exchange it.

From a cut perspective, is the stone well cut or is it a terrible choice all around?

Please be nice! This search has not been easy but at least I didn't get the one I started with: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true Thank you!

I think the numbers look really good! It’s always tough to guess with GIA rounding ... but this one might be beautiful! Do you have an ASET scope at home? If not, you might want to consider getting one. They’re cheap and easy to use, and that way you would know for sure.

 

[kmoro]

The cut is pretty decent, maybe a touch off ideal.

However, I doubt this is eyeclean given the size of the diamond and the nature of the inclusions.

I didn’t want to say anything about the clarity ... but my two cents are the same as above. I find it a bit hard to believe that it is eye-clean. Please get back to us once it arrives to let us know what you think!

 

[KarenmO]

Thank you so much for your responses! I don't have an ASET. I requested to have the stone mounted and I was just going to decide whether I liked what I saw with my own two eyes. I have Whiteflash stud earrings so I have an idea of what crisp sparkle bombs looks like. I'm not expecting this stone to be a super ideal but I hope it's a great performer.

My dream ring is an eye clean 2.5 H with fluorescence and 75 LF and this checks off all those boxes so I'm really hoping the stone is eye clean enough to my standards. I can't even find a well cut stone in the 2.5 H range that isn't ridiculously expensive. After seeing stones in person, I want to stick to this size and color. I have a budget so something's got to give. Hopefully the crystals by the edge won't be noticeable and some crafty prong placement can help!

This is where the specs fall in the GIA and AGS ideal chart... and this is what the stone's diameter looks like on my finger.

 

[KarenmO]

The cut is pretty decent, maybe a touch off ideal.

However, I highly doubt this is eyeclean given the size of the diamond and the nature of the inclusions. The crystals in the table won't be able to be hidden by the setting, unfortunately.

I didn’t want to say anything about the clarity ... but my two cents are the same as above. I find it a bit hard to believe that it is eye-clean. Please get back to us once it arrives to let us know what you think!

Ugh, those crystals are killing me. I hope they're not as bad as they look in the 360 video because the rest of the specs and price are up my alley.

 

[KarenmO]

@mrs-b Pricescope Queen and gem collector extraordinaire, in the 8.5-8.6mm range with a 23k budget, would you give this H stone a chance or would you go straight to a cleaner I?

 

[mrs-b]

Hi @KarenmO -

I definitely think your stone is worth a look. It's also a great price. I looked around at a bunch of others, but within your price range yours is more clean, except for this one, which is right at the top of your range if you pay the wire price. Diameter-wise it's a tiny bit smaller, but by such a minute amount, there's no way you'd see the difference.

For the diamond you've chosen, I'd be more concerned with the facet pattern than the clarity. I went back and forth, rotating it a dozen times, and there was no position where I could see all those nice, clean arrows. The one I've linked below has a cleaner arrows pattern, but it doesn't have the 75% LGF, which might be something you specifically want. I like a 75% LGF (a lot), but I like clearer arrows better. And I DO like a nice, clean stone.

One problem I see is that yours is more deep that I, personally, would like and, frankly, so is the one I've linked below. But if you'd like a somewhat cleaner stone of the same size, this one is worth a look. I'd be keeping this one on the back-burner, should the one you've chosen not work out.

I hope you love your new ring and wishing you the best of luck with your purchase!

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

 

[KarenmO]

Hi @KarenmO -

I definitely think your stone is worth a look. It's also a great price. I looked around at a bunch of others, but within your price range yours is more clean, except for this one, which is right at the top of your range if you pay the wire price. Diameter-wise it's a tiny bit smaller, but by such a minute amount, there's no way you'd see the difference.

For the diamond you've chosen, I'd be more concerned with the facet pattern than the clarity. I went back and forth, rotating it a dozen times, and there was no position where I could see all those nice, clean arrows. The one I've linked below has a cleaner arrows pattern, but it doesn't have the 75% LGF, which might be something you specifically want. I like a 75% LGF (a lot), but I like clearer arrows better. And I DO like a nice, clean stone.

One problem I see is that yours is more deep that I, personally, would like and, frankly, so is the one I've linked below. But if you'd like a somewhat cleaner stone of the same size, this one is worth a look. I'd be keeping this one on the back-burner, should the one you've chosen not work out.

I hope you love your new ring and wishing you the best of luck with your purchase!

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

@mrs-b Thank you so much for your sharing your valuable input and doing a search. I looked up the stone you linked and found this! https://www.fourmine.com/shop/diamo...ce=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=2018

Blue Nile said it was eye clean, no BGM, not milky. I think I would sacrifice 75 LF for a cleaner stone. I really want an eye clean H in the 8.5-8.6mm range. I don't want to see pepper points every time I look down at the stone and joke to my girls, "Don't look too close!"

Experts, should I order this one instead if they are only $500 apart? Thank you for your patience! @SimoneDi

 

[mrs-b]

I would. But it's a case of what you value. I really like a nice clean stone - I feel it's a luxury - so I'd go with the VS2.

 

[KarenmO]

I would. But it's a case of what you value. I really like a nice clean stone - I feel it's a luxury - so I'd go with the VS2.

So with the size being pretty much the same, this is a choice between 75 LF SI1 vs. 80 LF VS2?

 

[mrs-b]

Yes - and clarity.

 

[KarenmO]

Yes - and clarity.

With Blue Nile telling me that practically every stone is eye clean, I don't know whether to believe them anymore. Do you think the 2.41 will be eye clean even with the crystal in the middle of the table? If you look at the Four Mine video of the stone, the crystal seems to be reflected multiple times in the back of the stone. Just want to make sure it isn't a cause for concern: https://www.fourmine.com/shop/diamo...ce=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=2018

Also, it scores a 2.7 on the HCA.

 

[ctsamg]

I'd highly recommend reaching out to Martin @ USA certed, I bought nearly exactly what you're looking for (2.5 I VS2) and Martin found some amazing options for me.

That last stone is on the borderline of being too deep and looks a tiny bit hazy to me.

 

[KarenmO]

I'd highly recommend reaching out to Martin @ USA certed, I bought nearly exactly what you're looking for (2.5 I VS2) and Martin found some amazing options for me.

That last stone is on the borderline of being too deep and looks a tiny bit hazy to me.

Hi ctsamg,

I must purchase the stone from Blue Nile. However, thank you for your suggestion.

 

[SimoneDi]

@KarenmO I understand that you want a larger stone and it’s ok!

I like this one: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

I do not like the 2.41 H VS2 stone which was recommended earlier. It doesn’t have complimentary angles and the symmetry is really off to me. Also, even though it’s a VS2, it has a table inclusion. While the color is lovely, I wouldn’t pick it.

ETA: while this stone is a lower color- it has a gorgeous make, it is much larger and I think it might be worth considering: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

I would personally buy it an see it in person and if you don’t like it, you can always exchange it for something else.

Here is the same stone price matched: https://www.yadavjewelry.com/diamond/round-diamond-2.6-carat-j-vs1-yd5876282

 

[KarenmO]

@KarenmO I understand that you want a larger stone and it’s ok!

I like this one: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

I do not like the 2.41 H VS2 stone which was recommended earlier. It doesn’t have complimentary angles and the symmetry is really off to me. Also, even though it’s a VS2, it has a table inclusion. While the color is lovely, I wouldn’t pick it.

ETA: while this stone is a lower color- it has a gorgeous make, it is much larger and I think it might be worth considering: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

I would personally buy it an see it in person and if you don’t like it, you can always exchange it for something else.

Here is the same stone price matched: https://www.yadavjewelry.com/diamond/round-diamond-2.6-carat-j-vs1-yd5876282

Hi @SimoneDi,

Thanks for responding and suggesting alternatives. I'm trying to find good stones on my own before bringing them to PS for assessment so I appreciate your input and don't mean to be annoying!

While big, really pretty and clean, I don't think I could mentally handle a J in that size for a ring.

Is the 2.4 I VS1 considered a 60/60 diamond like my current stone and will perform similarly in terms of a likely emphasis on white light return and less fire? Thanks.

 

[SimoneDi]

Hi @SimoneDi,

Thanks for responding and suggesting alternatives. I'm trying to find good stones on my own before bringing them to PS for assessment so I appreciate your input and don't mean to be annoying!

While big and clean, I don't think I could mentally handle a J in that size for a ring.

Is the 2.4 I VS1 considered a 60/60 diamond like my current stone and will perform similarly in terms of a likely emphasis on white light return and less fire? Thanks.

I understand about the color, I thought it might be worth seeing it in person because it has a lovely make.

The 2.4 I VS2 is borderline 60/60 but it doesn’t have any of the clarity concerns that your current stone exhibits. That said, it will probably favour more scintillation vs fire. The 2.22 G would have been a very fiery stone.

I am not crazy about your other options at all. I will look more into BNs inventory.

Remind me what’s the max budget again?

 

[KarenmO]

I understand about the color, I thought it might be worth seeing it in person because it has a lovely make.

The 2.4 I VS2 is borderline 60/60 but it doesn’t have any of the clarity concerns that your current stone exhibits. That said, it will probably favour more scintillation vs fire. The 2.22 G would have been a very fiery stone.

I am not crazy about your other options at all. I will look more into BNs inventory.

Remind me what’s the max budget again?

What do you think of this stone? Its angles seem peculiar: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true I found it for less on another website but they say it's not considered a well cut stone. It has ASET images here: https://enchanteddiamonds.com/cut-score-calculator?certificate=gia 6311167539#diamond=R254-371584273

My max is 24k.

 

[lovedogs]

What do you think of this stone? Its angles seem peculiar: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true I found it for less on another website but they say it's not considered a well cut stone.

My absolute max is 24k.

I wouldn't get that one. The angles are pretty far outside of recommended ranges. I especially wouldn't risk it without an aset, which BN doesn't provide.

 

[SimoneDi]

What do you think of this stone? Its angles seem peculiar: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true I found it for less on another website but they say it's not considered a well cut stone. It has ASET images here: https://enchanteddiamonds.com/cut-score-calculator?certificate=gia 6311167539#diamond=R254-371584273

My max is 24k.

I don’t mind the stone. I have had a diamond with similar angles and it was a gorgeous stone. The aset is nice and the price is good.

I also found this one that could be a contender: https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

 

[KarenmO]

Hi @lovedogs - I believe this website has an ASET.
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/cut-score-calculator?certificate=gia 6311167539#diamond=R254-371584273

2.54 H VS2
It only has an 88.1 cut score (whatever that means) on EnchantedDiamonds.com.
I plugged the angles in the diamond screener tool and this is where it lands:








@SimoneDi How did your stone with similar angles perform? Lots of fire?

 

[lovedogs]

Hi @lovedogs - I believe this website has an ASET.
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/cut-score-calculator?certificate=gia 6311167539#diamond=R254-371584273

I plugged the angles in the diamond screener tool and this is where it lands:

Thanks!! Don't love the aset, but I might be mistaking photo issues for leakage. @SimoneDi has more experience with this stuff than I do!

 

[KarenmO]

Thanks!! Don't love the aset, but I might be mistaking photo issues for leakage. @SimoneDi has more experience with this stuff than I do!

It does seem like a strange stone with conflicting reviews of whether or not it's "well cut". I do like the size, color, small table and 75 LF and at least it has images.

Here's another video of the stone:
https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/2.54-ct-H-VS2-Affinity-Cut-Round-Diamond/D42505177

 

[lovedogs]

Completely ignore EDs "cut grades". They are meaningless.

 

[KarenmO]

BN says the funky stone is listed as not eye clean. The rep said he thought it would be though and that he asked his supervisor who said the stone would be eye clean. I asked them to double check because it's a VS2 but there are black inclusions on the table.

Do you think it would be eye clean? I would hate to pay $3500 more for a VS2 with visible black inclusions on the table.

 

[SimoneDi]

I think that is has a high chance of not being eye-clean.

It’s really not my favorite stone, but it’s not the worst choice either.

I found a beautiful stone on BN, but I can’t find it listed elsewhere.
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

 

[KarenmO]

I think that is has a high chance of not being eye-clean.

It’s really not my favorite stone, but it’s not the worst choice either.

I found a beautiful stone on BN, but I can’t find it listed elsewhere.
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true

Okay. Let's forget the peculiar stone then. Too expensive to not be a sure thing.

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true is pretty. It has a 2.4 HCA score tho.


I thought for 24k that one could get a well cut, white, eye clean 8.5mm stone. Talk about literally trying to find a diamond in the rough.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Okay. Let's forget the peculiar stone then. Too expensive to not be a sure thing.

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...DiamondDetails&action=newTab&catalogView=true is pretty. It has a 2.4 HCA score tho.


I thought for 24k that one could get a well cut, white, eye clean 8.5mm stone. Talk about literally trying to find a diamond in the rough.

The stone is cut too deep. its diameter is the same as my old 2.35 ct CBI.