Into the rabbit hole

[seaglass]

The GF and I walked into a jewelry store to look at an engagement ring over Thanksgiving (to her surprise). Since then I've spent hours a night reading up. But there's a lot to learn. At what point is a flawless diamond indistinguishable by the naked eye is my biggest question?

What she wants is a simple, thin solitaire in yellow gold. She looked at a 0.7 and 1.0 ct stones and liked the 0.7 better. But I think that it was just a better diamond and was more sparkly. I would have gone with it, but it seems over priced now after my research. $3k SI2, everything else excellent. I've been hitting Blue Nile hard, but only because I've heard of them before.

Any suggestions? Simple solitaire 0.7 to 1ct. from a reputable dealer. Budget is around $5k, but I'm flexible. From reputable places please.

Thanks a ton!

 

[whitewave]

I'm going to bed so just wanted to leave you with ideas to check whiteflash and high performance diamonds and james Allen.

Locate the HCA tool here at Ps and run the numbers of the james Allen diamonds in it and discard anything over 2.

(WF and HPD have good diamonds so you don't have to do it with theirs)...

For a .75 to 1 carat diamond, many SI1 and even SI2 could be eye clean. You can ask this of companies

 

[whitewave]

Also use the search engine here

 

[rockysalamander]

Here are a few. You'll want to choose your top 3 from JA, including those posted by others, and request an Idealscope and heart&arrows image.
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3504927
(Small table, good angles, beatific vs but slighly over budget if 5k is diamond only)
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3569151
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3724506
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...e-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3659362

 

[Snowdrop13]

Here are some Whiteflash options too, I like the G Si1

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=3916993,3916976,3880143

 

[seaglass]

Thank you!

 

[seaglass]

All of those you listed, Rockysalamander, are below 1.0 on HCA. I thought diamonds for rings shoulder between 1.0 and 2.0?

Here are a few. You'll want to choose your top 3 from JA, including those posted by others, and request an Idealscope and heart&arrows image.
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3504927
(Small table, good angles, beatific vs but slighly over budget if 5k is diamond only)
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3569151
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3724506
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...e-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3659362

 

[whitewave]

High performance diamonds: they only sell Crafted by Infinity Brand diamonds

These are super ideal top notch diamonds

Email and ask for photos and video:

.94 J SI1 (CBI are only clear inclusions)
$5444 credit price, $5172 wire price
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9306

.91 I SI2
$4720 credit price
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8917

.82 F SI1
$4430 credit price
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9615

.80 I VS1
$3910
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8323

.77 F VS2
$4636 credit
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9556

.74 G VS2
$3959
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8949


Some of these are on hold, so you will have to email to see which are available.

HPD can made a setting (they use the same bench as Harry Winston) or they can use or modify a Stuller setting, etc.

Their website is full of information about the precision of the crafted by infinity brand.

I have a .56 round I wear on my right hand. It is a G SI2 and it has the same size presence as my original .75 round ER and I have never been able to find the inclusions.

 

[seaglass]

Thank you so much Whitewave!

That's the other thing. What you call size presence. I wish there was a way to objectively compare that.

 

[whitewave]

For size presence, super ideals (like whiteflash "a cut above" or crafted by infinity by high performance diamonds) have edge to edge fire and brilliance. They look larger than ideal cut diamonds because they are precision cuts and are top notch for performance.

 

[seaglass]

Great info whitewave. Thank you!

 

[msop04]

All of those you listed, Rockysalamander, are below 1.0 on HCA. I thought diamonds for rings shoulder between 1.0 and 2.0?

Any HCA score of <2 is worth further investigation. Sub-1 HCA scores typically mean a larger spread. A lot of nicely cut 60/60 type stones fall into the sub-1 HCA, so that is the reason for the whole "best for pendant" thing... which is completely subjective. Remember, the HCA is NOT a selection tool, but rather a rejection tool... 1.4 is no better than 0.8 or vice versa.

 

[whitewave]

high performance diamonds also has a 80% lifetime buyback program and for their upgrade policy, you only have to spend more (not double like Blue Nile)...

I have been "ruined" by my HPD/CBI diamond and now I am planning to make that .56 a side stone of a 3 stone ring and plan to get a matching set for studs as well. I've just been blown away.

 

[rockysalamander]

You can also use the AGSL cut proportion chart.

 

[whitewave]

@diamondseeker2006 do you have any time to find some from WF?

(She picks out great diamonds)

 

[msop04]

Wanted to add that if you don't want to bother with it, just pay more and get a WF ACA, HPD, or a Canera round and be done with it -- that's the *safest* way, IMHO.

 

[Smkq117]

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3571555.htm

This one is pretty! They have a lot of solitaire yellow gold settings at Whiteflash, you can find one and keep it under 5k!

 

[msop04]

If she's not into jewelry, I wouldn't spend the extra on a super ideal, as I just don't think it's necessary -- especially given the budget restraints. I'd get her a nicely cut round in the largest diamond your budget will allow in a 4 or 6 prong solitaire.

That said, if she IS INTO JEWELRY and you think she will want to upgrade later, then choose a vendor with a great upgrade policy...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

He's got the budget for an ideal or superideal cut with nice specs, so here are a few recommendations (thanks @whitewave for the nice words!):

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3880151.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3880147.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3571572.htm

 

[whitewave]

He's got the budget for an ideal or superideal cut with nice specs, so here are a few recommendations (thanks @whitewave for the nice words!):

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3880151.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3880147.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3571572.htm

Very nice choices!

 

[seaglass]

Thank you all for the recommendations and words of advice. I'm really digging the second one you listed Diamondseeker.

How do I describe her? She definitely likes jewelry, but doesn't have much in quality pieces. Actually, the gold nugget earrings I got her for Christmas is her only quality piece at this point. But she definitely appreciates the beauty and quality of it all.

The other thing I should probably add is that she is a size 4.75 and really preferred the thinner and plain rings.

He's got the budget for an ideal or superideal cut with nice specs, so here are a few recommendations (thanks @whitewave for the nice words!):

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3880151.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3880147.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3571572.htm

 

[whitewave]

Thank you all for the recommendations and words of advice. I'm really digging the second one you listed Diamondseeker.

I like that one too. My favorite is a G color. The VS 2 is a nice selection as well.

 

[seaglass]

Can we make this complete? LOL
Which ring to put it on now? She tried on a thin 18k yellow gold 4 platinum prong A.Jaffe ring and really liked it, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. It was noted to be thinner than regular.

 

[WinkHPD]

High performance diamonds: they only sell Crafted by Infinity Brand diamonds

<Snip>

HPD can made a setting (they use the same bench as Harry Winston) or they can use or modify a Stuller setting, etc.

Their website is full of information about the precision of the crafted by infinity brand.

I have a .56 round I wear on my right hand. It is a G SI2 and it has the same size presence as my original .75 round ER and I have never been able to find the inclusions.

Thank you WhiteWave.

I do need to gently correct a surprisingly frequent misconception. I use the same casting house for our platinum mountings as Harry Winston. I am pretty sure Harry Winston would not like me claiming to use his bench.

Wink

 

[Dancing Fire]

He's got the budget for an ideal or superideal cut with nice specs, so here are a few recommendations (thanks @whitewave for the nice words!):

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3880147.htm

IMO, Perfect specs!. .... A no brainer!

 

[whitewave]

Thank you WhiteWave.

I do need to gently correct a surprisingly frequent misconception. I use the same casting house for our platinum mountings as Harry Winston. I am pretty sure Harry Winston would not like me claiming to use his bench.

Wink

Thanks for the correction! I repeated what somone else said without checking. Lol

 

[rockysalamander]

Can we make this complete? LOL
Which ring to put it on now? She tried on a thin 18k yellow gold 4 platinum prong A.Jaffe ring and really liked it, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. It was noted to be thinner than regular.

Talk with wf. They have a setting by vatche that is very thin, but tall enough to reduce warping risk. Pretty sure it is the caroline.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Don't go less than about 2mm. That is very thin and less than that isn't great for a lifetime of wear. There are plenty of solitaire settings that are 2mm wide.

If she likes 4 prongs, this is a great one, and you can ask them to customize it for the shank to be no wider than 2mm.

https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...ine-solitaire-engagement-ring-1022.htm#size=6

 

[seaglass]

Thanks! I was totally going for a sub 2mm ring. What's the average width in rings?

 

[valeria101]

.

Average, not sure ... Two millimeters is a safe narrowest (rule of thumb).

Do not rule out a nice design if the band is just 1.9 mm ... KWIM