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Is this a good deal? 1.95 Carat F-SI2 HCA 1.4 (Pictures Inside)

sunk318

sunk318

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Messages
26
Hi all, I am looking at 1.95 Carat F SI2 with HCA of 1.4 diamond that's on sale for $11,320. I am mainly shopping for a 2 carat diamond for around $10k to $12k range, and this seems to be one of the better candidates.

It being SI2, I don't expect it to be eye clean, and I do see marks on the table. However, the HCA score is high and the color is F. What do you guys? Would this be a good purchase?

Here is the link: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3480877

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This is also a 60/60 style diamond, which I like, and will tend to return more white light than fire. The diamond is graded by IGI, which is very soft on color. So, this could be a G or H or even I in GIA terms. Also, I could not get past the inclusions. You can see them at every angle and there are too many of them. I just can't unsee inclusions like these. You should ask for an Idealscope image (IS) to look at performance .

But, with JA return policy, you can buy the stone unset have it mailed to you and then return it for setting (or for another option). Personally, I would compromise size and color to get better cut and eye-clean status. What kind of setting are your looking at?

If you drop the color to J, than this is a great option.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3842182.htm 1.706 J VS2 {$12,040}

Here's an I with better clarity
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3207264 {$11,510}, request an IS from JA
 
I agree with @rockysalamander. If you are going to put that kind of money into a diamond, noticeable inclusions just don't meet the expectations, and you're just not getting a good deal.
Not all SI2 clarity stones are a trainwreck; my EC has an SI2 clarity grade, and she's perfectly eye clean & there are no inclusions against the table, nor, directly under. You would never know she was an SI2 by looking at her...from ANY angle!
Honestly, trying to find a super eye clean SI diamond is not an easy task.
What are your preferences? Are you stuck on color more than clarity, or are they both high on your list? Near-colorless stones are a great compromise for size & budget, while you still get a beautiful, white diamond. I'm assuming you'd prefer the greatest spread & best cut you can find for a 1.90-2.00ct stone.
I will look to see if I can find anything to share with you to compare with what is already posted....
 
The diamond is marked as sold now...did you go ahead and purchase to see in person?
 
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3423454

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3369505

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3868290.htm
All are worth investigating further with video, ASET, and IS. They are all GIA Certed XXX, but will have to be calculated on the Holloway Tool...
These were posted for comparison purposes in clarity, and color. They are lighter than 1.95-2.0, but they have their positive characteristics that allow them to face up larger than they are, with even better clarity.
I will continue to search for others...
 
All of the BN stones have cut issues, mostly being too deep with insufficient angle combinations. The same is true of the JA 3423454. The WF I VS1 1.7 has potential, but for less the OP can look at an ACA so I think the ACA is a better option. If I were the OP, I'd put the two JA stones on hold and request an IS.

@sunk318 Have you and your girlfriend gone shopping and looked at GIA graded stones? Do you know if she is color sensitive? If you are looking at a six-prong setting or halo, you can pretty safely lower the color to I or J (super ideal like the WF ACA).

I think the following are worth pursuing of those that have been posted so far:

Here's an I with better clarity
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3207264 {$11,510}, request an IS from JA

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3369505 (wider table than same prefer, but could be pretty, $11,630, request an IS...love the clarity on this!!}

If you drop the color to J, than this is a great option.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3842182.htm 1.706 J VS2 {$12,040}
 
rockysalamander said:
All of the BN stones have cut issues, mostly being too deep with insufficient angle combinations. The same is true of the JA 3423454. The WF I VS1 1.7 has potential, but for less the OP can look at an ACA so I think the ACA is a better option. If I were the OP, I'd put the two JA stones on hold and request an IS.

@sunk318 Have you and your girlfriend gone shopping and looked at GIA graded stones? Do you know if she is color sensitive? If you are looking at a six-prong setting or halo, you can pretty safely lower the color to I or J (super ideal like the WF ACA).

I think the following are worth pursuing of those that have been posted so far:

Here's an I with better clarity
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3207264 {$11,510}, request an IS from JA

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3369505 (wider table than same prefer, but could be pretty, $11,630, request an IS...love the clarity on this!!}

If you drop the color to J, than this is a great option.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3842182.htm 1.706 J VS2 {$12,040}
Click to expand...
@rockysalamander, I'm happy you like the JA 1.70JVVS2. That one is my fave from JA, within budget. I found ZERO anywhere near 1.8-2.0ct ANYWHERE.
 
After some checking, I was able to find some images that offer similar background intensity. Not perfect, but I think it suggest the IGI posted by the OP is in the H/I range.

IA F (on left), IGI F posted by OP (on right)
upload_2017-10-14_13-12-46.png

GIA H (left), IGI F posted by OP
upload_2017-10-14_13-15-45.png

GIA I (left), IGI F posted by OP
upload_2017-10-14_13-19-26.png

Edited to add, "your mileage will vary" depending on your monitor color and screen setting.:D
 
Last edited:
@Matthews1127 and @rockysalamander

Thank you guys for your insights. I am learning so much from you guys. No, I have not placed an order, but I had it put on hold. I am actually shopping for my mother, and I will route the information I learned to her. She's mainly shopping for ~2 carat (can be a bit less), G/H color, and SI1 (near eye-clean) diamond for around $11k to 13k. In the meantime, I will be doing more research...
 
Finding a true ideal cut diamond, 2.0ct within your listed price range can be challenging as the price increases at the 2.0ct mark. You will need to sacrifice a few areas in order to stay within her requested range. Open your search from 1.75-1.99 H/J VS1/SI1 IDEAL CUTS only and AGS graded diamonds. Stay away from IGI or EGL as they are very lenient in their grading standards. Happy hunting!
 
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