Is this diamond too dark?

[Niwrad]

View media item 122507View media item 122506View media item 122505View media item 122504https://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD09538877

I was looking at this diamond and after it was set into my desired setting, I noticed that it appears dark compared to the smaller side stones

https://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/fiore-diamond-engagement-ring-14k-white-gold_52063

According to the HCA here, it should have good light performance. I only viewed this diamond ring under house lights so I don't know if that makes a difference or not compared to viewing outside.

I still have the 30-day return policy from Blue Nile, so would like some advice before then (received the ring in the mail yesterday) March 20

My goals for the diamond:
1) Eye clean to everyday uses, viewing from 10+ inches away
2) As large as possible in terms of the face-up diameter
3) I color +, as I can't really tell the color difference unless compared directly to other stones and according to Blue Nile the side stones should be also I color
4) some fluoresce to help balance out the yellow color

 

[rockysalamander]

 

[rockysalamander]

You are seeing the effect of the low crown angle. The diamond has a very flat top and an be bright, but will lack fire and scintillation. There are much better angle combinations out there. If it bothers you now, it will forever bother you. Also, the HCA should only be used to eliminate stones, not select them. The major this this diamond has going for it is great spread (size in mm), but it does so at the cost of fire and performance.

Typical "ideal" parameters to narrow selection among GIA XXX:
Table: 54-58
Depth: 60-62.3
Crown angle: 34-35.5
Pavilion angle: 40.6-42

Assuming you are not limited to BN, here are some stones with better angles. From JA, you can request up to 3 Idealscope (IS) images to assess light return. To get the size you want, I listed some with J color.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4370078 {confirm with JA that the clouds are not affecting light return}
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3355753
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3286106

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3800297.htm {super ideal, WF has the best upgrade policy of these three vendors}

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab {good angles if the central inclusion does not bother you; same spread as your choice with much better angles}
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab {good angles and F color can pair well with SI stones}

 

[Niwrad]

Thank you very much rockysalamander! I already contacted blue nile and arranged for a return. Ideally I want to use the particular setting from blue nile and so I'll be using the first blue nile diamond you recommended

 

[rockysalamander]

Great! Keep us posted once you receive it. We love pics.

 

[Niwrad]

Great! Keep us posted once you receive it. We love pics.

I want to ask you, would down-grading to J be noticeable with these side stones? It's very difficult to tell color grades from the Blue nile photos and I find it super hard to judge whether or not it will be noticeably yellow compared to an I.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

@rockysalamander You have a typo above and I only wanted to mention it so he wouldn't be looking outside the right parameters. I know you know the numbers!!!

Pavilion angle 40.6-41 (or even 40.6-40.9)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Can you post pictures of the ring for us? I don't want to comment on J color until I see what you are seeing. I probably would not go down in color, though.

 

[Niwrad]

Can you post pictures of the ring for us? I don't want to comment on J color until I see what you are seeing. I probably would not go down in color, though.

I have pictures of the I color in my first post. Don't have the ring yet with J. Just looking online and waiting for my exchange to be made.

 

[Niwrad]

I got the diamond. However it seems that when they removed the old one, they broke the prongs on the setting. Still waiting to hear back from them this Monday. It seems like they're going to try to make a new ring that's based on the old one free of charge. If not, I might consider shopping elsewhere or maybe picking a different setting

 

[Niwrad]

I got the diamond. However it seems that when they removed the old one, they broke the prongs on the setting. Still waiting to hear back from them this Monday. It seems like they're going to try to make a new ring that's based on the old one free of charge. If not, I might consider shopping elsewhere or maybe picking a different setting

Some more pictures