I've narrowed it down to 3 options <0.5ct ..opinions please

[MidnightSamurai]

Hi All.

Firstly I want to thank everyone on this site for the huge amount of information. Twice now I nearly pulled the trigger on buying a diamond for my girlfriends engagement ring before finding something new out on here and not making a potentially expensive mistake.

Now I only have a limited budget so I have been searching for a modest 0.43 - 0.46 ct loose round. I have an absolute maximum budget of 1030 USD (about 800 GBP once landed and duty is paid). We looked previously and found a 0.42 was about the smallest size we want to go but I have been looking at going slightly larger at the cost of clarity grade and checking the pictures. At such a small size of diamond I can see the impact of inclusion is minimal.

As its a small diamond compared to some on here I want to make sure its makes a big an impact as possible for the best value. I have therefore searched around and narrowed it down to 3 ranging in both size and budget:

1 - 0.426ct J SI1 (AGS Ideal) - HCA 0.6 (Ex/Ex/Ex/Vg) - 930USD (Incl. Shipping)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d.../0.426-j-si1-round-diamond-ags-c-104065662075

2 - 0.458ct J VS2 (AGS Ideal) - HCA 0.7 (Ex/Ex/Ex/Vg) - 997USD
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2970629.htm

3 - 0.46ct J VS2 (GIA Excellent) - HCA 0.8 (Ex/Ex/Ex/Vg) - 1030 USD
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-182353

I would to have some more expert opinions on the three and if its best to go for the smaller one which will have a bigger impact or if its worth the extra money to go for a slightly larger one. As they are all form different suppliers I don't have the option to ask an in house gemologist to have a look for me.

**the setting will be a very plain palladium band similar to this one


Many Thanks
Ben

 

[AprilBaby]

Re: I've narrowed it down to 3 options <0.5ct ..opinions ple

All very pretty and good job! I would choose #2. #1 is gorgeous but smaller, #3 I don't like the specks on the table.

 

[MidnightSamurai]

Re: I've narrowed it down to 3 options <0.5ct ..opinions ple

All very pretty and good job! I would choose #2. #1 is gorgeous but smaller, #3 I don't like the specks on the table.

Thank you for your reply and the more I look at them i think you are right between 1& 2. The difference in price is small considering you are getting a larger and higher clarity rated stone.