Just a noob looking for buying advice

[ohsomethingshiny]

I am new to the world of buying a "big girl" diamond. I have purchased several smaller ones, but always based off what looked good under the lights at the store in the mall. I didn't know much and my previous purchases reflected that. However, now that I am seriously looking at buying a quality diamond for an upgraded wedding set, I am older, wiser, and have more desire to learn how to do this right. That's where all of you SME's here at PriceScope come in.

I am working with a very reputable jeweler near me. We have been looking to find me the stone I want. I think I know my priorities, but I wondered if y'all could help me define them to find the sweet spot based off my budget and what I am hoping to purchase. My basic list:

Ideal cut
2 carat (+/-)
Round
<$22,000

I have learned about looking at the dimensions of the diamond, the light performance using ASET/IdealScope, etc. The jeweler I am working with has a room where they have these various tools set up and the buyer can view each diamond and check it out for themselves, which I really like.

So I guess my biggest question would be if you were to be looking for a diamond that fit the basic list above, what else would you say would be on your list? (Color, clarity, fluorescence, H&A a must, etc...) I didn't list color as I was hoping to hear what y'all think would be the best range. As do many others, I want a white diamond that loves to show off, without paying the colorless prices.

Thanks and I look forward to learning more from you!

 

[rockysalamander]

With you budget, I'd be looking fo a super ideal from one of the vendors like whiteflash, high performance diamonds, Brian gavin signiture, Victor canera...In superideal, I would personally be looking at h or high I color and eye clean (SI2 and above, no black crystals, clean table, cavaties, clouds on si1 or si2). GIA or AGS.

For not superideal, I'd raise my color to H and clarity to SI1 unless from a known and trusted vendor.

I adore fluorescence.

 

[LaylaR]

I would advise you to get the best cut you can. That goes well beyond what you find on a lab report. Maximize the cut, and you can easily go up to I color in a 2 carat solitaire. Especially in a 6 or 8 prong solitaire (I don't recommend 4 prongs for anything over 7.5mm).

And, honestly, unless you have to hit the 2 carat mark for your ease of mind, I'd go with a 1.7-2.0 diamond and get as close to 8mm as you can (without compromising cut for depth).

 

[ohsomethingshiny]

Thank you both. Excellent food for thought! And thank you for the list of vendors. I appreciate that.

Also I am not hung up on the exact carat size, other than wanting a larger diamond. Current is a 1.24ct round but it faces up as a 1ct due to the cut. I did have a 1.55 pear that provided very nice coverage on my size 5.25 finger, but I just ended up not enjoying the pear shape as much as I thought I would.

 

[whitewave]

Depth 60-62.3

Table 54-58

Pavilion 40.6 to 40.9

Crown 34-35

Have him pull diamonds that are in these parameters for rounds

 

[ohsomethingshiny]

I am going to put all this into a note for easy reference. Thank you!

 

[Bron357]

I’ll second cut.
Without a great cut, nothing else will matter because it’s diamondness sparkle will have been compromised. And you are buying a diamond for it’s spectacular brilliance and sparkle!
Clarity matters, but there’s no need for IF or VVS as many SI gems can face up to the eye as perfectly clean. You need to check the Reports and see what inclusions and where. On the girdle edge can be hidden by a prong, a feather or pinpoint hard to see unless looking but a carbon speck right in the middle will jump out at you every time you look.
Colour is subjective. Some people see tint at H others adore a creamy toned M.

 

[tuckie]

I'd buy a WF ACA or CBI that was eye clean H or I as big as my budget would get. That's me...

 

[sledge]

Super ideal all the way.

Here are a few...
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...34195,3986365,3988020,3992318,3978019,3969520

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8606