Ladies! Need some diamond advice for my e-ring =)

[aznbb4l]

I have been reading this forum for the last 5 days...There are definitely lots of great info here!!!
Thanks to all the experts here at PS who are very helpful and provide great insight!


Anyways, I'm looking for an e-ring and I have several questions:

0.6ct-0.8ct ; Round ; Best Cut available ; G/H ; VS2-SI1 (eye clean)

My budget for diamond $5000 or less...
Cut is definitely my top priority to choose a sparkling diamond
I'm fairly flexible about carat size because i'm very lucky my gf of 6.5 years isn't picky at all!


Here are couple of whiteflash diamonds I've been looking at:

1) 0.808ct @ $4591 ACA G SI1 (eye clean) HCA = 0.6
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2145412.htm

2) 0.774ct @ $4045 ACA H SI1 (eye clean) HCA = 1.5
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2763664.htm

3) 0.716ct @ $3818 ACA H VS2 (not eye clean) HCA = 1.1
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2733343.htm

4) 0.704ct @ $3885 ACA H VS2 (not eye clean) HCA = 1.0
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2733354.htm

I really like #2 because the inclusions are clouds which shouldn't be visible to the naked eye...
but it seems like brightness isn't as high as #1...
the downside is...#1 has many inclusions according to the AGS report...and it looks like there are some light leakage from the lower girdle..

It's weird how #3 & #4 doesn't have "eye clean" symbol even though they are both VS2.
Do whiteflash certify all diamond to determine whether or not they are eye clean?

I know it's wide range of carat weight, but I'm simply looking at paying for a diamond at the right price instead of paying at a premium. What do you guys think of the four diamonds above? Any other diamond suggestions based on my criteria above?

Here's the setting i'm looking to get custom made by whiteflash: http://www.serendipitydiamonds.co.uk/detail.asp/sku=R1D002/twist-engagement-ring
Do anyone have experience getting a custom settings by whiteflash?
how long does it usually take from design to getting the ring?

Thank you all!!!

 

[Statefan42]

I would expect those VS diamonds to be eye clean.

It doesn't look like Whiteflash puts the eyeclean badge on anything VS2 or better.

From their education section:
"If a strong lab like AGS or GIA did the grading, it is likely that anything VS2 and above will be completely eye-clean. But every SI1 and SI2 diamond is different. Some have inclusions visible to some people and many others don’t."

 

[aznbb4l]

thanks for the clarification!

 

[Christina...]

I actually disagree....some. If you look at WF expert selection, which have been evaluated by their gemologist, they do list stones that are SI1 as eye clean and even SI2's. These can be a fantastic value. You should let any vendor your working with know what your (because it varies even in the industry) definition of eye clean is. Some people don't want to see an inclusion at 6 inches, some at half an arms length, it's different for everyone and even between vendors so be clear. I also think that in the ct weight you are considering you will be more likely to find an eye clean SI1 or SI2 than you would be if you were looking at stones over 2 ct as GIA and AGS allow for larger inclusions in larger stones.

So, I wouldn't over look SI1 or even SI2's, but I would be clear about what you expect or don't expect to see when looking at your stone. Also you should consider what type of inclusion was the grade making inclusion, because twining wisps are less likely to be eye visible in a stone than say an included crystal would be.

 

[Christina...]

I just wanted to mention too, that ACA's are beautiful and I think you'd be hard pressed to find a dud, but you will pay a premium for them and probably won't notice a difference in light performance when comparing them to their expert selection. he ES has already been evaluated for performance and eye cleanliness and gotten WF's seal of approval, so these can also give you a better value. You mentioned that your gf isn't so picky and I'm thinking that she may not even be able to tell the difference between the ACA and a stone from the ES. They will both be equally beautiful, although one I feel is a better value than the other.

 

[Statefan42]

What are you disagreeing with?

I simply stated that judging on Whiteflash.com's website they only put that little "eye clean" badge on diamonds lower than VS2 stones. If you search their inventory anything VS2 or better doesn't appear to have that badge so it looks like they take the extra effort to evaluate stones of lower clarity and add the eye clean badge if the SI1 or lower stone is "eye clean" in their opinion.

Whiteflash apparently doesn't seem to see a need to use the "eye clean" badge on the higher clarity stones since they are supposed to be anyways.

The original question that was asked was why the VS2 stones (3, and 4) did not have this eye clean badge that whiteflash uses.

 

[farmer gal]

What are you disagreeing with?

I simply stated that judging on Whiteflash.com's website they only put that little "eye clean" badge on diamonds lower than VS2 stones. If you search their inventory anything VS2 or better doesn't appear to have that badge so it looks like they take the extra effort to evaluate stones of lower clarity and add the eye clean badge if the SI1 or lower stone is "eye clean" in their opinion.

Whiteflash apparently doesn't seem to see a need to use the "eye clean" badge on the higher clarity stones since they are supposed to be anyways.

The original question that was asked was why the VS2 stones (3, and 4) did not have this eye clean badge that whiteflash uses.

I'm not sure what Christina is disagreeing with I think she may have misread your post You are correct in what you stated. SI and SI2 can be a great value if they are eyeclean, and WF has stated that it is so I don't think you can go wrong with any of your selections.