LF 2.2-2.5 Carat Ring (Color of at least F and Clarity of VS1)

[iamurpapi]

Hello everyone. I made a post yesterday evening but it looks like it was deleted in the forum upgrade. I'm looking to purchase a 2.2 to 2.5 Carat Ring and have scoured Blue Nile and James Allen. Budget is ~$30-$50K and would prefer to stay in the range if possible.

I've found some reasonable diamonds on James Allen and have asked for IdealScope images. Here are the ones I'm looking at thus far (being held for me so it says unavailable).

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-e-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-969390 ($42,500 / 2.39 Carat / E Color / VS1)
IdealScope image is below, the expert said that the image is flawed (edges were distorted in taking it), but that "the image is loaded with red coloration and indicates an incredible balance of brilliance." Should I take this statement at face value?


https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2579585 ($36,500 / 2.2 Carat / F Color / VS1)
Waiting for the IdealScope Image

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-864090 ($39,820 / 2.39 Carat / F Color / VS1)
Waiting for the IdealScope Image

I've also saw some on WhiteFlash, but the diamonds are about 10-15% more expensive than ones I've found elsewhere on places like James Allen. Is it really worth the premium if I get good IdealScope images and can vet the diamonds.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3738881.htm ($41,400 / 2.2 Carat / F Color / VS1)
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3667378.htm ($45,300 / 2.37 Carat / F Color / VS1)

Both these are $5,000 more expensive than the same spec'ed ones that I found on JA. BN is even cheaper but I don't feel comfortable buying on there without seeing images first.

Anywhere else I should be expanding my search to? Please let me know! Thanks so much!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, the diamonds at Whiteflash are top cut quality. I and many others here believe that superior cut is the number one factor in a diamond's beauty. If this is a diamond for her to wear for the rest of her life, I would think having great cut, color, and clarity would be worth it considering your generous budget. I personally would go for a Whiteflash G VS1 before I'd go for a lesser cut anywhere else.

I already looked at the other hearts and arrows vendors, and only one that had a diamond with the specs you want and it had a price tag a few thousand higher than WF.

 

[fair75]

Hello everyone. I made a post yesterday evening but it looks like it was deleted in the forum upgrade. I'm looking to purchase a 2.2 to 2.5 Carat Ring and have scoured Blue Nile and James Allen. Budget is ~$30-$50K and would prefer to stay in the range if possible.

I've found some reasonable diamonds on James Allen and have asked for IdealScope images. Here are the ones I'm looking at thus far (being held for me so it says unavailable).

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-e-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-969390 ($42,500 / 2.39 Carat / E Color / VS1)
IdealScope image is below, the expert said that the image is flawed (edges were distorted in taking it), but that "the image is loaded with red coloration and indicates an incredible balance of brilliance." Should I take this statement at face value?


https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2579585 ($36,500 / 2.2 Carat / F Color / VS1)
Waiting for the IdealScope Image

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-864090 ($39,820 / 2.39 Carat / F Color / VS1)
Waiting for the IdealScope Image

I've also saw some on WhiteFlash, but the diamonds are about 10-15% more expensive than ones I've found elsewhere on places like James Allen. Is it really worth the premium if I get good IdealScope images and can vet the diamonds.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3738881.htm ($41,400 / 2.2 Carat / F Color / VS1)
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3667378.htm ($45,300 / 2.37 Carat / F Color / VS1)

Both these are $5,000 more expensive than the same spec'ed ones that I found on JA. BN is even cheaper but I don't feel comfortable buying on there without seeing images first.

Anywhere else I should be expanding my search to? Please let me know! Thanks so much!

Is there a reason why you need VS1? I know some people prefer D-E-F / VS1 and above for cultural or personal reasons. However, some SI1 and SI2 diamonds are perfectly eye clean. Granted, it's a lot harder to find an SI2 that is really eye clean, but it is possible. I can attest to this because I own two diamonds that are SI2 with feather being the grade setting inclusion. And I am the kind of person who holds diamonds close to my eyes until I can't focus anymore to see if I can find inclusions. The two diamonds (G and F) are so clear and sparkly that they look no different from my D VVS2. To me, if I can't see the differences between the low and high clarity grades without a loupe, why pay more for something that I can't even appreciate? Also an eye-clean SI1 and SI2 diamond will save you a ton of money.