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Looking for 2+ carat round cut in white gold solitaire setting....~15k budget

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btrizzy

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 28, 2015
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15
What is the minimum cut, clarity, color for this budget for an eye clean diamond? I was thinking and aiming for excellent cut, SI1+ clarity, and I+ color. Here's what I found so far:

 
The choices you linked are not well cut. I would prioritize cut (super-ideal) above color and clarity. I'd say you can go with an super-ideal I VS2 safely.
 
skypie said:
The choices you linked are not well cut. I would prioritize cut (super-ideal) above color and clarity. I'd say you can go with an super-ideal I VS2 safely.
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How do you judge what is well cut or not? The GIA certificates states they are excellent cut. Sorry for noob question
 
Screening level 1. GIA Excellent is a very wide range that includes some well-cut and some that are not so well-cut. So, start with only GIA excellent or AGS Ideal/Excellent.

Screening level 2 for GIA Excellent.
Depth 60-62.3 %
Table 54-58%
Pavilion 40.6-41 degrees
Crown 34-35 degrees (sometimes up to 35.5ish with idealscope image)
34 crown pairs better with 41 pav and 35 crown pairs better with 40.6.

Screening level 3. Run the angle through the HCA tool. This will test if the angles are complimentary or not. https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca . You can to eliminate anything with HCA more than 2.0. Anything less is worth pursuing.

Screening Level 4. ASET scope image, or idealscope (IS) image. This tells you about light return.

$15k for over 2 carat is tough. But, I found a few. JamesAllen will give you 3 IS images. PUT this on HOLD RIGHT AWAY if your are interested. Then, request and IS.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5109108 {clouds on a VS2 need to be carefully examined for impact on light return, but JA gemologist - not sales associate - should be able to give you some insight). Edited to add that this has strong blue flour. So, make sure to ask the JA gemologist to review this for any impact {rare but we always want to check}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...at-i-color-vvs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-5286068 {just gorgeous! has an ASET on the cert, so this looks great}

Here are a few that flex color to J, but most people can start to see color at an I -- especially from the side.

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD7677
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10054
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3965477.htm
https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/ags104097665003-1.526-i-vs2-ideal-hearts-arrows-round
 
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You have 15K and you're worried about getting 2 carats? Amateur... :-D

Seriously though, @rockysalamander has given you some good choices. The JA 2 carat one would be my pick.

One thing to add: don't forget PS's search function. It lets you zero in on your criteria and even specify that you want HCA <2: https://www.pricescope.com/diamonds...=1&pageview=24&adv=true&days=100&cert_number=

If you're not concerned about upgrade policies, IDJ and Martin Sheffield (USA Certed) generally have the lowest markup vs. wholesale (RapNet) prices. B2C's markup is slightly higher, but still quite reasonable.
 
Thanks for all the great tips and advice so far. The diamonds you guys have picked out look really good. I should clarify my budget is around 15k but is flexible up to a max of 20k (all inclusive).
 
btrizzy said:
Thanks for all the great tips and advice so far. The diamonds you guys have picked out look really good. I should clarify my budget is around 15k but is flexible up to a max of 20k (all inclusive).
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All inclusive, meaning the setting too? If so, what kind of setting did you have in mind (plain solitaire, side stones, halo, etc)? That will let us know how much extra might be available for the center stone.

*Most people would suggest getting the best diamond possible and upgrading the setting later, if desired.
 
ILikeShiny said:
All inclusive, meaning the setting too? If so, what kind of setting did you have in mind (plain solitaire, side stones, halo, etc)? That will let us know how much extra might be available for the center stone.

*Most people would suggest getting the best diamond possible and upgrading the setting later, if desired.
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I would be fine with solitaire white gold setting to maximize the budget for the diamond. My local jeweler has same access to blue nile diamonds supplier so I would like to stick with their list if possible because I would be able to see the diamonds in person. Here's two I found that seemed to be better cut:

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09562697
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD03782021

For fluorensce, I should stick to faint to none for a diamond this size, right?
 
btrizzy said:
I would be fine with solitaire white gold setting to maximize the budget for the diamond. My local jeweler has same access to blue nile diamonds supplier so I would like to stick with their list if possible because I would be able to see the diamonds in person. Here's two I found that seemed to be better cut:

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09562697
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD03782021

For fluorensce, I should stick to faint to none for a diamond this size, right?
Click to expand...
I’ll let the round experts comment on the diamond choices (I’m a step-cut girl) but as for fluorescence, no, it’s fine at this size. I have a 3ct asscher with strong blue fluorescence and it’s amazeballs :mrgreen2:... crisp, bright, and shows her glorious blue secret when prompted :lol:
 
Oh, if your budget is 20k, all in, I would put more than 15K of that budget to the diamond. Especially if you are ok with a solitaire! Then, you can upgrade the setting (if desired) later down the line!
 
Totally agree with putting most of the budget into your center stone, especially if you like a solitaire! DSS is real! :mrgreen2:
 
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