Looking for a 1.5

[erupgrade]

Hello! I wonder if you could help me. After much consideration I have decided to look for a round cut in the 1.5 ct range. I don''t mind what colour it is so long as it looks white and with regards to clarity it needs to be eyeclean. I live in the uk so although happy to buy from us am aware that my tight budget may be reduced with taxes. I have found a f colour, si1 within budget, vendor says ideal cut but am waiting for certain so I can check. It is however Egl which I believe to be less strict. I was thinking though that even if the colour grade was lower it should still be White. My budget is £5000 which is just over $8000 just now. I know this is tight for the size I am after..... does anyone have any advice?! Thank you!

 

[HVVS]

You'd almost have to buy a 1.6ct to get a full 7.5mm diameter. Some of the 1.5 cts are only 7.3mm to 7.4mm. And some of the 1.3cts are 7.1mm to 7.2mm. So, you might look through the range of 1.35 to 1.5ct, especially if you are putting it in a halo, because it 1.35 to 1.5 will look pretty similar. You'd notice the difference if you study it, but most people will think it's 1.5ct because lots of mall 1.5ct diamonds are steep and deep and won't have the 7.3-7.4mm diameter.

You could send your requirements and ask for quotes. Bargains in that 1.5ct range are hard find. You almost have to have a jeweler put you on the wait list for one. I suspect that the "best value" diamonds in that size range will never make it to the PS listings because lots of upgraders want them. I looked a long time before I bought mine, an SI2 clarity.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/20/2010 10:49:07 AM
Author:erupgrade
Hello! I wonder if you could help me. After much consideration I have decided to look for a round cut in the 1.5 ct range. I don't mind what colour it is so long as it looks white and with regards to clarity it needs to be eyeclean. I live in the uk so although happy to buy from us am aware that my tight budget may be reduced with taxes. I have found a f colour, si1 within budget, vendor says ideal cut but am waiting for certain so I can check. It is however Egl which I believe to be less strict. I was thinking though that even if the colour grade was lower it should still be White. My budget is £5000 which is just over $8000 just now. I know this is tight for the size I am after..... does anyone have any advice?! Thank you!

Hi erupgrade,

I had a look for you, I don't know how tight your budget is.....I know if you buy from the US, VAT and import duty of 2.5% is payable. But I thought I would show you these ones, if the SI grades are verified eyeclean to your standards and the grade making clouds aren't impacting performance in the stones below where applicable, these could be possible contenders.

Also if you can find such a stone, sometimes it can pay to drop down from the ' magic weights' such as 1.5 carats to avoid the price jumps, you get a very similar look for less. Between weight stones aren't plentiful as it often behoves the cutter to hit the magic weight range for profit etc, but it can pay to look.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1274594.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1272247.asp


The one below also has clouds mentioned so would need checking as above.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1238131.asp

The one below looks very promising,

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1239242.asp


If you are interested in any of these, request an Idealscope image from James Allen, this will allow us to evaluate the cut of the diamonds more easily.

 

[erupgrade]

Thank you so much both of you! I really like the look of the last one, the j colour makes me slightly nervous but maybe this is not justified. I looked at a h colour in shops at weekend and it looked very white to me so perhaps I am not very colour sensitive! This one does appeal though as it''s in budget and a great size!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/20/2010 12:33:24 PM
Author: erupgrade
Thank you so much both of you! I really like the look of the last one, the j colour makes me slightly nervous but maybe this is not justified. I looked at a h colour in shops at weekend and it looked very white to me so perhaps I am not very colour sensitive! This one does appeal though as it's in budget and a great size!

Glad to help! Its difficult in the UK to view diamonds as the selection is limited somewhat depending on where you are located - this is the best way to see where your preference for colour lies. However a reliably graded J colour of excellent cut quality will still be very white and can help get the most bang for the buck. Also it isn't too problematic to return in the very rare instance you weren't happy.

I will post this video for you on colour, use it as a guide as computer monitors can't depict colour accurately but it could be helpful.

Here you go, Consumers Guide to Diamond Colour.

 

[erupgrade]

Thank you, that video really helped. I have asked James Allen for the ideal scope images and will post when i recieve them, they have also said they can give me a clearer idea of the colour appearance so that should help. I wish we could get this kind of help in the UK!!