Looking for best deal on a ~2CT Diamond

[leejl01]

Woot, talked to my girl and she's willing to go down to an I for a 2ct (I think that makes more sense anyways). I made the concession for a platinum setting though haha.

She sent me this as a baseline: http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?builder=BYOR&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP&pid=LD03082794#DIAMONDS_STEP|LD03082794

And I'll contact Goodoldgold to see if they can give me more info on that diamond.

 

[Niel]

Oh fantastic! That really opens up the options. What setting does she like?

 

[leejl01]

For settings she really likes the Blue Nile cathedral pave in platinum.

Yup, I'm happy that she was willing to go down a little as long as it's eyeclean. So I think it should probably be an Ideal cut, with I color, and a VS2 clarity.

 

[Niel]

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/2.03-carat-I-color-VS2-clarity-sku-124060
Here is a really nice one hat should be right on budget with a ps wire discount

Thry have nice pave cathedral settings
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/Engagement-Rings/Pave-Rings/Platinum-Scroll-Basket-Pave-Set-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-item-369
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/Engagement-Rings/Pave-Rings/18k-White-Gold-Pave-Cathedral-Claw-Prong-Engagement-Ring-item-7895

 

[harrybauls]

After watching Gold Old Gold's great Youtube videos on color, I opted to go down to J. I was skeptical until I saw the video and the impact of a high quality cut on face up appearance and perceived beauty versus color. You should have the GF watch it too:

http://www.youtube.com/user/DiamondInfoMan/videos?query=color+part

I just purchased at Blue Nile, but here are 2 I didn't opt for that scored sub-2 on HCA. Both were confirmed eye-clean, and confirmed to have no negative fluorescence issues:

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-j-color-si1-clarity_LD03014291?keyword_search_value=LD03014291
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-i-color-si1-clarity_LD02960745?keyword_search_value=LD02960745


I purchased this 1.93 carat one for $12.4, with an HCA of 1.5, that was confirmed clean with no negative florescence effects (arrives next week):

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-j-color-vs2-clarity_LD03072061?keyword_search_value=LD03072061

Remember you can call Blue Nile and they will do a visual inspection and confirmation on any diamond you are interested in.

 

[hearts-arrows_girl]

Congrats on your new stone, can't wait to see the final pictures of your finished ring!

 

[leejl01]

Thanks for the suggestion harrybauls but I think she wants a slightly higher color and/or clarity.

Just curious, why does it seem like Blue Nile is cheaper 3-4k than James Allen on diamonds that are basically the same?

 

[04diamond<3]

There isn't that much of a difference. The stone Nielseel showed you from JA is an I VS2 and the ones from BN that someone else showed are J SI1 and you can't even see what they look like let alone a video of the stone!

 

[Niel]

2 things I have learned about online diamond shopping. Ja is usually a really competatively priced and diamonds are rarely a "steal"... they are priced appropriate to there quality... I'm surprised that ja one is still available. Its a nice lookin one

 

[hearts-arrows_girl]

Congrats on your new stone, can't wait to see the final pictures of your finished ring!

Oops! I got HarryBauls' post confused with the OP, so congrats to you Harry; and Leejlo1, hope you find your perfect 2ct soon!

BTW ...Really! Hairy Balls?

 

[leejl01]

Sorry, should have posted links for the price differential. I know you can't see pictures on BN but surely that can't amount to a $4k difference.

For example, the JA diamond posted by nielseel is $21,120 for a 2.03ct / Ideal cut / I / VS2.

While this BN diamond is $17,778 for a 2.05ct / Ideal cut / I / VS2.

And also this BN diamond is $16,778 for a 2.00ct / Ideal cut / I / VS2.

 

[Niel]

HAve you looked at the hca calulator?

Not all triple ex stones are equal.

neither of those score very well on the HCA, particularly the last one.
you want under 2.


Thats what i mean, its a few thousand cheaper because they know some of the aspects of that stone, though graded excellent, they are not the most ideal for the best light return. I really would recommend putting that JA one on hold, im surprised its still available

 

[Mico]

I know the vendor we bought my ring from has a price match guarantee, maybe look for that. This way you could have someone look at the phone and send you pictures.

Also, make sure you take into account the diameter of the diamond, not just the carats. 2ct usually has an 8mm spread

 

[hearts-arrows_girl]

I like the James Allen stone. It's beautiful. And yes, it can cost extra to get a more exact cut stone within the XXX range. Where I was looking for my stone, smaller tables 57 and under, alone, brought the price up. Diamonds with the same Carat, Clarity and Color can have vast differences in pricing.

 

[leejl01]

Sorry for the lack of activity, been busy with work and such.

I've been looking at Excel Diamonds as well (saw good reviews on some other posts). Found these two diamonds with awesome HCA scores, been looking at SI1-2's so I can go up in size a lil. I'm not entirely convinced of the importance of HCA but y'all are the experts haha.

This one is $19,863.55 for a 2.3ct / Excellent cut / D / SI2 with a HCA score of 1.1. I know it's SI2 but the main knock seems to be twinning wisps which might not be that big of a deal?

This one is $16,178.50 for a 2.17ct / Excellent cut / I / SI1 with a HCA score of 1.0.

 

[leejl01]

FYI, here's the Idealscope image for the JA diamond that nielseel recommended (124060 (2.03crt I VS2)).

It looks pretty awesome but I'm looking to go a little cheaper now because my year-end bonus wasn't as large as I anticipated

 

[Niel]

Og well eats im sorry to hear that. Have you heard back about thse other two stones yet??

 

[SMC]

What's your new budget? I'm sure everyone will be happy to help you look for other stones!

 

[leejl01]

Og well eats im sorry to hear that. Have you heard back about thse other two stones yet??

Not yet. I'm going to NY this weekend so I am going to stop by the showroom. Anything that's offputting about the two diamonds from Excel? I haven't really seen HCA scores that low yet haha

 

[04diamond<3]

Og well eats im sorry to hear that. Have you heard back about thse other two stones yet??

Not yet. I'm going to NY this weekend so I am going to stop by the showroom. Anything that's offputting about the two diamonds from Excel? I haven't really seen HCA scores that low yet haha

What two stones from Excel?

 

[leejl01]

Og well eats im sorry to hear that. Have you heard back about thse other two stones yet??

Not yet. I'm going to NY this weekend so I am going to stop by the showroom. Anything that's offputting about the two diamonds from Excel? I haven't really seen HCA scores that low yet haha

What two stones from Excel?

This one is $19,863.55 for a 2.3ct / Excellent cut / D / SI2 with a HCA score of 1.1. I know it's SI2 but the main knock seems to be twinning wisps which might not be that big of a deal?

This one is $16,178.50 for a 2.17ct / Excellent cut / I / SI1 with a HCA score of 1.0.

 

[04diamond<3]

Og well eats im sorry to hear that. Have you heard back about thse other two stones yet??

Not yet. I'm going to NY this weekend so I am going to stop by the showroom. Anything that's offputting about the two diamonds from Excel? I haven't really seen HCA scores that low yet haha

What two stones from Excel?

This one is $19,863.55 for a 2.3ct / Excellent cut / D / SI2 with a HCA score of 1.1. I know it's SI2 but the main knock seems to be twinning wisps which might not be that big of a deal?

This one is $16,178.50 for a 2.17ct / Excellent cut / I / SI1 with a HCA score of 1.0.

I like the 2.17 table better, but a larger 59 table has been growing on me. Personally, I'd probably go with the 2.17 if you want to save 3k, if not and if color does end up bothering you, go with the D (assuming these stones look nice). I absolutely love colorless diamonds, so I'd probably pick the D.

 

[leejl01]

Checked out the diamonds in person this weekend and wasn't a fan of them both.. I actually found another JamesAllen diamond that was pretty sickkk and I'm going to purchase it tonight.

It's a 2.17crt I SI1. It scored a 1.4 on the HCA and I think that really shows in the Idealscope image.
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.17-carat-I-color-SI1-clarity-Ideal-cut-sku-189705

I'll be pairing it with this setting.
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/Engagement-Rings/Channel-Set-Rings/Platinum-Bow-Tie-Channel-Set-Round-Shaped-Diamond-Engagement-Ring--item-812

Thanks everyone for your help! Learned a lot from this forum and will hopefully be able to contribute later on!

 

[04diamond<3]

The only thing, I'd make sure that it's 100% eye clean. Inclusions on the table bother me, but if the JA gemologist can tell you for sure that the inclusions aren't visible. Other than that it looks great!!

 

[Niel]

The stine looks just fantastic!
Im not as wild about the setting. Did she reauest channel set?

 

[leejl01]

Yup, I was concerned about the inclusions as well but the gemologist said it was eyeclean.

She requested that specific setting. Is there another one you think would look better?

 

[Niel]

Well i personally find channel set dated and for the price i think the head isnt that elegant

But if she specifically requested it get her that setting. She is wearing it not me (sadly lol)

 

[Roxy]

Yup, I was concerned about the inclusions as well but the gemologist said it was eyeclean.

She requested that specific setting. Is there another one you think would look better?

She's going to love it. Once your diamond is set, the ring is going to blow her away. Please come back and share pics of the finished product!!

 

[04diamond<3]

Yup, I was concerned about the inclusions as well but the gemologist said it was eyeclean.

She requested that specific setting. Is there another one you think would look better?

That's great! The idealscope looks awesome! It's going to be a gorgeous ring!

 

[hearts-arrows_girl]

That is a beautiful diamond. She will be thrilled. That size will look fabulous! Congrats, can't wait to see the finished product.