Looking for feedback on Diamond!

[Ronny77]

Hey everyone,

I''ve been looking at settings and stones for what seems like forever now and I feel like I have finally come to the end of the road!

The diamond that I''m looking at is 0.43 Carat E-VVS1 Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Round Diamond from James Allen:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire-rings/?module=diamond&item=1247465

Before I have the stone sent out for appraisal I was hoping to get some feedback to make sure I''m not overlooking any aspects of the diamonds quality. While I have learned so much after browsing pricescope, I would still love to get a well-informed second opinion.

The details of the diamond are listed below and they result in an HCA score of 1.9 if I am not mistaken. My biggest concern is the actual picture of the diamond that is shown on the James Allen site that I have linked above. In the virtual loupe photo at the center of the diamond there appears to be a light grey arrow. Is this an inclusion or is it a byproduct of how the picture was taken? Any feedback on the IS and hearts pictures would be helpful as well.

Thank you in advance for any comments or feedback!


Shape: Round
Carat weight: 0.43
Cut: Hearts & Arrows Ideal
Color: E
Clarity: VVS1
Certificate: AGS

Depth: 62.2%
Table: 55.2%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Negligible
Measurements: 4.81*4.85*3.01

Crown Angle: 34.5°
Crown %: 15.40
Pavilion Angle: 41.0°
Pavilion %: 43.30

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Hi,

You''re paying quite a markup for VVS1 clarity. If you wanted to go down to a VS2, you could easily save $ and/or go for a larger size. I found the diamond you''re looking at on the PS search and just want to point out that I have an E VS2 and spent a lot less and the diamond is entirely eye clean and breathtaking

 

[Ronny77]

Hey MC, I appreciate the reply. I know I am paying somewhat of a markup for the stone and I am completely open to looking at different options. I have a budget of around $2000 and I have chosen a setting that costs roughly $760. Furthermore, I looking for a stone that is a maximum of 0.5 carrots in size. It seemed like there was a huge markup in cost when I hit that magic half carat size so I was basically trying the get the most for my money within that size. I should also add that I am trying to do the whole thing through James Allen because of the setting I have selected.

 

[tyty333]

Are you getting the setting from JA? Here is a beautiful stone... I believe the angles are 35, 40.8.
Table and depth are 56, 62...G VS...it does have strong flour, you would need to ask if that is a problem
(it probably isnt though)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1275528.asp

This is a lovely H
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1239030.asp

A G SI1...need to ask if it is eye clean
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255594.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1225094.asp

Edit - just noticed you were trying not to go over .5...is that because of the cost or
because she doesnt want anything bigger? For those above I went the biggest
you could get in your $1240 price with the typical color and clarity.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 3/6/2010 1:28:16 PM
Author: Ronny77
Hey MC, I appreciate the reply. I know I am paying somewhat of a markup for the stone and I am completely open to looking at different options. I have a budget of around $2000 and I have chosen a setting that costs roughly $760. Furthermore, I looking for a stone that is a maximum of 0.5 carrots in size. It seemed like there was a huge markup in cost when I hit that magic half carat size so I was basically trying the get the most for my money within that size. I should also add that I am trying to do the whole thing through James Allen because of the setting I have selected.

VS1 should be 99.99% safe.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/6/2010 1:53:35 PM
Author: tyty333
Are you getting the setting from JA? Here is a beautiful stone... I believe the angles are 35, 40.8.
Table and depth are 56, 62...G VS...it does have strong flour, you would need to ask if that is a problem
(it probably isnt though)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1275528.asp

This is a lovely H
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1239030.asp

A G SI1...need to ask if it is eye clean
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255594.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1225094.asp

Edit - just noticed you were trying not to go over .5...is that because of the cost or
because she doesnt want anything bigger? For those above I went the biggest
you could get in your $1240 price with the typical color and clarity.

Ditto this. Also, what is your comfort zone for color? VS1/VS2 is totally safe clarity wise. I would drop to a G too.

 

[Ronny77]

Sorry for the late response. The reason I was trying to stay around 0.5 is a mixture of both reasons. My girlfriend is pretty small and is not a fan of large gaudy jewelry so I felt like a half carat was a safe size.

As for color, I''ve had several opportunities to look at different color scales side by side and I got the feeling that I didn''t want to go lower than a G. However, I am not entirely sure about the integrity of the cut quality that I saw which could be a big determining factor.

Thank your for the suggestions tyty, I am definitely going to consider bumping up the size a little bit because it shouldn''t really make any visible difference. I guess I was just getting hung up on wanting a mind clean diamond.

Once again, thank you for all the responses it has been very helpful.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think if you look for a nice G VS1/VS2 you will be very happy then! A G graded by GIA or AGS is a lovely clean colorless look. And VS is a very safe clarity grade.