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Looking to buy my first LGD

D

delighted

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 24, 2007
Messages
45
Hello! I’m really excited about buying my first LGD. I was hoping the experts here could point me in the right direction. I’m hoping to find a beautiful diamond for my wedding ring upgrade. We retired from the military and now is a great time for this project. I’m looking for something in the range of 2.3-2.8 ct D/E color. I’ve been on Ritani but have been overwhelmed by the options. Any suggestions (CVD vs HPHT, should I try to find one with H&A on the cert, etc) would greatly be appreciated!

Thank you!
 
Here are some great options for you.

2.63 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.63 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number GIA #1455246695
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.76 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.76 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number GIA #2454170412
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.62 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond D Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.62 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG555265688
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

These are CVD but look well cut.

2.80 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond D Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.8 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG557242622
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.68 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond D Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.68 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number GIA #1449996666
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.61 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.61 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG549280461
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com
 
Kim N said:
Here are some great options for you.

2.63 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.63 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number GIA #1455246695
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.76 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.76 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number GIA #2454170412
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.62 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond D Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.62 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG555265688
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

These are CVD but look well cut.

2.80 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond D Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.8 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG557242622
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.68 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond D Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.68 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number GIA #1449996666
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.61 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.61 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG549280461
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com
Click to expand...

Thank you for all these recommendations! If you could, I have a few assumptions that I would like to clarify before I make my decision as they are all really nice options.

1. CVD vs HPHT is more of a personal preference. Either can be a good option as long as it is well cut?

2. GIA certification seems to command a slight premium over IGI certification?

3. Could all of these options be H&A even though they don’t specifically say that on the certificate? I’m guessing there is a cost associated with adding that when the diamond is evaluated/certified?
 
delighted said:
Thank you for all these recommendations!
Click to expand...

It's my pleasure!

delighted said:
If you could, I have a few assumptions that I would like to clarify before I make my decision as they are all really nice options.

1. CVD vs HPHT is more of a personal preference. Either can be a good option as long as it is well cut?
Click to expand...

WIth both, there are issues to watch out for, but there are a few more with CVD: striations, brown or grey tint, haziness, and birefringence. WIth HPHT you'd only need to look out for blue nuance. An HPHT without blue nuance is the closest thing to natural.

delighted said:
2. GIA certification seems to command a slight premium over IGI certification?
Click to expand...

Yes, I believe so, though occasionally there are less expensive GIA stones available. The newer GIA reports no longer seem to indicate HPHT vs. CVD, which I'm very disappointed about.

delighted said:
3. Could all of these options be H&A even though they don’t specifically say that on the certificate? I’m guessing there is a cost associated with adding that when the diamond is evaluated/certified?
Click to expand...

Yes, there's a cost to get H&A checked and stated on the report, so I believe a stone may still be H&A or near-H&A and may not have that indicated on the report. Most reports which say H&A use only stock images, so you'd still want to see actual H&A images if you're looking for perfect H&A.
 
Hello delighted - congratulations on your retirement and huge props for your time serving!

What is your budget cap for just the loose diamond?
 
Kim N said:
It's my pleasure!



WIth both, there are issues to watch out for, but there are a few more with CVD: striations, brown or grey tint, haziness, and birefringence. WIth HPHT you'd only need to look out for blue nuance. An HPHT without blue nuance is the closest thing to natural.



Yes, I believe so, though occasionally there are less expensive GIA stones available. The newer GIA reports no longer seem to indicate HPHT vs. CVD, which I'm very disappointed about.



Yes, there's a cost to get H&A checked and stated on the report, so I believe a stone may still be H&A or near-H&A and may not have that indicated on the report. Most reports which say H&A use only stock images, so you'd still want to see actual H&A images if you're looking for perfect H&A.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the clarification!
 
DejaWiz said:
Hello delighted - congratulations on your retirement and huge props for your time serving!

What is your budget cap for just the loose diamond?
Click to expand...

Thank you! We are both grateful for the opportunity to have served and couldn’t have asked for a more fulfilling first career.

As far as budget…if it were only up to me, it would be a different number but my other half would like to keep it under $4500.
 
delighted said:
Thank you! We are both grateful for the opportunity to have served and couldn’t have asked for a more fulfilling first career.

As far as budget…if it were only up to me, it would be a different number but my other half would like to keep it under $4500.
Click to expand...

$4500 is a GREAT budget for an LGD!
Heck, my wife's 2.76 D VS2 HPHT fit that budget.

Here are some more great choices in conjunction with the amazing list that Kim N provided:

Leans fiery:

2.41 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond D Color VVS2 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.41 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG528208226
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

Super-clean SI1 graded by GIA:

2.32 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond D Color SI1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.32 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color SI1 Clarity with diamond report number GIA #1409218027
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

Some other great picks:

2.32 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond D Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.32 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG526275431
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.32 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond D Color VS2 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.32 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG526279018
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com
 
Last edited:
Kim N said:
Here are some great options for you.

2.63 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.63 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number GIA #1455246695
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.76 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.76 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number GIA #2454170412
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.62 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond D Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.62 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG555265688
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

These are CVD but look well cut.

2.80 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond D Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.8 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG557242622
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.68 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond D Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.68 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number GIA #1449996666
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

2.61 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

2.61 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG549280461
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com
Click to expand...

That 2.76 would be my first choice, appears gorgeous on paper lol and picture. The 2.62 is also gorgeous (should be firey). I didn’t look at them all. Short on time.
 
If you want to buy bigger now to see if you like the added diameter...it's easier to see with your own eyes if it's too much and return it within the refund/exchange window instead of buying smaller now and then deciding that you should have gone bigger after a couple/few months pass and it's too late to return/exchange.

Two links for each - one for the listing and the other for the vendor video (tap the diamond to load the rotational view):

3.07 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

3.07 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG537215666
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com

3.22 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond F Color VS2 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

3.22 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut F Color VS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG502159450
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com

3.22 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond F Color VVS2 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

3.22 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut F Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG523277748
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com

3.28 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

3.28 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG502106927
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com

3.42 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

3.42 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG474135739
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com
 
I guess the adage you snooze you lose applies in this instance….all of your suggested options are no longer available :(
 
wow
 
delighted said:
I guess the adage you snooze you lose applies in this instance….all of your suggested options are no longer available :(
Click to expand...

Are you still looking for 2.3-2.8 or a bit bigger?
 
DejaWiz said:
If you want to buy bigger now to see if you like the added diameter...it's easier to see with your own eyes if it's too much and return it within the refund/exchange window instead of buying smaller now and then deciding that you should have gone bigger after a couple/few months pass and it's too late to return/exchange.

Two links for each - one for the listing and the other for the vendor video (tap the diamond to load the rotational view):

3.07 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

3.07 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG537215666
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com

3.22 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond F Color VS2 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

3.22 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut F Color VS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG502159450
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com

3.22 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond F Color VVS2 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

3.22 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut F Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG523277748
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com

3.28 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

3.28 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG502106927
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com

3.42 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

3.42 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG474135739
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com
Click to expand...

This forum is both a blessing and a curse for those genuinely seeking help to get the best of the best diamonds...
We'll still find you some primo options to choose from since diamond inventory constantly turns over. Always new diamonds cropping up every day.
 
Well, I really appreciate the help. It never even crossed my mind to look at 3+ carats but you are right in that I should at least consider a bigger diamond just to be sure! I’m really excited about any new suggestions. This time I will be ready to make a move, haha!

In the meantime, I have one of the diamonds that Kim N. suggested on order so hope to be able to find a bigger one to make sure I don’t have any size regrets.
 
Kim N said:
Are you still looking for 2.3-2.8 or a bit bigger?
Click to expand...

Honestly, I never thought that I could find something bigger that would fit in my budget. But now that I know there are some out there, I’m interested :)
 
delighted said:
Honestly, I never thought that I could find something bigger that would fit in my budget. But now that I know there are some out there, I’m interested :)
Click to expand...

Some new options for you.

3.11 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS2 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

3.11 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG512231022
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

3.21 Carat Round Lab Grown Diamond E Color VS2 Clarity Ideal Cut | Ritani

3.21 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG532259451
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com
 
Ok, thank you Kim N. and DejaWiz! I’ll see if I can order that one before it gets snapped up!
 
Hello! Happy New Year everyone! I just got in three of the diamonds that were recommended. I’ve narrowed it down to two. I can’t decide which one I like better. Visually, I think they’re very close but not sure if I’m being swayed by the H&A note on the cert.

I know it’s probably difficult without seeing them or without photos but based off the stats, is there one that is “better” than the other? Probably a loaded question I know…

Verify Your Report | Verify Your Diamond Online | IGI

IGI's Verify Your Report service permits quick and convenient confirmation that your report matches what is recorded in the IGI database.
www.igi.org www.igi.org

https://www.igi.org/reports/verify-your-report?r=557242622
 
delighted said:
Hello! Happy New Year everyone! I just got in three of the diamonds that were recommended. I’ve narrowed it down to two. I can’t decide which one I like better. Visually, I think they’re very close but not sure if I’m being swayed by the H&A note on the cert.

I know it’s probably difficult without seeing them or without photos but based off the stats, is there one that is “better” than the other? Probably a loaded question I know…

Verify Your Report | Verify Your Diamond Online | IGI

IGI's Verify Your Report service permits quick and convenient confirmation that your report matches what is recorded in the IGI database.
www.igi.org www.igi.org

https://www.igi.org/reports/verify-your-report?r=557242622
Click to expand...

They both look great. The size difference will be noticeable, so if that's important to you, I'd go with the 3.11.
 
delighted said:
Hello! Happy New Year everyone! I just got in three of the diamonds that were recommended. I’ve narrowed it down to two. I can’t decide which one I like better. Visually, I think they’re very close but not sure if I’m being swayed by the H&A note on the cert.

I know it’s probably difficult without seeing them or without photos but based off the stats, is there one that is “better” than the other? Probably a loaded question I know…

Verify Your Report | Verify Your Diamond Online | IGI

IGI's Verify Your Report service permits quick and convenient confirmation that your report matches what is recorded in the IGI database.
www.igi.org www.igi.org

https://www.igi.org/reports/verify-your-report?r=557242622
Click to expand...

Which one looks better to you in your daily/usual viewing environments?
 
Kim N said:
They both look great. The size difference will be noticeable, so if that's important to you, I'd go with the 3.11.
Click to expand...
DejaWiz said:
Which one looks better to you in your daily/usual viewing environments?
Click to expand...
Sorry for the delay…

Well, I took both of them out and had my husband look at them outside in overcast and sunny conditions, inside with bright and low lights. He said that they looked exactly the same except one was bigger. So, I suppose he agrees with Kim N. in that it comes down to size. The bigger one is actually slightly less expensive of the two so there’s that as well. I’m leaning towards the 3.11…this is my absolute last upgrade so I want to make sure I’m satisfied.
 
2.80 CVD

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com

3.11 HPHT

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com

I think you're making the right choice with the 3.11!
 
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