Medical student needing help!! - Diamond Down Under

[dizzle2111]

Hi,

First time poster, long time price scope-er!

I am a medical student in Australia and I need some help to buy a diamond for my gorgeous girlfriend.

This is what I'm aiming for:
- Shape: Round
- Carat: 1.5
- Colour: D
- Clarity: VS2
- Fluorescence: none
- Budget: $18,000 AUS ($14,000 US)

Any help would be awesome. I would really appreciate it!!


P.S. I am thinking of a rose gold 18c setting with 4 prong with side paving (half ring) - band width 1.6-8mm

 

[Snowdrop13]

You might find it tricky to reach those specs within budget. Is there room for compromise on the colour or size? Like this?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3430965

 

[dizzle2111]

Hi Snowdrop thanks for the link! my preference would be have faint to none fluorescence. I am willing to go up a little in the budget. RE: color i am willing to compromise to E/F. I would like to stick with 1.5, perhaps 1.45 would be a minimum.

I have been looking at JA and BN. Do you guys think JA is decent place to buy a diamond from?

I have found a few diamonds (from a Hong Kong owned business in chinatown) with the following dimensions:

Diamond A
- Depth %: 62.50
- Table %: 57
- Crown angle: 35.50
- Pavilion angle: 41.00
- Fluorescence: none
- Shape: round
- Carat: 1.54
- Color: D
- Clarity: VS2

HCA rating 4
GIA rating excellent
Price: $18800 (AUS) - $14,860 USD

Diamond B
- Depth %: 62.8
- Table %: 57
- Crown angle: 36
- Pavilion angle: 40.60
- Fluorescence: none
- Shape: round
- Carat: 1.52
- Color: G
- Clarity: VS2

HCA rating 1.9
GIA rating excellent
Price: $18300 (AUS) - $14,370 (USD)

Diamond C (BN)
https://www.bluenile.com/au/diamond...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab

HCA rating 0.9
GIA rating excellent
Price: $20,215 (AUS including taxes) -$15,870 (USD inc. taxes)

• What do people think about the above diamonds?
• How much does the HCA report matter? Within my price range (~18,000 AUS - 14,000 USD), would it be better downgrade the color for a better HCA rating? i.e. Diamond B has a better HCA than Diamond A
• Do people think having a rose gold ring would mean I should aim lower for colour in order to get a good HCA rating?
• I am not sure whether to buy from JA/BN or from the local jewellers?

 

[TreeScientist]

To answer your questions, yes, I do think it is a good idea to aim for a lower color to get a better cut, especially if you're going to set it in rose gold. Honestly, you could go down to an I color in rose gold and not know the difference, but I understand the appeal of a higher color for personal reasons.

With your budget, you may want to check out WhiteFlash. Here's a G color that fits your budget that would perform wonderfully (and a G color is still overkill for a rose gold setting). WhiteFlash can also ship to Australia. The thing about buying from overseas is you want to be sure that you're getting a good diamond the first time, as returns can be a hassle. With WhiteFlash's A Cut Above line, you're guaranteed to have the absolute best performance. Ordering from James Allen and Blue Nile is great if you're in the U.S., as you can return the diamond no questions asked if you don't like the IRL performance, but when ordering from Australia you'd better be sure it's the stone for you.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3955171.htm

 

[TreeScientist]

Also, WhiteFlash sells some beautiful Pave engagement rings, like this one in 18c Rose Gold from Vatche, which I think describes exactly what you're looking for (half pave and 1.6mm band)

https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...ve-diamond-engagement-ring-by-vatche-4662.htm

 

[Lookinagain]

You may also want to consider a CBI stone. This one is an H but H would be plenty white in rose gold.
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10008

 

[arkieb1]

I'm an Aussie too keep in mind you have to ask any vendor to fill in the appropriate AUSTFA forms and that way you will only pay 10% not 15% in taxes and duties. The amount on $18 000AUD roughly will be $2000AUD or a bit over.

I second buying a well cut stone - better edge to edge brightness and overall brilliance. Go down a little in colour that should help. G stones still face up to be completely colourless/white.