Need advice on picking a round cut diamond! ($5000 budget)

[nizmal]

Hey everyone,

I'm completely new to diamonds and have been trying to do a lot of research before making my purchase. It's coming close for me to make a decision, so now it's time for me to request help from the wise and knowledgeable! The diamond I'm currently looking at is listed below with a price of $4,800. Does anyone see any problems with it or any recommendations? My max budget for the diamond itself is $5000. Ideally I was trying to get a better color, but wasn't able to find much without sacrificing on the carat (which I've already reduced from 1 ct to 0.9). I know if I jump down to a clarity of VS2 I can go to an 'H' color. The setting I'm planning to use is also below. Any thoughts and opinions would be very helpful! Thanks!

Setting: http://www.bluenile.com/twist-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_44546

GIA report: http://www.bluenile.com/certs/1169221203.jpg?params=cHJvZHVjdD1CTiZwaG9uZT04ODgtNTY1LTc2NDEmbGluaz1odHRwJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmJsdWVuaWxlLmNvbSUyRl9MRDA0MDAwMjM3JnNrdT1MRDA0MDAwMjM3JmxhYj1naWEmc2l6ZT0xNjAwJmN1cnJlbmN5PVVTRCY%3D
Carat weight:
0.90
Cut: Ideal
Color: I
Clarity: IF
Depth %: 62.2%
Table %: 56%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick
Cutlet: None
Fluorescence: Medium
Measurements: 6.16 x 6.19 x 3.84 mm

 

[Daisyoz]

Re: Need advice on picking a round cut diamond! ($5000 budge

That diamond got an HCA score of 2.6. Most PSers will advise for a score of less than 2, then get an ideal scope. Bluenile doesnt provide one however. If you have to buy from Bluenile, I'd stick to their signature ideal stones or try to shift through many of their Ideal stones within your budget to get one with HCA less than 2 (sometimes you can get one for every 10-15 or so) and try to ask for a photo. This Sig Ideal one http://www.bluenile.com/au/diamond-details/LD02372880?track=viewExpandedDetails has HCA of 1.4 and the pavillion view looks pretty good, VS1 is very safe to buy diamond without photos or video.

I personally though would take this one from WF, $500 cheaper, very eye clean SI1, better colour H and the cut is as good as it comes. I have an ACA myself and it is much sparklier than the BL sig stone my SIL has although in all fairness it is also a beautiful diamond.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3045757.htm

Good luck on your search!

 

[nizmal]

Re: Need advice on picking a round cut diamond! ($5000 budge

I appreciate your input daisyoz! I had no idea about the HCA calculator. As a note, I am sticking with bluenile since they have the setting I have fallen in love with and would like to just get it all done through their site. I've been sifting through a lot of diamonds and have finally found one I think is suitable. The specs are below. While I did come down another 0.06 carats and moved to a VS2 clarity, I was able to move the color up to an F and found that this has an HCA of 1.0. I did find that moving up to a signature ideal significantly increased the price, so I'm hoping an ideal cut with a good HCA will suffice. I will definitely ask for pictures! Any input on this diamond or thoughts in general are always helpful. Thanks!

GIA report: http://www.bluenile.com/certs/1169097555.jpg?params=cHJvZHVjdD1CTiZwaG9uZT04ODgtNTY1LTc2NDEmbGluaz1odHRwJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmJsdWVuaWxlLmNvbSUyRl9MRDAzOTE3MjExJnNrdT1MRDAzOTE3MjExJmxhYj1naWEmc2l6ZT03NjAmY3VycmVuY3k9VVNEJg%3D%3D
Carat weight:
0.84
Cut: Ideal
Color: F
Clarity: VS2
Depth %: 61.8%
Table %: 56%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 6.04 x 6.07 x 3.74 mm

 

[teobdl]

Re: Need advice on picking a round cut diamond! ($5000 budge

I think that looks like a pretty safe bet. F, VS2, and good numbers.