Need advice re: e-ring diamond (round)

[helpmeSF]

Hi,

Thanks in advance for your help. I've been looking for a round brilliant diamond in the 1.65-1.7ct range (budget: $15-16k), F/G color, VS2 or better, no/faint fluorescence.

I came across this one that looks good to me, but I was hoping for your thoughts (since everyone here seems to know more about diamonds than me!)
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4360534-1.70-carat-Round-diamond-G-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

What do you think? B2C says it will be eye clean (in the magnified image there are obvious inclusions), but I wonder if that is the case. The HCA score is 3.7 - is that ok?

Looking forward to your thoughts (or alternative diamonds!)

Thanks!
helpmeSF

 

[Gypsy]

Nope. I'd pass. There's a reason they didn't post the Idealscope image of that stone.

You can do much better.

Do you have a vendor preference? Or should I just find the best I can for your budget?

Also you don't need F/G. You can go to H. And eyeclean SI is also something I'd suggest you be open to safely.

And you don't need to skip fluorescence. As long as it has no negative effect (and that's rare and is an easy check) up to medium isn't even noticeable. And can be a good thing for a few reasons.

 

[Gypsy]

In order of preference:


http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3016703.htm Ticks every box. Fabulous value. Perfect balance of all factors.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-267371 Gorgeous, clean, white, and bright.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.535-f-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104066186015 Medium Blue, but totally safe (all BGD Blue Line stones are). White, bright, gorgeous and amazing.

 

[helpmeSF]

In order of preference:


http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3016703.htm Ticks every box. Fabulous value. Perfect balance of all factors.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-267371 Gorgeous, clean, white, and bright.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.535-f-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104066186015 Medium Blue, but totally safe (all BGD Blue Line stones are). White, bright, gorgeous and amazing.

Thanks! I do not have any preferred vendors, but I do need the ring by the end of the month. I'm a little hesitant to purchase an SI1 diamond, but will defer to the expertise of the group on that. It looks like 'eye-clean' refers to a distance of 10 inches - I know my girlfriend will be looking at the diamond closer up than that ... What do you think?

I really like the first (whiteflash) diamond you posted but will wait to hear about SI1 vs VS2...

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Gypsy]

In order of preference:


http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3016703.htm Ticks every box. Fabulous value. Perfect balance of all factors.

Thanks! I do not have any preferred vendors, but I do need the ring by the end of the month. I'm a little hesitant to purchase an SI1 diamond, but will defer to the expertise of the group on that. It looks like 'eye-clean' refers to a distance of 10 inches - I know my girlfriend will be looking at the diamond closer up than that ... What do you think?

I really like the first (whiteflash) diamond you posted but will wait to hear about SI1 vs VS2...

Thanks again for your help!

That particular SI is perfectly safe. So there's no concerns over that.

As for 10 inches. That's WF's standard definition. But you can call them about that stone, put it on hold and tell them you would like to have their gemologist tell you if it is completely eyeclean FROM ANY DISTANCE. They can do that for you. You can even ask to speak to the gemologist for yourself.

And looking at that diamond, I would not be surprised if it was completely eyeclean. And even if they say "experienced eyes" may be able to see something once in a blue moon (covering their bases)... The inclusions are TINY (keep in mind you are talking about something the size of the eraser on a pencil) even in the huge 40x mag pic and they are white. SO I would still take a chance on it as it is an excellent value (the price on it is really quite good) and if there is ANY issue at all, they can do an exchange or trade up or whatever you want. They have excellent customer service.

They will be completely honest with you, its a stunning stone.

 

[helpmeSF]

Thanks for your help!

I wil get in touch with them and see what they say. One last question that has been discussed in the forum already but I'm interested in your thoughts - AGS vs GIA. This stone is AGS certified - good enough? Or should I be looking for a GIA stone? (I've read conflicting thoughts).

Thanks again!

 

[helpmeSF]

In order of preference:


http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3016703.htm Ticks every box. Fabulous value. Perfect balance of all factors.

As for 10 inches. That's WF's standard definition. But you can call them about that stone, put it on hold and tell them you would like to have their gemologist tell you if it is completely eyeclean FROM ANY DISTANCE. They can do that for you. You can even ask to speak to the gemologist for yourself.

And looking at that diamond, I would not be surprised if it was completely eyeclean. And even if they say "experienced eyes" may be able to see something once in a blue moon (covering their bases)... The inclusions are TINY (keep in mind you are talking about something the size of the eraser on a pencil) even in the huge 40x mag pic and they are white. SO I would still take a chance on it as it is an excellent value (the price on it is really quite good) and if there is ANY issue at all, they can do an exchange or trade up or whatever you want. They have excellent customer service.

They will be completely honest with you, its a stunning stone.

Chatted with WF - this is what they said:
Eye clean from 10 inches; at 6 inches and from the side, inclusions might visible (depending on light/vision, etc)

 

[Dancing Fire]

In order of preference:


http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3016703.htm Ticks every box. Fabulous value. Perfect balance of all factors.

As for 10 inches. That's WF's standard definition. But you can call them about that stone, put it on hold and tell them you would like to have their gemologist tell you if it is completely eyeclean FROM ANY DISTANCE. They can do that for you. You can even ask to speak to the gemologist for yourself.

And looking at that diamond, I would not be surprised if it was completely eyeclean. And even if they say "experienced eyes" may be able to see something once in a blue moon (covering their bases)... The inclusions are TINY (keep in mind you are talking about something the size of the eraser on a pencil) even in the huge 40x mag pic and they are white. SO I would still take a chance on it as it is an excellent value (the price on it is really quite good) and if there is ANY issue at all, they can do an exchange or trade up or whatever you want. They have excellent customer service.

They will be completely honest with you, its a stunning stone.

Chatted with WF - this is what they said:
Eye clean from 10 inches; at 6 inches and from the side, inclusions might visible (depending on light/vision, etc)

That is a very nice stone. IMO,GIA and AGS are equal. I love the G SI1 combo...

 

[c-k]

In order of preference:


http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3016703.htm Ticks every box. Fabulous value. Perfect balance of all factors.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-267371 Gorgeous, clean, white, and bright.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.535-f-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104066186015 Medium Blue, but totally safe (all BGD Blue Line stones are). White, bright, gorgeous and amazing.

Like all 3 choices, my pick would be the 1.70 Whiteflash and it is a AGSL Ideal cut, so you know it has great performance

 

[Gypsy]

They are a very safe lab. You are good on that front. And they have exacting cut standards.

I think that diamonds is a winner. If you are still concerned you can have it sent to you unset and examine it yourself. Then send it back for setting. But that will take a bit more time and I know your timeline is tight as is.

 

[helpmeSF]

Dancing Fire, Gypsy, c-k: Thanks for your advice! I put the WF G/SI stone on hold while I figure it all out... Seems like a great stone from the images they have on the website and based on all that I have read on PS. I'm headed to a jeweler today to take a look at some SI stones so I can see how bothersome any inclusions might be (if at all). I had previously only been looking at VS2 stones...

Will keep you updated.

Thanks again!

 

[Gypsy]

Make sure the stones are ideal cut.

The light return and precision faceting of the ACA's minimize inclusions.

You'd be best off looking at Hearts on Fire stones at SI for a comparison. Or other Hearts and Arrows AGS0s.

 

[helpmeSF]

One other possible diamond: http://www.since1910.com/diamond/1-70ct/g-vs2/round/brilliant/cut/diamond/-r-29279-48995191

What do you think? I can get it for $16,800 (only $800 premium to the wonderful WF diamond you found me). The HCA for the since1910 diamond is 1.4 (the WF is 2.8 I believe, IIRC).

There is an inclusion on the enlarged photo of the since1910 diamond, but since it is VS2, that shouldn't be an issue, right?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[c-k]

One other possible diamond: http://www.since1910.com/diamond/1-70ct/g-vs2/round/brilliant/cut/diamond/-r-29279-48995191

What do you think? I can get it for $16,800 (only $800 premium to the wonderful WF diamond you found me). The HCA for the since1910 diamond is 1.4 (the WF is 2.8 I believe, IIRC).

There is an inclusion on the enlarged photo of the since1910 diamond, but since it is VS2, that shouldn't be an issue, right?

Thanks again for your help!

The AGSL Ideal cut trumps the HCA as it is already graded for light performance. You would need additional information for the 1910 stone, the lab report, Idealscope etc, to make a judgement on it.

You already know that the WF diamond is a stunner, you need to make sure that this diamond would compare.

The VS2 should not be an issue, however you need to ask to be sure.

 

[Gypsy]

You don't run HCA on AGS0. AGS0 is superior and trumps the HCA.

I would only consider the 1910 an option if they can provide you with an idealscope image. If they can, then there's no harm in putting it on hold and asking for it. And then taking it from there.

 

[helpmeSF]

You don't run HCA on AGS0. AGS0 is superior and trumps the HCA.

I would only consider the 1910 an option if they can provide you with an idealscope image. If they can, then there's no harm in putting it on hold and asking for it. And then taking it from there.

Since1910 didn't have any idealscope images. Decided to trust your advice and went with the Whiteflash diamond! I'm having it sent to me and I will take it to my local (non-chain, very well regarded) jeweler to have a setting made. He told me he would examine the stone as well and make sure he felt it was a good choice...

I'm excited (and keeping my fingers crossed that the stone is as good in person as it seems online/on paper)! Thanks again for your help!

Best,
helpmesf