Need help - buying first diamond

[BradMaddox]

hey everyone -

Buying my first diamond for an engagement ring. Budget would be somewhere in the 3.5-4.5k range. I know very little as to what to expect out of a particular cut but have been doing reading.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a solitaire diamond? I would intend on having the diamond placed on a wedding band from a jeweler in my area.

Thank you!

 

[crbl999]

We can help you find a diamond, but will need some more information first.

What shape are you looking for?

Do have a minimum specs for cut (super ideal vs ideal), color, clarity, and carat? How would you rank each of these in order of importance?

 

[BradMaddox]

Thanks for your help!

I am looking for a round diamond! Ideal vs Shallow

Carat: 0.95
Clarity: somewhere in the VS ballpark
Color: G-H

As I mentioned I’ve done some reading but I’m a beginner with many of this. I would ideally place the cut of the diamond first (round) but would be interested in oval cuts as well. Least importance to me is probably the clarity aspect, however I would prefer no obvious defects

Thank you again

 

[sledge]

These are all super ideals. A little smaller than your preferred range, but you pick up some color and the fact they are some of the best cut stones available in your price range.

WF ACA 0.827ct G SI1, $3,488
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3640395.htm

WF ACA 0.856ct E SI1, $4,438
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3982403.htm

HPD/CBI 0.80ct H VVS2, $4,363
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10172

HPD/CBI 0.75ct H VS2, $3,604
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10230

HPD/CBI 0.75ct H VS1, $3,389
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10090

HPD/CBI 0.74ct H VS1, $3,344
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10205

 

[crbl999]

WF has many super ideals to choose from in your price range. Most of these will be in the low .8X ct.

Here are some non super ideals. You will need to request idealscope images on these and confirm that they are eye clean to your specifications.

.9 G VS2
https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/117089...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

.9 G SI1
https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/117209...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

 

[sledge]

Here are a few more GIA XXX options.

0.90ct G SI1, $4,309 (HCA = 1.0)
https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/0.90-ct-G-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond/D42135232

0.90ct E VS2, $4,787 (HCA = 0.8 )
https://parcelandstone.com/diamond/Round/0.90-carat-E-color-VS2-clarity-stockNo-100728174673

FYI, some quick guidelines when searching for GIA stones:

• Table = 54-57%
• Depth = 60-62.4%
• Crown Angle = 34-35 degrees (maybe 35.5 if paired with 40.6 pavilion)
• Pavilion Angle = 40.6-40.9 degrees (maybe 41 if paired with 34 crown)
• Lower Girdle Facets (LGF) = 75-80% (if you like fat arrows, seek 75)

Limiting stones to this selection will make life easier. Any stones you like, you then put in the HCA calculator to determine if they score a 2 or less. This is an elimination tool meaning that a stone scoring 1.5 is not better than a 1.8 or 0.8 stone. The HCA is simply trying to predict the light return of the stone based on depth, table, crown & pavilion.

https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

FYI, HCA does not apply to AGS certified stones as AGS utilizes an advanced 3D modeling system that supersedes the simplistic nature of the HCA tool, and consequently AGS can objectively assign a cut grade to a particular stone.

Assuming your stone meets the above criteria and passes the HCA, then you should request actual images, videos, light performance images (ASET and/or idealscope) and symmetry images (hearts & arrows, aka H&A) to confirm stone is acceptable to purchase.

 

[BradMaddox]

Thank you both so much this is a tremendous help!