Need help choosing approx 1.5c round diamond

[bjg]

After doing more research, I believe I'd like an approximately 1.5 carat round diamond, and would like to spend approximately $15k for the diamond and setting.

I would like to get the best value with the best quality possible. From my research, I think I'd like the following attributes:

size: 1.4-1.6 carat
cut: ideal / round
clarity: I/SI1 (eye-clean)
color: G/H/I
HCA: excellent

If anyone thinks I should adjust the attributes above for better quality and/or better value, please let me know.

I've found the following, which look pretty good to me. I don't yet know exactly what to look for in the various images, such as idealscope, so any help with that would be appreciated. Please let me know your thoughts on the best diamond here:


1.58ct, I/SI1, HCA 1.8, $12,309:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10711/

1.51ct, I/SI1, HCA 1.4, $11,320:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10535/

1.57ct, H/VS2, HCA 0.6, $13,910:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.57-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-204013

1.53ct, I/SI1, HCA 1.2, $12,978:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2930350.htm

1.51ct, G/SI1, HCA 1.3, $12,750:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-215229


Thanks for any help!

 

[bjg]

i found one more:

1.53ct, G, SI1, HCA 0.7, $12,209:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.530-g-si1-round-diamond-gia-44377550

 

[tyty333]

After doing more research, I believe I'd like an approximately 1.5 carat round diamond, and would like to spend approximately $15k for the diamond and setting.

I would like to get the best value with the best quality possible. From my research, I think I'd like the following attributes:

size: 1.4-1.6 carat
cut: ideal / round
clarity: I/SI1 (eye-clean)
color: G/H/I
HCA: excellent

If anyone thinks I should adjust the attributes above for better quality and/or better value, please let me know.

I've found the following, which look pretty good to me. I don't yet know exactly what to look for in the various images, such as idealscope, so any help with that would be appreciated. Please let me know your thoughts on the best diamond here:


1.58ct, I/SI1, HCA 1.8, $12,309: Table too big for my liking
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10711/

1.51ct, I/SI1, HCA 1.4, $11,320: Nice
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10535/

1.57ct, H/VS2, HCA 0.6, $13,910: Request an idealscope and post
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.57-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-204013

1.53ct, I/SI1, HCA 1.2, $12,978: Cant go wrong with an ACA.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2930350.htm

1.51ct, G/SI1, HCA 1.3, $12,750: Make sure its eye clean but otherwise numbers look really good. Get an idealscope and post.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-215229


Thanks for any help!

 

[tyty333]

Here is a nice BGD blue to throw into your mix...
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.562-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104064812029#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/0/

 

[stargurl78]

I like the 1.51ct G/SI1 from James Allen. But as tyty suggested, request an idealscope from JA and post it here.

 

[bjg]

Here is a nice BGD blue to throw into your mix...
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.562-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104064812029#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/0/

thanks! how would you say this compares to the other diamonds from my posts? it looks nice.

 

[bjg]

After doing more research, I believe I'd like an approximately 1.5 carat round diamond, and would like to spend approximately $15k for the diamond and setting.

I would like to get the best value with the best quality possible. From my research, I think I'd like the following attributes:

size: 1.4-1.6 carat
cut: ideal / round
clarity: I/SI1 (eye-clean)
color: G/H/I
HCA: excellent

If anyone thinks I should adjust the attributes above for better quality and/or better value, please let me know.

I've found the following, which look pretty good to me. I don't yet know exactly what to look for in the various images, such as idealscope, so any help with that would be appreciated. Please let me know your thoughts on the best diamond here:


1.58ct, I/SI1, HCA 1.8, $12,309: Table too big for my liking
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10711/

1.51ct, I/SI1, HCA 1.4, $11,320: Nice
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10535/

1.57ct, H/VS2, HCA 0.6, $13,910: Request an idealscope and post
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.57-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-204013

1.53ct, I/SI1, HCA 1.2, $12,978: Cant go wrong with an ACA.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2930350.htm

1.51ct, G/SI1, HCA 1.3, $12,750: Make sure its eye clean but otherwise numbers look really good. Get an idealscope and post.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-215229


Thanks for any help!

Thanks for the feedback. What do you mean by the table being too big for your liking? What are normally acceptable table sizes? I just put the numbers into the HCA calculator, but don't really otherwise understand the significance of all the various diamond measurements.

When you say you can't go wrong with an ACA, what is the significance of ACA? I see it referenced on the site as "A Cut Above" but not sure of the significance.

Thanks for the feedback on the jamesallen diamonds. I've requested idealscope images and will post once I get them.

 

[bjg]

I like the 1.51ct G/SI1 from James Allen. But as tyty suggested, request an idealscope from JA and post it here.

Thanks. What is it about the 1.51ct G/SI1 from James Allen that you like? I've requested the idealscope and will post it here when I receive it.

 

[tyty333]

Thanks for the feedback. What do you mean by the table being too big for your liking? What are normally acceptable table sizes? I just put the numbers into the HCA calculator, but don't really otherwise understand the significance of all the various diamond measurements.

When you say you can't go wrong with an ACA, what is the significance of ACA? I see it referenced on the site as "A Cut Above" but not sure of the significance.

Thanks for the feedback on the jamesallen diamonds. I've requested idealscope images and will post once I get them.

I prefer smaller tables (54-57%). You can get a lot of glare off a large table. It also affects the dynamics of the stone and it
usually seems like the larger the table the more possibility for it to affect the stone. Large tables are just not for me.

ACA diamonds are sort of pre-vetted to have all the right numbers and ideal light return (AGS0).
BGD stones are also "pre-vetted". Hence, they usually cost a bit more.

 

[tyty333]

Have you looked at the settings at these sites? Its easier to get your stone and setting at the same place so that might help
you narrow it down some.

That BGD stone might be a bit high. I didnt take in account the setting.

 

[bjg]

Have you looked at the settings at these sites? Its easier to get your stone and setting at the same place so that might help
you narrow it down some.

That BGD stone might be a bit high. I didnt take in account the setting.

I am just starting to look at the settings on the sites. Thanks for the input.

On the James Allen site, it turns out the H/VS2 is no longer available, so there won't be any idealscope coming on that. The representative from James Allen said that I could pick two more stones to get idealscopes for. One stone he provided where I'll be getting an idealscope is the following:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-187789

I'll post the idealscope on that once I get it.

 

[bjg]

I've narrowed the original diamonds posted down to the following:

1.51ct, I/SI1, HCA 1.4, $11,320: Nice
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10535/

1.53ct, I/SI1, HCA 1.2, $12,978: Cant go wrong with an ACA.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2930350.htm

1.51ct, G/SI1, HCA 1.3, $12,750: Make sure its eye clean but otherwise numbers look really good. Get an idealscope and post.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-215229

In addition, I've added the following diamonds for consideration:

1.55ct, H/SI1, HCA 1.5, $13,410
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-187789 (i've requested an idealscope)

1.535ct, H/VS2, $15,671
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2661544.htm

1.505ct, H/VS2, $15,365
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2708998.htm

1.51ct, H/S1, $12,981
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10620/

1.51ct, H/VS2, $15,538
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9558/

Any advice on the best to get of the original and updated ones?

Also, between James Allen, White Flash, and Good Old Gold, is there a clear consensus on the best place to buy from?

Thanks again for any help.