Need help deciding between 2 diamonds, please!

[drhydra]

Hello,

I've started reading this forum 2 weeks ago and learned a lot, but with my limited knowledge I'd greatly appreciate it if I can get some expert opinions on below 2 diamonds. Can I go wrong with either? Which do you prefer?

1.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4964077-0.99-carat-Round-diamond-E-color-SI1-clarity.aspx
Looks eye clean from the pictures
HCA 0.8 all excellent except for spread at very good
~$6700

2.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.96-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-347572
Obvious black dot on the bottom from the magnified picture, but I'm not sure if it'll be noticeable with naked eye?
HCA 1.3 all excellent except for spread which is at very good
Idealscope image: https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/400x400q90/r/855/4aok.jpg
~$6000

It will be set in this halo setting: https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/548x460q90/r/856/tscs9.jpg

Thanks for any advice/opinion!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Cut wise I'd like #2 if eye clean.

 

[drhydra]

Thanks for your input.

Do you mind elaborating why the cut on the 2nd diamond is better? I can see the first one is slightly not symmetric, is that why? Should I be bothered with the black inclusion? From James Allen: "The inclusions in the diamond are dark; however, they blend well under the faceting and performance (meaning that it does face up "eye clean")". Will it be visible if looked at from an angle in the halo setting?

Would really appreciate it if I can get some more input as it's a big purchase and difficult to learn in a short period of time. Thanks again!

 

[Lorelei]

Hello,

I've started reading this forum 2 weeks ago and learned a lot, but with my limited knowledge I'd greatly appreciate it if I can get some expert opinions on below 2 diamonds. Can I go wrong with either? Which do you prefer?

1.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4964077-0.99-carat-Round-diamond-E-color-SI1-clarity.aspx
Looks eye clean from the pictures
HCA 0.8 all excellent except for spread at very good
~$6700

2.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.96-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-347572
Obvious black dot on the bottom from the magnified picture, but I'm not sure if it'll be noticeable with naked eye?
HCA 1.3 all excellent except for spread which is at very good
Idealscope image: https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/400x400q90/r/855/4aok.jpg
~$6000

It will be set in this halo setting: https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/548x460q90/r/856/tscs9.jpg

Thanks for any advice/opinion!

Hi dryhydra and welcome!

Both should be excellent propositions, I also slightly prefer the numbers of the JA diamond, request an Idealscope image so we can see how well everything works together so we have a good basis of comparison.

Concerning the ' eye cleanliness' question, the only way to know if the JA diamond is going to be eye clean once set is to again ask someone to inspect the stone and advise, they won't mind doing this for you, it could be the inclusion won't be visible in the halo setting but it depends and make sure it isn't reflecting around the diamond and is visible that way.

You have done very well, two potentially excellent choices!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The idealscope on the James Allen is better. It is simply a more precisely cut stone. However, I would be worried whether the one large black inclusion might reflect in the rest of the stone. You'd probably have to see it to know. I think I'd rather go to G color and have VS clarity, personally. I wouldn't settle on cut, either. I'd want the cut of the JA stone with less obvious inclusions.

 

[drhydra]

Thanks again for both of your inputs.

I found another one that is within my budget worth considering.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3114502.htm#

Since it will be set in a halo setting, I don't think the weight and size will matter that much. However, I'm afraid color H will be noticeable compared to the D color on the halo setting. Should I worry about that?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Thanks again for both of your inputs.

I found another one that is within my budget worth considering.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3114502.htm#

Since it will be set in a halo setting, I don't think the weight and size will matter that much. However, I'm afraid color H will be noticeable compared to the D color on the halo setting. Should I worry about that?

I like this one best. There is almost always a little contrast between the pave stones and a center diamond anyway. Does the setting have to be made with D color? I'd have it made with G. Or you could ask about this one:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3019441.htm

 

[Dancing Fire]

Thanks again for both of your inputs.

I found another one that is within my budget worth considering.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3114502.htm#

Since it will be set in a halo setting, I don't think the weight and size will matter that much. However, I'm afraid color H will be noticeable compared to the D color on the halo setting. Should I worry about that?

I like this one best. There is almost always a little contrast between the pave stones and a center diamond anyway. Does the setting have to be made with D color? I'd have it made with G. Or you could ask about this one:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3019441.htm

That is a beautiful stone + true H&A .

 

[drhydra]

Wow I didn't know true h&a is so specific until you mentioned it and read more into it, now I see why the diamond suggested by diamondseeker2006 has a better cut. Should I worry about inclusions shown on the lab report? They look pretty scary covering the whole diamond. Will the inclusions especially the cloud affect the shininess of the diamond? Also, I believe feathers on reports means they hit the surface, will this cause durability problems?

Thanks again, you guys make this buying process much less stressful.