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kevin825

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 3, 2013
Messages
10
Hi PriceScoper's

I'm thinking of proposing this year. I know that my girlfriend would like a round diamond with a setting similar to these two offered by James Allen:

1) http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/18k-white-gold-thin-channel-set-round-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-9011
2) http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/18k-white-gold-0.60ct-channel-set-princess-shaped-engagement-ring-item-7078

She's pretty tiny and thin so I was thinking the thin channel set one would be better.

Now for the part of where I need some help! I've looked at the 4 C's of diamond buying and browsed some reputable sites that will ship to Canada but still am not sure of a "good deal". My budget is around $10,000 and although I understand the differences between the 4 C's...most of the people we hang out with only are focused on the carat size! I'm hoping that I can buy a round diamond around 1.25 carats or bigger with a clarity of VS1-VS2 and colour of E-H. I think this is a reasonable price range for the criteria. Please help!

Thanks,
Kevin
 
It seems that you have a clear idea of what you are looking for. Of all the 4 C's, the one most people are able to recognize is carat weight, which you correctly identified! Since the mountings you are looking at are in the $1500 range, that leaves you with $8500 for the diamond. I would suggest looking in the VS-2- SI-1 range and possibly even H-J color to give you more options within your budget for the center stone. Online diamond sellers are getting really sophisticated in the amount of gemological information they are able to provide. Look for GIA certified diamonds when making comparisons.
 
Hi Everyone,

I wasn't clear in my first post at all. The budget is $10,000 just for the diamond before taxes and duty (we live in Canada). I'm still having a hard time balancing the 4 C's and feel that I should lean more towards the cut and carat with the Clarity not going lower than VS2 and Color not going lower than H.

Any revised suggestions? I will look again a little later today and post some of the selections that I have made for some comments.

Thanks again,
Kevin
 
I am clearly too new for this forum! What is an IS? I will be contacting JA right after work to talk to them about this diamond.
 
kevin825|1374863198|3490927 said:
Put this one on hold: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-232624

Any thoughts? I've attached the IS as well. Price was $9,640.

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

Hi kevin825! :wavey:
This IS looks good.

Would you consider going to VS2 or even SI1 (eye clean)? The reason I ask is that no one will know if it's a VS1 or an SI2 if the inclusions are "hidden" from the naked eye... and you could get a larger stone. ;)) Also, I don't know what your comfort level is in regards to color, but these look to be nice, if they're found to be eye clean...

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-232410

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-238227

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-229709

This is a "60/60" stone. Some do not like those proportions, but I thought it looked nice and exceptionally clean!! I don't know if my eyes are bad or what, but I didn't find an inclusion. At 1.51 and 7.4+ mm, it's quite a bit larger. (I'm a size whore...) :lol: Another plus is it also has some fluorescence. :))

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-232209

One more question... what type of setting are you getting?
 
kevin825|1374244889|3486156 said:
Hi Everyone,

I wasn't clear in my first post at all. The budget is $10,000 just for the diamond before taxes and duty (we live in Canada). I'm still having a hard time balancing the 4 C's and feel that I should lean more towards the cut and carat with the Clarity not going lower than VS2 and Color not going lower than H.
Any revised suggestions? I will look again a little later today and post some of the selections that I have made for some comments.

Thanks again,
Kevin
Click to expand...

Oops! I just saw this in your post... is there a specific reason for the clarity of VS2? FWIW, a lot of I's with really awesome cuts look very white. Have you compared the colors (all other things equal - EX, GIA, etc...)? :))
 
Thanks for your opinion. Will be going with the thin channel set style that is offered on James Allen. First link in my first post.
 
Timeless and elegant setting. :appl: Excited to see the finished product!
 
I've narrowed it down to these three:

1) http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-232624 (IS is in the post above) price is $9,640
2) http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-237876 (IS to come as they are closed for the weekend) Price is $8,740
3) http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.21-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-181241 (IS to come as they are closed for the weekend) Price is $7,360

I'd love to hear other people's opinion before I go ahead and choose one.

Thanks again
 
Here are the IS! They were working late and managed to get them.

Heavily leaning towards #3 but I'd love to have more input from anyone and everyone! I've been referencing the HCA and I'd like to get something in the 1 range when putting in the specs as well.

181241.jpg

237876_-_arrows.jpg

237876_-_hearts.jpg
 
Any more expert opinions?
 
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