Need help finding a round engagement ring

[djamish]

I've been working with various stores and have had trouble finding a good round diamond for an engagement ring for my Brother. All the diamonds they've sent us so far are performing pretty poorly on the HCA.

Can the experts here point me in the right direction? Looking for something around 1.2 - 1.35, Excellent cut, E/F, VS1,VS2. Budget is around 12k.

Thanks in advance

Here are some of the GIA numbers they've sent so far

2151110355
1129472759
7236290497

 

[SimoneDi]

Is your brother open to shopping online? Most of the recommended vendors here on PS are online vendors. Is 12k the total budget for stone and setting or diamond alone? What kind of setting is he interested in (solitaire, pave, halo, etc.)?

 

[djamish]

Is your brother open to shopping online? Most of the recommended vendors here on PS are online vendors. Is 12k the total budget for stone and setting or diamond alone? What kind of setting is he interested in (solitaire, pave, halo, etc.)?

he's not opposed to online shopping, but he'd be most comfortable seeing the diamond in person, but if theres a good return policy he's less worried.

I think with a pave setting he'd be want to be at 13k

 

[girlguineapig]

Depending on the cost of the setting, your brother will have different options. I did a first pass through and found plenty of great choices. It's easiest to get the setting from the same place as the stone, but many different vendors will be able to acquire settings even if they aren't on their website.

(WhiteFlash, premium H&A diamonds with all photos. I think return shipping in included.)
1.30 ct F VS2 $12,928 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3788899.htm
1.31 ct F VS2 $12,543 www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3766237.htm
1.265 ct F VS2 $11,913 www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3759781.htm
1.213 ct F VS2 $11,489 www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3793586.htm

(Victor Canera, premium H&A diamonds with all photos. Return shipping included.)
1.220 ct E VS2 $12,870 https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/7anq4d-1.220-e-vs2-ideal-hearts-arrows-round#cmp=prds
1.208 ct F VS2 $11,737 https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/60v1fd-1.208-f-vs2-ideal-hearts-arrows-round#cmp=prds

(James Allen often has a small discount if you ask. If interested ask them for IdealScope images. Return shipping included.)
1.33 ct F VVS2 $12,350 https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.33-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2502227
1.22 ct F VS1 $11,080 https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.22-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2353617

(You can request images from B2CJewels. Return shipping included.)
1.21 ct F VS1 $9,122 www.b2cjewels.com/dd-9084218-1.21-carat-Round-diamond-F-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=9084218&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
1.21 ct F VS1 $9,530 www.b2cjewels.com/dd-9076957-1.21-carat-Round-diamond-F-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=9076957&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
1.22 ct E VS1 $11,003 www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8200099-1.22-carat-Round-diamond-E-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=8200099&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
1.31 ct E VS1 $11,360 www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8383863-1.31-carat-Round-diamond-E-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=8383863&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
1.30 ct E VS1 $11,612 www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8916421-1.30-carat-Round-diamond-E-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=8916421&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com
1.26 ct F VVS1 $11,792 www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8947895-1.26-carat-Round-diamond-F-color-VVS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=8947895&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

(Hard to get photos from Blue Nile, but they have good prices and these are all safe options. Return shipping NOT included.)
1.21 ct F VS2 $9,151 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD08147262?click_id=944363930
1.20 ct F VS1 $10,101 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD08037726?click_id=91630409
1.31 ct F VS2 $10,483 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07784816?click_id=191060422
1.30 ct E VS2 $10,856 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07547980?click_id=427487214
1.24 ct E VS1 $10,902 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07930037?click_id=293933323
1.32 ct E VS2 $10,925 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07464017?click_id=377334270
1.34 ct E VS2 $11,167 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07547990?click_id=823118219
1.20 ct F VVS2 $11,173 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07349674?click_id=201226889
1.29 ct D VS2 $11,236 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07485594?click_id=268626562
1.21 ct E VVS2 $11,283 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD08147264?click_id=818257204
1.20 ct D VS2 $11,344 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07848622?click_id=75925798
1.28 ct D VS2 $11,540 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07931995?click_id=277864561
1.21 ct F IF $11,693 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07483870?click_id=896743510
1.26 ct F VVS1 $12,501 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07917172?click_id=192301168
1.34 ct E VS1 $12,766 www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07464021?click_id=16339751

 

[SimoneDi]

It is funny how so many people still want to "see" the diamond in person when so many online vendors currently offer detailed and magnified videos, ASET images, Idealscope, H&A images which offer so much more to "see", than looking at a diamond in person would offer. Regardless, all recommended vendors here have stellar return policies and also upgrade policies, which is great if the wearer ever wishes to upgrade or change the selected diamond. Now onto the diamond selection and search criteria.

1. Is there a particular reason he wishes to purchase an E/F diamond and VS1/VS2 clarity respectively? The reason I am asking is because most people would not necessarily be able to tell the different between a E/F diamond and G for example, even H in some cases. Regarding clarity, if the stone is eye-clean, I am not sure if there is a reason to limit your search to VS1 and VS2 stones only. Colorless diamonds and higher clarity come with a premium price. Your brother has a wonderful budget and the most important criteria for his search needs to be cut. I don't see a reason why he should settle for anything else, but a super ideal cut diamond.
2. Here is an illustration about how color and clarity comes into play in the world of super-ideal diamonds:

CBI (High Performance Diamonds)
1.22ct/E/VS1 http://highperformancediamonds.com/shop/e/HPD7377/?shop=yes retails at $15,779 with the wire transfer discount

If we go a couple grades down in clarity and go down to SI1, we can then select this 1.43/E/SI1 diamond http://highperformancediamonds.com/shop/e/HPD8567/?shop=yes for $13,943

Or this 1.33/E/SI1 http://highperformancediamonds.com/shop/e/HPD7777/?shop=yes for $12,332

And further if we go a couple of grades down in color (which will most likely not be noticeable), we can get this 1.22/G/VS1 http://highperformancediamonds.com/shop/g/HPD8637/?shop=yes for $11,680

Or even this 1.23/G/SI1 http://highperformancediamonds.com/shop/g/HPD8696/?shop=yes for $9,820. That is $5,959 less than the first 1.23/E/VS1 stone listed! Again, in my humble opinion, I would recommend that your brother is open to dropping a grade/couple grades down in color and looking of an ideal cut, eye-clean diamond. In my opinion, there is no need really to pay for higher clarity if you can get alike stone for much less. You can invest the difference to get a larger stone, hand forged setting, awesome wedding band, etc. but of course in the end my opinion is just that - an opinion. If he still wants that colorless stone in the end, that is totally up to him

Alrighty, with everything said this far, here are some additional recommendations:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.194-f-si1-round-diamond-ags-104077631003 Beautiful, eye-clean, F color diamond. Provides plenty of savings due to the SI1 clarify - $9,467

Slightly smaller at 1.110/E/VS2, but with the exact specs that he wants - http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.110-e-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104086693008 - $11,379

And probably my two favorites, as the H color allows for bigger ideal cut diamonds:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.311-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104091555002 - 10,957

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.288-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104091295003 - $9,192

If purchasing from BGD, my recommendation is the Legera setting: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/legera-pave-six-prong-platinum-6649p I love how delicate that setting is.

Next, we have some WF stones in addition to the ones previously recommended.

Slightly smaller 1.10/G/VS2 - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3784271.htm at $8,177.

1.134/F/VS2 - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3788902.htm at 9,514

1.228/G/VS2 - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3793587.htm - 10,364

Or even 1.303/H/VS2 - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3586203.htm - $10,330

He can choose something like this setting: http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/melody-diamond-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1660.htm or anything else on their website. WF works with many different vendors.

Last recommendation: VC

1.254/G/SI1 (eyeclean!) https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/91yenn-1.254-g-si1-ideal-hearts-arrows-round - $9,882

Or 1.234/E/SI1 - https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/4r265h-1.234-e-si1-ideal-hearts-arrows-round - $11,395

Or 1.208/F/VS2 - https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/60v1fd-1.208-f-vs2-ideal-hearts-arrows-round

And the best part is that he will get to pick one of the ahhh-mazing settings that VC creates. They will be more expensive than the ones previously listed, though - keep that in mind.

Example - https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/pave-four-prong-solitaire

Or https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/six-prong-pave-solitaire-with-scalloped-basket

That's probably enough info for now

 

[djamish]

wow thank you both for your help!

I've sent this to my brother.

What do you think of this diamond? It's 1.7 on the HCA. Should i be concerned about the black spots on top?

 

[SimoneDi]

Can we get the report number please? Or direct link?

Edit:

Nvm I found it.. Kk this stone is slightly deeper than ideal at 62.2% (ideal between 59-62)

It also has a steeper crown angle (35.0) that I would expect to be paired with steeper pavilion angle at 41 (current is 40.8 which is close)

There is a bit of a light leakage on the left half of the stone under the table. Please look at he lighter pink coloring. Furyher, I am not sure if it is because of the tilt of the stone, but the arrows are not all identical. There is no H&A image, it's usually nice to see that as well.

Overall, I would stick to my choices. With his budget, it'd be really unfortunate not to get an ideal cut diamond that would allow for maximum performance..

Again, clarity and color and not the most important things - CUT is. The difference between E and F is virtually non existent. Same with VS1 and VS2.. also with completely eye-clean SI1s..

 

[djamish]

Can we get the report number please? Or direct link?

Edit:

Nvm I found it.. Kk this stone is slightly deeper than ideal at 62.2% (ideal between 59-62)

It also has a steeper crown angle (35.0) that I would expect to be paired with steeper pavilion angle at 41 (current is 40.8 which is close)

There is a bit of a light leakage on the left half of the stone under the table. Please look at he lighter pink coloring. Furyher, I am not sure if it is because of the tilt of the stone, but the arrows are not all identical. There is no H&A image, it's usually nice to see that as well.

Overall, I would stick to my choices. With his budget, it'd be really unfortunate not to get an ideal cut diamond that would allow for maximum performance..

Again, clarity and color and not the most important things - CUT is. The difference between E and F is virtually non existent. Same with VS1 and VS2.. also with completely eye-clean SI1s..

Wow thanks for that information! i forgot to upload the H&A but not sure it will change your opinion on the stone.

I will look more into the other options you posted.

 

[SimoneDi]

Ok, I should really say that this is not a "bad" diamond, it will probably look great in person and to the average consumer, but there are better ones out there. Does your brother need "the best" cut-wise, that is up to him. I still think that E/VS1 is an overkill, he will be able to get much more diamond if at least he drops his requirements to F/VS2. Can you tell us who is the jeweler he is working with? The images you posted remind me of IDJ. Is it them?