Need Help from the Experts

[rebsfan4life]

Hi all,

I want to start by saying what a great community you have here. I've learned so much in a short period of time reading through the helpful threads archive and various resources available on PS. That being said, I'm still new to the diamond buying process and could use your advice on picking out the perfect ering!

I'm working with a $10k budget, with a little room for flexibility. Looking for the following, in order of importance (unless you sway me in another direction):

1) Light performance
2) Carats (minimum around 1.45, not looking for anything over 2)
3) Cut (prefer near ideal to ideal, willing to sacrifice a bit here as long as light performance is still great)
4) Color (minimum K, but only if everything else is outstanding and no yellow when viewed face up, otherwise J)
5) Clarity (minimum SI1, as long as it's eye clean and no structural concerns)

Also a fan of strong fluorescence (as long as no milkiness) but not required.
I've gotten very little input from the fiancee-to-be other than she'd like a platinum solitaire setting.

Below are some options I've found and need your help sorting out the good from the bad. Also, if you have any other suggestions please throw them at me!

1) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3284207
2) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3208406
3) http://diamonddealfinder.com/enquiry.php?id_field=7475341
4) https://www.eternitybyyoni.com/diamond_detail.php?id=2724348&ref=pricescope
5) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3872119.htm?source=pricescope
6) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3916959.htm?source=pricescope
7) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-j-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2628211
8 ) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-j-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3014731
9) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3231146
10) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2697208
11) https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...nd-ags-104096006002#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/3/
12) https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...1.571-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104095888009

Thanks in advance!
David

 

[Todd Gray]

Hi David,

I can't comment here on the specifics of the diamonds referenced because I'm a trade member. But I thought I'd give your inquiry a bump in hopes that a non-trade member might provide some insight.

In terms of light performance and sparkle factor, which you indicate is your top priority, I recommend keeping the pavilion angle between 40.6 - 40.9 degrees with a crown angle between 34.3 - 35.0 degrees.

Several of the diamonds you reference have steeper crown angles and deeper crown heights than I personally prefer, but it's all a matter of knowing what type of look you're going for.

I tend to avoid round diamonds with steeper crown sections because I find that while they may look amazing under the halogen lighting used by most jewelry stores, many of those diamonds flatten out and seem to go dead when viewed in the diffused lighting that we live and work under in this modern age. There are exceptions to the rule of course, but I tend to err on the side of caution.

 

[rockysalamander]

You have a lot of nice choices. Given that, I narrowed the list down to the ones I think are worth pursuit with my preference being that I prefer a table 57 or less, CA less than 36, color above a K, and chubby arrows. I eliminated anything the would be unlikely to be eye-clean or had a clear inclusion under the table.

You listed several super-ideals (BGD and WF). These will have the top performance and WF, in particular, has a very generous upgrade policy. Super-ideals make diamond body color less apparent from the top, so I would drop to a J in a super-ideal. You could select these and be done with the search. They will tend to be more/carat, but you get better performance and customer care (IMHO).

6) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3916959.htm?source=pricescope
12) https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...1.571-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104095888009

These are well-cut diamonds worthy of pursuit. You can put 3 stones on hold from JA at one time and request up to 3 Idealscope images. I would put the following three on hold (7, 13, 14) and request an IS for both 13 and 14. If the IS on 13 and 14 look good, I'd like to see them show you these three from the side to look at body color. JA is also have a sale on settings right now.

7) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-j-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2628211 {great angles, AGS, but it looks like a lot of body color}

13) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3599968 {7.46 mm)
14) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3661554 {on this one, ask if the additional clouds cause any impact, a snow-globe effect causing light return to scatter, 7.32 mm).

 

[rebsfan4life]

Todd/Rocky - Thank you both for the insights!

What drives your preference for lower table size and CA? And could you give me an example of what you mean by chubby arrows?

Since 6, 7, 13, and 14 all have similar price points/carats, I think I can eliminate the latter 3 unless you think they could give significantly better light performance than 6.

Also, it seems like CBI's are pretty highly regarded here. Any thoughts on the one below? It seems to fit most of your criteria but any concerns on color/clarity?
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD7796

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[rockysalamander]

Since 6, 7, 13, and 14 all have similar price points/carats, I think I can eliminate the latter 3
Perfectly good option. 6 will outperform the latter 3.

What drives your preference for lower table size and CA? And could you give me an example of what you mean by chubby arrows?
Sure, I should have explained. Smaller tables with a CA close to 34.5 with a properly paired PA tend to be more firey. As you lower the CA below 34 and above 35, you tend to get a less firey stone (and a more leaky one if you don't match the PA well). Very low crows also make the diamond flat looking. In modern round, I like the stone to have a lot of fire (the shortcut to fire is super-ideal). Also, high crowns (and overly thick girdles) can hide weight that is not generating performance.

#7 has chubbier arrows. #10 has skinnier ones. The size of the arrows provide contrast and that is a good thing.

When I look at super-ideal diamonds, I only look at table size and visibility of inclusions. They are cut to such precision that its not necessary to be as proscriptive on th angles. They can document the performance with ASET, IS and AGL light performance. CBI and WF are both beautiful stone. The CBI stone is gorgeous and I love them. There are just as many WF ACA lovers. Both HighPerformanceDiamonds and WF have excellent customer service and workmanship.