Need Help Picking a Center Stone

[dojowedding]

Hello PriceScope Community:

I was referred to this site by someone from WeddingBee and I am definitely looking forward to all the quality advice that this community offers. So excited!

Anyhoot, fiance and I just returned a bridal set we purchased at a chain store and have decided to follow many people's advice. We decided to go with James Allen and picked out this setting in platinum with its matching band: https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...-edge-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-49997 (If anyone has suggestions similar to this, please feel free to post them )

Could you please help us pick out a center stone? I have tiny fingers so 0.5 carat is plenty with the halo. I am looking at a Round diamond, at least a G color with VS2 clarity.

$4,250: Total budget for everything is (taxes and fees included) but we'd like to save as much as we can.
$2,412: JA setting and matching band above with military discount
$1,838: JA Budget for center stone

Here are the two that I've picked out but I am open to any suggestions:

• Option 1: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...e-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1934615

• Option 2: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2119215

IF I am being unrealistic please say so as well

Thank you in advance!

 

[E B]

Welcome!

The diamonds you picked are pretty, but the first is a little deep (and seems hazy, but may not be apparent IRL). The second may have some potential, but I think this one looks a little nicer overall: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2097854.

You aren't being unrealistic at all, there are many nice choices in your budget! And James Allen will let you request 3 idealscopes when you narrow them down.

 

[kb1gra]

Interestingly, while searching for stones, I saw the first AGS report I've ever seen for a laser drilled diamond. I didn't know JA sold them or AGS would issue a platinum report for these.

Anyway, are you looking for the biggest you can get for $1800?

Because I love this .44 F/VS2 (I love F color stones) and it's way under budget.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.44-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1939367

otherwise:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.53-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2020879

I happen to prefer Adiamor's halo settings - I'm in the process of having them make me a plain shank halo for a cushion, and they do the best little claw prongs for an affordable setting maker - they have a double edged halo and I'm quite confident they could put that onto their regular french cut halo shank and it would come out looking nicer for around the same price. I can't get past the prongs JA uses.

 

[mcosme]

I really like this one if you can get an idealscope
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.57-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2080696

 

[dojowedding]

Interestingly, while searching for stones, I saw the first AGS report I've ever seen for a laser drilled diamond. I didn't know JA sold them or AGS would issue a platinum report for these.

Anyway, are you looking for the biggest you can get for $1800?

Because I love this .44 F/VS2 (I love F color stones) and it's way under budget.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.44-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1939367

otherwise:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.53-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2020879

I happen to prefer Adiamor's halo settings - I'm in the process of having them make me a plain shank halo for a cushion, and they do the best little claw prongs for an affordable setting maker - they have a double edged halo and I'm quite confident they could put that onto their regular french cut halo shank and it would come out looking nicer for around the same price. I can't get past the prongs JA uses.

We're not looking for the biggest we can get for the price. A diamond close to 0.5 carat of a better quality is more than enough. Anything extra can go to our future instead of on my finger

 

[rockysalamander]

Bump. Any other help on a JA stone?

 

[E B]

If you're okay with dipping just under .50, this one looks really pretty too (and is also way under budget):

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1890943

 

[rockysalamander]

Here's another nice one.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.46-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1860927

 

[rockysalamander]

I know you wanted JA, but what about this diamond from HighPerformanceDiamonds? Under budget and they could send it to JA for setting or may be able to match the price. You'd have to ask if it it eye-clean. This is AGS graded (on par with GIA).

http://highperformancediamonds.com/shop/clarity/HPD8089/

Others from James Allen
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.46-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2035629
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.50-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2101533
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.51-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2015267

 

[rockysalamander]

So, the next step is to select your top three diamonds and ask for an ASET. I'd ask for these three first. Put those diamonds on hold and then you can post the ASET here. If they don't have ASET for the top tier, go to the 2nd tier. JA will only provide three, so be sure you are happy with the diamond before requesting.

Here is some information about the ASET:
https://www.pricescope.com/journal/aset-%E2%80%93-diamond-evaluation-tool
https://www.pricescope.com/journal/what-aset-reveals-ideal-scope-does-not

1st tier
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.54-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2097854
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.50-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2101533
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.53-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2020879

2nd tier
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.44-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1939367
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.46-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1860927 {little shallow}
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.51-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2015267 {little steep}