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gohan_d1

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 11, 2018
Messages
8
Hey Guys,

I am just about to pull the trigger on a big life decision and would love some guidance. Narrowed down my search to the below two diamonds and am struggling to compare the two. The 0.9 has a better HCA score and is slightly bigger while the 0.8 has a comparatively worse score and is smaller. Size does matter to me but obviously not at the expense of a worse shine/sparkle. Would love to see some of your input here.20181109_162155.jpg20181109_162223.jpg
 
I would keep looking-

The D is only “Very Good” cut and I’d be concerned about the crystal defining the Si2 clarity, is the stone eye clean?

The E is cut quite deeply so will face up slightly smaller.

We usually advise sticking to GIA XXX stones and trying to keep within the following numbers,

table: 54-58
depth: 60-62.3
crown angle: 34-35.0
pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0)

If you post your budget and requirements the posters here will help you find something fabulous!
 
I would also say to not buy either of these. I agree with the other posters. You want a triple excellent cut, not "excellent" and especially not "very good". Cut is the most important factor (cut is king), and these two diamonds fail in that category.

If budget is an issue, sacrifice some clarity and color to get the triple excellent. What is your budget? We can find help you in your search.
 
Ouch. Hard pass on both them for me. Too deep and proportions are just crazy. That said, of the two choices, the E is the "better cut" stone.

Please post your budget and desire for size, color & clarity and we can find you something that will blow your socks off.

For reference...

Your D stone according to AGS proportions chart (you want to be in pink, aka Ideal):

Capture.PNG

Your E stone according to the AGS proportions chart:

Capture2.PNG
 
Here are some 0.80ct+, E+, SI1+ stones within the $4-5k range. These are all super ideal diamonds with awesome sparkle, great customer service and access to some of the best upgrade programs available:

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=3982403,4027058,4049788,4049789

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10498


Here are some 0.90ct+, F+, SI1+ stones within the $6-7k range. Again, all super ideal with awesome sparkle, great customer service & the best upgrade policies:

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=3929359,3955161,3929360,3997343

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10364


There are lots more stones out there. As I noted above, these are super ideal stones that is like hitting the "easy button" on diamond purchasing. Depending what your exact budget and goals are we can look for GIA XXX stones with ideal proportions as well.
 
Thanks everyone for your super helpful responses! This community is truly wonderful.

- The 0.9 and 0.8 were eye clean but I have taken a look at some of the online tools to evaluate them and they all point to the same conclusion; the cut can be better. To that end, I would greatly appreciate some help finding the "right" diamond on the two online sources such as BlueNile and JamesAllen. They come recommended from friends and family and therefore I would like to restrict my online shopping through them.

My priority is cut and size. I would be in the market for a 0.85-0.9ct, with at H+ color, SI1+ clarity and 3X cut with as nice symmetry as I an afford (up to 5500 for the stone).

Again, you guys have been phenomenal and would love to get some more guidance here.

Thanks in advance!
 
Imho James Allen can be overpriced, and doesn't have a good upgrade policy in case that's important to you. I would definitely include Whiteflash, Brian Gavin, High performance diamonds, ID jewelry, and others recommended here on your list of potential places to buy. Otherwise you might be restricting yourself for no reason, which will make things harder.

For settings, do you have preferences or a set budget? That might help narrow down where to purchase from.
 
Thanks again guys, you are life savers. I will definitely look into whiteflash. BlueNile and JamesAllen are just preferred because I have friends who have had great experiences with both. Whiteflash and the others are unknown to me. Upgrade policy is a non-factor. Everything in, after the setting, I am looking at a budget of approx 5500 so the setting would be approx 500.

The above looks like a great option though and I am looking at it now. Any other options are most welcome.

@Snowdrop13 What is the tool you referenced? Can I get a link by chance? Thanks!
 
gohan_d1 said:
Thanks again guys, you are life savers. I will definitely look into whiteflash. BlueNile and JamesAllen are just preferred because I have friends who have had great experiences with both. Whiteflash and the others are unknown to me. Upgrade policy is a non-factor. Everything in, after the setting, I am looking at a budget of approx 5500 so the setting would be approx 500.

The above looks like a great option though and I am looking at it now. Any other options are most welcome.

@Snowdrop13 What is the tool you referenced? Can I get a link by chance? Thanks!
Click to expand...
No probs! The diamond search tool is under the “Resources” tab at the top of the page.
 
When you have typed in your basic parameters, tick the AGS 000 box to rule out most of them and then drag the HCA slider to Excellent - that should give you a much smaller pool of stones to pick from, most of which should meet PS-recommended standards!
 
James Allen (JA) and BlueNile (BN) are definitely good and respectful companies. FYI if you aren't aware, Signet purchased JA not long ago who is the same people that own stores like Kay's, Jared's, etc. I would agree there is no reason not to trust either. As far as diamond cut quality it varies widely and depends on the specific stone. Because both are heavy into virtual inventory (meaning stone is cut and held by a supplier, generally overseas, and made available to multiple retailers such as JA, BN, etc) they have everything from great to duds. Customer service is above average.

With the suppliers like WhiteFlash (WF), Brian Gavin Diamonds (BGD), High Perfomance Diamonds/Crafted By Infinity (HPD/CBI) and Victor Canera (VC) you literally take a major step UP in all areas. First, these guys stock diamonds in their vaults and they are what we call super ideal vendors. This means they have the most precise cut, true Hearts & Arrows (H&A) symmetry, AGS certification (preferred over GIA for superior cut quality) and all the basic images and videos along with performance images like ASET, idealscope and H&A images to prove their stones are truly the cream of the crop. The quality is so high that only about 1% of all diamonds fit in this category. The icing on the cake is their customer service is top notch with not only the best upgrade, return and buyback policies but general diamond k owledge and their willingness to bend over backwards to please customers.

I might further add that the majority of GIA XXX stones are rubbish. Yes, some great ones exist and we know how to find them but remember this:

All AGS000 stones will have ideal cuts and can easily be graded as GIA XXX stones, if they were to be sent to the GIA lab. Very, very few GIA XXX stones would be graded ideal if they were sent to the AGS lab.
 
Thanks @sledge and oohShiny for your detailed responses! I am certainly warming up to WF after taking a look here and across the net at comparisons and testimonials. I used the tool above and think I have chose the below as a shortlist. Would love your opinion and ranking between these 5 choices that are all within my budget (some more than others of course). The 0.856 still your favorite? To my extremely naive and inexperienced eye, the twinning wisp inclusions looked rather large/apparent. Perhaps its just under the magnification, would love your input on that and the other picks. Thanks you so much in advance, this is making me feel much more confident about the online process.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=4045348,3982403,4027058,4045347,4045322
 
gohan_d1 said:
Thanks @sledge and oohShiny for your detailed responses! I am certainly warming up to WF after taking a look here and across the net at comparisons and testimonials. I used the tool above and think I have chose the below as a shortlist. Would love your opinion and ranking between these 5 choices that are all within my budget (some more than others of course). The 0.856 still your favorite? To my extremely naive and inexperienced eye, the twinning wisp inclusions looked rather large/apparent. Perhaps its just under the magnification, would love your input on that and the other picks. Thanks you so much in advance, this is making me feel much more confident about the online process.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=4045348,3982403,4027058,4045347,4045322
Click to expand...

It was posted in another thread that the twinning wisp on the .856 is visible to the naked eye upon close inspection. My favorite of the remaining stones is the .841 G VS2.

krusty900 said:
In regards to that e diamond. This was the reply I got, Hope it’s not against forum rules to post
‘It is very icy blue white, and provides fantastic brilliance and fire.
The diamond is eye clean from 10”, but I am able to see one of the twinning wisps that extends from the crown onto the table, from as close as I can focus.
The proper lighting is required, and it does not impact performance at all. It is simply visible without magnification.’
Click to expand...
 
The 0.828 E SI1 has a 54.3% table - at the bottom end of the PS-recommended range and likely to increase the opportunity for coloured fire, if you like that sort of thing!

Looks pretty eye-clean from the video, but the setup is somewhat 'flashy' and therefore things can hide in the sparkles IMO lol
 
If you narrow down to three you can ask Whiteflash to walk you through differences between them. They’ll also do a picture or video of them all in a row so you can see them side by side. Of course, you should put them on hold first and then post here for evaluation.
 
gohan_d1 said:
BlueNile and JamesAllen are just preferred because I have friends who have had great experiences with both.
Click to expand...
This is like saying you want to buy a car from Hyundai or Kia because your friends have had great experiences with them. The posters on this board are pointing you to the Maserati and Porsche of diamond merchants. Hyundais and Kias will certainly get you to where you're going, but they're not as sharp or well-crafted as the Maserati or Porsche.

There IS a big difference between super-ideal diamonds and everything else, that's why everyone is suggesting a super-ideal. Have fun choosing!

Here's an icy beauty to look at. https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10498
 
SandyinAnaheim said:
This is like saying you want to buy a car from Hyundai or Kia because your friends have had great experiences with them. The posters on this board are pointing you to the Maserati and Porsche of diamond merchants. Hyundais and Kias will certainly get you to where you're going, but they're not as sharp or well-crafted as the Maserati or Porsche.

There IS a big difference between super-ideal diamonds and everything else, that's why everyone is suggesting a super-ideal. Have fun choosing!

Here's an icy beauty to look at. https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10498
Click to expand...

Yep, hear you guys loud and clear. Did a little browsing and am open to hpdiamonds as well as Whiteflash now! I did have a question though. Most of the settings at these online retailers are within the 2-2.5mm width. I was looking for atleast a 3-3.5mm but still keep it below about 500 in a 14ct white gold. I think i can find that locally in my city so is it safe to buy a loose diamond and have it set locally? I've heard of all sorts of crazy stories about diamonds being swapped at the jewlers so any tips on how to avoid that? Can the setting be performed in front of me by chance?

@SandyinAnaheim What is your opinion between the hpdiamond and the 2 whiteflash stones suggested above?
 
I would let the diamond vendor set your stone (especially a super ideal) as they will absorb the risk should something happen during the setting process.

And the wider your ring shank, the more gold is used, the heavier it weighs... the more it costs. A plain solitaire, no pave, could be found for $500. It won’t be vatche or tacori but maybe stuller or adwar(?). Getting to 3mm increases the weight/price. Ask for quotes.

Does the wearer want a 3mm band? What kind of wedding band, if any, are you envisioning?
 
"Especially a super ideal"

Is that because its more valuable or its more delicate and therefore more likely for mishaps (chipping?) during the setting process?

There will not be a wedding band, hence the desire for a slightly thicker simple solitaire setting. Makes sense that the wider it is, the more expensive it is.
 
The 'SuperIdeal' stones are not more delicate, fortunately :) but the benefit of having the seller of a SuperIdeal stone set it is that it will definitely be covered by their insurance should something accidently happen (which is thankfully very rarely!), whereas a local jeweller may not insure such a third-party stone or, if they do and something happens, they may only be able to offer very average quality replacement stone options.
 
gohan_d1 said:
@SandyinAnaheim[/USER] What is your opinion between the hpdiamond and the 2 whiteflash stones suggested above?
Click to expand...
@gohan_d1 Well, the truth is, you can't go wrong with any of these beauties. We're talking about nitpicking amongst the cream of the crop. However, I have a bias towards HPD/CBI stones because I own one and four years later, I am still enchanted and mesmerized by my stone and have yet to see ANYTHING as brilliant as what I have. HPD has an incredibly generous upgrade and return policy as well. If someday you decide that you need to return the stone, they will buy it back at 80% of what you originally paid, I found that policy very comforting in light of the fact that diamonds are NOT investments and selling it incurs a huge loss most of the time. Further, they have an upgrade policy so you if someday you want a bigger stone, they will facilitate that for you. Lastly, they have an outstanding bench that can probably make you a simple setting within your budget. I recommend that you reach out to @Wink - he is lovely to chat with and has many years of experience with which to guide you to your best options.

Personally, I am a sucker for high color/high clarity, couple that with the trademark CBI perfection of cut, and you just can't go wrong. I think they still have a program where you can see the stone before you commit to buying it, and he will make a video for you if you ask him to.

My stone is an F VVS, and I have to tell you, it glows like nothing I've ever seen. These aren't good pictures as I've yet to learn how to take good pictures of diamonds, but they'll give you an idea of what I mean.

imag0486-sml.jpg

imag0484-sml.jpg

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