New to Diamond Buying, 3/4 Carat

[Naylor07]

I am looking for a diamond for a petit setting and am looking at 3/4 carat. I have done quite a bit of research and think a diamond with an Ideal AGS cut is what I am looking for as they seem to have the best light performance. I have picked out a few options, I would like to spend between 2.5k-3.5k, I know one of these is reserved already, but if anyone has any suggestions on these stones or other ones I should look at please let me know! Thanks!

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2909313.htm

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.76-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-178819

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2813913.htm

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.733-j-vs2-round-diamond-ags-c-104063428128

 

[heididdl]

whiteflash stone is my choice

 

[JulieN]

.8 I

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-...aratFrom:0.80|DiamondID:197904,198437,202716|

 

[Naylor07]

Are the Ideal cut ones not worth it? I see the diamonds you linked have an HCA score of like 1.2 which is obviously very good.

 

[JulieN]

these are ideal cut, but not hearts and arrows. equally beautiful.

I like the .811 from Whiteflash, too. VVS2 clarity is not worth paying extra for.

 

[Naylor07]

I got ya, so hearts and arrows are nice, but probably not worth it if you can find a nice cut on one? I know the Hearts can only be seen from below, but are the contrast from the arrows more visible from the top?

I understand the VVS probably isn't noticeable from a VS.

 

[JulieN]

Arrows are visible only if you look at it closely in certain lighting. Most of the time, you won't see it.

 

[Naylor07]

Thanks for the information, I will expand my search tip ideal cuts that are not hearts and arrows.

 

[ecf8503]

You still want good symmetry though - and with AGS0 they are usually precision cut to get that light performance, and nice arrows and hearts come along with it, although they may not be perfect. And H&A is a subjective determination - some people call it H&A if it even faintly resembles it (i.e. you can see arrows, etc). But that doesn't mean all the arrows are aligned perfectly, or that the facets of the hearts are all symmetrical, etc - some vendors have a much higher standard when it comes to calling something a true H&A - some not so much...

All that said, I have a 0.74ct RB and I can absolutely see the arrows in most lighting conditions.