New to Diamonds. Need a diamond for girlfriend

[Itzsarcazm]

Hi Everyone,

First off, this website is fantastic. So much information. I have been looking all over for a few days, and diamonds are so complicated.

I have a diamond I was looking at here: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...ut/2.00-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-6481460

I also got the inspection as well. See below. I have a few questions:

1. I was looking at round, but princess is cheaper, why is that? I am fine with either.
2. Could you give me your expertise advice on this diamond? I did the best I could with my several days of research and input from friends who are married.
3. Any other advice

I am looking to spend around this price for a diamond. Under 15k.

 

[whitewave]

The round shape is the most desired and therefore the most expensive.

For a princess, I would also check Whiteflash.com as they have branded “a cut above” princess stones.

 

[hmr_mama]

Hi!

What shape does your future fiancee prefer?

The princess you chose has about a 7mm spread. With the same budget, you can get a larger, higher color, superideal round. Please take a look at the following diamond. Princess cuts face up smaller per carat because a lot of their carat weight is "hidden" in their depth. When comparing diamonds, it's really important to compare mm spread, rather than carat weight.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4092181.htm

 

[whitewave]

Here is a 2.222 H Si1 that is 16k, so a little more but noticeably larger. Square diamond face up smaller than rounds.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3885278.htm

 

[lovedogs]

Agreed with all the advice above. I wouldn't get her a princess cut unless she specifically asked for one. Rounds face up bigger than princess and are more classic.

 

[whitewave]

Here is a round 1.3 H vs1 with a spread of 7.0 x 7.5 for $11,788 wire price.

It also has a 80% lifetime buyback policy and for upgrades, you only have to spend a dollar more. (James Allen has a spend double policy).

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10435

 

[whitewave]

1.5 I VS1 for $12,152 wire price. It’s on hold, so you would have to call to see if it has been bought or if it will be released from hold soon.

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10130


1.58 I Si1 for right over 12k for wire price.
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10757

 

[whitewave]

1.80 I Si1 (all Crafted by infinity diamonds have eye clean inclusions. I have an SI1 and an SI2 CBI and can’t see the inclusions)

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10753

$15,339 wire price

 

[whitewave]

1.7 G Vs1 scores .9 on HCA

7.70x7.66x4.73

$14, 414 credit card price.

https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/12455142/1-7-carat-round-diamond-g-color-vs1-clarity

Their upgrade policy is a bit different. IIRC, you lose 20% of what you paid, but then you can upgrade how you want.

For this one, you should call or chat and get an ASET from them so we can see light performance.

 

[lovedogs]

1.80 I Si1 (all Crafted by infinity diamonds have eye clean inclusions. I have an SI1 and an SI2 CBI and can’t see the inclusions)

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10753

$15,339 wire price

I would choose this one all day! Amazing upgrade policy, excellent bench. Pretty much everything is awesome about them.

 

[kmoro]

I would choose this one all day! Amazing upgrade policy, excellent bench. Pretty much everything is awesome about them.

Ditto!

 

[whitewave]

I would choose this one all day! Amazing upgrade policy, excellent bench. Pretty much everything is awesome about them.

It’s my favorite also and will be gorgeous!!!

 

[Itzsarcazm]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all sooo much for your feedback! She loves the round cut, so I will stick with that.

I would be sticking around 2 carat for the round, so I wanted to see what other recommendations you have. I am going to check out whiteflash since I never heard of that place. H or better as well as SI1 or better.

Round being larger because you don't lose it in the depth like a princess cut is amazing to know.

Again, you are all lifesavers. Thank you!!!!

 

[Itzsarcazm]

1.80 I Si1 (all Crafted by infinity diamonds have eye clean inclusions. I have an SI1 and an SI2 CBI and can’t see the inclusions)

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10753

$15,339 wire price

I can't see the size of it in measurements. Will it show the size eventually?

Thanks!

 

[lovedogs]

I can't see the size of it in measurements. Will it show the size eventually?

Thanks!

Yup. It will show specifics once it's cut. But if I were you I'd ask them about reserving it.

 

[Itzsarcazm]

Hi!

What shape does your future fiancee prefer?

The princess you chose has about a 7mm spread. With the same budget, you can get a larger, higher color, superideal round. Please take a look at the following diamond. Princess cuts face up smaller per carat because a lot of their carat weight is "hidden" in their depth. When comparing diamonds, it's really important to compare mm spread, rather than carat weight.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4092181.htm

She prefers round as do I.

What is your take on this one? Do you think 8mm is too big?

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4104803.htm

Thanks in advanced!

 

[Itzsarcazm]

Hi!

What shape does your future fiancee prefer?

The princess you chose has about a 7mm spread. With the same budget, you can get a larger, higher color, superideal round. Please take a look at the following diamond. Princess cuts face up smaller per carat because a lot of their carat weight is "hidden" in their depth. When comparing diamonds, it's really important to compare mm spread, rather than carat weight.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4092181.htm

She would prefer round. That is a great deal! Do you think 7mm is optimal? What about 8mm? I would like it to be bigger but not impractical, you know?

Thanks!

 

[lovedogs]

She prefers round as do I.

What is your take on this one? Do you think 8mm is too big?

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4104803.htm

Thanks in advanced!

Here on ps we often never think anything is too big but in all seriousness, 8mm isn't likely to look too big on most people, unless maybe they have extremely tiny hands. 8mm is about 2ct, which is certainly large, but not enormous or likely to look like *too much*. Granted this all depends on where you live, your social circle, and comfort level with jewelry, etc. What does she say about preferred size?

Edit . It also depends a lot on setting. 2ct in a solitaire looks much smaller than 2ct in a halo setting!

 

[kmoro]

She prefers round as do I.

What is your take on this one? Do you think 8mm is too big?

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4104803.htm

Thanks in advanced!

This one is Virtual Selection ... Virtual Selection is not eligible for WF upgrade policy ... you would be better off with a different selection from WF (ACA, Expert Selection, or Premium Select), imo. Plus, that is a 60/60 style stone with a shallow crown angle of 32 ... leading to a thin crown of only 12.5%. I think you can do better.

 

[kmoro]

Size can be distorted a bit from hanging on PS. Some people think anything above 1.3 carats is when diamonds start to look large. My personal comfort level is under 8 mm, but that may change in the future, lol. I do not have a small finger size (middle finger ring is size 7), but my hands are still relatively small (I am 5’1”). I find that 7.7 mm looks big in the mirror ... bigger than it does to me when I am just looking at it ... as with all things diamond, personal preference rules.

 

[the_mother_thing]

Here are four Whiteflash diamonds that are under or a smidge over budget via wire payment. All are noted to be eye clean, but I would still have WF confirm it’s eye clean to your specs. They are all great performers, with ACA being their top of the line super ideal and expert selection being a diamond that narrowly missed super-ideal branding. For what it’s worth, my diamond in the avatar is a WF Expert Selection and it is amazing! Also, all of those diamonds qualify for WF’s great upgrade program, should you ever choose to do so.

I think any of these would be a lovely diamond; and if one strikes your fancy, I suggest contacting them immediately to put it on hold, as people do lurk on here and poach diamonds others are considering.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare/?idnos=4042793,4013665,4018632,3947718

 

[hmr_mama]

She would prefer round. That is a great deal! Do you think 7mm is optimal? What about 8mm? I would like it to be bigger but not impractical, you know?

Thanks!

Optimal is all in the eye of the beholder. The previous posts gave you great advice. Do you know how color sensitive she is? I’ve had g, h, & I colored diamonds. I prefer h because I feel like i’m getting a value. If your future fiancée would rather have a higher color I would go with the h/vs2/1.5 that was shared above. If she’s less color sensitive, I would go with the 1.8/I/vs2. I don’t like to go lower than vs2, but again, that’s personal preference. Just remember, cut is king. If you stick with whiteflash’s aca you’ll have a beautiful stone that has a larger presence than a poorly cut stone.

 

[Dancing Fire]

She prefers round as do I.

What is your take on this one? Do you think 8mm is too big?

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4104803.htm

Thanks in advanced!

Not a good choice "Clarity grade is based on clouds that are not shown".

What is her ring size?

 

[Dancing Fire]

She would prefer round. That is a great deal! Do you think 7mm is optimal? What about 8mm? I would like it to be bigger but not impractical, you know?

Thanks!

FYI, A diamond usually shrinks about .15mm per yr?..

 

[lovedogs]

This one is Virtual Selection ... Virtual Selection is not eligible for WF upgrade policy ... you would be better off with a different selection from WF (ACA, Expert Selection, or Premium Select), imo. Plus, that is a 60/60 style stone with a shallow crown angle of 32 ... leading to a thin crown of only 12.5%. I think you can do better.

Agreed. A virtual selection from WF is no better than any random virtual stone and comes with zero Whiteflash benefirs. I would avoid this one.

 

[Itzsarcazm]

This one is Virtual Selection ... Virtual Selection is not eligible for WF upgrade policy ... you would be better off with a different selection from WF (ACA, Expert Selection, or Premium Select), imo. Plus, that is a 60/60 style stone with a shallow crown angle of 32 ... leading to a thin crown of only 12.5%. I think you can do better.

Thanks for the advice! Do you have a recommendation from whiteflash for around a 2ct H Si1 or better for around 15k?

Thanks again for all of your feedback .

 

[Itzsarcazm]

Here are four Whiteflash diamonds that are under or a smidge over budget via wire payment. All are noted to be eye clean, but I would still have WF confirm it’s eye clean to your specs. They are all great performers, with ACA being their top of the line super ideal and expert selection being a diamond that narrowly missed super-ideal branding. For what it’s worth, my diamond in the avatar is a WF Expert Selection and it is amazing! Also, all of those diamonds qualify for WF’s great upgrade program, should you ever choose to do so.

I think any of these would be a lovely diamond; and if one strikes your fancy, I suggest contacting them immediately to put it on hold, as people do lurk on here and poach diamonds others are considering.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare/?idnos=4042793,4013665,4018632,3947718

These are amazing! I am going to look into these further and make a decision!

Thank you!!!!

 

[the_mother_thing]

These are amazing! I am going to look into these further and make a decision!

Thank you!!!!

You’re most welcome. When searching on WF’s website, be sure to check the box for ‘in house inventory’. Those are the diamonds they have in hand/vault and can assess and advise first-hand on. Good luck!

 

[Itzsarcazm]

You’re most welcome. When searching on WF’s website, be sure to check the box for ‘in house inventory’. Those are the diamonds they have in hand/vault and can assess and advise first-hand on. Good luck!

I can't find pear ones on whiteflash. Do you have a site recommendation to get a pear?

Thanks!

 

[kmoro]

She would prefer round. That is a great deal! Do you think 7mm is optimal? What about 8mm? I would like it to be bigger but not impractical, you know?

Thanks!

I can't find pear ones on whiteflash. Do you have a site recommendation to get a pear?

Thanks!

Hang on what? Pear? I thought you were looking for round?