Newbie needing help making selection

[J__D]

Afternoon all,

I have been lurking for a while now, and plan to pop the question within the coming month or so (she doesn't know) so before taking the plunge thought it would be worth me registering to ask all you knowledgeable folk for some help.
I've done a bit of research and know about most points incl HCA, H&A etc. I've managed to narrow it down to a smallish selection however I can't decide which is best. (or even if one of you manage to find a better one that I can't find)
I have been looking at ideally non virtual stock, for me just adds slight peace of mind, as I'm also UK based, I think it's easier to know that the vendor has it in stock already, and has checked it out. Currently short list is -

Comparison:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=2728086,2733337,2728109,2733339,2728081,2733336

Individual Diamonds:

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2728081.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2728086.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2728109.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2733336.htm (almost half the price? Is J colouring noticable?)
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2733337.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2733339.htm

Apologies for the large selection, I have cut it down, as originally I was comparing about 10. All are under 2 for HCA, the cheapest one (2733336) is 1.8 so on the edge, with very good for most options, but all the others are excellent in all categories except 'spread'
My budget is up to about £3500 incl setting, which I plan to be platinum solitaire, so about -$900, with 1.56 x-rate, that leaves me about $4,500 for diamond.

Many thanks guys

edited to add - or is it worth going for bigger, but not as 'good'
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1383102.asp

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Newbie needing help...

Okay, I am going to start by eliminating the I and J color stones since you have three good choices that are G-H color. Obviously the H color ACA is an easy choice, so the question is, is it worth a few hundred more than the premium select stones?

Both the G and H VS2 premium select stones look excellent to me, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy either one. The 1/excellent for polish is invisible to us, so that is a great way to save a little money. The only reason to go with the ACA over these two is for the mental issue of knowing you bought the "very best". But I do not think if these three stones were in a line up that you'd have any clue whatsoever which is which.

So just to make sure you know which stones I am talking about, these are the ones I like (and I might lean toward the G):

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2728086.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2733339.htm

Incidentally, my daughter's e-ring is from WF and it was also a premium select with the 1 for polish! So I have personally seen a very similar stone! Hers is H color and it is fine, so really, the G or H would be great!

 

[marchesa6989]

i agree with what DS has said - if you can go higher in color within your budget, G-H is a great place to be at! i personally think that ACA stones are beautiful but not worth the premium when you can find equally as good stones that will be sparkly, firey and perform great without that particular "tag" on it.

have you considered another vendor at all? i did a search on James Allen for you (also another very reputable and well respected vendor on here that has 24hr customer service which is great for people overseas) and similar stones are coming up for about $500 or more less. just a thought! you can ask them to get idealscopes to check for light performance, and get their gemologist to review and compare which is the best option. these all score <2 on HCA:
0.80 H VS1 $3880 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1444666.asp
0.80 H VS2 $3910 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1440106.asp
0.80 G VS2 $4050 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1442306.asp

either way you've got some great options and i'm sure she'll love what you end up with

 

[J__D]

Many thanks for both replies, I have eliminated the mentioned WS ones, now added JA ones to list,

I will check out JA more, I have already, but it didnt seem to have the same quantity of photos as WS so have been naturally drawn towards WS.
I have requested idealscope from JA, so I look forward to seeing those. I can't find any larger diamonds (closer to 1ct) unfortunately, with similar pricing to WS especially including PS discount, I was hoping to spend the same and get bigger diamond, than spending less on similar diamond but while I search, I have requested for idealscope on the 0.8ct's

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If I were choosing the diamond for myself, I will tell you why I would reject the James Allen stones linked. No offense intended to Marchesa who is giving you some nice less expensive options, and it all depends on how particular you are as to which way you go!

I would eliminate the James Allen G VS2 and the H VS1 because I don't like it that they are only very good on symmetry. I can handle very good (GIA) on polish maybe, but I prefer excellent on symmetry. The other stone is a 60/60 cut, and I just prefer the more traditional ideal cut with 54-58 table and 60-62 depth and 34-35 crown angle. I am doubtful that any of these three would qualify as Expert Selection or Premium Select at WF, and that explains the small price difference. However, if you requested idealscopes on them, I will definitely keep an open mind!

If you did want to go larger, you'd need to go down to about I SI1 to get to the .90 range. It all depends on personal preference again. It would not be my choice, but in case you are interested, here is one more you might want to ask James Allen for an idealscope for. And if they will only do three, drop one of the others.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1440744.asp

 

[marchesa6989]

\ it all depends on how particular you are as to which way you go!

this statement exactly people have varying ideals and specifications in mind, and some people on here are very particular. they like a certain look and prefer their stone to be as perfect as possible in every way. mind you it was not so long ago that stones that had a 60% depth and 60% table were favored, and some people still like this look.

i tend to try and find stones that are a good combination of great quality and price. when working on a budget, my own train of thought is "if i save this money here...i can put it towards a nicer setting" or "if i lower my perfect standards slightly, i can get a bigger diamond that is still absolutely stunning". but to each his own, and definitely no offense taken. nothing wrong with being a perfectionist if you can afford it

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Lol, very true! You know, Marchesa, I am a little older than most of you, and I spent most of my adult life making those compromises because I had to. But what I learned about myself is that over time I would sometimes be less than satisfied with things on which I settled for less quality. Now I tend to go for the higher quality, but that is possible only because I do not desire very large stones (thank goodness!), and we are older and can afford it. But I have kids in their 20's so I really do understand where most young people getting engaged are coming from (which is why my daughter's ring was WF premium select and SI1 clarity!)! But I still encourage people to go for the best diamond they can afford so that they will always be content that they made the best choice possible at the time! And James Allen does offer some good options.

 

[marchesa6989]

DS i'm in the same age bracket as your children what can i say...bigger (but still quality) sparkly things take my fancy

but in all seriousness, unless the intended fiancee is a diamond fiend like members on here, i think that if its white (H/I color or above in my books), performs brilliantly (excellent cut), eye clean (SI2 or above), then size is the most noticeable factor. if they are very picky/knowledgable, or perhaps have a certain idea of what they want in their minds, then yes - of course go for what they want to make them happy. but for example if my SO had proposed to me and later said "darling i spent $10,000 buying you a 1.1ct F VS1 ideal cut diamond. i saw a 1.60ct H SI2 [eye clean] excellent cut but decided to go with the smaller one" i'd have given him a good shaking!

 

[J__D]

DS I'm also in same bracket as your children. Thank you both for your help, I understand both views. Annoyingly, the more I time I spend here, the more I care about quality, cuts, HCA, crown angles etc. an endless abyss of reasons to spend more money, but I know my soon to be fiancé will not notice so much the quality, as she knows as much as I knew when first starting......v.little.

So I need to remember for her the most important matters are : size, and sparkle.
Naturally, now I know, I care about colour, clarity and cut. So between the both a good compromise should be able to reached.
I like the look of the 0.9ct that you suggested too, which got me on a hunt for 0.9ct's.

Before I request idealscope for JA (I've not received first set yet, only had a summary so far from JA associate, so can change my 3)What are your thoughts on these too?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1443028.asp - HCA of 1.5, and on the bigger side of 0.9 in terms of face dimensions - however crown is 31.5 degrees, and I've read somewhere ideal is 35? (not sure what the difference is mind)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1433983.asp - HCA 1.6, but Light return is 'Very Good' not Excellent, like above. However face dimensions are bigger than the above

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1437927.asp - HCA 0.9, but polish is 'very good' rather than excellent, also it has the smallest dimensions of both of the above, and basically the same as DS recommended, but $400 more (even though DS one has HCA of 2.

Or final other option is to go over 1ct, but with J (HCA of 2.3) is colour noticeable at J? - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1444638.asp

Many thanks again, both myself, and no doubt my other half, appreciate your help

 

[J__D]

I'm leaning towards last link, for the 1.03ct as it seems to have all the correct proportions and good depth / table. I've looked through 'recently purchased' photos on JA of J colour diamonds, I can't really see much difference between G/H/I/J, however, that could be just the photos (I've seen a mix, not just one of each) I can see difference with D/E/F mind, however, I wasn't going into that bracket anyway

 

[diamondseeker2006]

This one is the only one I'd consider of the ones in the last link:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1437927.asp

The .90 I SI1 I posted has better measurements that the other 2 you posted.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1440744.asp

And I just wouldn't do J SI2. I can definitely see a tint of color in J stones, and you would as well if you saw G-J in natural light. If this was for another piece of jewelry, maybe, but I would go for better color and clarity for an e-ring.

Also, just remember that if she really loves larger stones and would one day want to upgrade the diamond for an anniversary, you'd be much better off at WhiteFlash since they will allow 100% of your purchase price toward the trade-in.

Sorry I have to run, but I'll check in later today!

 

[marchesa6989]

i also think that J is a borderline color - some people really start to see warmth and a bit of tint at this level, but you'll also find that many people still enjoy diamonds that are J or lower. if you go to your average mall jeweler with non-GIA/AGS certified stones, often what you see will be this color or even lower.

that being said, its still somewhat risky as if she is color sensitive and perceives that the diamond is off white, she might not enjoy the surprise as much. even though I is just one color grading above J, it is probably safer and personally that is as low as i would go for an engagement where the girl is not choosing her own ring and hasn't been able to decide what color she is comfortable with. for my own ring i went with an H as i could still see a bit of warmth in the I and could afford to go a little higher.

another option is to just wait a week or two to see what stones come up. they always get new stones in, and being the holiday season i believe alot of the stock has diminished. if you really want to go bigger, then i suggest waiting a little and being patient. perhaps in that time you could also add a couple of hundred to the budget as every little bit counts. may i also suggest that white gold is also a great option for the setting and could add $500 to the stone!

 

[J__D]

Ok, so a warning away from J from both of you, so I take it must be obvious! So I'll stay away from that.

I prefer platinum over white gold, and happy to just add £200 odd for it. (I'm going for a six prong solitaire rather than 3-stone or pave, so price difference is less)
My budget isn't the limit due to not having the money, I've just chosen that seems most sensible budget for me currently (I'm happy to move slightly higher if I get "wow'd" but this budget level seems most sensible currently, so I don't see it moving much over next coming months.

Good idea, I may keep watch and wait for a bit though before choosing a diamond, see if more stock comes up coming into new year. I'd be disappointed if I found a better value diamond in the next few weeks just because I was impatient.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Actually, if you find a good stone that you really like around .90, you should buy it. Because there is usually not a big selection in that size range. There is no reason to assume the selection will be better at any point in time. But by all means, if you don't see what you want now, just wait.