newbie needs help choosing a diamond on small budget

wallaby · Aug 15, 2013

Hello all,
I have been browsing this site trying to absorb as much information as I can but it can be quite overwhelming sometimes!
I am new to all of this and while I know what my girlfriend wants in regards to the four C's, so many diamonds turn up in the searches and I don't really know how to differentiate between them. I have about $3500- $4000 to go towards a round brilliant stone.
She wants Cut-excellent, carat- 0.9-1, color- willing to go down to an I, and clarity- as long as its eye clean.

If anyone could provide me with some diamond suggestions-Any help would be greatly appreciated!

soxfan · Aug 15, 2013

I searched for you. Here are are some options. Just MY opinion, I'd go down in color. She may think she cannot got below I, but some J/k's face up very white. If they are CUT well.

Many SI2's are eye clean.

Don't rule out VG cut either. Plug the numbers in the HCA. Some stones that score outside of 2 are very good stones for a lower budget. Take your time, and explore all options...

https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-search-results/

crashprime · Aug 15, 2013

If you can juice your budget, you'll get the exact stone you're girlfriend wants.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=2962073,2953768,2978080

Each has it's plus/minus.

I'd choose door #3 if you can drop down to a J. You'll make it over that magic 1.0 carat weight, and pictures looks great.

Otherwise door #2 is AGS Ideal in Light Performance, Polish, and Symmetry. I am actually surprised they didn't put it in their "A Cut Above" line-up. The 40x looks fantastic as does the IdealScope.

I think for an Excellent/Ideal Cut .9-1.0ct I-color eye clean SI1 you're going to be searching for a while to get down to your $3500 range. It can be done, but you're going to have to cherry pick from some diamonds sight unseen and have them evaluated for you. You can do that combo if you go down to .80ish range with confidence.

A couple that meet your criteria, but would require further investigating:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3726157-0.90-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=3726157 -- Table might be bigger than you prefer.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3243313-0.90-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=3243313 -- Looks like a winner but hard to know until further evaluated.