shape
carat
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Opinions on this 1.4ct Round from JA...

TeJa

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 26, 2016
Messages
6

fair75

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 28, 2015
Messages
87
There are a few issues that I can see from that JA diamond in the video. First, an IGI diamond is almost always dismissed by Pricescopers because it is an unreliable lab compared to GIA and AGS. Their grading simply can't be trusted. I can show you a few examples of GIA certified I and J color diamonds which face up whiter and have less yellow tint when viewed from the side than the one you linked. The diamond in the video you linked doesn't face up white enough in my opinion. This generally indicates poor cutting. Moreover, I can see more of a brown tint (instead of the usual yellow) from the side, which most people do not like.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1884345
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1925513
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-j-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-87291
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.41-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-381186
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1839005

Therefore, I would suggest sticking with GIA or AGS diamonds.

Also, what is your budget and preferred carat weight? Is there a reason why you want VVS clarity in an I color diamond? VVS clarity is overkill unless you want it for personal or cultural reasons. Typically, an eye-clean SI1 or VS2 will be enough. The most important factor to consider is cut. Do not compromise on cut and insist on a nice GIA triple excellent or AGS triple zero diamond. In addition, I would recommend lowering the clarity to VS2 or VS1 if you are uncomfortable with SI1 so you can either get a bigger diamond or a better color. If you want to set it in white gold or platinum, an H or I color diamond will generally be enough. If you are considering yellow or rose gold setting, a J or even a K will be fine. However, this will depend on you.


Get an ideal scope or ASET scope image to verify the light performance. There is really no reason to spend a lot of money on an 1.4 or 1.5 carat diamond without scope images.
 

TeJa

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 26, 2016
Messages
6
Thank you. My budget is around $8k. I was looking anywhere from SI1 and better and I/H colour.

I do not see the brown in the diamond that you see. In fact, it appears more white to my eyes than the options you suggested above.

I liked this option and spoke to the gemologist at JA who also thought it achieved my goal of more brightness than fire with excellent spread.

Re IGI. Not as prestigious but grading is way better these days - the Rapaport study also showed this.
 

breanne

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jun 7, 2016
Messages
508
It's really hard to tell with monitors what exactly we see in color, I wouldn't purchase it based on that. I would've first seen an ASET and/or IS, I personally would never go for IGI, especially when you have options for GIA available, and I agree, VVS2 is a bit overkill. The diamond I recently purchased was a 1.43 J SI1, GIAXXX that scored 1.2 on HCA for less than 8k, I think you could find something with better value and certification while keeping cut as priority. It appears you might have purchased it though, it says "sold."
 

TeJa

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 26, 2016
Messages
6
Thanks for your input - much appreciated. I am going to have the diamond by Friday or early next week and I will let you know what it looks like. I am not worried about IGI. It looks well cut with good hearts and arrows and was within my budget.
 

breanne

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jun 7, 2016
Messages
508
I think the point about IGI is that they aren't as reliable with their information as GIA or AGS, so although you're reading what you want to hear, it may not be the most accurate information.
 

TeJa

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 26, 2016
Messages
6
I thought the Rapaport put that to rest?
 

breanne

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jun 7, 2016
Messages
508
I wouldn't be happy with the small differences with the reports at the bottom of the page, you pay for those differences. It lists that 67 percent of diamonds listed through rapnet are GIA certified, and only 9% IGI... it's your choice and money, but I didn't think this helped IGI by any means.
 

flyingpig

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Nov 7, 2015
Messages
2,975
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1074377
While I understand the lighting condition may differ in each diamond photo, the IGI 1.4 I VV2 has a very obvious deep brownish/orange tint. I checked the stone with my three monitor setup (each monitor with different color calibration) and smartphone screen. I just cannot believe it is a true I. I really don't think it even qualifies for GIA J. In fact, I thought it was GIA K at first (I did not read the specs)

The diamond has a lovely and clean appearance with a well defined contrast pattern/fat arrows :love: . While the proportions are not perfect, it is still very decent, scores well in HCA. If graded by GIA, a stone like this can easily be sold for nearly $10000, if not more.

Now, this is the question I always ask those who are buying a IGI/EGL diamond.
"why would the cutter/dealer send such beautiful stone to IGI and take $2000 loss, making it a tough sell in the process, when potential customers include US residents?"

There must be a reason.

Possible reasons
1. Diamond cutters/dealers are fools. They are not.
2. Diamond cutters/dealers don't care about profit. They do.
3. GIA/AGS grading service and shipping are more expensive. Any saving here does not justify the $2000 loss.
4. Dealing with GIA/AGS is inconvenient or impossible. Any inconvenience again does not justify the $2000 loss. I don't see why it is impossible since many diamonds are mined in Africa, cut in Belgium, graded in American, and sold all over the world.
5. A combination of 4 and 5. Again, it does not explain the $2000 loss.
6. The diamond is not a true I VVS.

The only valid answer I can come up with is #6, unless other experts can provide other explanation.

I rather go with GIA/AGS J or K. It is a cheaper, safer, more recognized, more consistent, and possibly whiter stone/investment.
 

TeJa

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 26, 2016
Messages
6
Thank you! I called JA. I asked them to do a deep dive and have one of their gemologists inspect the colour personally and also send an ideal scope. As you mentioned it has a beautiful appearance with nice fat arrows, it also faces up closer to a 1.5ct! I am just worried about the colour being off.

In the interim, If anyone has really good suggestions in the 1.3-1.4ct range please let me know. Obviously is must be perfectly eye clean and a H/I or high J if it is truly spectacular. Budget is around $8,000-8,500.
 

flyingpig

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Nov 7, 2015
Messages
2,975
You got a healthy budget. I don't see any reason why you should settle on a IGI stone. You have endless options from 1.3c G/SI all the way to 1.5c J/VS.

H
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.32-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1917069
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1083334
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.42-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1831884 (note: strong fluo)

I (many good True Hearts options in 1.3~1.4 range without too much $ premium)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.34-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1925290
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1006241
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.36-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1118177
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.32-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1006237
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.32-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1006239
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1917074
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1006244

J (too many good stones in 1.3~1.5 range/6000~8500)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1814297
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1884973
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1816083 (compare this stone with the IGI 1.4 I VVS side by side. Look at the difference in color. IGI I vs GIA J)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1839005 (again, look at the tint. For me, it is very obvious, which one has more tint. IGI I)

that's just from JA.

I see even more options from B2C. I won't list them all.
 
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