Opinions on three round brilliant diamonds

[Ruckus]

Hi all,

I've searched and there's three round brilliant diamonds from James Allen I'm interested in but unfortunately they can't provide IS or ASET images for as the diamonds aren't located in NY. Should I go to another vendor?

As I'm located outside the US, returns are possible but not ideal and I'd prefer paypal for buyer protection.

Any input or advice is appreciated.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-589744
HCA: 1.4 (ex/ex/ex/vg)
carat weight: 0.90
color: F
clarity: VS2
cut: Excellent
polish: Excellent
symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
l/w/d (mm): 6.17*6.14*3.82
l/w ratio: 1.00
depth %: 62.00
girdle: Medium
table %: 57.00
culet: None
certificate: GIA
crown ∠: 35.50
crown %: 15.50
pavilion ∠: 40.60
pavilion %: 42.50

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-591694
HCA: 1.4 (ex/ex/ex/vg)
carat weight: 0.80
color: E
clarity: VS2
cut: Excellent
polish: Excellent
symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Faint
l/w/d (mm): 5.98*5.94*3.67
l/w ratio: 1.01
depth %: 61.70
girdle: Medium - Slightly Thick
table %: 57.00
certificate: GIA
crown ∠: 34.50
crown %: 15.00
pavilion ∠: 40.80
pavilion %: 43.00

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.85-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-601110
HCA: 0.8 (ex/ex/ex/vg)
carat weight: 0.85
color: D
clarity: VS2
cut: Excellent
polish: Excellent
symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Faint
l/w/d (mm): 6.07*6.08*3.76
l/w ratio: 1.00
depth %: 61.90
girdle: Medium - Slightly Thick
table %: 55.00
certificate: GIA
crown ∠: 34.50
crown %: 15.50
pavilion ∠: 40.60
pavilion %: 42.50

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I vastly prefer having the images, but if I had to pick one, it would be between the second and the third one since they have measurements that are safer. I guess I'd choose the larger of the two, and that is the D.

 

[Ruckus]

Thank you for the response diamondseeker.

From my research, the images will help in the final decision and I'm not sure if going by the GIA report and video is enough.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, right now James Allen's prices are pretty low, so you have to balance out whether paying extra for better upgrade policies, light return info, etc. are worth paying extra. I have bought several diamonds from vendors like Good Old Gold and Whiteflash and have used their upgrade policies, so it was worth it to me. All I can really say is that the last two stones are very nice and I don't think you'd be able to visually see problems in them. The second one probably has the best numbers of the three, but I wouldn't choose the smallest!

 

[Diamondbug]

I like the third stone the best. It looks gorgeous and so lively compared to the other two. The facets just pops on and off so beautifully as the stone moves. And of course the numbers looks great. Too bad about not being able to get an IS on it and being that you are out of US makes it a little scary...... but the stone looks gorgeous and number looks great.

 

[D_]

If price is not a concern then yes, go with the D.
It does look more lively and is very slightly larger, but does it worth an extra $1,000 compared to the E?
How much was the F?

 

[Ruckus]

Thanks for the responses, really good feedback.

Price is a concern because of the exchange rate but these diamonds are with my budget (~$5K USD).

Off the top of my head, I think the F and D were similarly priced.

Really unfortunate an IS image can't be provided.

 

[D_]

I usually use this chart to see the interaction between table size, crown and pavilion angles:
https://www.agslab.com/docs/pbcg/AGSLProportionCharts.pdf

So I think the F is quite a strong contender if it is still available.
Clarify your expectations and try to ask the gemologist at JA: D looks most lively in the video, E is most economical, F is biggest, based on their experience which one would they recommend?

My concern is that the environment where the videos are captured may not be the same, hence although useful to illustrate how the diamonds look like, may not be an accurate representation of beauty for comparison purposes.

 

[Ruckus]

Thanks D!

That's a very useful chart.

I've asked the online chat staff if a gemologist is able to visually inspect the diamonds and provide feedback but unfortunately not. They'll inspect prior to shipping.

 

[MeddlingKids]

Why can't JamesAllen provide the idealscope images? I've looked at two diamonds from them and they provided Idealscope images for each one (2-5 business days).

As it turns out, despite both diamonds having great metrics, the scope images showed diamonds that weren't really cut particularly well given the price. I personally wouldn't buy a diamond from them without seeing the scope images first.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Based on the specs I'd pick #3.

 

[D_]

As it turns out, despite both diamonds having great metrics, the scope images showed diamonds that weren't really cut particularly well given the price. I personally wouldn't buy a diamond from them without seeing the scope images first.

MeddlingKids, do you mind posting the metrics and the images?
Or can they be found in your other threads?
Was it for round brilliants?
Pfunk and I were looking for examples where RB diamonds are cut within ideal or even H&A proportions but not exhibiting optimal light return (because this will open up a whole range of options when purchasing since not all vendors can provide IS & ASET images).
I think the conclusion was that there are those cases (in case of large variation in the angles, painting, digging etc.) but it's pretty safe otherwise.