Please advise on diamond: 1.5 - 1.8 carat, round, G+ color, VS2+, ~18K budget

[likebreath]

Dear PriceScope fellows,

I am here to request your comments on loose diamond selection: either general selection advice or specific diamond will be appreciated.

Shape: Round
Carat: 1.5 - 1.8 (1.7 ideally)
Color: G+
Clarity: VS2+ (eye clean)
Budget: ~$18K
Fluorescence: None

So far found this diamond from Blue nile interesting: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab
HCA result on this stone for your quick reference:



Thanks a lot.

PS: found this forum by reading a paper on diamond selection and had a lot of fun: http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~mjr/engagement.shtml?Engagement

 

[coda72]

Here’s a Whiteflash stone for you

Diamond | 1.712 ct G VS1 Expert Selection Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4060811

This fabulous 1.712 carat Round Ideal cut diamond has a clarity grade of VS1 and color grade of G.It is an excellent choice for engagement rings. | 4060811

www.whiteflash.com

 

[coda72]

Here’s a couple of Crafted by Infinity diamonds:

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10619

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10562

 

[mission1]

There's a huge amount of rubbish being spouted in that original "research paper' link, e.g. "Jana’s ring features a 0.74ct Fancy Intense Blue diamond. This diamond would easily cost $100,000 if it were not synthetic, and likely more because of its good clarity and cut".

 

[TODiamonds]

The stone is decent. More obstruction than I'd like to see, but other than that hard to nit pick. The spread is very good for the ct weight (I bought one similar size). If you're going for it, given the black crystal, I would suggest calling them to ask for a vault inspection to confirm it's eye clean. It will take them a few days.

I will say Astor is generally a rip-off price wise, this one's almost as much as the branded stones linked by coda above, so it would be ideal if you could find something like this that hasn't been "Astorized".

 

[whitewave]

The CBI stones will be amazing!!

 

[AV_]

@mission1 The 100K quote does not seem entirely out of this world.

 

[whitewave]

There's a huge amount of rubbish being spouted in that original "research paper' link, e.g. "Jana’s ring features a 0.74ct Fancy Intense Blue diamond. This diamond would easily cost $100,000 if it were not synthetic, and likely more because of its good clarity and cut".

Well, Diamonds by Lauren has this .23 intense blue for 55k http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/23ct-blue-si1-round-diamond-r8309

 

[AV_]

@likebreath From the stones already mentioned, I would pick one of the HPD - if only because I know better what their brand cut does. A colourless option with some fluorescence & still nearly as good cut - HCA & a crisp pattern of reflections, could change my mind & I have not looked.

2c

 

[mission1]

Ok, fair enough! $100k seemed like a high sum for a 'G' polish, 'VG' symmetry 0.74ct VVS1 fancy blue round diamond - but I am (very clearly) not an expert. Will leave further replies on this thread to those that know what they're talking about!

 

[AV_]

Naively, I would ask to see this: www There are many more listings without images - who knows why! I hardly expect this to be available, yet,

 

[KKJohnson]

another option

1.71-Carat Round Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

 

[TODiamonds]

another option

1.71-Carat Round Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

That's a great option at a good price point. Bigger than OP's original stone, for over $2k less! And look at those PHAT arrows. That's what I'm talking about!

 

[likebreath]

Amazing folks. Thanks a lot.

Any detailed comments on how to compare the stone from blue nile here and the two CBI stones?

Links for your quick reference:
1. Blue Nile: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD13118067
2. CBI: https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10562

Also, for the setting, we are looking something similar to Tiffany Novo. She likes 4-prong, thin band (2mm), pave. I found two potential settings on Blue Nile. Anything similar on HPD or WhiteFlash? Any comments will be appreciated. Thank you.

1. Riviera Cathedral Pave: https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...l-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_75009
2. Riviera Pavé: https://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/riviera-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-in-platinum_60613

 

[whitewave]

Amazing folks. Thanks a lot.

Any detailed comments on how to compare the stone from blue nile here and the two CBI stones?

Links for your quick reference:
1. Blue Nile: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD13118067
2. CBI: https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10562

Also, for the setting, we are looking something similar to Tiffany Novo. She likes 4-prong, thin band (2mm), pave. I found two potential settings on Blue Nile. Anything similar on HPD or WhiteFlash? Any comments will be appreciated. Thank you.

1. Riviera Cathedral Pave: https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...l-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_75009
2. Riviera Pavé: https://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/riviera-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-in-platinum_60613

Alrighty, let me say this, I have round brilliants from both blue Nile and CBI. The blue Nile studs have “near super ideal stats” and the CBIs out perform them. You can tell. A 2 year old could pick it out.

The CBIs glow in low light. They have edge to edge brilliance. Paul is so darn picky with his rough that it’s OCD level. CBIs are the perfectly cut round brilliant and I would put my money on it.

The question is, do you want that. This is all about what you are picking out for your intended.

You can get close, but you can’t get CBI level performance in a non CBI stone.

Edited: the blue Nile stone is pretty. I’m not disparaging it.

 

[mcosme]

This post might help, there's a video comparing GIA triple excellent, CBI and ACA. I know a lot of people here have sworn there's something more special about CBIs

2.3 ct RBC diamond comparison: Crafted by Infinity, WF ACA, and James Allen (GIA 3X)

For background, please refer to the previous thread: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/2-3-carat-rbc-dilemma-wf-aca-with-lower-color-clarity-or-compromise-cut-with-ja.235191/ I decided to start a new thread because the previous thread's title was no longer fully reflective of the...

www.pricescope.com

 

[KKJohnson]

For sure the
Without a doubt CBI has ridiculously beautiful stones, the Blue Nile option was just a more budget friendly option that will also be a wonderful stone.CBI has great customer service and their upgrade program is one of the best out there if you ever think that an upgrade for an anniversary is in the future.

I just never feel like you can get a "deal" with CBI due to the strict cutting parameters, their stones of the same carat weight are going to all be the same mm. Its just the clarity plots that are vary from stone to stone. I do think if you take the gamble of a custom cut then you have the chance of coming out ahead with CBI or Whiteflash, they must meet the specified purchase requirements but anything extra (size, color grading, clarity) is at no add'l cost if it exceeds the purchase order.
CBI is an amaz

 

[AV_]

I do not expect listed stones to have perfect finish & it is a nice thought to know that what is done by hand about a diamond is, intently, a technical achievement.

There are other ways to be happy about some diamond.