Please help me find a diamond

[butters88]

Hi,

I am very new to the world of diamonds and whilst I have enjoyed learning about the 4cs, polish, symmetry etc I am struggling to come to a decision on a diamond to purchase. Many of the vendors in Australia I have spoken to have not filled me with confidence so I am thinking online may well be the best option.

I am looking to spend around 10k AUD on an engagement ring but will stretch it if I have to.

Based on my research I think I should be able to pick up a nice 1ct with minimum specs as follows
- F in colour
- VS2
- Triple ex

If anyone is able to recommend me a diamond that would be great.

The diamond will be set with a gold tapered band and white gold prongs.

 

[rockysalamander]

Is the 10k inclusive of all the import taxes? I think that's about 20% if you buy from the US.

 

[butters88]

Inclusive. My understanding is if the ring is made in the US then we have a free trade agreement which should lower some of the taxes, then 10% is payable on arrival for GST.

If something comes out around 11k all inclusive and it is much better than something at 10k all inclusive then I will definitely consider it. The 10k is just a starting point.

 

[butters88]

Looking to get this purchased in the next fortnight so any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rockysalamander]

I'm using $7900 USD as my upper limit, so let me know if that does not convert properly to stay in your budget.

James Allen will provide up to 3 Idealscope Images (IS) that allow us to look at light return. If you like any of these, put them on hold and make a request.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4695287
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...d-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4770950
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5037919

Super-ideal
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3964562.htm,
0.928 ct F VS2

If you drop color to G, this is lovely.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5211169

 

[butters88]

Thanks @rockysalamander . The budget is probably more like $7000USD for the stone.

 

[rockysalamander]

I'm using $7900 USD as my upper limit, so let me know if that does not convert properly to stay in your budget.

James Allen will provide up to 3 Idealscope Images (IS) that allow us to look at light return. If you like any of these, put them on hold and make a request.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4695287
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...d-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4770950
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5037919

Super-ideal
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3964562.htm,
0.928 ct F VS2

If you drop color to G, this is lovely.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5211169

Oh dear. It helps when I convert from the correct currency. I was using UK pound not AUD. Sorry. Round #2 to come.. What kind of setting are you looking for? Solitaire? Halo? 3-stone?

 

[butters88]

Solitaire.

 

[rockysalamander]

I'm throwing in G color as it is plenty white for all but the most color sensitive, but it also shows you how you can vary the 4-Cs to have options.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3955160.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3876768.htm
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4860351 {G but very nice angles; stick with simple setting and you stay in budget}
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...e-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5241578 {this has a lower crown angle than is my preference, but if they can show you an IS this might be possible. No IS, I'd eliminate}
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5175732 {my kind of stone it it has a nice IS. Bright and lots of movement. Higher crown angle. Chubby arrows. Tiny tiny clear crystal on the table would not bother me, but its your call}
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4861124 {for a tiny bit less side, this diamond also has great angle and does not have that little blemish as compared to 5175732.}
https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond...X-GIA-F-VS1-diamond-stock-16415-cert-17151901

Settings.
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...dern-tulip-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50671 {pretty 6-prong}
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...gold-sleek-diamond-engagement-ring-item-49507 {4-prong}
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...e-flower-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-50125 (6-prong, but only if they can make the prongs pointy for this size stone}
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...al-engagement-ring-by-martin-flyer-item-54952
https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...-sleek-line-solitaire-engagement-ring-728.htm
Ok. Have a look and give some feedback. Put any diamond you like on hold and ask for an IS images (its a holiday today in the US, so you might not get great service until tomorrow).

 

[butters88]

Thanks again. Looking at your recommendations it sounds like I will be struggling to hit the 1ct size in the parameters I have set.

Obviously you aren't against strong fluorescence?

 

[rockysalamander]

Thanks again. Looking at your recommendations it sounds like I will be struggling to hit the 1ct size in the parameters I have set.

Obviously you aren't against strong fluorescence?

To get to 1 carat, you'll need to drop color or clarity or increase your budget. That's why I posted a few for you to consider. I did not look for SI1, but with some care we often find eye-clean ones (clean at 10" view with good eyesight).

I have no issue with strong fluorescence. Its cool. If my diamonds had it, I'd have a black light above my desk! You just need the vendor to be sure the flour is not causing a hazy or oily appearance (very rare, but you want to be sure).

 

[rockysalamander]

There was a time when blue flour was considered highly desirable and in demand. These blue flour diamonds were marketed as something more valuable. If the diamond is every lost, you have one more tool (very strong UV black light) to try and find the darn thing.

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-flourescence

 

[butters88]

I had a second thread with a couple of diamonds I was looking at.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/help-choosing-a-diamond.241826/

Can you let me know your thoughts on those.

Thanks

 

[butters88]

Bumping this one back to the top.

I put in a request to Diamond Pro recently and they have sent me through a couple of diamonds to look at. Now I know they get a kickback if I go with one of them and feel I can probably find something just as nice on Whiteflash, with the trade policy as a bonus.

One piece of advice they gave which stood out as interesting was they say for a simple solitaire ring, paying for G colour is a waste of money, and I can get away with an I colour. What are peoples thoughts on this?

Cheers

 

[coda72]

You will probably be fine with an I stone, but if you’re unsure, stick with an H stone to be on the safe side. My personal favorite specs are an eye clean H, SI1.

Here’s one to consider:
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...1.081-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104092458046

 

[coda72]

One other from Whiteflash:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3986324.htm