shape
carat
color
clarity

Please help me find a good round diamond

slm9555

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 16, 2016
Messages
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I originally purchased what I felt was a very nice round .63 carrot G, VS1, 60.4% depth, 57 table, 34.5 crown, 40.6 pavilion, Excellent Cut, Symmetry, and Polish. My fiance loved the ring however after a couple of days she felt that she would rather go down a couple notches on color and clarity to get a larger sized diamond with more physical presence.

I figured something I or H color and VS2 or SI1 if eye clean.

My budget is around $2,500 to $2,900 for the diamond.

My original stone was from Blue Nile and I have a $100 coupon code plus 4% credit card bonus points but I am open to all retailers.

Thank you!
 

whitewave

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Just making sure you are within the 30 day BN return policy?
 

PintoBean

Ideal_Rock
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Do you think you will upgrade this engagement ring, or be open to upgrading in the future? Why I ask is that not all vendors' upgrade policies are equal, and knowing this can help narrow down the pool of vendors we'd suggest.
 

slm9555

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Thank you for the quick replies.

I am within the BN return window and will initiate the return this weekend.

I will probably upgrade the ring at some point in the future but I am not too concerned with trade in value.
 

whitewave

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Blue Nile upgrade policy (just to keep in mind) is you have to have the original packing materials, original paperwork and the new diamond has to be double the price of the first one.
 

slm9555

Rough_Rock
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I am leaning towards James Allen or Whiteflash this go around. Any suggestions on an actual diamond?
 

PintoBean

Ideal_Rock
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I began my search with WF because they have one of the best upgrade policies. I put in your specs for price, clarity, and color and the biggest one that is eye clean that comes up is this one:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3711810.htm

I would call them and clarify with them what their definition of eye clean is to make sure it meets your expectations of eye clean.
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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You could buy a lovely stone at Whiteflash...they have a great tradeup policy. Just has to be same or greater value and they give
you %100 of the cost of your original stone.
http://www.whiteflash.com/confidence/lifetime-trade-up-guarantee

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3638353.htm

Honestly, if you want to gain size drop down to a J. This just misses ACA but should face up really white...may see a slight tint from the side. 6mm stone
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3736732.htm

What is the mm size of your wife's current stone?


Edit...just saw pinto posted and found a bigger "I"
 

slm9555

Rough_Rock
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Oct 16, 2016
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Thank you very much!!! This is really helpful.

What do you think of the selection on James Allen?
 

gm89uk

Brilliant_Rock
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well for the true hearts range:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.75-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2171492

But as it's similarly priced as WF, I'm not seeing any benefit to go JA.

If you don't want a super ideal diamond and one that looks like a well cut stone within ideal parameters, here are a few suggestions within your price range:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1908666 (this looks nice, and lets you hit 6mm with an I)

If you REALLY want to maximise size ($100 over budget)

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2166160 ... looks eyeclean to me and you can probably get a james allen advantage discount for a couple hundred bucks. That gets you at 6.2mm
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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slm9555|1478405287|4094378 said:
What do you guys think of this diamond? It seems like a good value IMO? Do you think the J color will be too yellow?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.78-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2171500

It is nice but if you are willing to go J then get the WF .8 above for an extra $200, it is an AGS000 which means it has
been evaluated to have Ideal light return...you also have the aset and idealscope images to prove it. It hits the 6mm
mark which I think you should try to go for.

Also JA upgrade policy...hoping you'll be very successful in the future so it wont matter but just want you to be aware of it.

Any diamond can be exchanged for 100% credit towards a new purchase valued at least 2x the original amount. The diamond being upgraded must be in original condition and accompanied by original laboratory grading document. We can also remodel most rings to accommodate the new diamond for a minimal charge.

https://www.jamesallen.com/faq/ Its down under Return Policy
 

slm9555

Rough_Rock
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Oct 16, 2016
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Thank you so much for your help. I am willing to go J but my fiancé is concerned with the color. However, she has never seen a J in person...

I am seriously considering that .801 stone from whiteflash. Do you think it will be noticeably yellow if the stone is not next to another Diamond of better clarity? In my opinion if it looks good enough by itself then it should not be an issue. Is there any downside so expert series compared to a cut above? Would you recommend a smaller ACA over a larger expert series?
 

slm9555

Rough_Rock
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Oct 16, 2016
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Also, with white flash, can you negotiate any prices or the best prices are already posted online? I heard there is some special pricing for PS members but I can't seem to get that to work.
 

whitewave

Super_Ideal_Rock
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You need to see a J in person, so either find one at B&M store to see, or be prepared to send it back if she doesn"t like it.

ETA! I Think that WF J tyty posted is fantastic! I'd go with that one.
 

n64bomb

Rough_Rock
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I vote for the I si1 james allen stone. Same optics as the whiteflash, and I vs J, when clarity/optics/carat weight are virtually the same, take the better color. Although it is a small stone, an ideal cut, and a RBC, so the I vs J will only be distinguishable when viewing the stone from the side (once it is mounted). The stone you are buying is small enough that if you upgrade, you will easily spend twice the amount you are spending on this stone. I don't think the whiteflash upgrade policy benefits you that much here because you aren't buying a very expensive stone to start with. If you were buying a 20,000$ stone to start with, I think using whiteflash would be a great choice for a 1st stone.
 

whitewave

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Good points. I bought a $12,300 stone from blue nile and now would have to spend double to upgrade. :wall: :wall:

She has a very good point about JA and the stone. So many moving pieces when buying diamonds....
 

slm9555

Rough_Rock
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Oct 16, 2016
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Thanks everyone for the helpful posts!! I am really stuck between the above discussed diamonds. I need to make a decision soon and just looking for some advice to make the final push regarding one of the discussed diamonds. I'm going to try to look at a J in person today.
 

slm9555

Rough_Rock
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Oct 16, 2016
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So the amazing WhiteFlash J .801 got taken out from under me!!!! I was going to buy it today but now it's reserved with purchase pending!!!

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3736732.htm

This leaves me deciding between these three stones:

(1) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.78-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2171500

(2) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1908666

(I am concerned if #2 will by eye clean)

and

(3) http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3711810.htm

What would you pick and why??
 

gm89uk

Brilliant_Rock
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It is a shame about the whiteflash stone, always reserve stones, specially ones people say are fantastic because lurkers find them here and take them for themselves. It's free to do so.

It may come back in inventory in a few days, as someone else agonises over their decision.

Of the ones you posted, I would discount the J,VS1 from JA as VS1 is probably overkill for someone looking to maximise size. The I, SI1 looks good and gets you to 6mm. Once you short list your diamonds, request an idealscope to ensure they have good light performance.

The whiteflash diamond you posted is also very nice.

If it were me (and I was happy with a J) I'd seriously consider the 0.90carat JSI1, it's quite a bit bigger than the others by 0.2mm. I know the inclusions are under the table but they are very small. If james allen said it was eyeclean it would probably be a more significant upgrade in size than the others.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2166160
 

slm9555

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 16, 2016
Messages
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gm89uk|1478560551|4094959 said:
It is a shame about the whiteflash stone, always reserve stones, specially ones people say are fantastic because lurkers find them here and take them for themselves. It's free to do so.

It may come back in inventory in a few days, as someone else agonises over their decision.

Of the ones you posted, I would discount the J,VS1 from JA as VS1 is probably overkill for someone looking to maximise size. The I, SI1 looks good and gets you to 6mm. Once you short list your diamonds, request an idealscope to ensure they have good light performance.

The whiteflash diamond you posted is also very nice.

If it were me (and I was happy with a J) I'd seriously consider the 0.90carat JSI1, it's quite a bit bigger than the others by 0.2mm. I know the inclusions are under the table but they are very small. If james allen said it was eyeclean it would probably be a more significant upgrade in size than the others.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2166160

Thank you very much GM89UK -

I have been chatting with JA... I put the .78 J VS1 on hold. They are pushing me on that one over the .81 I SI1 and the .78 one is cheaper... Will the true hearts .78 perform better or is the same thing? I will consider the .91 carat one. JA will not say for sure anything about eye clean because the diamonds aren't in their possession so they can't go and inspect them... They also cannot get me an ideal scope image because the diamonds are likewise not in their possession. They said the .78 true heart that the ideal scope is online but the image is tiny... What do you think? They are really pushing the .78 J VS1 and the price is really attractive for me.

The crown and pavilion angles on the .81 I look better than the .78 J true heart?

The White Flash .767 I color I am highly considering too but the value doesn't seem to be there for that one?

Thank you so much!
 

PintoBean

Ideal_Rock
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Hi sim9555 :wavey:
If you are going to go for virtual stones, I would work with IDJewelry. They will call in the stones in NY and get you ideal scope, aset and magnified images. They will also personally examine and make sure the stones are eye clean within your expectations. They also are usually more competitively priced than JA for the same virtual stones. Their customer service is top notch and they treat everyone with the same respect and professional courtesy whether you are buying a 0.78 or a 4.02 ct stone, and I'm saying this from personal experience.

If you reach out to them, I recommend working with Yekutiel, Shulamit or their evening online chat rep.
 

slm9555

Rough_Rock
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Oct 16, 2016
Messages
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I think I'm going to pull the trigger on the .81 JA I SI1 stone...
 

mcosme

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
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384
Just my 2 cents - not really advice.

Personally if it were me I'd go for the 0.91 J SI1 as long as it's eye clean. I have an 0.8 J SI1 with medium blue fluorescence and honestly, it looks white most of the time and most people seem to think it's a very high color diamond. :p A diamond usually starts to look smaller after you wear it for a while, so that's why I'd pick the biggest one in your budget.
 
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