Please help! RB 1.1-1.2 carat (Budget $12,500)

[crystaldrop]

Hello,

My boyfriend and I have been looking into loose diamonds for our (my) E-ring.
It's just so hard to make a decision after reading lots of info from internet & watching youtube videos etc.

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So wee are thinking to go with a diamond with a spec that meets our requirement below:

Carat : 1.0 ~ 1.25 (honestly I'd like it close to 1.25)
Cut: Ideal cut - Heart & Arrows
HCA: below 2
Color: G or above
Clarity: VVS2 or above
Setting: 6 prong tiffany setting (Platinum or Gold , haven't decided it yet)
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And we were looking at these...

1.
http://www.bluenile.com

Carat weight 1.22
Shape Round
Cut Ideal
Color F
Clarity IF
Length/width ratio 1.01
Depth % 61.9%
Table % 56.0%
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent
Girdle Thin to Slightly Thick
Culet None
Fluorescence Medium Blue
Measurements 6.89 x 6.83 x 4.25 mm


2.
http://www.adiamor.com/
Shape and Cutting Style:
Round Brilliant
Measurements:
6.51 x 6.54 x 4.04
Total Carat Weight:1.05
Color:E
Clarity:IF
Cut:Affinity Ideal
Polish:Excellent
Symmetry:Excellent
Fluorescence:Medium
Depth:61.9%
Table:56%
Girdle:Medium, Faceted
Culet:None
Certified By:GIA

Obviously we still need to more research as we are a first time buyer and that's why we would like your opinions.
If you could suggest anything better than listed above, that would be much appreciated.

Thank you!!

 

[alpackie]

Is there a particular reason you want to stick with VVS?

VS's are eye-clean in the vast majority of cases, and you'd be able to get closer to 1.25 c for your budget.

ETA: Here are some VS options I found:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.22-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-73772
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.236-f-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104072305012 (strong fluor)
(you'd have to ask for images for the GoG ones)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/284076/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/284112/

 

[crystaldrop]

I think it's because we had a bad experience from our local jewelry stores.
We could see black dots etc with our eye in VS1 VS2 stones.

And I find myself color sensitive as I work as a designer...

 

[alpackie]

I think it's because we had a bad experience from our local jewelry stores.
We could see black dots etc with our eye in VS1 VS2 stones.

And I find myself color sensitive as I work as a designer...

Which lab graded them?

 

[canvasback]

Welcome to the forums!

How picky are you with sticking with vvs clarity?

I think you would be hard pressed to find a AGS or GIA vs1 stone anywhere that you could see black inclusions in...

Here's a couple vs1 stones in case you change your mind.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3143295.htm

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.117-f-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104074030063

http://highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity-new&id=1234 (I'd die to have this one )

 

[Gypsy]

Here's some information for you.

GIA or AGS are the only labs you should consider. A GIA VS1 will be clean EVERY SINGLE TIME.

Your local jeweler either had loose graded stones from labs other than GIA and AGS, or in house grading with is equally worthless.

You really don't need VVS if all you want is an eyeclean stone.

Where are you located? Maybe we can recommend a GOOD local jeweler so you can do some browsing.

As for color sensitive. Seeing color doesn't mean you are color sensitive. It just means your eyes work. Being color sensitive is seeing color and being bothered by it.

 

[16ocean]

Hi crystaldrop-
You have a very good budget to work with and as others have said if you go down to VS in clarity the diamond still can be eye clean & I think you should get very close to your 1.25 carat weight.

 

[crystaldrop]

Thank you all!

I'm located in Vancouver BC CANADA so we only have tiffany's, birks, De beers, etc for brands.
In my experience, local jewelers weren't very helpful nor knowledgeable so I can not trust them.

Looks like we need to go with hearts and arrows diamonds with AGS or GIA cetifications.
We've looked into those GOG, WF, Brian Gavin and figured that their hearts and arrows diamonds come with higher prices.

If I can not see any black dots and etc, I'm willing to go down to VS range and for color wise, yellower diamonds will bug me. But during my research, I found out that if I get a really good cut then with a face up, mounted, it should appear white.

Here is dilemma. I'm not sure which one would be a better choice...
Say you have 2 stones that you are comparing.
1. GIA, F, IF, 3 X, 1.1 carat, HCA : 1
2. AGS or GIA, G, VS1, 3X , 1.1 Carat, HCA: 1.8, Hearts and arraow
Which one would you buy??

I'll check out all the links you guys have posted and discuss with my boyfriend.
I'll narrow down to couple and come back to ask your opinions again!!!

 

[alpackie]

Here is dilemma. I'm not sure which one would be a better choice...
Say you have 2 stones that you are comparing.
1. GIA, F, IF, 3 X, 1.1 carat, HCA : 1
2. AGS or GIA, G, VS1, 3X , 1.1 Carat, HCA: 1.8, Hearts and arraow
Which one would you buy??

The price difference for those two stones seems like it would be huge! I wouldn't plan on viewing my ring under a microscope, so VS1 would be just fine for me. I read somewhere on PS that only 5% of people can tell the difference between F/G. Even comparing side by side can be difficult for the majority of people.

AGS has a different scoring system than GIA, the comparable cut you are looking for is AGS0 (Ideal).