Pls help this newbie find a diamond

[winterbaby520]

Hi,
I'm a complete newbie and was about to pull the trigger on a blue nile diamond. Luckily I found this forum!

We are looking for a diamond that fits the following criteria:

• Round
  Completely eye clean
  Color I or above
  1.55ct and above
  under 10k

There aren't a lot of choices on JA that fit the requirement. I have requested idealscope for this one:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.65-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1071370?a_aid=dmnd1357&chan=x

But I know the HCA score isn't that great. I also tried searching the inventory on PS, but seems like the database is pretty out of date, as many of them I clicked on are now sold, and many new ones I see on JA are not shown here.

So:

• If the HCA score is above 2.0, it will for sure be pretty bad?
  What is your opinion on the JA stone above?
  What do you think about the BN stone here: (I know there won't be an idealscope image, but there is an ASEST image on the AGS report)
  http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD06854802
  Can you recommend any stone that will fit my requirements?

Thanks!

 

[msop04]

So:

• If the HCA score is above 2.0, it will for sure be pretty bad?
  What is your opinion on the JA stone above?
  What do you think about the BN stone here: (I know there won't be an idealscope image, but there is an ASEST image on the AGS report)
  http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD06854802
  Can you recommend any stone that will fit my requirements?

Thanks!

Hi winterbaby! Welcome to PS!

That's a healthy budget, and I think you'll be able to find a great stone within your chosen parameters. Is there a particular reason for 1.55 ct and up? Is there a certain diameter you wish to reach? Some sub-1.55 stones may face up larger than >1.55 ct stones... something to consider...

Regarding >2.0 HCA... it doesn't necessarily mean the stone will be bad -- not at all! The HCA is doesn't account for certain characteristics, but it is useful for further evaluation. I think you will be about to find a sub-2.0 HCA stone though -- no worries!! There are lots of very enthusiastic members here who will help you!

 

[msop04]

Here is a 60/60 stone that fits your criteria, and you get great spread at 7.49 mm! It also scores well on the HCA (1.7). This give the look of a larger carat weight and is eye clean (adjust to 5x or less). Even though the diamond is appears MUCH larger at 5x than in real life, it is eye clean, so you can rest assured!

$9,880 (you can get a small discount from PS referral)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.52-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1020170

 

[msop04]

BTW... if you are interested in this stone, I would have JA put it on hold ASAP! Lots of lurkers to snatch it up!

 

[winterbaby520]

Here is a 60/60 stone that fits your criteria, and you get great spread at 7.49 mm! It also scores well on the HCA (1.7). This give the look of a larger carat weight and is eye clean (adjust to 5x or less). Even though the diamond is appears MUCH larger at 5x than in real life, it is eye clean, so you can rest assured!

$9,880 (you can get a small discount from PS referral)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.52-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1020170

Thanks! The HCA score is definitely better! But I do see a large black inclusion in the center of the stone...
Thanks again.

 

[msop04]

Here is a 60/60 stone that fits your criteria, and you get great spread at 7.49 mm! It also scores well on the HCA (1.7). This give the look of a larger carat weight and is eye clean (adjust to 5x or less). Even though the diamond is appears MUCH larger at 5x than in real life, it is eye clean, so you can rest assured!

$9,880 (you can get a small discount from PS referral)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.52-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1020170

Thanks! The HCA score is definitely better! But I do see a large black inclusion in the center of the stone...
Thanks again.

You will not see that IRL... even VS stones will show inclusions at 20x. You will not find an SI that is clean at 20x...

 

[Gypsy]

Here is a 60/60 stone that fits your criteria, and you get great spread at 7.49 mm! It also scores well on the HCA (1.7). This give the look of a larger carat weight and is eye clean (adjust to 5x or less). Even though the diamond is appears MUCH larger at 5x than in real life, it is eye clean, so you can rest assured!

$9,880 (you can get a small discount from PS referral)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.52-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1020170

Thanks! The HCA score is definitely better! But I do see a large black inclusion in the center of the stone...
Thanks again.

"Large" is not accurate. That stone is the size of a pencil eraser. That will not be visible to the naked eye.

I'm not sure what is up with the 1.55 carats thing. 1.5 carats is hard enough with your budget, the extra .05 is unreasonable. This one, if eyeclean, is an option: https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Round/GIA-Certified-1-5-Carat-I-Color-SI1-Clarity-Diamond-4T4WGM

The other one has better spread though.

 

[ghostm42]

That criteria really narrows what's available. This is the only diamond that I found that has ideal proportions and meets all our criteria.

Solomon Brothers
https://www.solomonbrothers.com/diamonddetail/182067/shop?affiliate=9318613A-AD0C-4530-A456-0409DFEFB8DE&utm_source=PriceScope

GIA: 2175514545
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite/?childpagename=GIA/Page/ReportCheck&pagename=GIA/Dispatcher&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=2175514545

1.55ct
Cut: Ex
--HCA 1.1 (ex, ex, ex, vg)
--Enchanted Cut Score: 100
--Proportions are ideal (within WhiteFlash ACA proportions)
--Also available (for more $$) as a Adiamor Affinity Ideal Cut diamond
H&A: yes
GIA 3X
Color: I
Clarity: VS2
No fluoro
$9,016.45 ($8,746 bank wire price)

See if you can get IdealScope/ASET images for this.

 

[msop04]

The diamond I suggested from JA is sold… Did you buy it, by chance? [emoji184]

 

[msop04]

That criteria really narrows what's available. This is the only diamond that I found that has ideal proportions and meets all our criteria.

Solomon Brothers
https://www.solomonbrothers.com/diamonddetail/182067/shop?affiliate=9318613A-AD0C-4530-A456-0409DFEFB8DE&utm_source=PriceScope

GIA: 2175514545
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite/?childpagename=GIA/Page/ReportCheck&pagename=GIA/Dispatcher&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=2175514545

1.55ct
Cut: Ex
--HCA 1.1 (ex, ex, ex, vg)
--Enchanted Cut Score: 100
--Proportions are ideal (within WhiteFlash ACA proportions)
--Also available (for more $$) as a Adiamor Affinity Ideal Cut diamond
H&A: yes
GIA 3X
Color: I
Clarity: VS2
No fluoro
$9,016.45 ($8,746 bank wire price)

See if you can get IdealScope/ASET images for this.

Nice find, ghost!

 

[winterbaby520]

Thanks everyone!
I requested an image from JA on the stone msop04 suggested, so it is on hold right now.

Ghost - I too found that stone you recommended last night, after educating myself some more. Unfortunately I forgot to call them today and now Solomon's is closed. Do they also offer free ideal scope images? I did not like any settings from them. I want a very simple pave band that's under 1.8mm, not a designer brand. What are my options on getting a setting elsewhere?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[ghostm42]

Ghost - I too found that stone you recommended last night, after educating myself some more. Unfortunately I forgot to call them today and now Solomon's is closed. Do they also offer free ideal scope images? I did not like any settings from them. I want a very simple pave band that's under 1.8mm, not a designer brand. What are my options on getting a setting elsewhere?

You can always send them an email. There's no guarantee they can get the IS/ASET images. Often times, these diamonds are located elsewhere and they have to ask their supplier to take these pictures. The suppliers don't always have the equipment to do so. Doesn't hurt to ask though.

You can always get the setting elsewhere. I was going to get my setting separately as well. If you already have a setting in mind, ask the jeweler who has the setting how much it'll cost to set a diamond that you provide. It'll normally be the cost of the setting + $100 to set + $100 if diamond is over a certain size (ie. 1.5ct)