RB, $4k budget, comparing several choices

[defen]

I'm in the process of looking at round brilliants on a $4k budget for a solitaire setting. I'm not sure about where I'm going to set it, though White Flash in Houston is about 3 hours away and I think James Allen also has an operation there.

I've read quite a bit here and wanted to get an opinion on a few diamonds that I've been looking at (all on hold, all prices PS discount):

First is from JA and it's $3180. It's a 0.85 carat, J-SI1 true hearts:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1500366.asp

Next is from WF and it's a J-VS1 expert selection for $3540:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2794537.htm

Finally is another WF, this one an I-SI1 ACA for $3757:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2794536.htm

These are just a few options as part of my initial search. I'm not opposed to another vendor or other diamonds.

 

[ponder]

Brian Gavin Diamonds is in Houston. He is actually located in the same building as Whiteflash, so it may definitely be worth a trip to Houston. James Allen does not have a location in Houston, they are in the northeast US, I think.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Correct, WF and BG are in Houston and James Allen has an office in NYC and possibly one other location in the east.

If you live in TX, though, I would look out of state because of sales tax. Most people here have successfully bought without going to see the stone in person. Most of the vendors have generous return policies just in case.

 

[defen]

Thanks everyone for the info so far. I also wanted to ask, are there any thoughts on those particular diamonds?

 

[Statefan42]

Thanks everyone for the info so far. I also wanted to ask, are there any thoughts on those particular diamonds?

I like the WF ACA diamond. The other 2 are J's. Have you seen J colored diamonds? It's going to be personal preference. I would go see some in person before ordering though. If you end up liking the J color the price is nice.

 

[webdiva]

Some other options - all rated ideal cut by the AGS:

.81 I VS2 - $3221 - AGS000 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1500686.asp
.81 I Si1 - $2856 - AGS0 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1398077.asp
.83 I VS2 - $3800 - AGS000 True hearts - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1483395.asp

Make sure you click through at least once from Pricescope to get the pricescope wire price.

Make sure to look at the dimensions vs carat weight to see how big it really is. the .81s I posted are almost the same size as the .85 you posted. 6.05 mm vs 6.10 mm - that's like half a human hair/half the thickness of a piece of copy paper.

 

[cl600500]

hey post your question to truthaboutdiamond.com they will give you good opinions, they have dealt with many people with the exact same question as you

 

[defen]

Some other options - all rated ideal cut by the AGS:

.81 I VS2 - $3221 - AGS000 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1500686.asp
.81 I Si1 - $2856 - AGS0 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1398077.asp
.83 I VS2 - $3800 - AGS000 True hearts - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1483395.asp

Make sure you click through at least once from Pricescope to get the pricescope wire price.

Make sure to look at the dimensions vs carat weight to see how big it really is. the .81s I posted are almost the same size as the .85 you posted. 6.05 mm vs 6.10 mm - that's like half a human hair/half the thickness of a piece of copy paper.

Thanks for the links to a few other diamond options, and good point on the size.

I have a few new questions. First, is there a huge difference between James Allen H&A and White Flash ACA? Second, assuming the diamond is AGS ideal (which I believe is the same as 000), at this price point should I go for ACA/H&A/etc. or is it not worth it? Finally, should I be looking elsewhere besides White Flash and James Allen?

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[webdiva]

Brian Gavin Diamonds
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.753-G-SI1-Round-Diamond-AGS-104059065051

We were hoping to save you tax by going with a NY vendor since the tax pays for a solitaire setting but if you prefer local - Brian is also in Houston.

Whiteflash and BGD have precision cutters and cut true H&A. Generally, JA doesn't carry true H&A and you need them analyzed for light performance(unless AGS000).G

 

[TC1987]

I'd recommend looking at the vendor's upgrade and buy-back policies. WF and Good Old Gold are better than James Allen, I believe, or at least they used to be. I have purchased two diamonds from GOG, and upgraded once. Before the diamond prices took a 25% - 35% jump, the buy-back and trade-in options looked more attractive, but I'd still factor those policies into a purchase decision.

 

[defen]

It looks like BG has a slightly different upgrade policy from WF, where for BG you have to upgrade 2 of color, clarity, carat which I don't think is the case with WF.