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Requesting assistance - Finding @ 1 Carat Round Diamond

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LooseRock

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 18, 2011
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Hi All-
I'm a newbie to the Diamond buying experience and would appreciate any leads to a "Nice Choice" for a Round Diamond @ 1 carat.

Our price range is really @ 3K but could stretch towards 4K if needed.
We have a ring that fits @ a 1 carat in a suspension channel setting.
We don't necessarily have preferences on the 4 c's, just looking for what would be considered a great choice for most people.

Does anyone have links or leads on a Diamond in this price range/size and quality?

I'm hoping that someone familiar with this process can more easily spot this or has already seen a few they'd consider themselves.

A reliable source for the diamond is somewhat a must as this is a large purchase for us and don't want to risk getting burned.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated and Happy Holidays

LooseRock
 
I don't have the specs on the ring but will get tomorrow.

I'm not questioning your judgement, just want to know why you choose such low color quality and high clarity?
Is there a happier medium or is there a reason for your preference?
Also, what stands out about these selections?

Thank you in advance, this is very helpful
 
these were the only options that looked decent at JA in your price range.
 
Diamond prices are high this year, and to get a decent one carat diamond in J color SI1 clarity, excellent cut, you are looking at $5000+. It is wise to never buy the setting before the diamond, because as in this case, if you want a J or higher color diamond, you are going to have to go under 1 ct.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1437758.asp

I SI1 will be around $6000:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1443033.asp

Around $3000 w/better color (.76, H SI1):

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1396511.asp

And these are about the best prices you'll find for a well cut stone.
 
i agree with slg here..unfortunately in the current market $3-4k will not be able to get a 1ct stone that has high color and clarity with excellent cut. something has to compromise and in this case the options given had lower color.

if you don't mind very good cut here is another option to consider:
0.92 H SI2 $4070 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1372002.asp
i would ask James Allen to get their gemologist to look at the stones are confirm if they are eye clean and to recommend which one is the best within your budget
 
 
Please keep in mind that SI2 stones are most likely not eye clean. Eye clean SI2 stones do exist, but they are relatively rare. In any case it is advisable to work with a vendor that you trust to check whether individual stones are eye clean to your standards.

I would not suggest the JA H SI2 posted earlier as it may have too much obstruction for a ring. The JA F SI2 is most likely not eye clean, especially if it'll be going in a setting with the sides of the stone exposed.

If the stones from b2c aren't in-house, I'm not even sure how much the vendor can tell you about them. I personally prefer vendors like JA/GOG/WF/BGD/HPD who either carry the stones in-house, or can at least provide images.
 
Again IMO it is most likely not eye clean. But you can check with JA whether it is eye clean to your standards.
 
I understand that it's likely not eye clean.

Should I be looking at SI1 or better?
Is that sort of a rule of thumb?

Are you and others saying to lower color quality to achieve better clarity?

If you had to rank, what is your ranking for which to lower and not?

Clarity - Top Priority
Cut - Next
Color - Next

We're getting closer and thank you once again
 
It really depends on what you are looking for. IMO as the clarity goes from VS2 to SI1 to SI2 it gets increasingly likely that the average stone is not eye clean. It just means that a random VS2 is more likely to be eye clean than a random SI2. But once we are looking at individual stones, IMO it's just as likely to find an eye clean SI2 as it is to find a VS2 that's not eye clean. That's why it's really important to find vendors who you trust and understand your eye clean standards.

To me, cut is always the most important. It has the most impact on how brilliant/fiery/sparkly a stone looks.

As long as a stone is eye clean to my standards, I don't care what clarity grade it gets. I may even consider an I1, even if it's not eye clean, if the inclusions form a cool pattern, but others may not agree. SpecialI1E6240.jpg

I find color to be hugely personal. My SO likes the H/I range more so than other colors, and some may even prefer lower colors. I would not buy her a D - G color even if they are cheaper.

In any case, I think most of us are just trying to make sure that you are making an informed decision on your stone choice. I don't think any of us have a better idea of what your preferences are than yourself, but we are trying to help you figure out your preferences in the process.
 
Very nice and absolutely makes sense.

I agree, cut is our top priority as well.

We have a suspension ring with 2 prongs.
I'f the inclusion(s) i in the right spot, can they generally be hidden with proper setting?
This would allow us to have lower clarity to increase other characteristics.

Ideally it would have fewest chance of inclusions but how noticeable is the change in colors, generally speaking?

I don't expect that anyone will be looking closely at the ring or for long periods of time.
So, I guess we want it to shine more than look perfect.

Does this help in figuring our preferences out and steering us to a nice selection?
If so, do you have a selection that catches your eye?
 
I suggest watching this for color: http://vimeo.com/3288695

Lower color stones also tend to reflect more of the colors from the environment. This thread has some examples: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/color-comparison-my-o-p-next-to-my-f-g-rb-eternity-band.166808/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/color-comparison-my-o-p-next-to-my-f-g-rb-eternity-band.166808/[/URL]

If lower color is not a concern, I would suggest this one if you want to hit the 1 ct mark: http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity&id=488
 
Ditto thb, and a couple more points -

1. Yes, some inclusions can be masked by putting a prong on top or nearby, generally. Whether or not that specific inclusion in that specific stone can be hidden this way will depend on the inclusion type, location, stone size and crown facet angles, prong orientation (you've specified two - do you have a pic of this, I don't understand what you mean?)

2. "Apparent" colour will also be affected by what setting you choose. What metal(s) are you considering? Discussion thread [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/which-metal-compliments-a-warm-stone-best.160706/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/which-metal-compliments-a-warm-stone-best.160706/[/URL]
 
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