Round 1.1+ Help - First time Diamond Buyer!

[DiamondBishop]

Hey All - This site has been a huge help to me thus far!! Reading these forums have taken me a very long way from where I started. I feel I have a pretty good grasp on what to look for, but wanted to throw a couple questions out there before I make any purchases. What I am looking for:

Round Diamond (to be set in platinum)
1.1+ carat
SI1+ clarity
H+ Color (see below)
Ideal/Excellent Cut
Flour: Anything but strong blue
Budget: $7,500

1.) I feel comfortable in what I want, except for color. In general, it looks like I can get an extra .05-.1 carat in my price range if I go from H --> I . I still falls in the 'near colorless' category and it is very hard to tell the discernible difference between H&I. Getting a slightly larger diamond is very tempting. Think it is a good trade off?

2.) For the SI1 diamonds I am going to make sure they are eye clean (at 0x magnfication at least). However, are there any inclusions that are "better" than others? For instance, some of the diamonds have rather large black stains that are much more noticeable then tiny feathers.

3.) The diamonds below from JA match all my criteria and look good to me! However, I can't help but feel there are more things I should be considering. Other than the main 4C's and what I mentioned above, what else should I dig into? And is there anything you notice about the JA diamonds below that I might have missed?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.13-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-127395
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.16-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-240237

Thanks

 

[ecf8503]

Why are you against SB fluor?

That second one scores a 4.0 on the HCA - "good only if price is your main concern".

The first one scores a nice 1.8.

You want an HCA under 2.0 (but once you are under 2, lower is not better). Plug the numbers in here https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca, eliminate those over 2, then ask for idealscope images on them.

JA will work up 3 stones for you - I'd consider the first one but not the second. Keep looking, find 2 more candidates that score under 2 on the HCA, (reserve them!) and ask for the idealscope images.

 

[Sakuracherry]

Look for a little more on JA and request idealscope images. Have you seen an H and an I in person? Has your girlfriend expressed her preference? I believe I still looks white for many people, but it's safe to stay with H if you're not sure. This diamond is a tad smaller than 1.1, but it's my favorite (I just did a quick search on JA and WF).


http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2909292.htm

 

[DiamondBishop]

Why are you against SB fluor?

Some of what I have read while researching has started there is a risk of a stone looking slightly milky in near colorless if the flour is very strong. I can not speak to this first hand, but thought it was something I do not want to take a risk on.

Awesome advice on the HCA, things like this were exactly what I was looking for. I thought 'cut' and 'symmetry' would have me covered for this kind of stuff. Guess not!

 

[DiamondBishop]

Look for a little more on JA and request idealscope images. Have you seen an H and an I in person? Has your girlfriend expressed her preference? I believe I still looks white for many people, but it's safe to stay with H if you're not sure. This diamond is a tad smaller than 1.1, but it's my favorite (I just did a quick search on JA and WF).


http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2909292.htm

Yes I saw a few in person, and thought it was tough to tell them apart. But like you said, this seems like something I should probably not risk for a tiny bit of size.

That is a beautiful diamond! Has me thinking maybe I should be a bit more flexible on the 1.1, thus far I was leaning JA because I love their site and the reps have been very helpful, but I am not against purchasing from WF.

 

[Niel]

Here's what gia says about fluor

Don't avoid fluor. Just shop and if you find one with fluor, ask the vendor if it has any neg effects. If of does THEN pass, just don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Most are just fine, and the effect is awesome!

 

[Sakuracherry]

I have nothing against JA, but I've bought an eye-clean H/SI1 from WF last year and was pleased with their customer service. You cannot go wrong with an ACA. I think fluo is cool as long as it doesn't have any negative effect. What kind of setting are you planning to get? It's easier to buy a diamond and a setting from the same vendor.

 

[DiamondBishop]

Don't avoid fluor. Just shop and if you find one with fluor, ask the vendor if it has any neg effects. If of does THEN pass, just don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Most are just fine, and the effect is awesome!

I think I will add this to my ever growing list of things to ask the sales associates when I call to purchase. Thanks for the info from GIA, seems very rare to have a diamond milky due to flour.

I have nothing against JA, but I've bought an eye-clean H/SI1 from WF last year and was pleased with their customer service. You cannot go wrong with an ACA. I think fluo is cool as long as it doesn't have any negative effect. What kind of setting are you planning to get? It's easier to buy a diamond and a setting from the same vendor.

It's funny, I have nothing to go off from my GF about the diamond, but she is very particular about the setting. I have not picked one yet, but it will be similar to the one below. Pave, thin band with diamonds, and platinum (maybe white gold, this is TBD). Like most newbs I started off on Blue Nile and was pretty disappointed in their setting selection, but I found a few options at JA. WF looks to be next on my list!

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/platinum-pave-set-four-prong-diamond-engagement-ring-item-3249

 

[Sakuracherry]

It's great that you know what she wants Now go pick three diamonds on JA and request idealscope images. When you receive some images, come back and post them here. I'm sure the experts will help you.

 

[DiamondBishop]

It's great that you know what she wants Now go pick three diamonds on JA and request idealscope images. When you receive some images, come back and post them here. I'm sure the experts will help you.

Appreciate the help!! Hopefully sometime next week I will request the images

 

[Niel]

Im not sure which kind of pave setting she was aiming for, but make sure you look at the actual pictures of the settings, the 360 view, as the CADs sometimes dont convey the actual look well. Some have too much metal in the RL photos.

If this might be her style, i think its the nicest of the pave setting they have for a reasonable price. Not a lot of metal, very thin, and cla prongs too!

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-rounded-pave-engagement-solitaire-item-8116

If you decide to go white gold, go 14k white gold, as 14k is whiter than 18k. That way you dont have to replate as much, if you choose to do that. (Some people dont even plate it)

also, i know you said H, but this I looks nice, and even most diamond experts would say an I solitaire, especially at this size, will be very white.... if youre reserving 3, id include this one, as its a nice price for your budget (plus that nice small table will make the stone nice with lots of fire )

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.13-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-208973