Round Diamond >0.70ct and under $2700

[mrv777]

Hello,

I was wondering if I could get some thoughts on some diamonds I was looking at for an engagement ring. Here is the setting:
http://www.markschneiderdesign.com/engagement-rings/floral-engagement-rings/rose-engagement-ring

Any input would be appreciated and other suggestions are welcomed too.
The specifications I was looking at were the following:
>0.70ct
<$2700
>=J color (J color only if they had some florescence)
>=SI1 Clarity
Excellent-Very Good Cut


Here are the diamonds:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.73-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-177976
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10504/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10459/
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.704-J-VS1-Round-Diamond-AGS-BL-104063639027#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/4/
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2909304.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2914792.htm


Thank you advance for any input.

 

[Niel]

I like this one I'd eye clean

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10504/

 

[hawk25]

I would skip the 0.716 ACA from WF, I had that exact stone on hold a little while ago. There's a colored inclusion near the girdle that's visible from 6 inches. The price seemed really great for an ACA, but the inclusion bugged me too much.

Here's the thread I made about it: https://www.pricescope.com/communit...h-a-orientation-to-you-does-it-matter.187137/

 

[mrv777]

I like this one I'd eye clean

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10504/

Thanks for the vote. That is actually the one I am most considering. I have heard good things about goodoldgold.com and it seems to have everything I want at a good price.

I would skip the 0.716 ACA from WF, I had that exact stone on hold a little while ago. There's a colored inclusion near the girdle that's visible from 6 inches. The price seemed really great for an ACA, but the inclusion bugged me too much.

Here's the thread I made about it: https://www.pricescope.com/communit...h-a-orientation-to-you-does-it-matter.187137/

Thanks hawk25. I actually missed that inclusion at first.
This is why I wanted to ask here before buying

 

[mrv777]

I think I have it down between these two and if the difference is worth the $500:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.73-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-177976
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10504/

Any other thoughts?

Thank you again

 

[hawk25]

Can you get JA to send you an Idealscope of their stone? They allow you to request up to 3 idealscopes and you can ask their gemologist for their opinion on the stone. I'd also call GOG and ask whether their SI1 is eye clean to your standards (10 inches, 6 inches, etc)

 

[mrv777]

Can you get JA to send you an Idealscope of their stone? They allow you to request up to 3 idealscopes and you can ask their gemologist for their opinion on the stone. I'd also call GOG and ask whether their SI1 is eye clean to your standards (10 inches, 6 inches, etc)

Thanks. I asked GOG if the diamond was eye clean and this is what I got back:

Thank you for your email. I took this diamond out and examined at different angles/lightings. I feel comfortable recommending this to you and saying you are going to have trouble seeing it. If you go out of your way to find it by using a 10x loupe, take the loupe away, bring the diamond in to your eye, tilt it at the right angle, sit there for a minute really trying to see it then YES you will find it eventually . Looking at this diamond in a practical way, the inclusion is not obvious and I would be super surprised if someone could see this without going out of their way.

I put the request into JA; it will take 3-5 business days.

Thank you

 

[mrv777]

I got the Idealscope images for two diamonds at JA. I was hoping to get some input on them as I am not an expert at these images.
And this is what I was told about the two:

All diamonds have a good amount of brilliance...Diamond 212188 has the best amount of fire and sparkle, backed up with very good light return that all together is very well balanced throughout the diamond. Diamond 177976 is a very close second, also offering a good amount of fire and sparkle that is well balanced with the brilliance. The diamonds do face up eye clean.

Thank you

 

[mrv777]

I don't like to bump, but any thoughts on these idealscope images? I was hoping to purchase one of the diamonds while they are on hold today for me.
I am leaning toward:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.73-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-177976

Both diamonds are about the same price.
The only other diamond I still have in consideration is:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10504/
but I'm weary if there will really be that much difference for the extra $400.

Thank you again for the help here. I appreciate it

 

[hawk25]

Haha I was just about to do a sneaky bump for you. I'm not too experienced with reading ideal scopes, so I'll have to defer to more knowledgeable PSers.

I'm not sure how to explain it, but I personally feel safer going with GOG. There's just something about a company that offers so much imaging and information up front that rubs me the right way. The 'superior' branding also helps ease worry a bit too. There are many people who recommend JA though, just thought I'd throw in my two cents.

How do you feel about the inclusion? The rep sounds pretty confident, but then again your SO will be looking at the stone more than anyone else

 

[mrv777]

Thanks for your input hawk25.
GOG does seem to be widely recommended, but like you said, many people seem to like JA too. The one thing I was thinking about with JA is that there is a 60-day return policy with them and no cost to return the diamond if I find something better this week.
From what I've seen of the diamonds online, I have no issues with the inclusions in these diamonds. I know I won't be 100% sure of them until I can see them in person though.


Thank you for the input

 

[Dancing Fire]

I don't like to bump, but any thoughts on these idealscope images? I was hoping to purchase one of the diamonds while they are on hold today for me.
I am leaning toward:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.73-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-177976

Both diamonds are about the same price.
The only other diamond I still have in consideration is:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10504/
but I'm weary if there will really be that much difference for the extra $400.

Thank you again for the help here. I appreciate it

There are difference b/t these stones the GOG stone is a true H&A.

 

[mrv777]

I don't like to bump, but any thoughts on these idealscope images? I was hoping to purchase one of the diamonds while they are on hold today for me.
I am leaning toward:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.73-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-177976

Both diamonds are about the same price.
The only other diamond I still have in consideration is:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10504/
but I'm weary if there will really be that much difference for the extra $400.

Thank you again for the help here. I appreciate it

There are difference b/t these stones the GOG stone is a true H&A.

That's true, but both seem to be excellently cut with good symmetry and light return. It didn't seem like having a true H&A then was worth the $400 if that was the only difference. GOG just seems to get good review after good review and that diamond is a little bigger with a little better color...$400 better color and size though. I wasn't sure.

Thank you for the input.

 

[hawk25]

I just noticed that the JA stone has medium blue fluorescence, which might account for the slight price discount compared with GOG. Yes, it'll help the J appear whiter, but only in UV light. If she were to try to sell the stone later on, it might be harder to do so purely because of the stigma. I found out I'm a little color sensitive when comparing HoF stones at a local jewelers, and the $400 would be worth knowing that it'll be a higher color in all lighting. The fact that it's a true H&A would be a bonus too

I don't suppose you have the means of ordering both and seeing for yourself? GOG has a 30 day return policy, and while they don't cover the shipping, for $2500+ purchase it might be worth the relatively small shipping costs to be sure about that inclusion. If not, then I'd personally go with GOG

 

[Niel]

Have them make sure there's no negativity crested by the fluor. If not. Save 400 go for the JA. I do not think the "h&a" label in this case is worth the 400.. especially with the fluor helping the stone seem whiter.

 

[hawk25]

If you go with JA, don't forget to ask for the PS discount!

 

[Niel]

I would imagine the 400 difference is the symmetry and the fluor. Well, who has a setting you like better?

 

[hawk25]

I would imagine the 400 difference is the symmetry and the fluor. Well, who has a setting you like better?

I think his idea was to get the setting from another place:
http://www.markschneiderdesign.com/engagement-rings/floral-engagement-rings/rose-engagement-ring

Based on the idealscopes, can you see any difference in performance? (For my own learning/curiosity)

 

[Niel]

Oh yeah I remember! Sorry. I just the performance will be comparable, so to me I'd look at other factors, so I think the fluor is a plus, and clearly on a budget so 400 is a fair amount of money when I don't think the light performance will be that different.

But the other is an I so its hard. Either one would be a good choice. What's more important. Color or price I guess.

 

[mrv777]

If you go with JA, don't forget to ask for the PS discount!

Hawk25 thank you for that tip! I forgot about that. I asked them about it and it would take an extra $50 off. Thank you.

I would imagine the 400 difference is the symmetry and the fluor. Well, who has a setting you like better?

I think his idea was to get the setting from another place:
http://www.markschneiderdesign.com/engagement-rings/floral-engagement-rings/rose-engagement-ring

Hawk25, you are correct that that is the setting I am going with. It's a little more pricey then I was originally looking at and hoping for which is why I am looking at different diamonds now. When I found it and saw it in person though, I loved it and will not compromise on it. It is exactly what I want for her.

But the other is an I so its hard. Either one would be a good choice. What's more important. Color or price I guess.

Yea, I know most people say that one color grade difference is not noticeable, but where do you draw the line? I was thinking the fluorescence in the J with the Excellent Cut and good HCA would make it really shine outside and look whiter, but wasn't sure about inside.



Thank you again for all your help.

 

[Niel]

I think the I is a safer bet, but the j is cheaper. is a 500 is a noticeable difference to you?

 

[mrv777]

I asked JA about the fluorescence and they replied with this:

Also, I can assure you that the fluorescence in this diamond is not negatively effecting it in any way. If there was to be any haziness, oily or milky appearance under any lighting, the gemologist would have gave us a heads up.

I think the I is a safer bet, but the j is cheaper. is a 500 is a noticeable difference to you?

It is noticeable to me, but I want to get her the best I can afford. At the same time, I know she would say she would rather have me save that $500 for something else for us if it is such a small difference. Ha. I know to her its not about the diamond, but what it means (And I know she will love the setting). I just want her to have something really nice.

 

[Niel]

Go with the cheaper one then. This will be a lovely ring regardless, and sounds like the money is important. Also please post this ring when you are finished!

 

[hawk25]

You sound like me a few months ago, I had the same budget and size goals. When I first joined PS, I started with a $1500 budget...and gradually grew to $2500 after justifying it as "it's only a few extra hundred...it's worth it knowing I'm getting her the best I possibly could", even though she'd be happy with a CZ. She'd actually kill me if she ever found out how much I spent. I went to a local jeweler and stared at the difference between an H and I color for like half an hour, can't even imagine how annoyed the SA felt dealing with me

One color grade is -very- subtle, but you do have to draw the line somewhere. I read tons of threads saying that I stones were okay, then there were threads saying J was okay... and even sometimes K's with fluorescence, but when I saw stones in person I knew I had to draw the line at H color, even if it meant a slightly smaller stone.

In my case, I don't at all regret bumping down the size 0.05ct to get a stone that was a safe bet, compared with the original stone that had a possibly visible inclusion and lower color. In some ways it's like your situation, but with money instead of size. Both stones will be very nice however, and as much as I'd like to say spend the extra money, it's basically an extra 25%, which is a lot!