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Searching for a Round Brilliant - Please Help

ahoogeveen said:
@rockysalamander - okay so if I go JA go with the 1.26, but you would go super-ideal cut from White-Flash. Is it true that the color shading of an AGS stone is between a half shade and a full shade lower than GIA?

@WillyDiamond - I haven't and BE?
Click to expand...
AGS is generally considered softer on color than GIA. You can ask WF to show the stone you like against a GIA graded stone if they have on inhouse. I don't think there is any data to say there is a half or full shade. I find more that for colors on the GIA border, AGS goes higher. So, this is more of a visual difference in J and below, IMHO, for the 'average' viewer. In your specific case, the difference in price and size differences at that price are small. With such a small difference, I would personally go with super-ideal especially when paired with WF more generous trade-up policy. In the case of other posters with different specs, I might say go with the 1.26.

BE = Brilliantly Engaged, a PS recommended vendor. But, you already have two vendors working on this ring, I personally would find adding a third difficult to manage.
 
I'll agree, WF prices are good right now, and I'd personally choose this one if you can squeeze the extra money:

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3897563.htm

I also agree with rs that it is the borderline color stones that AGS is a little more generous in the color grading department. But I have owned WF ACAs for years and I don't let that bother me. I always ask if the stones I am looking at are in the high to mid range of their color. I eliminate stones that are in the low end of their grade because those are the most likely ones to be a grade lower by GIA. I've never regretted going with the best cut, especially when the prices are as favorable as they are right now.

I do not advise getting involved with any other ring makers, either. Because we already told you that DK is the lowest price for good quality.

Oh, and of the JA stones, the 1.26 is still the best.
 
@rockysalamander & @diamondseeker2006 - thank you both again for all of your help.

I am planning on going with DK, only thought was the warranty on the JA setting is better, but for the better quality setting I think it's worth it.

Last question on the https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3897563.htm - I noticed it has a lot of crystals and clouds in the table. I'm assuming that doesn't worry you because you've seen the IdealScope and Aset images?

I'm tempted to purchase both stones and see which one I like better in person, but I know that's crazy. So I need to make a decision.
 
ahoogeveen said:
@rockysalamander & @diamondseeker2006 - thank you both again for all of your help.

I am planning on going with DK, only thought was the warranty on the JA setting is better, but for the better quality setting I think it's worth it.

Last question on the https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3897563.htm - I noticed it has a lot of crystals and clouds in the table. I'm assuming that doesn't worry you because you've seen the IdealScope and Aset images?

I'm tempted to purchase both stones and see which one I like better in person, but I know that's crazy. So I need to make a decision.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be concerned about the inclusions in the WF stone - it's a VS2 and they list the stone as eye clean. They screen every stone to make sure all standards are met but you could always ask them to pull the stone and confirm eye clean at what angle/distance.

If you are able to order both and view in person I TOTALLY would! You could compare the super ideal stone to JA and see for yourself what you value most. Both will be gorgeous but beauty is in the eye of the beholder so at least you get to decide and not think about what you may/may not have missed out on. The only way I'd say definitely go for the WF stone is if you plan on upgrading in the future since they have a MUCH better upgrade policy.
 
I personally think that without seeing the stones, I can predict that the WF will visually perform better than a JA stone (which is why it’s priced higher).

Buying a WF VS2? Someone just bought a WF SI2, was worried about one inclusion and it turned out to be completely eye clean to her and super beautiful. You should be extremely safe at VS2, but definitely get a confirmed opinion from the WF salesperson helping you with the stone because they’re honest. Diamonds esp ACA are just so sparkly - I highly doubt you’ll be able to see inclusions in an ACA at VS2.

I, too, would encourage you buying both stones and looking at them for yourself. Many people do that - it’s not crazy at all! You should have the peace of mind that you looked at both stones and chose the clear winner. Or just buy the WF stone outright if it’s in your budget - it should be your top choice. I think it would be anyone’s top choice if it was in their budget. Outstanding cut = the best possible/maximum light performance that money can buy, plus 100% trade-in.

The only reason why I might not recommend WF, is for example if you intend to upgrade your stone to 2.5ct in future, and you don’t want to pay WF prices for a 2.5ct stone (it’s certainly more expensive than an ideal cut 2.5ct stone). So be aware of and check the prices of bigger stones before you lock yourself in to a lifetime trade-in policy. I made that mistake myself - I bought a 0.6 super ideal cut stone with a 100% trade-in policy for future upgrades, only to realize I can’t actually afford it at the size I wanted (I never intended to trade-in but changed my mind). I mean I could, but I didn’t want to spend that much on a diamond.

If you and your wife are happy with this size, then certainly WF would be the top contender based on outstanding light performance.
 
Thank you everyone for the thoughts. Whiteflash just got back to me on the color, here is what they said:

After taking a look at the diamond, I would say it is a solid I color grade. However, comparing it next to a comparable H and J color stone, I would personally say that it falls toward the lower end of the I color range.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3897563.htm
It is a beautiful diamond with fantastic performance, but if you are extremely color sensitive, then I may suggest jumping up to the H color range.
 
I love Whiteflash because they are always so honest about color. Let me look again and see if there's anything else.
 
I am very surprised they didn't pull this stone and compare if for you. I'd ask that next. This stone is only a little over $100 more than the other. I'd have them compare the two and see if this one is a higher I color or not.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2631627.htm

There's one more stone worth considering. It's an H VS2 that is GIA graded (so likely the whitest of all the stones we've looked at). It's a little deep, but the cut is beautiful.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3950134.htm

I just wanted to add that I realize most people never upgrade their diamonds. But since I did upgrade my diamond stud earrings, I was extremely glad I went with WF! Many vendors require that you spend double the original amount to upgrade (such as James Allen). I don't consider that a good deal for the buyer. Plus, WF's stones are not priced all that much higher, especially considering the cut is superior to most stones listed on vendor sites that list virtual stones of all types.
 
One more note. You had asked about clarity on that first I VS2. If you look at the highly magnified image of that stone, you see nothing! So I didn't even look at the clarity plot on the report because the stone was obviously very eyeclean even magnified. I do look more on the clarity reports when the grade is SI1-SI2. But VS2 is usually safe, especially when magnified images are provided.
 
Brilliantly Engaged, a PS vendor who does beautiful halo work.
Chris, can also source you center stone
Good luck
 
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