Seeking 1.5 SI1 - advice appreciated

[cal41117]

Hi Everyone,

With all the great info on this board, I've finally been able to narrow down the requirements of my search(hopefully!). But with the numerous options online, I was hoping to get some recommendations.

Search Criteria:
Carat: 1.4-1.55 carat
Color: H or higher
Clarity: eye clean SI1 or better
Cut: round ideal
HCA: 2.0 or better
Fluo: ok with faint fluo, but I'd like to avoid any milkiness.
Setting: Platinum 6 prong tiffany's style setting.
Budget: ~13k with setting but this is flexible

In my preliminary search I've found the following, but would appreciate any suggestions. I've tried to tune my color / clarity requirements based on feedback on this forum regarding getting the best bang for your buck. Would you recommend upgrading any of these criteria?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2813923.htm - Doesn't meet my SI1 requirement, but supposedly eye clean. I've heard others stating that it's very difficult to find an eye clean SI2. How accurate do you find whiteflash? Also, do I need to be concerned about it being cert by AGS as opposed to GIA?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1532149.asp

Thanks in advance!

 

[m-2-b]

Are you open to a preloved ring? You can find excellent bargains there! Here's one that I think you should take a look at:
http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/1-dot-58-g-vs1-gia-xxx-in-vatche-tiffany-repro-setting

 

[yennyfire]

I agree with mom2boys...that's a great diamond at a great price!

 

[Sakuracherry]

That pre-loved ring is a great deal if you can stretch your budget. I just took a quick look at some diamonds on James Allen. I think you can get a G/SI1 or H/VS2 or H/SI1 within your budget. Some people AGS is soft on colors. If you decide to go with the WF stone, ask them if it's a high H or low H.

 

[cal41117]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'll take a look at the pre-owned diamond.

As a general rule, what kind of discount vs. retail is expected with looking at a pre-owned ring? Doing a quick search on pricescope partner sites(1.58, G, VS1, EX, similar HCA), I found a pretty wide range of prices ranging from 1.5K less to 2+K more than the preowned ring. For example, the following diamond is 1.5K less than the pre-owned diamond and pretty similar in specs from my cursory glance.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3304189-1.58-carat-Round-diamond-G-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=3304189&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

I'm still learning, so go easy on me if I'm missing something obvious that affects the pricing of these diamonds.

Thanks again!

 

[JulieN]

The Whiteflash SI2 looks hazy to me. SI2 based on clouds not shown.

The JA one is ok. Here are a few more http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds-search/?View=4&Tab=3&Comparison=1429281,1465250,1471835,1482906