shape
carat
color
clarity

Seeking/Reviewing 1.5 Round Diamonds Under $13,000

feXgNtfLPv

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
Messages
4
Hello,
My partner and I are engagement ring shopping. We are both very new to the world of jewelry and diamonds, but have been trying to research as much as possible and this website has been incredibly helpful.

Here are our criteria:
Shape: Round
Carat: 1.4 - 1.6
Clarity: VS2 + [I am a “mind clean” type of person]
Color: H + [I am pretty color sensitive]
Lab: GIA/AGS
Fluorescence: None/Faint
Cut: All of the typical PS criteria for a perfect stone :)
Price: $13,000 [For diamond only, something slightly above is ok]

It terms of importance to us: Cut [60% of decision], followed by carat [20%], clarity [10%] and color [10%]

My partner isn’t very comfortable buying a diamond online, I had to talk him into it and this community helped me with that. That being said, he would prefer to purchase from James Allen. But if the perfect stone is elsewhere, I may be able to convince him as long as the website is very reputable. Other potentially helpful facts: We have no plan to ever upgrade the diamond and we will be having the setting custom made by a local jeweler. A very simple, six prong cathedral in rose gold.

Here are 3 stones I have found that I would love feedback on, as I still feel very new to this world.

James Allen Option 1:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5517329
Carat 1.45
Color H
Clarity VVS2
Measurements 7.24*7.19*4.49
Depth % 62.2
Table % 55
Crown Angle 33.5
Pavilion Angle 40.8
Price $12,220
HCA 1.0
**I've requested an Idealscope for this but they said that would be impossible because it is "overseas". Does this remove this from consideration?

James Allen Option 2:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5566323
Carat 1.51
Color H
Clarity VS2
Measurements 7.39*7.37*4.53
Depth % 61.4
Table % 57
Crown Angle 33.5
Pavilion Angle 41
Price $12,950
HCA 1.1

And one from Whiteflash:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4022604.htm
Carat 1.420
Color H
Clarity VS1
Measurements 7.19x7.21x4.44 mm
Depth % 61.7
Table % 55.8
Crown Angle 34.5
Pavilion Angle 40.6
Price: $12,741

I hope I’ve provided all the correct information and I’m so grateful for your help or any suggestions.
 

Dancing Fire

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 3, 2004
Messages
33,852

lovedogs

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 31, 2014
Messages
17,910
I love the WF option
 

feXgNtfLPv

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
Messages
4
A no brainer ...#3. ;))

Thank you so much for the feedback! Just to be a more informed consumer, what makes the WF the obvious choice? To my new eyes, I thought these three were pretty identical!
 

pierrotlunette

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jul 22, 2018
Messages
111
This doesn't exactly answer your question, because it looks like you've picked out three lovely stones. As a consumer, however, I really like what Whiteflash offers you: you can see videos of your diamond in action, a full Sarin report, and the more-informative AGSL certificate (for a comparison of AGS and GIA grading: https://www.whiteflash.com/ags-vs-gia/). I am biased - I own a .80 WF ACA that is an H S12. Jewelers have frequently commented on how unbelievably lively it is, how large it looks for the carat weight (most think it's a full carat), and how white it faces up. I had a great experience with their customer service when I purchased that stone (which wasn't long after they launched their web business, actually!) and think the reputation they've earned in the ensuing years is well deserved. For me, the ACA designation means they've taken a lot of the guess work out of the "weeding out" process.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for the feedback! Just to be a more informed consumer, what makes the WF the obvious choice? To my new eyes, I thought these three were pretty identical!
 

Dancing Fire

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 3, 2004
Messages
33,852
Thank you so much for the feedback! Just to be a more informed consumer, what makes the WF the obvious choice? To my new eyes, I thought these three were pretty identical!
The WF stone is a H&A cut. the first two aren't, plus the upgrade policy with WF is much better. ;))
 

Katya DXB

Shiny_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 21, 2018
Messages
113
Thank you so much for the feedback! Just to be a more informed consumer, what makes the WF the obvious choice? To my new eyes, I thought these three were pretty identical!

The ACA diamond is what they call a super-ideal diamond, which means it is cut for optimal light return with very precise patterning (Hearts & Arrows). Don't know if you've seen this here:

https://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/diamond-education/the-super-ideal-diamond-1376.htm

Edited to add, I've just posted a review with photos comparing a super-ideal diamond with a GIA XXX. Perhaps you may find it helpful :)

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...-52-h-si1-cbi-review-and-lots-of-pics.243371/
 
Last edited:

feXgNtfLPv

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
Messages
4
Great information! I lost out on that ACA unfortunately :cry:, but I feel like I now know more what to look for, thank you!
 

kindred

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 3, 2008
Messages
958
Sorry you missed out on the ACA. It's a good idea to put diamonds on hold before asking about them here as lurkers often snap things up.
 

KKJohnson

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Aug 15, 2017
Messages
1,834
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