Shopping for a small-ish center for a cluster halo

[FutureChocolateMLK]

Calling @DejaWiz and @Kim N because you’re both so incredibly helpful! If anyone else wants to join in the hunt, please do so!

Looking for a round, approximately .6ct for a center stone to go in a cluster halo. I prefer a little warmer color since it’ll be set in yellow gold, maybe the F-H range. I’ve perused Ritani and found a few possibilities, but it’s been a long Monday and my brain is mush.

I recently pulled the trigger on a suite of 3 stones but backed out of the project, and glad I did because I’ve switched gears yet again. Inspiration photo is a .42 with 11 point halo stones. I’m a couple sizes bigger so I’m adjusting the proportions based on that.

 

[Kim N]

How about one of these?

0.65 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG22053011 | Ritani

0.65 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut F Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG22053011

www.ritani.com

0.58 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG12771009 | Ritani

0.58 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut F Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG12771009

www.ritani.com

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

How about one of these?

0.65 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG22053011 | Ritani

0.65 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut F Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG22053011

www.ritani.com

0.58 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG12771009 | Ritani

0.58 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut F Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG12771009

www.ritani.com

I love both of these, especially the smaller table on the first one! I’m a sucker for a small table and higher crown. I’m hoping to stay under the $400 mark if possible. Guess that would’ve been helpful to post a budget in my first post. That .65 is stunning though!

Thoughts on this one?

0.65 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG563230041 | Ritani

0.65 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG563230041

www.ritani.com

 

[Kim N]

I love both of these, especially the smaller table on the first one! I’m a sucker for a small table and higher crown. I’m hoping to stay under the $400 mark if possible. Guess that would’ve been helpful to post a budget in my first post. That .65 is stunning though!

Thoughts on this one?

0.65 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG563230041 | Ritani

0.65 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG563230041

www.ritani.com

The proportions are great, but it has a bit of an uneven pavilion, which means there may be some leakage.

This one looks more tightly cut:

0.61 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG523282542 | Ritani

0.61 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG523282542

www.ritani.com

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

The proportions are great, but it has a bit of an uneven pavilion, which means there may be some leakage.

This one looks more tightly cut:

0.61 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG523282542 | Ritani

0.61 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG523282542

www.ritani.com

That’s a great option! I’m going to look at all of them on my giant monitor at work tomorrow and hopefully make a decision in the next few days. It’ll be a RHR and a much smaller stone so I’ll be less picky than if it were for an engagement ring.

I cannot for the life of me figure out why the prices are typically better on the higher color stones. I see more D and E diamonds at far better prices than a lower H-J range. It’s so strange to me. Any insight?

 

[Kim N]

That’s a great option! I’m going to look at all of them on my giant monitor at work tomorrow and hopefully make a decision in the next few days. It’ll be a RHR and a much smaller stone so I’ll be less picky than if it were for an engagement ring.

I cannot for the life of me figure out why the prices are typically better on the higher color stones. I see more D and E diamonds at far better prices than a lower H-J range. It’s so strange to me. Any insight?

Pure speculation, but with labs being so affordable, people don't have to compromise on color and clarity, so there may be more demand for the higher colors, and the suppliers are answering that demand and competing with each other on price.

 

[DejaWiz]

0.60 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG542232083 | Ritani

0.6 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG542232083

www.ritani.com

0.71 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG561249941 | Ritani

0.71 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG561249941

www.ritani.com

0.73 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG560216667 | Ritani

0.73 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG560216667

www.ritani.com

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

I requested a video of this one:

Verify Your Report

Ensure authenticity & accuracy of your report here. Verify your gemstone report online for complete confidence in your precious investments.

www.igi.org

Would the 35.5 possibly work with a 40.6?

 

[DejaWiz]

I requested a video of this one:

Verify Your Report

Ensure authenticity & accuracy of your report here. Verify your gemstone report online for complete confidence in your precious investments.

www.igi.org

Would the 35.5 possibly work with a 40.6?

Yes, absolutely it can. I usually regard a 35.5 CA as a smidge steep for a 40.6 PA, but it's not what I'd say is out of bounds for being too risky. I'd want to see ASET images.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

0.60 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG542232083 | Ritani

0.6 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG542232083

www.ritani.com

0.71 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG561249941 | Ritani

0.71 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG561249941

www.ritani.com

0.73 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG560216667 | Ritani

0.73 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut D Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG560216667

www.ritani.com

These are all stunning options, I just really love a little warmth to a stone. If the video for the F comes back as acceptable, I may go with it. The price is pretty amazing but I (meaning you lovely PSers) need to see it before I pull the trigger.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

Isn’t there a coupon code that can be used? I saw one over on Reddit but wasn’t sure if it was still valid.

 

[Kim N]

Isn’t there a coupon code that can be used? I saw one over on Reddit but wasn’t sure if it was still valid.

I see one for 3% off a purchase of $1500+.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

I see one for 3% off a purchase of $1500+.

Definitely won’t meet that criteria on this go-round. Haha! Thank you for looking!

 

[DejaWiz]

These are all stunning options, I just really love a little warmth to a stone. If the video for the F comes back as acceptable, I may go with it. The price is pretty amazing but I (meaning you lovely PSers) need to see it before I pull the trigger.

0.64 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG563299778 | Ritani

0.64 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut H Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG563299778

www.ritani.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com

...video is pretty off-center, so I can't confirm my suspicion of a little pavilion twist.

0.60 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG553262352 | Ritani

0.6 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut H Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG553262352

www.ritani.com

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

0.64 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG563299778 | Ritani

0.64 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut H Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG563299778

www.ritani.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com

...video is pretty off-center, so I can't confirm my suspicion of a little pavilion twist.

0.60 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG553262352 | Ritani

0.6 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut H Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG553262352

www.ritani.com

That .64 didn’t even show up in my search results and I have no clue why! How do you find these wonderful stones? Lol

I’ve been eyeing that .60 all evening though. Hoping to get a video of the F soon so I can narrow my choices down.

 

[Kim N]

0.64 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG563299778 | Ritani

0.64 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut H Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG563299778

www.ritani.com

Loupe360

loupe360.com

...video is pretty off-center, so I can't confirm my suspicion of a little pavilion twist.

0.60 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG553262352 | Ritani

0.6 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut H Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG553262352

www.ritani.com

I like the 0.60 a lot! I think the 0.64 does have pavilion twist.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

I like the 0.60 a lot! I think the 0.64 does have pavilion twist.

I’m torn between the .62/F and the .60/H. Again, I’ll be looking at both on my big monitor at work tomorrow to decide. The price difference is nominal so it’ll come down to optics.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

Of course, the prices on all of the contenders jumped about $40 each overnight. Still waiting on the video for the F.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

Just found this one - yay or nay?

0.63 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG544264468 | Ritani

0.63 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG544264468

www.ritani.com

 

[DejaWiz]

Just found this one - yay or nay?

0.63 Carat Round Lab Diamond IGI LG544264468 | Ritani

0.63 Carat Round Lab Diamond ID Cut E Color VS1 Clarity with diamond report number IGI #LG544264468

www.ritani.com

Smidge of twist, based on the dark spots near the base of the arrows.

I like the 0.6 H better out of these two.
If you want to go colorless, then have another look at my previous links.

 

[Kim N]

Smidge of twist, based on the dark spots near the base of the arrows.

I like the 0.6 H better out of these two.
If you want to go colorless, then have another look at my previous links.

I agree, I thought about posting this one but in the end didn't because of the slight pavilion unevenness.

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

I went ahead and got the .60 H since I still haven’t received any imagery on the .62 F. I didn’t wanna miss out on it, so now I wait for confirmation that it’s available. Thank you both for all your help!

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

It’s here! Faces up very white for an H, at least to my untrained eye. I had it delivered to work since it required a signature so I apologize for the awful photos. I had to hurry before anyone saw me. Haha! Looking forward to getting the setting started! This will be a 40th birthday present to myself, and I told myself if I didn’t get a proposal by the end of 2022 I’d just buy myself something sparkly.

 

[DejaWiz]

It’s here! Faces up very white for an H, at least to my untrained eye. I had it delivered to work since it required a signature so I apologize for the awful photos. I had to hurry before anyone saw me. Haha! Looking forward to getting the setting started! This will be a 40th birthday present to myself, and I told myself if I didn’t get a proposal by the end of 2022 I’d just buy myself something sparkly.

Sheesh that is perfect!

 

[FutureChocolateMLK]

Sheesh that is perfect!

Agreed! I’m honestly shocked at how white it is, albeit I’m not color sensitive. I think for my engagement ring I could even go lower, since I prefer a little warmth. David said he might have a hard time sourcing the diamonds for the halo to match in labs, but I’m confident there won’t be a noticeable contrast now that I’ve seen it in person. Thank you for your help, along with @Kim N! The knowledge and assistance you both share is invaluable, and I think everyone on this forum would agree.

Be on the lookout for a CAD post, hopefully soon!