Starting my upgrade journey...

[Panther555]

Hello,

I've been a lurker on the site for the past few months, and this is my first post, as I am starting to get more serious about an upgrade process. I've witnessed how helpful the PS community, and am hoping to get some advice.

I've done a good amount of reading and research, and visited some B&M stores to see how color sensitive I was. So my desired specs would be in 1.7-2 carat range, H color, eye clean. While I love the performance and upgrade policy of the ideal cuts, I don't think I am willing to pay the premium for it.

I came across the diamond below:
Weight: 1.81 carat, H, VS 2
Measurements: 7.84 - 7.88 x 4.79 mm
Depth 61%
Table 57%
Crown angle 34.5
Pavilion angle 40.6

GIA report link: https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=5191198974#main-content

Scores below 1 on HCA. It is listed for $12.8K, which seems low for the specs. I requested idealscope image, the vendor will check if they can find one.

Do you think this is a good diamond? Why is the price so low compare to anything comparable?

 

[ringo865]

Angles look good. Clouds are the grade setting inclusion (center of table) and additional clouds are not shown.

What is vendors definition of "eye clean" and so they have a good return policy (many (30) day, no questions asked, with no restocking fee, full refund- not store credit)?

Can you get any images, videos, or scopes of this stone?

 

[HappyNewLife]

In theory it sounds nice and like a good find price-wise. I'd want to see an ASET/idealscope/video and would need a good return policy before I decide.

 

[Panther555]

Thank you both for reply! I did request ASET and/or Idealscope images. There's a picture and video on the website. Should I link to it without reserving the diamond first? It looks eye clean to me from the video.

 

[Panther555]

And yes, returns are 30 days for any reason, but to be honest, I wouldn't know what I should be looking at if I see it in person. I just stopped by a jewelry store again, for the third time today, and all the diamonds they showed to me looked really dark. All were H color, GIA triple X, but not within the recommended parameters.

 

[ringo865]

Reserve the stone (should be free) and then post the link with the video/images here.

 

[ac117]

Agree - please put the stone on hold then link us to it. What's your budget for the stone alone so we could have a look around?

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Panther,

This diamond has great potential, good numbers, colour and clarity - should be eye clean in VS2 of this size but it never hurts to check.

I think it's definitely worth reserving pending images.

 

[CareBear]

Have you seen this stone IRL? $12.8K is definitely a good price. But something stones are priced low for a reason. First, you need to make sure that the inclusions are not visible. From the GIA plot, the inclusions look concentrated in the center of the table. Under the table inclusions are more likely to be visible than off the table. Another thing is to make sure that there isn't any haziness due to clouds because I am seeing on the GIA report 'Additional clouds are not shown'.

 

[Panther555]

Thank you everyone for responses! I will reserve the stone today and post a link to the video. I have not seen the stone in real life, just images and video. How would I make sure additional clouds do not create haziness? Above are idea scope images I received. Do they look decent? The stone is not too shallow, is it?

Here’s a few other stones I saved so far:
1.8 H SI1, a 60/60 stone
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3507373

Another 1.8 H SI1 from JA
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4399343

And one more, same stats
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4613041

Also saved an almost 1.7ct from Whiteflash, but it measures significantly smaller.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3565128.htm

My all in budget is around $15K, and I’d like to get as close to 2 ct as possible, it I don’t think I’m willing to drop below H color, unless it’s a super ideal.

I would love any suggestions!

 

[Lorelei]

I'll take a detailed look at everything but wanted to mention quickly that clouds whether grade making or additional in VS clarities should not pose a problem usually.

The images look very good indeed, should not be concerns with any shallowness, the overall cut precision is good - just to check quickly is this diamond being sold as a branded Hearts and Arrows out of interest? All in all, a very nice stone!

 

[Panther555]

I'll take a detailed look at everything but wanted to mention quickly that clouds whether grade making or additional in VS clarities should not pose a problem usually.

The images look very good indeed, should not be concerns with any shallowness, the overall cut precision is good - just to check quickly is this diamond being sold as a branded Hearts and Arrows out of interest? All in all, a very nice stone!

Thank you Lorelei! It’s not a branded hearts and arrows diamond, and the price seems pretty low given the specs, so I keep wondering what could be wrong with it!

 

[Panther555]

I called the vendor and they said they don’t do holds

 

[Lorelei]

I called the vendor and they said they don’t do holds

Some do, some don't, it depends. What you could do to put your mind at rest is make the sale contingent on the stone getting a favourable report from an independent appraiser, most have generous return policies, also is this an in house stone or from the virtual listing?

Also, if you can't put the diamond on hold I'd advise against posting the link to it here to avoid poachers now it's been given a virtual thumbs up on the forum. Perhaps double check the price, I don't think we're missing anything which could account for the price such as clarity enhancement, although it might be an idea to check, maybe ask if they'd take a deposit or hold your CC details to secure it while you decide?

 

[Panther555]

Here's the picture of the stone above. I'm not able to save a video without a link.
Do you think any of the other stones I posted are better?

 

[Panther555]

The diamond I posted above is gone now
What does everyone think of the other options I posted above? Or could you suggest something better? I am looking for the following specs:
1.7-2.0 ct
Color - H and up (could maybe consider I in super ideal)
Clarity - eye clean
budget - $12-15K, but would only go to the top end of the budget for a larger stone. Would like to stay in the $13-14K range.

Thank you!

 

[Lorelei]

I'm so sorry!!!

We'll find you another between us. Your parameters are fine, you could consider an I colour certainly in SI or other top cut, SI1 might be eye clean in that size with an expert eye advising with the stone in hand, we'll see what's out there.