Stone Search, headache please help!

[RC1]

My budget now went from 10.5k to 7 unfortunately. It's killing me because for an entire year I had 1.25 to 1.5 carat in mind (VS1 or VS2 with I Color), hoping to get it from WFlash. I am now looking to purchase something still in that size if I could. I mean I know am throwing the VSI idea out the window I think. I don't want to settle for anything less than WFlash's Ideal Cut but I am so frustrated in not knowing if their Ideal Cut is the same as Blue Nile's or James Allen's? I'm bummed, I really wanted to get her something very nice and now wonder if the drop in size or clairty is going to kill it big time with this budget.

Any advise would be appreciated , thanks very much in advance!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You are going to be around a 1 ct. I SI1 ACA with that budget. And that is certainly a nice diamond. The great thing about WF is that you can always upgrade the stone later, if you wish!

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2792424.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2794503.htm

 

[UberClaire]

Is 7k your budget just for the stone or for both the stone and setting?

 

[RC1]

Thank you both for your reply, I could push the stone up to $7.5k maybe.

 

[UberClaire]

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1489292.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-SI2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1511482.asp

Depending on what you're willing to compromise on -- these both score under 2 on the HCA and are in your budget.

 

[blinglover78]

You can still get a similar sized diamond but it won't be a whitefish aca.
for example:
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02701430
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1494590.asp

you will have to decide which is more important to you.

 

[UberClaire]

There's also this one: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1473901.asp
An AGS0, not sure if it is eyeclean.

 

[RC1]

I am sorry that I ask to be handheld but when you say it scores under 2 by HCA what does that mean?

 

[RC1]

This blue nile one looks tempting. Now is their ideal cut the same as WF's?

 

[UberClaire]

The problem with the Blue Nile stone is that you can't see a picture of the actual stone. The report of the stone shows the inclusion plot, but also in the comments section, it lists a bunch of other inclusions that are not shown. It's risky to buy without being able to see at least a picture.

HCA is the Holloway Cut Advisor. https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca
You can type in the specs of any stone, and it will let you know how that diamond is predicted to perform. It's recommended to buy a stone with an HCA score under 2, but some stones between 2 and 3 are worth a second look.

I also threw out the term AGS0 -- not sure if you know what that means or not. The AGS lab can grade stones for light performance -- that particular stone was graded 0 (or ideal) in light performance, so you know you're getting a great diamond.

 

[blinglover78]

If he is trying to maximize size the blue nile one could be a nice option. It scores under 2 in hca. based on that, I would take a chance and order it. Returns are free. He could get an idealscope if he wants. As far as inclusions go, he can call and ask if eye clean.

That being said, some other nice options have been posted as well.

 

[RC1]

You both have been great and I thank you big time, your info on AGS and the HSC lab is huge! I spoke to WFlash a bit ago and told them off my dilemma, they are great to work with. I will let you know what they have in mind.

 

[UberClaire]

You both have been great and I thank you big time, your info on AGS and the HSC lab is huge! I spoke to WFlash a bit ago and told them off my dilemma, they are great to work with. I will let you know what they have in mind.

One last thing I forgot to add about HCA -- a score under 2 doesn't guarantee that the diamond will be awesome, it's more of a way of weeding out diamonds that are not as likely to be awesome, does that make sense? So don't go just off of an HCA score alone, use the HCA tool to help narrow down your search and weed out poor performers.

Good luck!