Thoughts on 0.75ct ACA; Steep Crown?

[foxtrot860]

Fellow PSers,

I've been lurking on the boards and self-educating for a while, and I'm almost ready to purchase a center stone for an e-ring. Here are the stats I'm gravitating toward: priced around $5k, ideal cut, H color, and VS2 (or better). I have a candidate in mind: AGS-104080565011, a WF ACA diamond. I was hoping I could get opinions on two points:

1. Is the near 35 degree crown angle too steep?
2. Is sacrificing size for a super ideal cut foolish?*

*GF has tried several rings on and prefers the 1ct+ diamonds. But I value quality over quantity; my preference is to purchase a smaller stone with more sparkle. We aren't affluent, and her social work job involves regular contact with disadvantaged populations... basically, I think I know better.

Thanks!

 

[telephone89]

Here are a few other options (which will still be disco balls!) if you want to eek out a bit more size. I've included some SI1s as long as they are eyeclean by WF standards...

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3075982.htm 0.805 ct G SI1 $3,834
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3518163.htm 0.90 ct H SI1 $4,846
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3157629.htm 0.83 ct G VS2 $4,429

Personally I'd rather drop down to an ES (vs ACA) to get a tad bit more size. I really like the 0.9, but the 0.763 will be beautiful. Her diamond will probably be better cut than any similar, but if she wanted to get a 1ct, I'd try to comprimise what both of you want.

 

[marcy]

I agree with telephone89. Since your GF wants a 1 carat I would go with an ES and an eye clean Si1 so you can get a larger diamond. Whiteflash is great to work with so you might have them pull these ES and look them over for you. ES are still ideal cut diamonds. IMO yes ideal cut is preferable to size.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I would also recommend that you call WF and tell them what you are looking for - you might be pleasantly surprised to see what they might suggest - maybe something in the virtual inventory worthy of calling in!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

There is absolutely nothing whatsover wrong with the stone you posted. All Whiteflash ACA's are going to be excellent. But I agree with the others that I'd try to get closer to a carat and consider ACA and Expert Selection. Definitely go down to VS2 to give you a little room to move up in size. Maybe H color as well. If she is wanting a carat, I think .75 is going to be a little disappointing to her.

 

[craiguk]

I'm unsure of your budget but would mirror the other suggestions. You could easily drop down to VS2 and maybe even SI1 as they do carry some very nice SI1 stones. I managed to pick up one that was eye clean from 6 inches away.

You won't break the magic 1ct mark for the money but you should be able to find something much closer to the mark.

Definitely speak to them. I dealt with Sheerah who was brilliant to deal with. She actually talked me out of buying a more expensive and larger VS2 stone to go for a better coloured, slightly smaller, SI1 stone. They even did a comparison video for me side by side.

Edit: their stock rotates fairly swiftly so keep checking back with them.

 

[decisively_unsure]

A .88 to .90 diamond will be virtually indistinguishable from 1ct and indeed an excellent cut 0.9ct will face up bigger than most commonly cut 1ct diamonds. 0.75ct is noticeably smaller.

 

[AdaBeta27]

I recommend try for a diameter of 6.2 mm or more, if she wants 1ct. There is a noticible difference between 5.8 or 5.9 mm and something approaching the approx. 6.5 mm of a 1 ct. My e-ring was a 5.8 mm RB, and I wore it as a solitaire but mounted in a boxy illusion head both to make it look larger and just because I liked that vintage style. I'll add, it was a very comfortable ring to wear, very durable and trouble free.

Don't compromise on cut or performance. Color could easily go to H or maybe I, esp.if the I has blue fluor. Stop at H if she's very tint sensitive b/ c I is a bit creamy.

Settings:
Bezels add diameter, too. A bezeled .75ct looks much larger.

The Stuller illusion head I used had I think a 7.5mm overall diameter. I know their 1ct size illusion head is around 8mm. 7.5 mm is equivalent to 1.6 ct RB, and 8mm is 2 ct. Not everyone's taste, I am sure, but I love my illusion head rings. Very easy to wear and low maintence.