Thoughts on this 2.01 ct radiant?

[apresallday]

Hi all. My partner and I have just started shopping for an engagement ring. We love radiant stones, but have found it really difficult to see them in person (and don't want to buy a diamond we haven't seen).

Our jeweller has found this stone: E, VVS2, just over 2cts with specs of just over 8mm x 6mm and lw ratio of 1.27. We've seen 4 others since seeing this one that we didn't love (too square, inclusions that bothered us etc).

I am a very indecisive person and struggle with the idea of buying the first one I see, but also am afraid that if we keep searching this stone will be bought by someone else.

And that's why I've been sent here! What do you think? Is it a good stone? Or should we keep looking? (First pic near window on his hand, second pic in darker room on my hand).

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Matthews1127]

Hi all. My partner and I have just started shopping for an engagement ring. We love radiant stones, but have found it really difficult to see them in person (and don't want to buy a diamond we haven't seen).

Our jeweller has found this stone: E, VVS2, just over 2cts with specs of just over 8mm x 6mm and lw ratio of 1.27. We've seen 4 others since seeing this one that we didn't love (too square, inclusions that bothered us etc).

I am a very indecisive person and struggle with the idea of buying the first one I see, but also am afraid that if we keep searching this stone will be bought by someone else.

And that's why I've been sent here! What do you think? Is it a good stone? Or should we keep looking? (First pic near window on his hand, second pic in darker room on my hand).

Thanks in advance for your help.

I'm going to guess you are looking for the more elongated, rectangular Radiant, which is why you passed on at least one of the other 4 diamonds.
I don't know your budget, but 2+Ct, VVS2, E is pretty damn impressive...and the l x w ratio is slightly more rectangular, which means you'll have nice finger coverage. What size ring do you wear? How will you set it? What style are you looking for: solitaire, pave', halo?
Can you request a video, ASET, and IS of this stone? Can you put a HOLD on the stone, until you can decide?
Edit to Add:
What are your preferences? Which of the 4 C's is a priority for you?

 

[apresallday]

Thanks for your reply! Ring finger is a size 5. I have very pale skin so it's important to me to have a bright, whiter diamond.

Plan has always been to find a beautiful stone and have it in a fairly simple solitaire setting. I thought that would be easy, but even then there are so many options for solitaire settings, prongs etc!

Will request a video.

 

[Matthews1127]

Thanks for your reply! Ring finger is a size 5. I have very pale skin so it's important to me to have a bright, whiter diamond.

Plan has always been to find a beautiful stone and have it in a fairly simple solitaire setting. I thought that would be easy, but even then there are so many options for solitaire settings, prongs etc!

Will request a video.

That stone SIZE will definitely give you finger coverage. Getting the video will be helpful; you didn't mention its Cut grade, so I'm curious to see how she performs while in motion.
E color works for your preference due to paler skin tones. You've achieved that with this stone.
Fingers crossed the video comes through & proves to be magic for you!

 

[tyty333]

In the first picture it looks promising...in the second I'm not too sure.

What you want to see is lots of mirroring with facets flashing on/off. Try to look at the stone in as many different lighting conditions as possible.
You dont want to see areas that look "dead"...that never seem to flash. You want to see flashes as the stone moves back and forth.
Radiants are not easy to pick...especially elongated ones.

The best I can do are examples of good and bad stones. (ignore color/clarity/size...just look at cut)
Bad
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.43-carat-f-color-i1-clarity-sku-2512852 - facets are not well defined, center under table pretty
dead
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.70-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1107476

Better stones (IMO)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.71-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2383208 sharp, nicely defined facets flashing on/off under the table.
Crown looks flat but I think this is fairly common for radiants???
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.70-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3276334
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.01-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-813006 smaller flashes

FYI - I am by no means a radiant expert...the advice I've given above is basically for any fancy cut stone.

 

[Matthews1127]

In the first picture it looks promising...in the second I'm not too sure.

What you want to see is lots of mirroring with facets flashing on/off. Try to look at the stone in as many different lighting conditions as possible.
You dont want to see areas that look "dead"...that never seem to flash. You want to see flashes as the stone moves back and forth.
Radiants are not easy to pick...especially elongated ones.

The best I can do are examples of good and bad stones. (ignore color/clarity/size...just look at cut)
Bad
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.43-carat-f-color-i1-clarity-sku-2512852 - facets are not well defined, center under table pretty
dead
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.70-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1107476

Better stones (IMO)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.71-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-2383208 sharp, nicely defined facets flashing on/off under the table.
Crown looks flat but I think this is fairly common for radiants???
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.70-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3276334
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.01-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-813006 smaller flashes

FYI - I am by no means a radiant expert...the advice I've given above is basically for any fancy cut stone.

Photo #2 threw me, too, which is why I believe video is more helpful; "dead" areas are certain to show, which will help her decide...
I'm concerned about the chunky facets contrasting too much with the crushed ice effect, creating areas of darkness...
Great, helpful examples of comparison, @tyty333!!!

 

[HDer]

Can you ask for a copy of the cert? Is it GIA?

 

[flyingpig]

tyty gave an excellent explanation as always.
For me, a good elongate radiant cut diamond should glitter evenly throughout the entire surface of the diamond. It should have even distribution of small reflections and leakage
I personally do not like broad reflections going only one direction (bowtie effect) or concentrated in one certain area (normally in the middle). The second photo shows a sign of such uneven distribution of light reflections.

I am not a radiant expert either. Many vendors in my area don't carry them much, and I think I have seen only one or two that are cut to my liking. Good ones are rare. But when you find one, it can be graceful.

This video should give you an idea I mean.