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Time to upgrade - please help me find the best bang for my buck!

2Neesers

2Neesers

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 8, 2014
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1,890
Hi Everyone :wavey:,
My 20 year wedding anniversary is approaching and I am thinking it is a great occasion for an upgrade! My current diamond is a .90ct H VS2 60/60 type stone and was purchased from James Allen. In order to use their upgrade program which requires 2X the original stone price, I need to spend $9,200 and I would like to stay under $10,000 for the diamond. I plan on this being my forever diamond, so am hoping to find the most amazing stone I can within my budget.
Ideally I would like an H or higher color, but I found this I with numbers that I think look to be pretty close to super ideal, so I have it on hold. I’m just a bit worried it might have a yellow tint:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6577569
I would love opinions on the above stone and also suggestions for other stones anyone has seen in my price range that I should consider from James Allen.
Thanks in advance! :D
 
35 Crown Angle is more complimentary with a 40.6 Pavilion. My pick would be the first stone better proportions as long as you are ok with an I color. Request an Aset/Idealscope image for performance evaluation.
 
AdaBeta27 said:
7.5mm diameter is close to a 1.6ct, unless you can find something like a 60/60 diamond that is shallower and wider. This stone meets your color and diameter criteria, but is over your budget.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...color-si1-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-3584454
Click to expand...
That is a beautiful stone! I’ll have to think about it since it’s a bit above my price range. It looks like I might just have to settle for a stone closer to 7mm to stay close to budget.
 
jp201845 said:
35 Crown Angle is more complimentary with a 40.6 Pavilion. My pick would be the first stone better proportions as long as you are ok with an I color. Request an Aset/Idealscope image for performance evaluation.
Click to expand...
I am quite drawn to the first stone, even though it’s an I color.
JA told me the stone is overseas so they can’t proovide an Aset/Idealscope image. What does one do in this case?
 
2Neezers said:
I am quite drawn to the first stone, even though it’s an I color.
JA told me the stone is overseas so they can’t proovide an Aset/Idealscope image. What does one do in this case?
Click to expand...

I also like the first stone, but without the images it's a gamble and you won't be certain how precisely it's cut. But based on the video and proportions it looks great...if I was to buy a stone blind without images and based on numbers this stone would be a great choice.
 
My preference would still be the first one you posted, the last one I can't open the hearts and arrows images for some reason.
 
I like the 1st stone you posted. If you can return it like any of their other stones, I would have it shipped, trust your eyes to decide if you like it & go from there. It has a lot going for it & it's pretty balanced. You've had a 60-60 type stone, you might find you'll love the fire this one should display with a small table & 15.5% crown. I don't really find a big difference between H & I.

If none of these speak to you or you're hesitant to buy one, wait till something comes available you would like. :))
 
JA has a good return policy so if you don't like the performance of a stone you can always return it. :))
 
ccuheartnurse said:
I like the 1st stone you posted. If you can return it like any of their other stones, I would have it shipped, trust your eyes to decide if you like it & go from there. It has a lot going for it & it's pretty balanced. You've had a 60-60 type stone, you might find you'll love the fire this one should display with a small table & 15.5% crown. I don't really find a big difference between H & I.

If none of these speak to you or you're hesitant to buy one, wait till something comes available you would like. :))
Click to expand...
I do really like the first one too. I think I will really like the fire and look of the stone vs my 60/60. I guess I am just a little nervous about choosing the wrong stone when spending this amount of money. Before I joined P.S. I never would have considered buying a stone in this price range :lol:. I’m glad to hear you don’t see much of a difference between H & I. I hope I won’t either!
 
Do you still have the first one on hold? If it's in your budget I would be confident to pull the trigger. Look at it in as many different lighting conditions as possible and if you feel the I is too warm for you return it and look at other options.
 
jp201845 said:
Do you still have the first one on hold? If it's in your budget I would be confident to pull the trigger. Look at it in as many different lighting conditions as possible and if you feel the I is too warm for you return it and look at other options.
Click to expand...
I do still have it on hold :)). I have a .60 I color in a pendant and I don’t see a tint at all, but that could be because it’s much smaller. The stone I have on hold is right at my required purchase amount for the upgrade at $9,200. Does that price seem reasonable for a 1.36ct I color? I know I am paying a little extra for the VVS1 clarity, which I don’t need, but I do like how clean the stone is. I just want to be sure I’m not overpaying on the specs. Thank you!
 
2Neezers said:
:))Does that price seem reasonable for a 1.36ct I color?
Click to expand...

The price seems reasonable but I'm no expert. I suggest comparing similar stones on rarecarat.Com or Bluenile
 
OP, congrats on your impending upgrade.

I looked at JA and inventories seem a bit slim at the moment. You might want to wait a little bit before you upgrade. Otherwise, this is a really nice stone: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6383782
It is well cut and still very white, so you won’t see much of a difference in terms of color compared to your G diamond. I realize that it is above your set budget. Nonetheless, please ask JA for their Advantage Pricing and see how much that brings the cost down.

ETA: this one is also a nice stone: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5986418

I would ask JA for IS images of both stones and post them here when you get them.
 
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If you were to purchase the stone, would it be sent to the US to be set? Once here but not yet set, could they send images? Or do they set stones overseas as well?
 
Thank you all for your help so far =)2!

SimoneDi said:
I looked at JA and inventories seem a bit slim at the moment. You might want to wait a little bit before you upgrade. Otherwise, this is a really nice stone: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6383782
Click to expand...
I do really like this stone and have put it on hold. They have idealscope images on file for this stone and will be emailing them to me. It checks off a lot of my mind clean boxes: H or higher color, VS2 or better clarity, over 1.5ct. I also like that it’s eye clean, yet has an identifying inclusion that I could find under a loupe.

With the numbers on my top two contenders being different, I am wondering what the visual differences would be between the two stones in person on the hand? If anyone could give me insight on this I would greatly appreciate it! Here are links to the two stones:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6577569 JA Advantage price is $9,220.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6383782 JA Advantage price is $10,950.
I am not necessarily in a hurry and could always wait and keep looking if you all think something better/more ideal could come along in my price range :)).
 
2Neezers said:
That is a beautiful stone! I’ll have to think about it since it’s a bit above my price range. It looks like I might just have to settle for a stone closer to 7mm to stay close to budget.
Click to expand...

Prices have come down a bit since 2009 when I bought my superideal. But you are still running up against several impediments at getting a deal:
1.5-1.6ct 7.5mm is a much sought after size for upgraders and anniversary rings.
Cutters might cut to retain weight instead of for peak performance, and you have to watch for painting, digging, steep/deeps, and other "tricks" in any stone that seems value priced in that carat range. If it's value-priced, it's that way for a reason. If it's a true bargain, you must buy it or hold it immediately because someone else will snatch it under you.
Due to all that, you have to be vigilant and search relentlessly or get JA to specifically go look for you in their global marketplace.

As for color, I think if you like the whiteness of H you aren't going to like the slightly "antique white" of I. I is the range where most people can see tint in a mounted stone. It's where you will definitely see it from the side in any stone that's probably .8ct or more. Strong or very strong blue fluor will definitely help the face-up color whenever UV light is present. But it won't help from the side view. Once you see the vanilla tine, you can't unsee it. Be sure it doesn't bother you, or mount the diamond in some setting that hides the profile.

Clarity may be one thing you can compromise on, depending on your preferences. Personally, I bought a great SI2 that is not totally eye clean under all conditions or viewing angles. The one inclusion in it is a dark garnet-colored speck, in the table area, down low in the pav. I wore this diamond in a ring for 2-3 days before I finally saw the inclusion in a normal everyday environment. And once you see it, it can't be unseen, haha. But the speck is very discrete, and it hides well and the remainder of the diamond is completely transparent and looks VS1 easily 99% of the time. Almost 10 years later, I still think it was the smarter thing to buy the stone that I did rather than pay literally double to get the same F color and wt and superideal performance except VS clarity. Most people will not be closely inspecting your diamond, ever. They will notice performance, size, color, but not clarity. I have a diamond that makes people jealous, but it cost me 1/2 of what it would have if clarity was VS. I also have a nice pawn shop I1 diamond that might get a SI2 grade from today's GIA, and the inclusions in it are all out toward the rim, in a busy faceted area, and again, will not be noticed except under very close inspection. It's your money, but for me, clarity is where I will compromise. After you own a ring a while, you quit staring at it so much. I can't understand people who are turned off by seeing a small inclusion in a diamond.

7mm may be more affordable for you. It's 1.25ct range, and there are some old discussions on here about how 1.25ct only costs a small % above cost of the 1ct, but gives you much bigger face-up size. 1.25-1.35ct isn't as sought-after by the upgraders and anniversary buyers, either.
 
@AdaBeta27 Thank You for the great advice! It is all very useful and I will definitely explore SI1 stones.

I was trying to figure out what number combinations I like because I don’t want to get this purchase wrong. I pulled up the GIA/AGS reports from the two diamonds I have owned that were my favorites and am going to try to find an upgrade stone with numbers close to theirs, since they both ended up having similar numbers. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of doing that before! JA doesn’t have exactly the right combo at this time, so I will have to be patient and keep looking until the right one comes along.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me =)2.
 
2Neezers said:
@AdaBeta27 Thank You for the great advice! It is all very useful and I will definitely explore SI1 stones.

I was trying to figure out what number combinations I like because I don’t want to get this purchase wrong. I pulled up the GIA/AGS reports from the two diamonds I have owned that were my favorites and am going to try to find an upgrade stone with numbers close to theirs, since they both ended up having similar numbers. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of doing that before! JA doesn’t have exactly the right combo at this time, so I will have to be patient and keep looking until the right one comes along.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me =)2.
Click to expand...
What are the numbers on your old stones?
 
SimoneDi said:
What are the numbers on your old stones?
Click to expand...
@SimoneDi Thank you for asking! Maybe there is a stone out there that could work for me that I am missing. Here are the numbers I have for the two stones I prefer the looks of.
Stone#1 Stone #2
Table : 55 , 56.2
Depth : 61.6 , 61.8
CA: 34.5 , 35.2
CH: 15.5 , 15.5
PA: 40.6 , 40.7
PD: 42.5 , 42.8
Star: 80
LH: 50

I traded in stone #2 and am unable to pull up the report to get the Star and LH info. Thanks for your help! =)2
 
2Neezers said:
@SimoneDi Thank you for asking! Maybe there is a stone out there that could work for me that I am missing. Here are the numbers I have for the two stones I prefer the looks of.
Stone#1 Stone #2
Table : 55 , 56.2
Depth : 61.6 , 61.8
CA: 34.5 , 35.2
CH: 15.5 , 15.5
PA: 40.6 , 40.7
PD: 42.5 , 42.8
Star: 80
LH: 50

I traded in stone #2 and am unable to pull up the report to get the Star and LH info. Thanks for your help! =)2
Click to expand...

This is a really pretty stone with similar angles but it is at a higher price point: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...color-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-4556666

Here is another interesting stone with slightly different proportions, but beautiful high crown and symmetry: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6420326

The only particular thing about this stone is that is exibits medium yellow flouro.
 
SimoneDi said:
This is a really pretty stone with similar angles but it is at a higher price point: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...color-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-4556666

Here is another interesting stone with slightly different proportions, but beautiful high crown and symmetry: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6420326

The only particular thing about this stone is that is exibits medium yellow flouro.
Click to expand...
Thank you @SimoneDi ! I think I need to consider raising my budget because I really like the first one you posted :mrgreen2:. I also like second stone, but am not sure how I feel about the yellow fluorescence.
 
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cut-proportions-cheat-sheet.244508/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/preferred-specs-cheat-sheet-for-rounds.88548/
The "cheat sheet" shortcut to picking a RB by the numbers started with Todd Gray of NiceIce: https://niceice.com/diamond-buying-secrets/5-minutes-diamond-buying-success/

If it's an AGS 000, you don't need to run the HCA cut advisor. If it's a GIA stone, run HCA and just look for score 2 or less. You might know that already.

If you like "fatter" arrows, those are about 77 LGF or bigger. If you like the more "splintery" look, then LGF 80 gives that. Taller crowns with smaller tables yield more fire but may look darker or perhaps smaller than a 60/60 make that is more designed for brilliance than fire.
 
2Neezers said:
Thank you @SimoneDi ! I think I need to consider raising my budget because I really like the first one you posted :mrgreen2:. I also like second stone, but am not sure how I feel about the yellow fluorescence.
Click to expand...
Plz ,don’t pick stone with yellow fluorescence!its a kiss of death to coloreless stone !!
 
AdaBeta27 said:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cut-proportions-cheat-sheet.244508/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/preferred-specs-cheat-sheet-for-rounds.88548/
The "cheat sheet" shortcut to picking a RB by the numbers started with Todd Gray of NiceIce: https://niceice.com/diamond-buying-secrets/5-minutes-diamond-buying-success/

If it's an AGS 000, you don't need to run the HCA cut advisor. If it's a GIA stone, run HCA and just look for score 2 or less. You might know that already.

If you like "fatter" arrows, those are about 77 LGF or bigger. If you like the more "splintery" look, then LGF 80 gives that. Taller crowns with smaller tables yield more fire but may look darker or perhaps smaller than a 60/60 make that is more designed for brilliance than fire.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the great tips @AdaBeta27 ! My two stones that are 60/60 are pretty and look very white, but have what I would describe as a watery look to them with soft movement in the stones. I also have an itty bitty .30ct ACA in pendant and even though it is small, it sparkles like crazy, but maybe there is too much movement in that stone for my liking. I think I am looking for a stone that performs somewhere between a 60/60 and an ACA. These are the times when being able to see a few stones together in person would make all of the difference!
 
I just received the idealscope image JA had on file for one of the stones I have on hold that I was considering. How do you all think it looks?
Link to diamond:
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6383782
14297814-54A9-4EBD-8987-205FD7183FBB.jpeg
Here are links to the other top two contenders as of now. Are any of these three a stand out?
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...color-si1-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-3584454
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...color-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-4556666
 
The aset looks great. It would be between the 1.51 H VS2 and the 1.50 H VS2 for me. I think that the 1.51 is whiter and you don’t have the premium associated with it being labeled a TH stone.
 
Thanks @SimoneDi !

One other question is have about the top contender is that it has an indented natural that looks to be on the pavilion near the girdle. I have circled it on the diagram. Is that a potential problem? Could a prong be placed over the natural, or is that type of pressure not recommended?
958B49D8-DD86-401A-8133-FED0D2B30AE0.jpeg
 
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