Trying to choose a diamond

[ylegeyda]

Hey there!


I've been reading up on this forum and doing my own research for a while now and I feel like the time is finally coming to making a selection and actually purchasing a stone I think I have a grasp of some of the basics of diamond shopping but I know I'm far from even an amateur diamond shopper. So with my final decision I would like to ask some of the more knowledgeable and experienced members of the forum to give me some advice and guidance.

First, about the stone I'm looking for:

Around 0.8 - 1.00 ct
Color G-I (not sure about J)
I really want nice clarity like VS1, but I've seen people say that you can save here if you score an "eye clean" stone which may be Sl2, but look almost as good as a VS.
Excellent Cut

My budget is pretty much firmly capped at $4,000 for the stone (expecting the setting to be another $800 or so).

I've done some research and it seems like my best options to buy would be from WhiteFlash or 77 Diamonds. Although my favourite setting so far has been from Blue Nile (http://www.bluenile.com/au/build-your-own-ring/micropave-sapphire-petite-cathedral-ring-platinum_30608?elem=img&track=product)

Here's a stone I really liked (recommended in one of the topics here). Looks like a great bang for buck, but I'm curious to find something similar maybe in a larger size, since I still have room in my budget (2.3k vs 4k). (http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3317445.htm)

I would really appreciate any suggestions. I will also post pics/links to potential options I find, just to get some feedback from the pros

P.S. I know it's really had with my budget, but If I can get a 1ct stone, with satisfying clarity, i'd be overjoyed. Something about having that one whole carat is very appealing I'm afraid however, that to stay within the budget, I'd have too sacrifice too much in terms of quality.

 

[ylegeyda]

Here's another contender:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3317409.htm

Looks very clean and specs seem ok. However, comared to the 2.3k stone linked above, seems quite steep ($1.5k increase).

More Options:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3253495.htm

 

[chrono]

I'm not sure I would risk an SI2 if purchasing from overseas; I prefer to stay at SI1 and since budget is tight, WF's Expert Selection still offers excellent cut diamonds just shy of absolute perfection. G and H colours are generally perceived as white by most people and therefore are safe in rounds.

0.821 ct G SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3157630.htm

0.821 ct H SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3326172.htm

 

[Dancing Fire]

I'm not sure I would risk an SI2 if purchasing from overseas; I prefer to stay at SI1 and since budget is tight, WF's Expert Selection still offers excellent cut diamonds just shy of absolute perfection. G and H colours are generally perceived as white by most people and therefore are safe in rounds.

0.821 ct G SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3157630.htm

0.821 ct H SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3326172.htm

Nice looking G SI1..

 

[ylegeyda]

Damn, forgot to mention that I'm in Australia and the $4000 budget is in AUD. Some sites like 77 diamonds have an option for showing AUD prices, but WF has only USD. So my budget is really only around $3k USD.