Unoriginal - Begging for advice - 4 options

[The_Dude]

Here are four options I have found. Do you guys have any advice on which one you would expect would look the best / perform the best? Any other suggestions that are similar would be amazing too. Thank you!

1.80ct, I, SI1, excellent (3.1 HCA) - $9,349
61.6% depth, 58% table, 34° crown angle, 41.2° pavilion angle
7.82 x 7.78 x 4.80 mm
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD05656527

1.76ct, I, SI1, excellent (4.0 HCA) - $9,909
62.5% depth, 57% table, 35.5° crown angle, 41° pavilion angle
7.69 x 7.73 x 4.82 mm
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD05632538

1.77ct, I, VVS2, excellent (1.6 HCA) - $10,997
62.1% depth, 55% table, 35° crown angle, 40.8° pavilion angle
7.74 x 7.77 x 4.81 mm
scope images: http://treasury.diamonds/product/140679-66/#prettyPhoto
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD05236773

1.76, I, SI1, excellent (1.0 HCA) - $11,332
59.9% depth, 59% table, 34° crown angle, 40.6° pavilion angle
7.83 x 7.85 x 4.69 mm
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6830466-1.76-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VS1-clarity.aspx

I kind of want to just go with Option #1 as it has a nice spread and is a lot cheaper. but then again, option 3 and 4 would be amazing too. Advice?

 

[Niel]

The last two seem the most promising. You'd need to get a photo of the last one and ask if its cloudy due to the fluorescence....
Though sense its most expensive, the second to last is my choice of the 4

 

[The_Dude]

Do you think the second to last one will not look at big given the spread is not excellent? Also, my concern about the second to last diamond is that I don't care about the clarity being that high, I'd rather that money have gone into the cut.

 

[Niel]

Do you think the second to last one will not look at big given the spread is not excellent? Also, my concern about the second to last diamond is that I don't care about the clarity being that high, I'd rather that money have gone into the cut.

You will not see a difference, especially on the hand, between the second to last one and any of your other choices. Its 0.1 mm, keep in mind.

As for clarity, I agree, its unnecessarily high, however, that one appears to have the best cut, so unless you can find one with an equal or greater cut for your budget, I'd still choose that.

 

[The_Dude]

lol, wait, but if I won't see a difference between any of them, then why not go with the cheapest option 1? (=

 

[Niel]

lol, wait, but if I won't see a difference between any of them, then why not go with the cheapest option 1? (=

Difference in size

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If you use the HCA, the preferred score is 2.0 or below. There are some in the low 2 range that are good, too, but I wouldn't buy one without an idealscope image. For that reason, the stones I'd feel safest in buying from BN are their signature stones, because they at least provide a little information on those. I'd never buy an SI clarity stone without magnified images of the stone.

Of those four stones, I would choose #3 because it likely is the best cut. It would make no sense to me to buy #4 when it is 2 clarity grades lower and costs more than #3. (#1 and 2 are over 3 on the HCA and should be eliminated.)

(Most ideal cut stones will score excellent on the first three parts of the HCA and very good on spread.)

 

[Niel]

If you use the HCA, the preferred score is 2.0 or below. There are some in the low 2 range that are good, too, but I wouldn't buy one without an idealscope image. For that reason, the stones I'd feel safest in buying from BN are their signature stones, because they at least provide a little information on those. I'd never buy an SI clarity stone without magnified images of the stone.

Of those four stones, I would choose #3 because it likely is the best cut. It would make no sense to me to buy #4 when it is 2 clarity grades lower and costs more than #3.

(Most ideal cut stones will score excellent on the first three parts of the HCA and very good on spread.)

Did you see how number 3 is listed on another site as well and provided photos and info on that stone, so he would be safe buying that though blue Nile, though not a BN signature

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Did you see how number 3 is listed on another site as well and provided photos and info on that stone, so he would be safe buying that though blue Nile, though not a BN signature

Awesome, no I didn't click that link! It definitely is the best of those four, but having photos is great to confirm! The images are pretty good. So it should be a nice stone.

 

[The_Dude]

thanks so much guys! If you diamond geeks were me would you pull the trigger on #3? Or do you think I could do better if I am patient and keep searching?

 

[tyty333]

#3...that seems like a really good price too!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

thanks so much guys! If you diamond geeks were me would you pull the trigger on #3? Or do you think I could do better if I am patient and keep searching?

I don't feel you can do a lot better at that price point. That is a pretty good price for that stone considering it is actually VVS1. It appears reserved or sold, so I hope it is yours!

This is the same stone. Look at the price!

http://www.solomonbrothers.com/DiamondDetail.aspx?sku=7Y8886Y7&affiliate=9318613A-AD0C-4530-A456-0409DFEFB8DE&utm_source=PriceScope

The stone has strong blue fluorescence. Are you aware of that? I love it, but you need to be sure you like it.

 

[palmersj]

thanks so much guys! If you diamond geeks were me would you pull the trigger on #3? Or do you think I could do better if I am patient and keep searching?

LOL. Jock, preppy, curve buster, master calksmen, and now diamond geek? j/k
All jokes aside, #3 seems like an awesome choice. I agree with DS that you won't find much better value at that price point. Plus you found diamond images for a bn stone! Pull it...

 

[The_Dude]

Yes, it was me the reserved it (= and I just bought it! Thanks a ton for the advice and help, I really appreciate it, I can't wait to see this thing in real life. I never even went into a store to shop, I just trusted you guys and my 100+ hours of research.

Also, I am under the impression that the blue florescence should not be very noticeable if at all, and has the potential of making the diamond look whiter given the diamond is an I. I hope this is the case!

Thanks!

 

[Niel]

Yes, it was me the reserved it (= and I just bought it! Thanks a ton for the advice and help, I really appreciate it, I can't wait to see this thing in real life. I never even went into a store to shop, I just trusted you guys and my 100+ hours of research.

Also, I am under the impression that the blue florescence should not be very noticeable if at all, and has the potential of making the diamond look whiter given the diamond is an I. I hope this is the case!

Thanks!

Yay! Just take it outside on a sunny day and make sure it doesn't look milky. How will you set it??

 

[palmersj]

Yes, it was me the reserved it (= and I just bought it! Thanks a ton for the advice and help, I really appreciate it, I can't wait to see this thing in real life. I never even went into a store to shop, I just trusted you guys and my 100+ hours of research.

Also, I am under the impression that the blue florescence should not be very noticeable if at all, and has the potential of making the diamond look whiter given the diamond is an I. I hope this is the case!

Thanks!

That's awesome. Congrats! I bet it rocks!
I bought a J colored stone with strong blue florescence. I like the color + the idea that it's whiter than normal. Even if it's just "mind colorless".
You need to buy some high mag loupes so you can try and find those inclusions lol.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Forget the loupe (because you won't see inclusions), but it is super fun to buy a UV penlight or small flashlight so you can see the fluorescence! A $6-7 one should be fine!

 

[The_Dude]

I set it in a plain jane 14k white gold petite solitary ring: http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/14k-white-gold-engagement-ring_20315

I like making the diamond the main event, the rest is just bells and whistles. Plus I was not sure exactly what she wants. If she wants a different setting or w/e we can upgrade that easily later.

I hope to god it is not milky. From this listing it gives the diamond a M0 for milkiness: http://treasury.diamonds/product/140679-66/#prettyPhoto So I am hoping the grading on that front is right.

Thanks!