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What is a realistic budget for 3 carat stone?

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Chatz

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
37
hi all

I realise talk of $ is not everyone's cup of tea, but seeking some advice as I've wanted to upgrade my stone for a while now and just starting to get serious about it now.

Currently have a 1.34 carat D SI1 radiant cut. Ive always kind of regretted jumping at the first stone my jeweller found and whilst it is beautiful and sparkly and white I feel I should have probably traded colour for something slightly larger. And I also feel the cut isn't awesome (a bit too skinny)

So now - as the 10 year anniversary approaches - I'd really like a 3 carat approx stone. Also considering perhaps oval or cushion cut as have heard radiant's tend to face up small?

Ive spent lots of time on James Allen and other reputable online stores but was hoping for a comparison to people who have actually purchased around this size.

Local jewellers carry hardly any stock this size and won't get stones in without a fee so haven't been able to have a good look at different shapes and their spread in person.

I know this will be my only upgrade so if I can't afford the size I want I'll just wait but hoping for a reality check on cost.

Thinking colour wise H to I. I wear a radiant eternity with current e- ring and stones are G.

Thanks in advance. Current set attached photo_126.jpg
 
It’s really a range – do you want to hit 3 carats to say it’s 3 carats? Because a 3 carat cushion faces up very differently from a 3 carat oval. Are you purely looking for more finger coverage? If you give us the $$ that you want to stay under or what's reasonable for you, we can search and show you what's possible within your budget. Some stones that are under 3 carats, face up the size and don't come with the premium of hitting the 3 carat mark. From just a quick search, here are a few nice looking cushions mostly under $30k...one is a little over but it’s also larger.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...ut/3.07-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3103883 (it’s offered with another vendor for quite a bit less…. https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C307-515484630?)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...cut/3.10-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-748683
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...ut/3.50-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-3202184
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C306-196759535?

I like this oval, but not everyone likes 4 main ovals…
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/3.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3174373

Since you bought the first stone your jeweler brought in that you liked, I think it's important for you to try on different shapes (even if not in the size you are looking for) so you see how they look on your finger and you ultimately get what you really want.

Here is a comparison of the 3.07 cushion vs. the 3.01 oval so you see what I mean about cushions/ovals facing up differently:

cushion v oval.PNG
 
Thanks so much for your reply and advice.

Definitely finger coverage is more important and for that reason I've started to broaden my search and look at ovals (just concerned about how my eternity will work with this shape).

Ideal dimensions would be around 10-11mm by 8-9mm. Carat weight doesn't matter as much - I just don't want to compromise on "size" so to speak.

I didn't know about enchanted so thanks that's great. I have a budget of $26-$30k AUD which (with terrible exchange rate at the moment) is about $20 - $25k US.

Thanks a million!
 
I just did a search of virtual inventory and found 14 stones in the 3ct range with G-I color and VS-SI1 clarity. You'd need to look through and evaluate stats/images, but it seems to be possible to find what you're looking for :dance:
 
I wouldn't go below H color in an oval. And as others have mentioned, cushions face up smaller like radiants. Oval and rounds give you better face up size.

Can you upload your photo to a post (see Upload a File button below the smileys)? I am not sure about a radiant wedding band with an oval unless it is a thin band.
 
I think you could certainly achieve your goal - IDJ is a great vendor who could call in stones and provide light return images and they have super competitive pricing. When you're ready, I would contact them ...ask for Yekutiel....and I'm sure he could make you happy!

I would consider wearing your band or this new ring on separate hands...you don't want them competing with each other.
 
photo_126.jpgThanks ladies - my eternity band is actually from IDJ! Travelled from Western Australia to NYC for that baby - and they were all amazing Had a look at their online inventory but not seriously.

The colour is interesting- I see so many beautiful stones here in I or J but most are round- they look white to me.

Radiant band attached next post
 
IMG_0591.PNG
Chatz said:
photo_126.jpgThanks ladies - my eternity band is actually from IDJ! Travelled from Western Australia to NYC for that baby - and they were all amazing Had a look at their online inventory but not seriously.

The colour is interesting- I see so many beautiful stones here in I or J but most are round- they look white to me.

Radiant band attached next post
Click to expand...
 
That's a really nice, wide band that could easily be worn as a standalone ring. Any chance you can wear it on your other hand? A thinner band is going to work better with a round or oval and not hit against the prongs.

I think I-J is fine in ideal cut rounds, but color tends to concentrate in certain places in an oval. You maybe can find a good I color one, though. Rounds will have better light return, but ovals may give you larger face up area.

IDJ can call in far more than is shown on their site. I would use James Allen to find stones since pictures/video is essential in choosing any fancy cut diamond, and then ask IDJ to call the stones in after you narrow them down. Just find some and post here and you'll get opinions on which are best.
 
Thanks - hard to know where to start. Also wondered whether IDJ could do a swapsie for my radiant band to an oval if I end up going down that path...

Will come back with some options. Wonderful - really appreciate the advice everyone
 
Chatz said:
What do we think of these stones please?

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.51-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3168799
Click to expand...

Very little life outside the belly region. It's a "No" vote from me.

Chatz said:
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.72-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-789363
Click to expand...

Calling this one a "maybe". Better than the 2.51ct above, but would like to see some more sparkle from the tips.

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.72-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-789363
Chatz said:
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/3.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3174373
Click to expand...

This one's pretty good, has a lot of sparkle under the table, but unfortunately not all the way out to the tips. Better than both of the above, though. It has a "four mains" style facet pattern in the pavillion (which creates the "X" shaped reflection). Unfortunately, it has a pretty thick girdle, which means it faces up smaller than a 3-ct stone should (while still carrying the price tag for a 3-ct diamond).

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.72-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-789363
Chatz said:
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.72-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-789363
Click to expand...

Not the best oval I've ever seen, but for me, it is definitely the best of the four that you posted.
 
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