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ejc20716

Rough_Rock
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Joined
Apr 19, 2018
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I received a 8mm moissanite engagement ring 2 months ago. My significant other and I planned to replace the moissanite with a natural diamond after we got married. However, I would like to replace the stone at this time for various reasons.

I have spent hours researching and viewing loose diamonds online. I thought the HCA tool would be my best friend until I read that it is not always accurate. Honestly, I'm lost and completely overwhelmed. I have a budget of $15k and would like a stone over 1.7ct, G or H color. Can someone please give me any tips and/or suggestions? Is James Allen the best online diamond retailer? Are there other tools that I can utilize? Or, if someone could suggest a diamond that fits my search, can you provide the link.

Thank You!
 
ejc20716 said:
I received a 8mm moissanite engagement ring 2 months ago. My significant other and I planned to replace the moissanite with a natural diamond after we got married. However, I would like to replace the stone at this time for various reasons.

I have spent hours researching and viewing loose diamonds online. I thought the HCA tool would be my best friend until I read that it is not always accurate. Honestly, I'm lost and completely overwhelmed. I have a budget of $15k and would like a stone over 1.7ct, G or H color. Can someone please give me any tips and/or suggestions? Is James Allen the best online diamond retailer? Are there other tools that I can utilize? Or, if someone could suggest a diamond that fits my search, can you provide the link.

Thank You!
Click to expand...

Hi ejc and welcome!

Very exciting! Just to check, is the 15k for just the stone or stone and setting please?

The HCA is a fantastic resource, it's used for rejection though, not selection. You use it to see which diamonds score <2, those are then worthy of evaluation and this is done with images and your own preference.

There are many great vendors including James Allen, all have excellent customer service and range of diamonds, I would say though if upgrading might ever be a consideration to go with a vendor with an upgrade policy that best suits your needs, so read the T's and C's first.
 
Thanks for your responses.

The 15k is for the stone. I will be using the setting that I have.
 
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Is an AGS certification as good as GIA?
 
AGS is stricter on cut. GIA a bit color stricter.

Can you post a pic of your setting off your finger from the side? Have you confirmed it will hold a smaller stone?
 
IMG_5735.JPG
Here is pic of the setting. I have not confirmed if it would hold a smaller stone. Would the size difference be that significant?
 
IMG_5737.JPG
 
Lorelei said:
Ok thanks!

Here's one in budget, if eye clean to your standards it could be a winner for sure! $14763 for bank wire.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3712977.htm?source=pricescope

This one too if eye clean.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3565128.htm?source=pricescope

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4665939
Click to expand...

Do you think those little specks in the 1.72 carat stone from James Allen will be visible to the naked eye, or is that something I need ask the James Allen customer support?

I'm most concerned about size and cut, then color. I would sacrifice some clarity for a larger, well cut stone.
 
rockysalamander said:
AGS is stricter on cut. GIA a bit color stricter.

Can you post a pic of your setting off your finger from the side? Have you confirmed it will hold a smaller stone?
Click to expand...

Both are great labs, AGS for sure are far more strict on cut/ light performance according to some in the industry and it has been said that GIA were harder on colour but it's subject to opinion - both labs are the gold standard of diamond grading but AGS is usually preferred for cut grading for the Superideals anyway.

Yes, you'd need to check with JA regarding the inclusions, they will be able to tell you if they're visible.
 
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ejc20716 said:
Do you think those little specks in the 1.72 carat stone from James Allen will be visible to the naked eye, or is that something I need ask the James Allen customer support?
Click to expand...

Certainly check with JA, but I think you'd need to be part eagle to see those little specs with unaided eyes (even a novice with a loupe would struggle without light at the perfect angle). :lol-2:

If you want to maximize size, here are a few that flex clarity and color down to I.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4636004 {great angles. 8.32 mm. Ask if eyeclean, but I suspect it will be if the central inclusion does not bother you. This drops color to I to get to size}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4407695 {7.88 mm; ask if eyeclean and request and IS}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4247187 {7.75 mm, nice angles and pretty stone. Small inclusion off the edge of the table. So, this is another balance of color and clarity.)

Here's another WF option that drops color to I.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3969521.htm (7.81 mm)
 
rockysalamander said:
Certainly check with JA, but I think you'd need to be part eagle to see those little specs with unaided eyes (even a novice with a loupe would struggle without light at the perfect angle). :lol-2:

If you want to maximize size, here are a few that flex clarity and color down to I.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4636004 {great angles. 8.32 mm. Ask if eyeclean, but I suspect it will be if the central inclusion does not bother you. This drops color to I to get to size}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4407695 {7.88 mm; ask if eyeclean and request and IS}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4247187 {7.75 mm, nice angles and pretty stone. Small inclusion off the edge of the table. So, this is another balance of color and clarity.)

Here's another WF option that drops color to I.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3969521.htm (7.81 mm)
Click to expand...

Which would you choose between the 1.80 and 1.87?
 
rockysalamander said:
Certainly check with JA, but I think you'd need to be part eagle to see those little specs with unaided eyes (even a novice with a loupe would struggle without light at the perfect angle). :lol-2:

If you want to maximize size, here are a few that flex clarity and color down to I.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4636004 {great angles. 8.32 mm. Ask if eyeclean, but I suspect it will be if the central inclusion does not bother you. This drops color to I to get to size}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4407695 {7.88 mm; ask if eyeclean and request and IS}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4247187 {7.75 mm, nice angles and pretty stone. Small inclusion off the edge of the table. So, this is another balance of color and clarity.)

Here's another WF option that drops color to I.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3969521.htm (7.81 mm)
Click to expand...

I confirmed that the 2.14 carat stone is eye clean. This diamond has strong blue fluorescence, is it true that this will make it appear whiter?
 
That is wonderful news!! Think of fluoresce as a cool party trick. Its mostly visible under very strong UV, so bright direct light and nightclubs (maybe nail salons if you get gel nails). So, in cases where you are outside and have UV, the diamond might look whiter, but most of us don't live outdoors. In very rare cases, very strong flour can make a diamond hazy. JA can inspect the stone once the have it to screen for that.

It would be worth putting your top three JA options on hold and getting IS on them. The hold will prevent someone from buying out from under you as these are all stones in a giant database of wholesalers.
 
When would I have them screen for the hazy appearance?

And can you tell me what IS is?
 
ejc20716 said:
When would I have them screen for the hazy appearance?

And can you tell me what IS is?
Click to expand...
Ask about it now. Assuming they say no or they have to get if from the supplier, they would order it from the supplier and get it delivered to them. The inhouse gemologist at JA will look at it for you and be sure it is not an issue (it is quite rare). If they have any issues, they will tell you and you can swap it out before setting (if they set the stone in your setting) or you get it mailed to you. If you can mange a long enough hold, maybe keep another stone as backup. You get the stone mailed to you, and you still have your full return period to decide if you love it. I would, however, not have it set by your local jeweler if you might return it. You need to return it in perfect shape.

IS = Idealscope Image. It looks at the volume of light return. They may not have them for all the options, but we may as well get one for any we can.

https://www.pricescope.com/tools/ideal-scope
 
rockysalamander said:
Ask about it now. Assuming they say no or they have to get if from the supplier, they would order it from the supplier and get it delivered to them. The inhouse gemologist at JA will look at it for you and be sure it is not an issue (it is quite rare). If they have any issues, they will tell you and you can swap it out before setting (if they set the stone in your setting) or you get it mailed to you. If you can mange a long enough hold, maybe keep another stone as backup. You get the stone mailed to you, and you still have your full return period to decide if you love it. I would, however, not have it set by your local jeweler if you might return it. You need to return it in perfect shape.

IS = Idealscope Image. It looks at the volume of light return. They may not have them for all the options, but we may as well get one for any we can.

https://www.pricescope.com/tools/ideal-scope
Click to expand...
4636004.jpg
 
Shouldn't it have more green in it?
 
Or maybe I'm getting the Ideal Scope confused with a ASET image.
 
ejc20716 said:
4636004.jpg
Click to expand...
ASET has red, green and blue. IS has red, white pink. This passes the IS. There is some variation in the pavilion angles, which is why the intensity varies. With your priorities, this looks great. Its got the size (and a bit more!). The cut is good. The color works. I think this is really worth examining yourself to see how you feel about it in person as it relates to the central inclusion (though it looks pretty cool on the IS). I think you are keeping your setting, right? So, I'd have JA send this to you unset and spend some time with it. Once you are sure about keeping it, then mail it back to JA for setting (~$100 fee usually) or have it set locally. But, first, insure the diamond with a company that will cover diamonds during setting (Jewelers Mutual is the only one I know of. Your homeowners/renters generally won't). You can switch coverage after the first year, but make sure you are covered for this lovely stone.

But, I want to set your expectations. Moissy has massive amounts of dispersion and fire...especially if you had a modern round (vs. old cut). This diamond will not look like that moissy. It will have fire and beautiful performance. But, it will look less firey that you are used to. I think it will look better in lighting that might make the moissy a bit dull, but I don't want you expecting it to compete on that level. So, just be prepared to judge this diamond on its own merits as a totally different gemstone and not compare to moissy.
 
I think those are some of the attributes that I don't like about my moissanite, it's appears too colorful. And it's almost too sparkly, if that's possible. I have a Charles & Colvard Forever One.

Thank you so much for all of your help! I'm going to order this stone and check it out.​
 
ejc20716 said:
I think those are some of the attributes that I don't like about my moissanite, it's appears too colorful. And it's almost too sparkly, if that's possible. I have a Charles & Colvard Forever One.

Thank you so much for all of your help! I'm going to order this stone and check it out.​
Click to expand...
Can't wait for loads of photos :mrgreen2:
 
rockysalamander said:
Certainly check with JA, but I think you'd need to be part eagle to see those little specs with unaided eyes (even a novice with a loupe would struggle without light at the perfect angle). :lol-2:

If you want to maximize size, here are a few that flex clarity and color down to I.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4636004 {great angles. 8.32 mm. Ask if eyeclean, but I suspect it will be if the central inclusion does not bother you. This drops color to I to get to size}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4407695 {7.88 mm; ask if eyeclean and request and IS}

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4247187 {7.75 mm, nice angles and pretty stone. Small inclusion off the edge of the table. So, this is another balance of color and clarity.)

Here's another WF option that drops color to I.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3969521.htm (7.81 mm)
Click to expand...

I just drooled at the WF one. Man, I wish I had gone with WF from the start for all my diamonds!
 
IMG_5825.JPG
rockysalamander said:
Can't wait for loads of photos :mrgreen2:
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for all of your help @rockysalamander !!! I had the stone mounted last weekend and I am absolutely in love with my new ring. Can't stop staring at it. So many compliments. My coworker called my stone "breathtaking." :appl: I asked James Allen for the PS discount and it brought the price down to $13,900.

When I received the stone I detected a slight yellow tint in some lighting. But after having it set, I rarely see any color. It's not hazy or milky. I can't detect any inclusions at all. Also, the ring appraised for over $24k!!!

THANK YOU PRICESCOPE!!! (And especially you @rockysalamander )
 
More pics please from different angles, profiles... Beautiful pick. What a stunning outcome!!!!
 
ejc20716 said:
IMG_5825.JPG

Thank you so much for all of your help @rockysalamander !!! I had the stone mounted last weekend and I am absolutely in love with my new ring. Can't stop staring at it. So many compliments. My coworker called my stone "breathtaking." :appl: I asked James Allen for the PS discount and it brought the price down to $13,900.

When I received the stone I detected a slight yellow tint in some lighting. But after having it set, I rarely see any color. It's not hazy or milky. I can't detect any inclusions at all. Also, the ring appraised for over $24k!!!

THANK YOU PRICESCOPE!!! (And especially you @rockysalamander )
Click to expand...
That is a gorgeous outcome. So glad you love it.
 
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