Which diamond is better between these two?

[Gatorguy88]

Deciding between these two diamonds on James Allen. Which do you think would be better? I am trying to stay around a 4K budget for the diamond and above 1 carat. The main concern I have about the second one is that it is IGI instead of GIA. But it looks better otherwise, so im not sure.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3391778

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3181061

any help would be appreciated!

 

[ac117]

Neither!! They are both very poorly cut and will have light leakage. Here are a couple of options that hit the 1ct mark (you could ask for a PS discount and pay by wire to get close or just under $4k). But you could also drop to just under a carat to avoid the price jump or get better specand the size difference will barely be noticeable (if at all).
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4476722
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4168723
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4437973

Beautiful option: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4438925

 

[TreeScientist]

Neither!! They are both very poorly cut and will have light leakage. Here are a couple of options that hit the 1ct mark (you could ask for a PS discount and pay by wire to get close or just under $4k). But you could also drop to just under a carat to avoid the price jump or get better specand the size difference will barely be noticeable (if at all).
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4476722
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4168723
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4437973

Beautiful option: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4438925

The .94 J VS2 suggested by @ac117 is a beautiful diamond and would definitely be my choice if I were in your situation. The strong blue fluorescence should give it the appearance of a higher colored diamond.

Are you going with a white gold or yellow gold/rose gold setting? Also, how color-sensitive is the recipient. The only reason I'm asking is because a J color may be a little too low if the person in very color-sensitive and it's going in a white setting.

 

[Gatorguy88]

The .94 J VS2 suggested by @ac117 is a beautiful diamond and would definitely be my choice if I were in your situation. The strong blue fluorescence should give it the appearance of a higher colored diamond.

Are you going with a white gold or yellow gold/rose gold setting? Also, how color-sensitive is the recipient. The only reason I'm asking is because a J color may be a little too low if the person in very color-sensitive and it's going in a white setting.

Thank you both for your input. It will be going in a white gold halo setting from james allen.
This one specifically (https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...shion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49493) so I am a little concerned about the color being off compared to the diamonds surrounding. I dont think she is that color sensitive - I think she just doesn't want it to look "off" or noticeable compared to the surrounding diamonds.
Does that mean I should only stick to an H or higher? I would really like to stay at least around a carat (anything less than that we personally though just didn't look right on her finger. she wears an 8.5).
Not sure if this is possible though if I need to go with a higher color..though i am willing to budge on the 4k budget if needed.

 

[ac117]

Thank you both for your input. It will be going in a white gold halo setting from james allen.
This one specifically (https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...shion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49493) so I am a little concerned about the color being off compared to the diamonds surrounding. I dont think she is that color sensitive - I think she just doesn't want it to look "off" or noticeable compared to the surrounding diamonds.
Does that mean I should only stick to an H or higher? I would really like to stay at least around a carat (anything less than that we personally though just didn't look right on her finger. she wears an 8.5).
Not sure if this is possible though if I need to go with a higher color..though i am willing to budge on the 4k budget if needed.

If there's some wiggle room in your budget, I'd go with this stone - WF has an excellent upgrade policy that includes their premium select line. It's not their in house brand that they cut, but as you can see with all the images they provide that it's a top of the line GIA stone and will be beautiful. The difference of a .9 vs 1ct in a halo will be negligible: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3950142.htm

You could still get that setting from JA or you could go for one of WF's settings.

Another excellent super ideal option: https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...0.898-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104098251020

These are also possibilities:
Will need to make sure clouds aren't an issue: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab
Nice 60/60 that faces up like a 1 ct: https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-de...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab

 

[TreeScientist]

Thank you both for your input. It will be going in a white gold halo setting from james allen.
This one specifically (https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...shion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49493) so I am a little concerned about the color being off compared to the diamonds surrounding. I dont think she is that color sensitive - I think she just doesn't want it to look "off" or noticeable compared to the surrounding diamonds.
Does that mean I should only stick to an H or higher? I would really like to stay at least around a carat (anything less than that we personally though just didn't look right on her finger. she wears an 8.5).
Not sure if this is possible though if I need to go with a higher color..though i am willing to budge on the 4k budget if needed.

OK, with a size 8.5 finger I can see why you want to go a bit larger. In that case, I really like the 1.01 I SI1 posted above by @ac117. I don't think the clouds would be a problem, as the clarity grade is not based on the clouds. If $4800 wouldn't be too much of a stretch, I would go for this, as I don't think you'll hit 1 carat in a well-cut diamond for any less than this.

As far as color is concerned, I think that an I would be perfectly fine if she's not particularly color sensitive. Plenty of people on this site have Is and I'm pretty sure the general consensus is that the color is perfectly fine and doesn't look "off" at all when viewed face-up (which is the only way a diamond will be viewed in a Halo setting). J seems to be the cut-off point where some people begin noticing a yellowish tint when viewing the diamond face up.