Which diamond to select?

[seans]

Hello friends.

I am purchasing the rock for my soon to be fiance and need your help in determining which out of the lot is the best? Or should I keep looking? Your help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[krisjon]

Who is grading these stones? I'm guessing not GIA/AGS.
Where are you looking?
Budget?
Lots of unanswered questions here.

 

[Christina...]

I'm assuming that this is a list of stones that you compiled after doing some online research? If these stones are all GIA or AGSL graded, then your next step should be to get ideal scope images of the stones. Vendors such as James Allen will provide images for up to three stones for free. Some vendors already have this information available on their site. You should also request magnified images of the diamonds as well.

I noticed that all of your selections have high clarity and lower color. Are you particularly sensitive to inclusions, or just fearful that anything lower in clarity will have visible inclusions? If it were me, I would choose a diamond with a better balance of color and clarity. As long as your vendor can supply images and will assess the stone for you, and offers a money back return policy, it's safe to go as low as VS2-SI1 and still get an eye clean stone. Have you had an opportunity to view I/J colored diamonds?

 

[spicyitalian]

If you are buying blind, you need scope images.

 

[seans]

These are all GIA certified. I narrowed it down using the HCA tool to score of 1.5 and less. I was going to buy blind but will ask vendor to provide scoped / magnified images. But based on the dimensions and specifications - any recommendations?

 

[krisjon]

All are pretty good, cut-wise.
Stones 1 and 4 fall just in the edge of AGS 0 ideal proportions.
Stones 2 and 3 are more squarely in AGS 0, with #3 reaching higher into fiery side.
# 3 would benefit from a slightly smaller table than 58.
Get images for all if you can, but I'd be most interested in seeing # 2.
Don't just go off the paper/numbers. And make sure you're ok with the warmer color of I/J. If you want more "white", I wouldn't drop below H, but it also depends on the setting.

 

[seans]

Hello, I kept looking and have selected the following one. Specs below. The HCA tool scores it 1.3. Also attached is the ideal scope, magnified and hearts diagrams. I don't really know how to tell from these diagrams whether or not it is good so kindly provide your inputs please. I am not looking for THE BEST diamond out there but for a great diamond for my fiance.

GIA certified
Date of Issue: 12/31/2013
Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.12 - 6.15 x 3.79 mm
Carat Weight: 0.87 carat
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade: VVS1
Cut Grade: Excellent
Depth: 61.7 %
Table: 55 %
Crown Angle: 34.5°
Crown Height: 15.5%
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Star Length: 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 3.5%
Culet: None
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Clarity characteristics: Feather

HCA Score:
Light Return: Excellent
Fire: Excellent
Scintillation: Excellent
Spread: Very Good
Total Visual Performance 1.3 - Excellent
within TIC range

 

[MissGotRocks]

Beautiful stone!

 

[ame]

Looks fantastic!

 

[c-k]

The specs look very good, GIA uses rounded numbers so this can throw off things, however I think you are safe with these numbers....The magnified image looks good, but the idealscope image looks strange, maybe just the way it was done. Hearts image looks ok, not true hearts though.

My guess based on what you have here, is that this stone should be very nice, I think the numbers are really good, color H will be very white in a setting, and no problem with clarity.

Hello, I kept looking and have selected the following one. Specs below. The HCA tool scores it 1.3. Also attached is the ideal scope, magnified and hearts diagrams. I don't really know how to tell from these diagrams whether or not it is good so kindly provide your inputs please. I am not looking for THE BEST diamond out there but for a great diamond for my fiance.

GIA certified
Date of Issue: 12/31/2013
Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.12 - 6.15 x 3.79 mm
Carat Weight: 0.87 carat
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade: VVS1
Cut Grade: Excellent
Depth: 61.7 %
Table: 55 %
Crown Angle: 34.5°
Crown Height: 15.5%
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Star Length: 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 3.5%
Culet: None
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Clarity characteristics: Feather

HCA Score:
Light Return: Excellent
Fire: Excellent
Scintillation: Excellent
Spread: Very Good
Total Visual Performance 1.3 - Excellent
within TIC range

 

[seans]

If the above is not that good then can you help recommend a great diamond from one of the following sites:
1) http://www.highperformancediamonds.com
2) http://www.whiteflash.com/
3) http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/

My budget for a round loose diamond is max $3800
Size: 0.8 - 0.99 carats
Color: J or better
Clarity: SI1 or better
Cut, Polish, Symmetry: Excellent

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP!

 

[c-k]

If the above is not that good then can you help recommend a great diamond from one of the following sites:
1) http://www.highperformancediamonds.com
2) http://www.whiteflash.com/
3) http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/

My budget for a round loose diamond is max $3800
Size: 0.8 - 0.99 carats
Color: J or better
Clarity: SI1 or better
Cut, Polish, Symmetry: Excellent

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP!

The diamond you picked above is a very nice stone, based on all the numbers & image. I don't know who the vendors is, be sure whomever, that you have a good return policy, seeing in person is important. The vendors you linked above are all fantastic and provide images, idealscopes, etc. Do some searching on each and see what draws you.

Is the stone you picked within your budget? if so it looks to be priced nicely.

 

[seans]

That diamond is from an Indian based vendor www.caratlane.com; majority of their diamonds are GIA certified.
I have the option of either picking it up from there or from US. My fiance is currently in India so she is also searching locally. Since I am in the US; I will not be able to see it in person - she will be.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Here a couple of options worth considering. These are top-notch cuts, from excellent vendors -

.751ct, F, SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.751-f-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104066186028

.8ct, H, SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11145/

.85ct, H, SI2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8830/

 

[seans]

So I got better scope images of this diamond. Please see below - it is not a true hearts & arrows but for the specs does it seem worth the $? This diamond is prices at $4,600.