1.5ct round cut - solitaire engagement ring - help greatly appreciated

[ryanscot55]

Hello All,

Frequent lurker here, so thank you to everyone that contributes to this amazing community! I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on a round cut diamond. Budget is $13-15k with cut and light performance being the most important factors. Otherwise I would like to target 1.5ct / VS2 / G-I color.

In my search I've been excluding stones where the HCA score is >2 and have found this example from JA: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-h-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3878142

L/W RATIO: 1.01
DEPTH %: 60.50
GIRDLE: Thin - Slightly Thick
TABLE %: 58.10
CULET: Pointed
CERTIFICATE: AGS
CROWN ∠: 34.00
CROWN %: 14.10
PAVILION ∠: 40.70

The HCA score is 0.9, Light return, fire, and scintillation are EXCELLENT but spread is only VERY GOOD. Does anyone have an opinion on how much of an issue this type of spread will be? What does everyone think of the shape of this stone in terms of proportions?

I'd be happy to go with a stone that isn't "True Hearts" or "A Cut Above" but i'm a little worried that i don't have the skills to find a good one! If any one has any better ideas, i'd be really grateful for suggestions!

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekends!

 

[Gussie]

With "A Cut Above ", it doesn't take skill! They are precision cut to ps coveted specs for maximum light performance. It's really a no brainer!

 

[TreeScientist]

The one you selected actually looks great! Of course, can't go wrong with an ACA, but I'd say that most (like 95%) of the True Hearts on James Allen are also excellent performing, near H&A diamonds.

For your budget and wanting to hit 1.5 carat, I think sticking with the True Hearts you posted would be your best best. Not quite perfection like an ACA, but in everyday situations you wouldn't be able to tell the difference, and you would need to drop a few color grades or drop the stone size if you wanted to get an ACA with that budget. Not sure if it would be worth the trade-off...

 

[Gussie]

Whiteflash has a 1.477 H Vs2 for $12,856. It has a lovely small table. I would get that in a heartbeat! I am sorry, for some reason, I can't link it. But check it out. It's a great stone! And you cannot go wrong with whiteflash.

 

[TreeScientist]

Would also like to add: Don't worry about the "Very Good" score for spread on the HCA for any stone you're looking at. Very few stones cut to the modern ideal-cut return excellent for that category (usually 60/60 style, high spread diamonds earn Excellent in that category, but then there's a trade off of reduced fire).

Really no red-flags with the JA diamond, but wouldn't hurt to compare WhiteFlash and Brian Galvin too.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Whiteflash has a 1.477 H Vs2 for $12,856. It has a lovely small table. I would get that in a heartbeat! I am sorry, for some reason, I can't link it. But check it out. It's a great stone! And you cannot go wrong with whiteflash.

This is quite a great deal falling just under the 1.5 ct mark!

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3915605.htm

Well gosh, this is over 1.5 and same price as the JA stone (maybe less with the wire discount)! This is a no-brainer!

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3936438.htm

 

[ryanscot55]

Thank you very much everyone for such quick responses!

It's very helpful to have the context regarding the spread rating in the HCA tool and wow - these suggestions look great, I'll take a look and report back!

 

[Dancing Fire]

This is quite a great deal falling just under the 1.5 ct mark!

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3915605.htm

Looks good to me!..

 

[Matthews1127]

Thank you very much everyone for such quick responses!

It's very helpful to have the context regarding the spread rating in the HCA tool and wow - these suggestions look great, I'll take a look and report back!

With an AGS000 certified stone, the HCA tool really isn’t necessary; you can’t find greater Cut grades than AGS Ideal/Super Ideal Cut. If you have opportunity, reach out to HPD...perhaps @Wink can help you find a super ideal diamond within your budget. The WF options, above are fabulous options, as well.
The key to optimal spread isn’t carat weight, it’s mm across. Focus on the measurements in mm, not the weight of the stone. Even a stone that weighs under 1.5ct can have beautiful spread, depending on its Cut, which is why focus on Cut is far more important than carat. Push the limit on mm spread for your budget, and ensure it’s not too shallow or too deep, and you’re in business. Ideal-Super Ideal is where you want to be....