2 carat radiant cuts. Downgrading fromH to I color

[Dhollis83]

I've been shopping for a 2 c radiant cut stone for a while now and I was hoping to go down to I color from the recommended H. Everywhere I look online they all say that H is the lowest you should go for radiants. In my opinion, D-E-F is ridiculous and really you are just paying for the rarity of the stone instead of its beauty. So originally I was looking for G and H stones. I'm just curious on what kind of difference would there be in an I stone vs and H? I haven't ever seen a 2c radiant in I color in person so I have no idea on if it really will be too yellow. Any help or advice with this would be great.

 

[JulieN]

I would go to an I color in this one! http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.07-carat-I-color-VS1-clarity-sku-120276

You can chat their customer service and ask what the PS price would be, I think it would be in budget! It is a square radiant that doesn't leak as much as regular radiants and it has better light return, so it won't look as tinted a a regular I color radiant might.

H color to compare: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.11-carat-H-color-VS1-clarity-sku-154644

 

[Rockdiamond]

HI!
It's crucial to remember that when asking for opinions, that's what you'll get.
Given that we're talking about personal taste, it really comes down more to your own eyes.
Is there any way you can view some stones in person?
Some people spot the tint in an H and find it objectionable- while others actually seek the softer shades like I and J color.
It's important that you find out where you fall, because as you've noticed- the price differences are stark.

 

[Dhollis83]

How is the I more expensive than the H stone?? What am I missing? Lol. Also look at the I stone do you think that would be too yellow once it's set?

 

[04diamond<3]

How is the I more expensive than the H stone?? What am I missing? Lol. Also look at the I stone do you think that would be too yellow once it's set?

Because the I is a very very rare cut. Other vendors charge a LOT more for a cut like that. I love both of the ones posted though. You need to figure out what kind of cut you want.

 

[Dhollis83]

Yeah I do need to find a store near me that has more variety. Most of the places I've gone to either don't have compatible colors off hand or have them in a smaller size

 

[Dhollis83]

Yeah I do need to find a store near me that has more variety. Most of the places I've gone to either don't have compatible colors off hand or have them in a smaller size

How is it that you were able to see the difference in cut? Was there a note or is it just from viewing these stones with experience ?

 

[04diamond<3]

Yeah I do need to find a store near me that has more variety. Most of the places I've gone to either don't have compatible colors off hand or have them in a smaller size

How is it that you were able to see the difference in cut? Was there a note or is it just from viewing these stones with experience ?

The stones that JulieN posted are links to videos of the stone....Did you look at them?

 

[JulieN]

The I is a specialty cut. It has a very different kind of performance than your usual radiant cut. It will perform basically like a round, but in a square shape.

Here is another one that is H, and might be in budget: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.91-carat-H-color-VVS2-clarity-sku-114087

 

[Dhollis83]

Yes I did, they look slightly different in the video... But I can't differentiate which one has a better cut. Think I'm in for a few hours of study on the various cut quality of radiants... If I want to get one of these online.

 

[JulieN]

It depends what you want. This video has a "Princess of Hearts" and a "Lucere"... the I color I first posted will look kind of like the "PoH" and a regular radiant will look more like the "Lucere." If you like the "Lucere" more than the "PoH" in the video, then you can eliminate that style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYvv2BAIFaY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O74CmwVZfiA

You'll see in this video radiants have small flashes, a very glittery look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePz_jm7tRf0

 

[Dhollis83]

It depends what you want. This video has a "Princess of Hearts" and a "Lucere"... the I color I first posted will look kind of like the "PoH" and a regular radiant will look more like the "Lucere." If you like the "Lucere" more than the "PoH" in the video, then you can eliminate that style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYvv2BAIFaY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O74CmwVZfiA

You'll see in this video radiants have small flashes, a very glittery look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePz_jm7tRf0

The box cut radiant is what I am most drawn too. Lucere is very similar to the box cut radiant ( the one all the way to the right). I am drawn to the smaller flashes.

 

[04diamond<3]

It depends what you want. This video has a "Princess of Hearts" and a "Lucere"... the I color I first posted will look kind of like the "PoH" and a regular radiant will look more like the "Lucere." If you like the "Lucere" more than the "PoH" in the video, then you can eliminate that style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYvv2BAIFaY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O74CmwVZfiA

You'll see in this video radiants have small flashes, a very glittery look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePz_jm7tRf0

The box cut radiant is what I am most drawn too. Lucere is very similar to the box cut radiant ( the one all the way to the right). I am drawn to the smaller flashes.

Oh yay!!! I am too! Very few of us out there, but this one that JulieN posted is gorgeous!

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.11-carat-H-color-VS1-clarity-sku-154644

I'd put it on hold asap and request an aset. here's another one...it is K color, but it's a 3ct in your budget!!

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/3.02-carat-K-color-SI1-clarity-sku-28433