3 carat diamond - Clarity vs. Color

[caballogurl]

Hi all! My budget is $40kish for the stone alone. I am looking for an excellent cut round diamond around 3 carat. I either can get one in my budget that is VS2 but J color. Or I can get SI1 H or G color. In a larger stone, should I go for color or clarity? Also, any advice where to get a good deal???

Thanks! Heidi

 

[Gypsy]

If the SI is eyeclean I'd go for color.

 

[ame]

If the SI is eyeclean I'd go for color.

I agree. The bigger the stone the more body color will show. Will you see either in person?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The downside is that some of the pros here have said that it is very difficult to find a truly eyeclean SI1 stone over 3 cts. I'd maybe compromise and go to I VS2 if it has to be over 3 cts. (In reality, I'd personally go under 3 cts. and go to G-H VS2.)

 

[Dancing Fire]

The downside is that some of the pros here have said that it is very difficult to find a truly eyeclean SI1 stone over 3 cts. I'd maybe compromise and go to I VS2 if it has to be over 3 cts. (In reality, I'd personally go under 3 cts. and go to G-H VS2.)

yup!!..

 

[kenny]

At $40K I'd get 3 carats out of my head if I expected eye-clean, and near-colorless.

BTW, you haven't even mentioned cut.
Cut is the most important C.

 

[yennyfire]

At $40K I'd get 3 carats out of my head if I expected eye-clean, and near-colorless.

BTW, you haven't even mentioned cut.
Cut is the most important C.

Amen Kenny. Neither color or clarity will matter if the cut is poor.

 

[stargurl78]

The downside is that some of the pros here have said that it is very difficult to find a truly eyeclean SI1 stone over 3 cts. I'd maybe compromise and go to I VS2 if it has to be over 3 cts. (In reality, I'd personally go under 3 cts. and go to G-H VS2.)

yup!!..

I agree. Assuming cut is excellent...

 

[marcy]

I'd go for cut, color then eye clean even if I had to go down in size.

 

[Enerchi]

I'd go for cut, color then eye clean even if I had to go down in size.

+1. Cut is what will give you the WOW factor - a poorly cut diamond won't be pleasing even if its a D IF stone! (well, ok, maybe it would be SOMEWHAT pleasing... ) but focus on cut as the first thing you check out. Your budget is pretty healthy - you should be able to achieve it.

Best of luck caballogirl!

 

[milton333]

So, here's an option:
3.01 H SI1, supposedly eye clean
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2767715.htm
1.6 score on HCA, GIA ex/ex/ex
$42,551 PS wire price

It's a virtual stone, so you can likely get it from another vendor. Might be worth having it called in somewhere that can analyze it for you.

 

[slg47]

I am curious how WF determines if a virtual selection stone is eye-clean??

 

[lapelirroja]

Their website doesnt say anything about it being eye-clean.... not sure how that determination was made. That picture is NOT of the stone.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Their website doesnt say anything about it being eye-clean.... not sure how that determination was made. That picture is NOT of the stone.

Exactly. There is no way to know if it is eyeclean without paying to call it in. But I'd have NY vendor call it in because they can probably pick it up and avoid the shipping charges. I like buying in-house stones from WF because they cut their own stones and all are superior cut.

 

[slg47]

Their website doesnt say anything about it being eye-clean.... not sure how that determination was made. That picture is NOT of the stone.

under diamond details, it says Eye Clean: Yes