3 carat round diamond -- help

[RichardK]

I've been trying to educate myself about diamonds but still not quite comfortable. I'm looking for a 3 carat round diamond to put on a Tiffany style platinum solitaire setting. I'd like the most brilliant sparkling diamond without paying for features/grading that is not apparent to the naked eye. From my readings, it seems the best bang for the buck would be to get a 3 carat, excellent cut, H color, and eye-clean SI1. Does that sound right? Also, it seems like cut is the most important factor. So can I be assured that I'll get a brilliant sparkling diamond if I simply search for GIA excellent cut diamond?

I'm planning to purchase the diamond online. I was thinking of purchasing from James Allen because of it's reputation and because I can see the diamond before purchasing. However, I've noticed that Blue Nile diamonds are significantly cheaper. For example, for a 3 carat, GIA excellent cut, G SI1 diamond, Blue Nile costs $35,473 while James Allen costs $43,330. Here are the links:
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=NavDiaSea#diamonds_pid=LD02945131
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1543430.asp

Are these diamonds comparable? Where should I purchase the diamond from?

 

[04diamond<3]

Well, for starters, the BN diamond is deep so I'd already throw that out, but even before that, I would still prefer JA because you can see the stone and they have an on staff gemologist who will tell you if the stone is eye clean before you even buy it and give you their recommendation.

Where are you willing to bend? Obviously cut is not an option, but what are your boundaries for color and clarity?

Here's one I'd highly recommend:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1445786.asp

This one's also stunning, but I'd make sure it's eye clean:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1550839.asp

 

[SB621]

You should always run the diamonds through the HCA tool. Just because GIA grades the cut excellent doesn't mean they always are. The HCA has a stricter guideline which will help you. Ultimately you want your diamonds to score under 2.0.


https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

 

[nycgirl123]

hey - i actually just went through this process so i hope this is helpful.

i looked at a ton of online vendors (blue nile, james allen, B2C), but decided to schedule ring viewings w/ B2C since i live in NY, right near the diamond district. anyway, when i saw the certificates of these amazing rings i was so excited to c them w/ B2c but they were actually very poor performers (i.e., one ring was described as "eye clean" but had a obvious black crystal in the middle from far away, another was very cloudy) and all these stones on paper looked amazing.

i realize that i really needed to see the stones in person, so i spent some time with 3 different stores in DD (Diamond district) and told them what i wanted.

so my bf got a 3 Ct, F SI2, and it is completely eyeclean, actually if you read the recent thread i put it, it is actually independently appraised as an E VS2, so what im trying to say is, if you want to save money, def go with SI2, it is not easy to find an eyeclean, but they are DEFINITELY out there. let me know if you have any more questions.

here is the thread of my ring, i have pics on the second page
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-carat-diamond-advice-needed-2-7-hca.184065/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-carat-diamond-advice-needed-2-7-hca.184065/[/URL]

 

[RichardK]

Thanks for the responses. I don't want to go below an H color and SI1 clarity. I wasn't planning on going to an actual jeweler because I don't have a very discerning eye. If I were to look at a diamond, I wouldn't be able to tell which one is better. And I'm assuming prices online are cheaper and I can save on sales tax (8% here in California).

 

[04diamond<3]

Thanks for the responses. I don't want to go below an H color and SI1 clarity. I wasn't planning on going to an actual jeweler because I don't have a very discerning eye. If I were to look at a diamond, I wouldn't be able to tell which one is better. And I'm assuming prices online are cheaper and I can save on sales tax (8% here in California).

Well, it's hard to find a 3ct within your budget (or anything less than 40k) what's within your parameters...here are some smaller options, but they're gorgeous:

Here's a 3 - but I'd make sure it's eye clean. They are making video's now so I'm sure they can do that for this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1497457.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1548816.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1521387.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1548229.asp
http://beta.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/2.63-carat-G-color-SI1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-156020

 

[RichardK]

What do you think about this stone?
3.00 Carat G-SI1 Ideal Cut Round Diamond $45,740
HCA of 1.4
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1541562.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Looking through the virtual loop, the inclusions are mild and should be eye clean, right?

 

[JulieN]

That looks nice. Get JA to compare it to this one: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1455098.asp
and the one in your first post.

 

[hearts-arrows_girl]

Don't rule out "I" color. I have one and love it. I was able to get a bigger stone and keep in my budget. Good luck with your search. That is one lucky girl to have a wonderful guy getting her a 3ct E-ring!