Diamond advice

[Rosie404]

Hi! First time poster here. It's our 10 year anniversary and I'm researching for an upgraded diamond. I have been working with a jeweler from my husband's home town. My criteria is 50k budget, round brillant, minimum G color (color sensitive) and eye clean. I was hoping to get a well cut 3 carat with this budget. The jeweler pulled a GIA triple excellent 3 carat stone that met this criteria. However, it scored a 5 on the HCA advisor. My questions are 1) whether I should steer clear of this diamond? and 2)are my requirements unrealistic? Do I need to make some compromises on size or color? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[DejaWiz]

Yeah...I recommend you skip that diamond.
The pavilion angle is much to steep for comfort, in my opinion.

3 carat colorless with ideal proportions at $50K is going to be a tough find right now with the recent price jump a couple/few weeks back.

Here's a search link with your criteria that you can periodically check as vendors add/remove diamonds:

Diamond Search Results | Real-time Information on 1,000,000+ Diamonds | PriceScope

PriceScope's Diamond Search is the best place to find the best diamond prices. Search and compare over a million natural, lab and fancy color diamonds.

www.pricescope.com

 

[lovedogs]

Definitely don't buy the one you were offered. If you want the best possible cut (which most of us here do, since cut is what makes diamonds so lively/sparkly), you would be looking at either 2.5ct if sticking with G+ color, or 3ct if willing to drop down to H/I.

 

[Tourmaline]

Yes, your budget is healthy and that is not a well cut diamond. Do you want to continue to work with that jeweler, or would you like us to find some potential stones for you?

Here are some ideas:

3.01 Carat round diamond

This 3.01 carat round diamond G color si1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

3.01 Carat round diamond

This 3.01 carat round diamond F color si1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

3.04 Carat round diamond

This 3.04 carat round diamond F color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[Rosie404]

Thank you so much everyone! Yes, potential stones would be wonderful! It is a large purchase and will be my forever ring. I would be more comfortable going down in size or to H.

 

[lovedogs]

Thank you so much everyone! Yes, potential stones would be wonderful! It is a large purchase and will be my forever ring. I would be more comfortable going down in size or to H.

Ideal cut, very white (F), from one of the best companies for diamonds, whiteflash. Smaller than you originally wanted, but lovely IMHO.

Diamond | 2.616 ct F VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4392272

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.616 carat F color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4392272

www.whiteflash.com

Not as ideal cut as the one above (you can tell by comparing the images), but gets you the size you want.

Diamond | 3.024 ct H SI1 Expert Selection Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4193660

This fabulous 3.024 carat Round Ideal cut diamond has a clarity grade of SI1 and color grade of H.It is an excellent choice for engagement rings. | 4193660

www.whiteflash.com

 

[lovedogs]

Yes, your budget is healthy and that is not a well cut diamond. Do you want to continue to work with that jeweler, or would you like us to find some potential stones for you?

Here are some ideas:

3.01 Carat round diamond

This 3.01 carat round diamond G color si1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

3.01 Carat round diamond

This 3.01 carat round diamond F color si1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

3.04 Carat round diamond

This 3.04 carat round diamond F color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

I think if OP wants to prioritize size over cut then these could be contenders. But none look ideal to my eye, and with such a big purchase I would want the best possible cut.

 

[Tourmaline]

I think if OP wants to prioritize size over cut then these could be contenders. But none look ideal to my eye, and with such a big purchase I would want the best possible cut.

I understand. They look well cut to my eyes. If the OP wants top of the line ideal, she’ll have to yield color or size.

 

[DejaWiz]

I ran a search over at Rare Carat, compromising on color:

https://www.rarecarat.com/product/92209156

https://www.rarecarat.com/product/92209260

https://www.rarecarat.com/product/92343155

...just some potential back-burner options for you.

 

[DejaWiz]

Thank you so much everyone! Yes, potential stones would be wonderful! It is a large purchase and will be my forever ring. I would be more comfortable going down in size or to H.

Well, in that case:

Diamond | 2.616 ct F VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4392272

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.616 carat F color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4392272

www.whiteflash.com

You will get some massive value-add benefits with Whiteflash, such as their lifetime upgrade policy, which will allow you to step up to that colorless 3+ carat firebomb at any point in the future. If you buy an eligible setting from them, then they'll also give you 50% back on it if you ever decide to change things up.

Lifetime Upgrade Guarantee | Whiteflash

A great upgrade policy is a big deal when buying a diamond. Whiteflash has the best benefits in the business including a 100% Lifetime Upgrade Guarantee.

www.whiteflash.com

 

[sledge]

A couple of thoughts.

1. What is your comparison for color? Seems simple enough but ideal cut stones will reflect light to its maximum and not only create maximum fire (rainbow light return) but will also illuminate the stone edge to edge making it look bigger than poorly cut stones and also brighter/whiter in the face up position than poorly cut stones.

So if you aren’t comparing well cut stones you may be “harshly” judging color as G when in reality a well cut H, I or maybe even J may work.

2. There is a difference between color sensitive and color tolerant. My wife is extremely sensitive yet fairly tolerant. While her H looks very white to most people, she can see tint in it pretty easily.

3. Size matters. The larger the stone the more color you will see as color is primarily observed through the pavilion (aka body, or side view). So a 1 carat H may be great but a 3 carat H may disappoint

4. There are ranges. The further you go down the color scale (more tint) the wider the range varies. Commonly you may hear terms like a “high H”. This means while graded H, it is closer to a G color. Just as a “low H” would indicate an H graded stone that looks more like an I. So if a well cut 3 carat G is truly your sweet spot a high H may serve you really well when you factor in budget constraints.

5. Expanding off #3, if you have a setting that conceals some of the pavilion view then you may be able to cheat color a bit more.

6. My wife has a BGD Blue stone. It’s ideal H&A, but has medium blue fluor. Blue fluor combined with yellow hue undertone (typical of most diamonds) will whiten the stone a smidge when strong enough UV light excites the fluorescence in the stone. Truthfully I don’t see any real difference with medium but some people with strong blue report whitening. The problem is it’s temporary. It requires that UV intensity to activate. And BGD is the only super ideal vendor offering ideal stones with fluor and he has nothing in your desired range (already checked). Occasionally you see one on WF but it’s very rare. So probably a long shot but wanted to make you aware.

7. Don’t forget that your surroundings can make a big impact on what your eyes see. Yellow shirts, tan walls or even soft white light bulbs can cast off yellow tones and make your stone look more yellow than it really is.

8. The average person has a hard time discerning 1-2 color grade difference. There are absolutely people that can see the difference but in the grand scheme, a single color grade jump is minimal. Those that see it more easily I often wonder if they saw a high X vs low Y and consequently the difference is more noticeable.

9. Quality labs like AGS and GIA can have variance of 1+/- color grade. Color and clarity grades are done by human and subject to minor variance as such.

All the jibber jabber aside, here is a potential candidate. I like it a bunch being ideal H&A and also VS1 clarity. Similar amazing upgrade program as WF if you decide to go that way. Plus you get 3 carat spread without the magic 3 carat weight premium. It’s very difficult to find these 2.9x super ideals. Also you get access to VC’s stunning hand forged settings! The downside is H color but I think it’s worth consideration.

Victor Canera H&A, 2.924 H-VS1 @ $51,295 wire
https://victorcanera.com/diamonds/AGS104114784001/2.924ct-H-VS1-hearts-arrows-round-natural-diamond

Upgrade Policy:
https://www.victorcanera.com/service/platinum-upgrade

 

[DejaWiz]

A couple of thoughts.

1. What is your comparison for color? Seems simple enough but ideal cut stones will reflect light to its maximum and not only create maximum fire (rainbow light return) but will also illuminate the stone edge to edge making it look bigger than poorly cut stones and also brighter/whiter in the face up position than poorly cut stones.

So if you aren’t comparing well cut stones you may be “harshly” judging color as G when in reality a well cut H, I or maybe even J may work.

2. There is a difference between color sensitive and color tolerant. My wife is extremely sensitive yet fairly tolerant. While her H looks very white to most people, she can see tint in it pretty easily.

3. Size matters. The larger the stone the more color you will see as color is primarily observed through the pavilion (aka body, or side view). So a 1 carat H may be great but a 3 carat H may disappoint

4. There are ranges. The further you go down the color scale (more tint) the wider the range varies. Commonly you may hear terms like a “high H”. This means while graded H, it is closer to a G color. Just as a “low H” would indicate an H graded stone that looks more like an I. So if a well cut 3 carat G is truly your sweet spot a high H may serve you really well when you factor in budget constraints.

5. Expanding off #3, if you have a setting that conceals some of the pavilion view then you may be able to cheat color a bit more.

6. My wife has a BGD Blue stone. It’s ideal H&A, but has medium blue fluor. Blue fluor combined with yellow hue undertone (typical of most diamonds) will whiten the stone a smidge when strong enough UV light excites the fluorescence in the stone. Truthfully I don’t see any real difference with medium but some people with strong blue report whitening. The problem is it’s temporary. It requires that UV intensity to activate. And BGD is the only super ideal vendor offering ideal stones with fluor and he has nothing in your desired range (already checked). Occasionally you see one on WF but it’s very rare. So probably a long shot but wanted to make you aware.

7. Don’t forget that your surroundings can make a big impact on what your eyes see. Yellow shirts, tan walls or even soft white light bulbs can cast off yellow tones and make your stone look more yellow than it really is.

8. The average person has a hard time discerning 1-2 color grade difference. There are absolutely people that can see the difference but in the grand scheme, a single color grade jump is minimal. Those that see it more easily I often wonder if they saw a high X vs low Y and consequently the difference is more noticeable.

9. Quality labs like AGS and GIA can have variance of 1+/- color grade. Color and clarity grades are done by human and subject to minor variance as such.

All the jibber jabber aside, here is a potential candidate. I like it a bunch being ideal H&A and also VS1 clarity. Similar amazing upgrade program as WF if you decide to go that way. Plus you get 3 carat spread without the magic 3 carat weight premium. It’s very difficult to find these 2.9x super ideals. Also you get access to VC’s stunning hand forged settings! The downside is H color but I think it’s worth consideration.

Victor Canera H&A, 2.924 H-VS1 @ $51,295 wire
https://victorcanera.com/diamonds/AGS104114784001/2.924ct-H-VS1-hearts-arrows-round-natural-diamond

Upgrade Policy:
https://www.victorcanera.com/service/platinum-upgrade

Ya know, I just recently started recommending VCD over at Reddit when I learned more about their diamonds after I had a messenger chat with him. Great offerings!

 

[lovedogs]

Ya know, I just recently started recommending VCD over at Reddit when I learned more about their diamonds after I had a messenger chat with him. Great offerings!

Yeah, same. I love his stones!

 

[Rosie404]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. A lot of good points and diamonds to consider! Love this forum!

 

[sledge]

He doesn’t comment much but @Victor Canera participates here occasionally.

I love his settings. He transforms simplicity into eloquence and that is craftsmanship IMO. Also I love their photography of the stones. It looks so rich, crisp and full of contrast.

VC isn’t always cheapest but occasionally it works out. This might be one of the scenarios. Plus selection in the 3 carat range is sparse.

The few times he’s commented, he seems down to earth and very knowledgeable. I would have no qualms considering them and hope this works out for the OP.

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

A ideal cut stones will reflect light to its maximum and not only create maximum fire (rainbow light return) but will also illuminate the stone edge to edge making it look bigger than poorly cut stones and also brighter/whiter in the face up position than poorly cut stones.

This comment is the clearest explanation I have read about why well-cut diamonds look bigger than poorly cut diamonds. Basically in a less well cut diamond you will miss light return from the edges.

 

[sledge]

This comment is the clearest explanation I have read about why well-cut diamonds look bigger than poorly cut diamonds. Basically in a less well cut diamond you will miss light return from the edges.

I’m glad this helped.

One of my favorite videos that drives home this point is linked below. Around the 40 second mark, Garry puts both stones in a non-well lit area and you really see the poorly cut stone “shrink” in front of your eyes.

The video further shows the poorly cut stone is severely leaking light and causing the visual illusion of a smaller stone.

 

[coda72]

Here’s one more to consider from BGD. I know it’s I color, but I have a 3 carat I stone, and it’s pretty white. Plus, as already stated, there’s not many 3 carat stones out there.

3.26 I VS1 Brian Gavin Preorder Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS graded 3.260 carat I VS1 Round super ideal cut Brian Gavin Preorder Diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

www.briangavindiamonds.com