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Feedback on 3.5 ct Bellataire Diamond

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bjr1500

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 23, 2023
Messages
7
I'm considering driving a few hours to see this mined HPHT-treated diamond in person and wanted to get feedback before making the trip. I'm including the full GIA report below, but the summary is 3.5 ct, F, VVS1, Very Good cut listed at $44k. This would be an alternative to a similarly priced 3 ct, G, VS2 the dealer has on hand as another option. Would love feedback from this group as well as any other suggestions based on a $50k (diamond only) budget and feedback from the SO that she's willing to make minor concessions on color/clarity for size.


CleanShot 2023-08-23 at 17.59.40@2x.png
 
I am sorry to say that my hackles rose on the back of my neck at the HPHT processing. Please don’t buy a processed diamond! I’m sure the gang will help you find an amazing stone for your budget.
 
Would love alternative suggestions from this audience! The best option I've found online so far is this one:
www.jamesallen.com

3.21 Carat round diamond

This 3.21 carat round diamond G color vs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com
 
99.9999% of diamonds are not good investments, but treated diamonds loose a higher percentage of their initial retail value than untreated ones.

I'd grab that ACA. :kiss2:
I have one, and they are really a fireworks show!
Also Whitefish has excellent customer service and policies.
 
Another NO vote on the treated diamond, and a YES for any ACA or even Expert Selection from WF.
 
Hello and welcome to PriceScope, bjr1500!
Also recommending you look closely at any in-house diamonds and settings from Whiteflash, Victor Canera, Continental Diamond, Brian Gavin, JannPaul, Diamonds by Lauren, and Distinctive Gem.
DreamStone, I.D. Jewelry, Delicate Gems, Frank Darling, and some others that will sure to be mentioned may have some options to pick from.

I like to use JA and Ritani as alternative search points because of their intuitive search features.

Found these at Ritani which may also be available at other sellers since they are highly likely to be in the virtual inventory channel.
Not super ideal level, but if size is what you are after with some sacrifices to get there, then they may be viable choices.

3.01 Carat Round Diamond D-I2UNKFFZFZ | Ritani

3.01 Carat Round Earth Diamond ID Cut I Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report lab GIA
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

3.00 Carat Round Diamond GIA 6452834911 | Ritani

3 Carat Round Earth Diamond ID Cut J Color VVS2 Clarity with diamond report number GIA #6452834911
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

3.50 Carat Round Diamond GIA 7478242763 | Ritani

3.5 Carat Round Earth Diamond ID Cut I Color VS2 Clarity with diamond report number GIA #7478242763
www.ritani.com www.ritani.com

I have not searched James Allen yet, but I'll get around to it here in a bit.
 
Another "no" for me. I would either buy a smaller, non-treated diamond or just buy a lab diamond (since this is HPHT treated anyway).

I would not buy something in between.
 
Nothing in the D-J 2.95+ VS2+ realm at JA.
Found a beautifully proportioned 3.10 I VS2, but clouds are the primary grade setting inclusion...
www.jamesallen.com

3.10 Carat round diamond

This 3.1 carat round diamond I color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com
 
Appreciate the feedback everyone!

MisGotRocks - I'm open to SI1 if it's eye clean (which that one does say it is), but I can see an inclusion in the center of the stone in the video. Do you think that's due to magnification or would that be visible to the naked eye (I saw WhiteFlash's definition of eye clean is from a 10" viewing distance).

DejaWiz - I found I could notice the difference in color by the time I got to I (could barely notice at H, couldn't really notice at G) so I was trying to keep the color at G, maybe H. Any particular reason you think it's worth going to I for the examples you shared (outside of general cost difference of course)? Also, did you see this one on JA - seems to meet the criteria I was looking for but you mentioned you didn't find one meeting the criteria:
www.jamesallen.com

3.21 Carat round diamond

This 3.21 carat round diamond G color vs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com
 
bjr1500 said:
Appreciate the feedback everyone!

MisGotRocks - I'm open to SI1 if it's eye clean (which that one does say it is), but I can see an inclusion in the center of the stone in the video. Do you think that's due to magnification or would that be visible to the naked eye (I saw WhiteFlash's definition of eye clean is from a 10" viewing distance).

DejaWiz - I found I could notice the difference in color by the time I got to I (could barely notice at H, couldn't really notice at G) so I was trying to keep the color at G, maybe H. Any particular reason you think it's worth going to I for the examples you shared (outside of general cost difference of course)? Also, did you see this one on JA - seems to meet the criteria I was looking for but you mentioned you didn't find one meeting the criteria:
www.jamesallen.com

3.21 Carat round diamond

This 3.21 carat round diamond G color vs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com
Click to expand...

You definitely do not want that one with the 41.0/35.0 combo since it is showing signs of light leakage under the table. A steeper crown is best paired with a shallower pavilion and vice-versa.

In a perfect world where nitpicking all the angles translated to actually getting ideal pairings, then we'd see more along the lines of the following pairings:

40.6/35
40.7-40.8/34.5
40.9/34

That is not taking into consideration table width, lowers, and stars (or accounting for averaging and gross rounding by the grading labs).

Typically, I try to seek diamonds in the 40.6-40.8/34-35 ranges. There are exceptions depending on the other measurements, such as 40.6/36, 40.8/35.5, etc.
 
bjr1500 said:
Appreciate the feedback everyone!

MisGotRocks - I'm open to SI1 if it's eye clean (which that one does say it is), but I can see an inclusion in the center of the stone in the video. Do you think that's due to magnification or would that be visible to the naked eye (I saw WhiteFlash's definition of eye clean is from a 10" viewing distance).

DejaWiz - I found I could notice the difference in color by the time I got to I (could barely notice at H, couldn't really notice at G) so I was trying to keep the color at G, maybe H. Any particular reason you think it's worth going to I for the examples you shared (outside of general cost difference of course)? Also, did you see this one on JA - seems to meet the criteria I was looking for but you mentioned you didn't find one meeting the criteria:
www.jamesallen.com

3.21 Carat round diamond

This 3.21 carat round diamond G color vs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com
Click to expand...

I would call Whiteflash and ask them. They are very friendly and would give you their honest assessment of its eye cleanliness!
 
MissGotRocks - I reached out and they were super helpful, quickly followed up with additional images and a description. Sounds like it is visible from 6" but you do have to look for it.

DejaWiz - Okay thank you, I'll avoid that one! I'm using your recommended measurements to look at additional options. Are there any you'd recommend with a G (+) color rating? Can go up to $55k and size down as needed, but optimizing for eye clean and size at that color beyond your cut recommendations.
 
bjr1500 said:
MissGotRocks - I reached out and they were super helpful, quickly followed up with additional images and a description. Sounds like it is visible from 6" but you do have to look for it.

DejaWiz - Okay thank you, I'll avoid that one! I'm using your recommended measurements to look at additional options. Are there any you'd recommend with a G (+) color rating? Can go up to $55k and size down as needed, but optimizing for eye clean and size at that color beyond your cut recommendations.
Click to expand...

Too small?

Diamond | 2.551 ct F VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4503090

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.551 carat F color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4503090
www.whiteflash.com
 
Based on my SO's feedback, I don't think it's worth giving up that much size for the cut.
 
bjr1500 said:
Based on my SO's feedback, I don't think it's worth giving up that much size for the cut.
Click to expand...

I like the one @MissGotRocks posted the most - big ol diamond, still an ACA cut, still colorless range. Clarity SI1 but worth that sacrifice imho…2nd fave is the one I posted but it’s an I. You could ask WF to compare them side by side to see if you can see the color difference.
 
bjr1500 said:
What’s the gorup’s feedback on this one? Rates well on the HCA and seems to be priced competitively for the size/quality:

3.13 Carat G VS1 Round Brilliant Natural Diamond GIA Certified 1463452849 Affinity Cut - D53824057

3.13 carat, Round, G Color, VS1 clarity, GIA Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Natural Diamond, D53824057
www.adiamor.com www.adiamor.com
Click to expand...

The certificate is not viewable, so we can’t see the crown angle or pavilion angle or depth. It’s also the same price range as the ACA. Are you worried about the clarity in the ACA?
 
Mreader said:
The certificate is not viewable, so we can’t see the crown angle or pavilion angle or depth. It’s also the same price range as the ACA. Are you worried about the clarity in the ACA?
Click to expand...

It's viewable by copying and pasting into GIA's site:

GIA - Report Check

Report Check
www.gia.edu www.gia.edu
 
bjr1500 said:
What’s the gorup’s feedback on this one? Rates well on the HCA and seems to be priced competitively for the size/quality:

3.13 Carat G VS1 Round Brilliant Natural Diamond GIA Certified 1463452849 Affinity Cut - D53824057

3.13 carat, Round, G Color, VS1 clarity, GIA Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Natural Diamond, D53824057
www.adiamor.com www.adiamor.com
Click to expand...

Here's how this one rates:
Light Return:Very Good
Fire:Excellent
Scintillation:Very Good
Spread:Very Good
HCA Score :1.8 - Excellent - within FIC range
Better than most diamonds? Yes. The difference in an ACA is that it will get Excellent for light return, fire, and scintillation. So in general, I'd prefer an ACA if they had a stone that fit my parameters. It sounds like perfect cut isn't her top qualification, though, so you may not do any better than this one for a higher color and clarity stone above 3 cts. It's very pretty in the photo and you may want to at least reserve it since there are many, many lurkers here. (And I agree with everyone else who said to absolutely avoid an expensive treated diamond. Just get a lab diamond in that case.)
 
I appreciate the feedback! I spoke with WhiteFlash about the 3.22 ACA and they were able to send images and more details on the inclusion in the center of the diamond. They confirmed that while it's eye-clean at 10" the inclusion is easily visible at 6". I'm a bit torn b/c the ACA looks stunning for a similar price, but the SO did want to keep the diamond eye-clean.
 
bjr1500 said:
I appreciate the feedback! I spoke with WhiteFlash about the 3.22 ACA and they were able to send images and more details on the inclusion in the center of the diamond. They confirmed that while it's eye-clean at 10" the inclusion is easily visible at 6". I'm a bit torn b/c the ACA looks stunning for a similar price, but the SO did want to keep the diamond eye-clean.
Click to expand...

3.39 VS2 ACA in the budget! But you would have to feel comfy with I. Many forum members have said that when it's cut as well as an ACA it looks bigger and the color is brighter (in other words, a well cut I looks less warm than a poorer cut I) but depends on color sensitivity.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-di...-vs2-clarity-round-excellent-cut-sku-a4590528
 
50k budget for a diamond that your SO will make minor concessions on color / clarity for size
starting out with a f/vvs1 HPHT with very good cut and willing to drive a few hours

i do really hope your SO goes with you to see any contenders if you make any concessions on size before you commit to anything with a vendor.

Maybe state what area you are willing to travel to so it can be recommend where to see ideal cuts in person to see if cut is a parameter you and SO prioritize?

is 9mm+ SI1 eye clean at 6” a needle in the haystack?
 
Last edited:
Mrsz1ppy said:
I am sorry to say that my hackles rose on the back of my neck at the HPHT processing. Please don’t buy a processed diamond! I’m sure the gang will help you find an amazing stone for your budget.
Click to expand...

Same I wouldn't but HPHT
 
Rfisher said:
50k budget for a diamond that your SO will make minor concessions on color / clarity for size
starting out with a f/vvs1 HPHT with very good cut and willing to drive a few hours

i do really hope your SO goes with you to see any contenders if you make any concessions on size before you commit to anything with a vendor.

Maybe state what area you are willing to travel to so it can be recommend where to see ideal cuts in person to see if cut is a parameter you and SO prioritize?

is 9mm+ SI1 eye clean at 6” a needle in the haystack?
Click to expand...

The one I posted today is 9.66 mm! Gah! I'm usually not the one helping ppl pick out mrbs but recently got a bit more educated with numbers when I bought my studs. So do all y'all feel the same anxiousness in wanting an OP to buy something you pick bc you feel it's the best one? :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
Any update @bjr1500 ? Did you choose a stone?
 
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