First Timer looking for some advice

[prender1482]

I have been lurking on this site for months and months and trying to absorb as much as I can from the articles and posts on the boards. I have been narrowing my search more and more and think it may be time to finally try to get some assistance from the community. I have been looking for a round brilliant hopefully in the 1.25 carat range with a price under 10k. The one thing I wont compromise on is the cut, as this is the best approach, I think, from reading here. I originally wanted H or better, but budget seems to say I may be better choice, not sure how much of a sacrifice that will end up being. As far as clarity, I think Im content as long as it is eye clean.

If anyone would be willing to take a look at these diamonds and let me know thoughts or alternatives it would be greatly appreciated.

1.231 I SI1 HCA 1.5 verified eye clean by whiteflash. (My concerns/questions would be on the AGS cert image the leak leakage shown on the perimeter of the diamond and the change in color at 12 o'clock and 9 o'clock on the hearts image)

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2649044.htm

1.127 I VS1 HCA 1.3 (My concerns with this diamond are the change in color at 9 o'clock on the hearts image and once again some light leakage on the perimeter)

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2531870.htm

1.123 I VVS2 HCA 1.1 (This diamond looks pretty good to me, but I really wanted closer to 1.25 carat would this be a large difference)

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2683875.htm

1.22 H SI1 (finally an H, I know I probably need an idealscope image at least before proper judging, but any input would be nice)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1398075.asp


Thanks so much in advance the search for a diamond is quite intimidating and I havent even found the setting yet, at least she agreed to help on that portion so hopefully wont be as difficult.

 

[tyty333]

I have been lurking on this site for months and months and trying to absorb as much as I can from the articles and posts on the boards. I have been narrowing my search more and more and think it may be time to finally try to get some assistance from the community. I have been looking for a round brilliant hopefully in the 1.25 carat range with a price under 10k. The one thing I wont compromise on is the cut, as this is the best approach, I think, from reading here. I originally wanted H or better, but budget seems to say I may be better choice, not sure how much of a sacrifice that will end up being. As far as clarity, I think Im content as long as it is eye clean.

If anyone would be willing to take a look at these diamonds and let me know thoughts or alternatives it would be greatly appreciated.

1.231 I SI1 HCA 1.5 verified eye clean by whiteflash. (My concerns/questions would be on the AGS cert image the leak leakage shown on the perimeter of the diamond and the change in color at 12 o'clock and 9 o'clock on the hearts image)

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2649044.htm
This stone shows no leakage to speak of. I'm not sure what you are seeing. I dont see any color change between
9-12:00 on the heart image either.

1.127 I VS1 HCA 1.3 (My concerns with this diamond are the change in color at 9 o'clock on the hearts image and once again some light leakage on the perimeter)

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2531870.htm
Not seeing any leakage on the perimeter of this stone either that isnt typical for a round brilliant stone. I do see the color
change in the hearts pattern but that image is used to show the heart pattern not to interpret light return. Talk to
Whiteflash about it. I doubt it is anything to worry about.

1.123 I VVS2 HCA 1.1 (This diamond looks pretty good to me, but I really wanted closer to 1.25 carat would this be a large difference)

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2683875.htm
Looks fine to me too but I prefer the look of the 1st and 2nd stone.


1.22 H SI1 (finally an H, I know I probably need an idealscope image at least before proper judging, but any input would be nice)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1398075.asp
Yep, an idealscope image would be nice. Ask and make sure it is eye-clean to your specification. This one isnt
an H&A stone if that matters to you.

Thanks so much in advance the search for a diamond is quite intimidating and I havent even found the setting yet, at least she agreed to help on that portion so hopefully wont be as difficult.

Whiteflash and JA have different trade-up policys. Most people dont think they will ever use this but if it is important to you ,WF's
policy is much better on its ACA stones.

 

[stone-cold11]

All look good to me, JA stone is promising too. AGS ASET map can be due to scanning error, actual image do not show similar artifacts. Also ask if the SI1 are eye-clean, do not assume they are.

 

[prender1482]

So I am about to pull the trigger on the WF 1.231 ACA I SI1 diamond.

AGS Cert: https://www.whiteflash.com/jewelry/thumbnail.ashx?itemcode=ci_ags-104050627001.jpg&type=certhouse
Diamond: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2649044.htm

I had been dealing with a couple different vendors. After it was apparent I was leaning towards WF as they had something that more closely matched my criteria the other vendor asked to see the cert and pictures. I provided the images and the individual told me that this was a very heavily included SI1 and they were shocked that WF would be able to claim eye-clean. And that seeing any sort of dark spot on the hearts image from an inclusion was a scary thing for eye cleanliness. This individual also told me that I really shouldnt go below an H. I am not sure how much of this was real and how much was trying to steer me back to purchasing a stone from them.

WF told me "The diamond is completely eyeclean from 8-10 inches with 20/20 vision from all angles--it is even clean from as close as 6" with 20/20 vision! The inclusions are not visible without magnification, this is a fantastic SI1!"

Basically I am about to wire the money and now I am concerned about the inclusions in this stone. The grade making inclusion, if I am reading the AGS cert correctly is the twinning wisps. There is also a feather, which after understanding this is a nice term for a crack has me a little concerned.

Would someone be so kind as to take a look at this stone and let me know what you think about the inclusions, how bad they appear to be, if they are in locations to be concerned about compromising durability or light performance. I would appreciate any thoughts on the inclusions and the stone in general. I was pretty confident, but hitting the button to send the money has me second guessing a little.

Thanks for the help this community has made this process much better and made me much more informed.

 

[slg47]

I am shocked that the other vendor would bad-mouth the stone.

The only way to tell about the severity and visibility of inclusions is to have the stone in-hand. From the picture there do not appear to be glaring inclusions but the best people to tell you about this are at WF since they have the stone! If you are concerned about the inclusions perhaps get it sent to you before it is set?

Also I would not be concerned with SI1 feathers but you can always ask WF for their opinion. This article might help
https://www.pricescope.com/journal/diamond_feather_inclusions_durability_risk

 

[crbl999]

I really like the 1.23 from WF. If WF says it is eye clean I would trust their word. No leakage on IS. Hearts image looks great. I would not second guess your purchase...it will be an amazing stone.

 

[0-0-0]

Based on the images, I don't see much to be concerned about either. The inclusions are so faint in the images I doubt they would be noticeable in person, although they may become more noticeable at different angles under different lighting conditions. Regardless, WF should be the best judge as they have the diamond in hand. The "leakage" along the perimeter is normal and common to all ideal cuts: http://www.ideal-scope.com/1.using_reference_chart.asp

The long list of inclusions on the report looks scary, but it's probably a good indication that each is relatively minor for the stone to be graded as a SI1. http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104050627001-PLDQR.PDF Bottomline is that I don't see any red flags that would steer me away from buying this diamond.

Color preferences are so personal that I really think you need to go look at AGS Ideal / GIA Excellent diamonds in person to come to your own decision. I have always thought I needed to find something in the D-H range until I took my SO to look at well cut diamonds and she consistently picked out stones in the H-I range as her favorites.

 

[tyty333]

Let us know what you think when you get it...post pics if you can.