Help Choosing a Diamond (I'm almost there!)

[amnamn180]

Hi everyone,

Firstly - thank you so much for all of the useful advice you have given me in my previous thread. It has helped immensely.

I have now narrowed it down to purchasing from WF or VC. WF has a better upgrade policy as VC charges a $200 certification fee.

That being said, I have found this diamond. The price seems almost too good to be true?
Alternatively, this one also looks good.

My budget is up to $4,900 (to allow for taxes) and I would like it to be as big as possible within my quality preferences, which are VvS1 or better with I or above colour and Ex cut or higher.
Do you think I am being too picky with the VVS1, should I drop to say VS2 to allow for more selection as long as I stay with the Ex cut?

Is there a good eye piece I should purchase, so that I can look at the diamond when it finally arrives? I think it would be a bit cheeky to drive to a local seller and ask to use theirs!

 

[DejaWiz]

Most VS2 and a lot of SI1 would be fine at this carat weight/diameter range, in my opinion.
If your plan is to upgrade in the future, then I think the ES 0.902 J VS2 that you linked to would be a fantastic choice!
Have you seen these?

Diamond | 0.830 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4369555

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.830 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4369555

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 0.842 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4383165

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.842 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4383165

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 0.847 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4358233

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.847 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4358233

www.whiteflash.com

If you want to take clarity completely out of the equation, then here's a 0.808 G IF from Victor Canera that just sneaks under the budget cap (bank wire price) and has nice fiery proportions:
https://victorcanera.com/diamonds/AGS104113277002/0.808ct-G-IF-hearts-arrows-round-natural-diamond

Here's a BGD Black lineup 0.827 G VS2 that also makes the budget for bank wire:

0.827 G VS2 Signature Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS graded 0.827 carat G VS2 Round super ideal cut Black By Brian Gavin Diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

black.briangavindiamonds.com

 

[amnamn180]

Most VS2 and a lot of SI1 would be fine at this carat weight/diameter range, in my opinion.
If your plan is to upgrade in the future, then I think the ES 0.902 J VS2 that you linked to would be a fantastic choice!
Have you seen these?

Diamond | 0.830 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4369555

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.830 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4369555

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 0.842 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4383165

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.842 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4383165

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 0.847 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4358233

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.847 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4358233

www.whiteflash.com

If you want to take clarity completely out of the equation, then here's a 0.808 G IF from Victor Canera that just sneaks under the budget cap (bank wire price) and has nice fiery proportions:
https://victorcanera.com/diamonds/AGS104113277002/0.808ct-G-IF-hearts-arrows-round-natural-diamond

Here's a BGD Black lineup 0.827 G VS2 that also makes the budget for bank wire:

0.827 G VS2 Signature Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS graded 0.827 carat G VS2 Round super ideal cut Black By Brian Gavin Diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!

black.briangavindiamonds.com

Thanks for the reply! All really great choices.... wow - I am stuck for choice.\
Honestly, I do not think we would upgrade for many, many years. It is sort of like my insurance/piece of mind. Knowing that there is the option. So I would rather get a nice diamond now, rather than expect to upgrade in the future.

So VS2 would suffice at these size of diamonds?

When you say take clarity out of the equation, what did you mean? Because it is IF, it is near perfect in clarity?

 

[DejaWiz]

Thanks for the reply! All really great choices.... wow - I am stuck for choice.\
Honestly, I do not think we would upgrade for many, many years. It is sort of like my insurance/piece of mind. Knowing that there is the option. So I would rather get a nice diamond now, rather than expect to upgrade in the future.

So VS2 would suffice at these size of diamonds?

When you say take clarity out of the equation, what did you mean? Because it is IF, it is near perfect in clarity?

I think a VS2 or even an SI1 with a cleaner inclusion plot would be fine, but that is my personal preference...you have to go with what you know will make both your eyes and your mind happy.

Yes, I meant take clarity out of the equation because it is a near perfect IF clarity diamond.

 

[amnamn180]

That's great, thank you for your support and advice.
Purchasing online means I can't see the diamond close up, I assume I should ask for photos? Is there an eye piece that I could buy (that won't break the bank) to look at it at home?

 

[DejaWiz]

That's great, thank you for your support and advice.
Purchasing online means I can't see the diamond close up, I assume I should ask for photos? Is there an eye piece that I could buy (that won't break the bank) to look at it at home?

You're welcome.
Correct, you won't be able to see the diamonds with your own eyes, however most reputable sellers do offer magnified pictures and videos, usually in the 20-40x range.

PS Trade member oldminer (David Atlas) has a wonderful selection of diamond inspection/grading tools at his web store, including loupes:

Professional Gem Loupes 10X and 30X

datlas.com

Dual LED 10X Ideal-Scope 21mm Loupe

datlas.com

Alternatively, Amazon has a massive selection of loupes from a variety of sellers/suppliers, both with and without Prime shipping.

 

[amnamn180]

So in your opinion, which of these two? I'm assuming the J in colour quality of the 0.90 is what is keeping the price down, as it looks slightly less included than the 0.847?

 

[mrsctobe]

I would personally go up in color and down in clarity, VVS1 is hardly ever "necessary"

 

[amnamn180]

All, thanks for the advice. I have decided on this diamond....
Great service by WhiteFlash, great upgrade program and they offer 60 day returns on the H&A range, good service all round.

Two final questions; Looking at the AGS cert; it shows the light performance test. Lots of red, is that a good or bad thing?

 

[crbl999]

All, thanks for the advice. I have decided on this diamond....
Great service by WhiteFlash, great upgrade program and they offer 60 day returns on the H&A range, good service all round.

Two final questions; Looking at the AGS cert; it shows the light performance test. Lots of red, is that a good or bad thing?

Excellent choice! Red is good on the ASET. The ASET on the AGS cert is computer generated. The WF ASET is of the actual diamond.