Help Needed - Looking for the perfect engagement ring

[thomaspark]

I am new to this space so any help is much appreciated! I've narrowed my search down to a few options. Would love to get second thoughts on which one is the best. Thank you in advance!

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond F color vs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond F color vs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[DejaWiz]

Hello and welcome to PriceScope, @thomaspark!

Unfortunately, those are quite poorly cut and do not have proportions and angles that maximize light return and performance.

From a diamond performance perspective, we usually direct folks to a variety of sellers that have validated super ideal cut diamonds: Whiteflash, Victor Canera, Brian Gavin, JannPaul, etc.

The Whiteflash and Brian Gavin sites have excellent pictures and videos so that you can see what the difference is. JannPaul, Good Old Golf, and Rhino's School of Rock have YouTube channels which has some outstanding comparison videos between typical GIA 3X and super ideal cut diamonds.

Diamond | 1.390 ct G SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4443699

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.390 carat G color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4443699

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 1.354 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4494037

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.354 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4494037

www.whiteflash.com

 

[PowPow]

None of them are too great based on the 360 video. For good light performance, the 8 arrows need to be black in color and symmetrical around the centre. Use this as the guiding method and you can narrow down further on James Allen, if you are not opting for the whiteflash ones.

G color at 1.50 carat with strong blue fluorescence...you may have some milky/cloudy appearance based on my understanding, so I would avoid those too.

What is your budget and your criteria range for the 4Cs? I'm sure the forum is more than happy to make a few suggestions for you.

 

[tyty333]

You have to watch stones that hit right on a desired weight like 1.0 carats, 1.5 carats, 2.0 carats, etc. Cutters will try to retain weight to
hit these marks because they usually command a little more money. Unfortunately, the added weight usually does nothing for the
stone (ie. it's cut deep). This does not allow the light to hit at the right angles to bounce back to the eye. In other words, they are
poorly cut.

Super Ideal stones like @DejaWiz posted have the "correct" angles/depth/table size to allow the light to bounce back to your eye.
They are graded by AGS and have Ideal light return, Ideal Polish, and Ideal Symmetry. They are precision cut Hearts and Arrows
with all the images need to show that they are Ideal performers.

 

[thomaspark]

None of them are too great based on the 360 video. For good light performance, the 8 arrows need to be black in color and symmetrical around the centre. Use this as the guiding method and you can narrow down further on James Allen, if you are not opting for the whiteflash ones.

G color at 1.50 carat with strong blue fluorescence...you may have some milky/cloudy appearance based on my understanding, so I would avoid those too.

What is your budget and your criteria range for the 4Cs? I'm sure the forum is more than happy to make a few suggestions for you.

Thanks @PowPow

In terms of the 4Cs I am looking for:

Cut - Ideal
Color - G or higher
Clarity - VVS2 or higher
Carat - 1.5

I would really appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

 

[thomaspark]

None of them are too great based on the 360 video. For good light performance, the 8 arrows need to be black in color and symmetrical around the centre. Use this as the guiding method and you can narrow down further on James Allen, if you are not opting for the whiteflash ones.

G color at 1.50 carat with strong blue fluorescence...you may have some milky/cloudy appearance based on my understanding, so I would avoid those too.

What is your budget and your criteria range for the 4Cs? I'm sure the forum is more than happy to make a few suggestions for you.

Thanks @PowPow

So when it comes to the fluorescence.. is it better for it to be faint or medium as opposed to strong?

 

[MissGotRocks]

That is personal preference. Super ideal cut diamonds generally have no fluorescence.

Still not sure if your budget. If you are truly looking for VVS clarity, your budget will have to be generous. I am thinking that might have been a typo though.

Here is a diamond from Whiteflash that is just a few points shy of the 1.50 mark, G, VS2. This diamond should be eye clean so you can get an idea of budget requirements.

Diamond | 1.440 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4518391

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.440 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4518391

www.whiteflash.com

 

[Kim N]

Here are a few other possibilities. Whiteflash has a much more generous upgrade policy and better cut stones than James Allen, but I did find one at JA.

Diamond | 1.426 ct H VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4518392

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.426 carat H color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4518392

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 1.563 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4511757

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.563 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4511757

www.whiteflash.com

1.53 Carat round diamond

This 1.53 carat round diamond G color vs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[PowPow]

A few options:

1.58 Carat round diamond

This 1.58 carat round diamond G color if clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.57 Carat round diamond

This 1.57 carat round diamond E color vvs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vvs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vvs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[Victor Canera]

Welcome to PS @thomaspark
So as far as the "best" that's really relative. I would prioritize Cut because it can result in a spectacular diamond even in lower colors. In Cut, there are items to watch out for above and beyond the Cut grade like light performance and optical symmetry to watch out for. After that, figure out what you prioritize like what your ideal Carat range is and try to match up the Clarity to what fits in your budget. I'd recommend a VS2 for the best band for the buck. You'd be surprised at how clean a VS2 can be even under a loupe...

Good luck!

 

[thomaspark]

That is personal preference. Super ideal cut diamonds generally have no fluorescence.

Still not sure if your budget. If you are truly looking for VVS clarity, your budget will have to be generous. I am thinking that might have been a typo though.

Here is a diamond from Whiteflash that is just a few points shy of the 1.50 mark, G, VS2. This diamond should be eye clean so you can get an idea of budget requirements.

Diamond | 1.440 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4518391

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.440 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4518391

www.whiteflash.com

Thanks @MissGotRocks

Apologies, you are correct. That was a typo. I meant VS2. My budget is around $13K - $14K.

 

[thomaspark]

Here are a few other possibilities. Whiteflash has a much more generous upgrade policy and better cut stones than James Allen, but I did find one at JA.

Diamond | 1.426 ct H VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4518392

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.426 carat H color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4518392

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 1.563 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4511757

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.563 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4511757

www.whiteflash.com

1.53 Carat round diamond

This 1.53 carat round diamond G color vs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Thanks @Kim N

Would love to get your thoughts on these ones? I am trying to stay around $13K - $14K.

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond F color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[thomaspark]

A few options:

1.58 Carat round diamond

This 1.58 carat round diamond G color if clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.57 Carat round diamond

This 1.57 carat round diamond E color vvs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vvs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vvs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Apologies @PowPow I meant VS2. Unfortunately the VVS2 rings are out of my budget.

I found a few here. I tried taking your recommendations on what to look for:

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[DejaWiz]

For the sake of protecting 100% of your purchase investment, I urge you to strongly consider shopping with Whiteflash, Victor Canera, Brian Gavin, Continental Diamond, JannPaul, or any other super ideal cut seller that has very lenient or zero stipulations for their upgrade program.
James Allen and most others will require you to spent at least double the original purchase price of the diamond being traded.

Continental Diamond is now showing that their Legacy lineup is available, which are custom cut by the same team that were cutting CBI diamonds:

Legacy Diamonds

We became Minnesota's leading jewelry store by creating authentic, kind and caring relationships with our visitors, customers, brands and team. Beyond selling incredible diamonds, engagement rings, jewelry, and timepieces, we have been celebrating love stories and life moments for over 40 years.

www.continentaldiamond.com

Details about their upgrade program can be found here:

Continental Diamond Diamonds

At Continental Diamond, our diamonds epitomize brilliance and beauty. Meticulously sourced and expertly crafted, each diamond in our collection showcases unparalleled sparkle and fire.

www.continentaldiamond.com

 

[Kim N]

Thanks @Kim N

Would love to get your thoughts on these ones? I am trying to stay around $13K - $14K.

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond F color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

I'm not a fan of any of these. 16076507 is a little better than the others, but still not great.

 

[thomaspark]

I'm not a fan of any of these. 16076507 is a little better than the others, but still not great.

Sorry which one is that? I don't see that GIA number.

Are these looking any better?

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD20240404?refTab=DIAMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD20646589?refTab=DIAMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails

 

[DejaWiz]

If it must be from a Signet brand (JA or Blue Nile), then have a look at these:

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond H color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.51 Carat round diamond

This 1.51 carat round diamond G color vs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[DejaWiz]

Sorry which one is that? I don't see that GIA number.

The stock/SKU number is what Kim N was referring to:

1.50 Carat round diamond

This 1.5 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[MissGotRocks]

I think that @Kim N already suggested this one but truly something to consider. It is an H color and a little below your size requirement but will be a complete fireball. Click it on and notice the wire price which is what you will pay if you do a bank wire. Look at all of the images and videos and check it against some of the others you are considering. Cut is the most important part of a diamond and I would rather see you get a bit smaller diamond that will wow you rather than a so-so one!

Diamond | 1.426 ct H VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4518392

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.426 carat H color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4518392

www.whiteflash.com

 

[PowPow]

In addition to the many excellent suggestions already, another one to consider:

1.51 Carat round diamond

This 1.51 carat round diamond G color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[Kim N]

thomaspark, please at least take a moment to run your potential stones through the HCA. You get 3 free uses. You'll see that most of the stones you've been posting are far out of recommended range.

Holloway Cut Advisor | HCA Tool

The HCA Tool uses data from a round brilliant diamond to produce a score that can help you make an estimate regarding the cut quality. Use it here.

www.pricescope.com

Diamond Proportions

The physics of light-behavior within a diamond are reliably consistent, which means proportions measurements can be useful.

www.pricescope.com