Need help deciding between three ~2ct diamonds

[Engagement_Diamond22]

Hi everyone,

Currently looking at diamonds for an engagement ring and have found three intriguing candidates:

2.00 Carat round diamond

This 2 carat round diamond I color vvs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

2.01 Carat round diamond

This 2.01 carat round diamond H color vvs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

1.90 Carat round diamond

This 1.9 carat round diamond H color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Reports are attached below. Thanks!

 

[tyty333]

We do recommend you stick with GIA/AGS graded stones. Your budget is large enough to get you a Super Ideal Branded stone.
This is an AGS000, Heart&Arrow cut stone with all the images to prove that it is a good (as in great) performer. Take a look at the
Brilliance and Sparkle videos.

Diamond | 1.901 ct I VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4419925

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.901 carat I color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4419925

www.whiteflash.com

 

[lovedogs]

We do recommend you stick with GIA/AGS graded stones. Your budget is large enough to get you a Super Ideal Branded stone.
This is an AGS000, Heart&Arrow cut stone with all the images to prove that it is a good (as in great) performer. Take a look at the
Brilliance and Sparkle videos.

Diamond | 1.901 ct I VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4419925

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.901 carat I color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4419925

www.whiteflash.com

This.

 

[crbl999]

I also recommend sticking with AGS and GIA graded stones.

Here is a non super ideal option.

2.05 I VS2 AGS0
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-7193787

 

[Engagement_Diamond22]

Understood - thank you very much for the help @tyty333 @lovedogs @crbl999

 

[DejaWiz]

If you don't mind a touch more warmth, then there's this beautiful 2.17 J VS1 to consider...and it will probably be about the same amount of tinting as an IGI H-I color grade.

Diamond | 2.170 ct J VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4440881

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.170 carat J color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4440881

www.whiteflash.com

 

[Diamond Best Friend]

I was once advised when buying a diamond of one carat or larger, the 1.90 ct diamond being just under 2.0 ct is a better cut diamond because it is cut for brilliance and not weight. It is also a better value because it will be lesser in price but will look like the 2 ct stone. I would also advise against any HPHT diamond, when you go to trade or upgrade your diamond, the diamond with HPHT will not trade as much or not be accepted for a trade if it is not with the same jeweler.

 

[lovedogs]

I was once advised when buying a diamond of one carat or larger, the 1.90 ct diamond being just under 2.0 ct is a better cut diamond because it is cut for brilliance and not weight. It is also a better value because it will be lesser in price but will look like the 2 ct stone. I would also advise against any HPHT diamond, when you go to trade or upgrade your diamond, the diamond with HPHT will not trade as much or not be accepted for a trade if it is not with the same jeweler.

Huh? Neither of these are HPHT as they arent lab grown stones.

 

[Kim N]

If you want to stick with James Allen but still get a near super-ideal, this is an option.

2.31 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 2.31 carat J color vs1 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[tyty333]

Huh? Neither of these are HPHT as they arent lab grown stones.

Not sure why this was brought up except I believe that HPHT can be used as post-processing on mined diamonds to change
their color (typically from brown to colorless). According to the article I was reading, it can only be used on type 2a diamonds that
make up only about 2% of mined diamonds (Type 1 make up the other 98%). I think you would have to go out of your way to
locate one of these stones and I certainly don't think James Allen sells them so a little bit confusing topic for the OP.

That's my minimal understanding of post-processed HPHT diamonds!

Also, just FYI, if you plan on trading up your stone in the future then you probably want to go with a vendor that does trade-ins.
James Allen does do trade-ins. You have to spend 2X the cost of your original stone. Other vendors have a much lower trade-in
option (Whiteflash).

 

[Engagement_Diamond22]

I also recommend sticking with AGS and GIA graded stones.

Here is a non super ideal option.

2.05 I VS2 AGS0
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-7193787

Thanks for the suggestion. I saw this one but the AGS report suggested less than ideal light performance:

 

[crbl999]

Thanks for the suggestion. I saw this one but the AGS report suggested less than ideal light performance:

This stone has an AGS cut grade of 0; ideal performance. It is better than the vast majority of stones that are cut. Based on the computer generated ASET there is some digging (green near the edges). Based on the proportions it wouldn't be my first choice.

 

[Engagement_Diamond22]

Thoughts on this one? JA said it was too deep but the depth doesn't seem to be a problem per the GIA cert.

2.01 Carat round diamond

This 2.01 carat round diamond I color vs1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

Thoughts on this one? JA said it was too deep but the depth doesn't seem to be a problem per the GIA cert.

Does not look well cut. Although not does not exceed max recommended depth by PS, it is cut on the deeper side.

This one that was suggested to you is a far better choice:

Diamond | 1.901 ct I VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4419925

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.901 carat I color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4419925

www.whiteflash.com

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

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