Need help on engagement ring diamond selection (~20k budget, 1.5~1.8 ct stone)

[Madstat]

Hi experts,

Hope I know this forum earlier...

I am trying to pick a stone to propose to my gf the coming month. My budget for the stone is ~20k USD. I prefer to use online dealers such as BlueNile over big-name brands (realize my budget is so short after visiting HW and Tiffany).

I just spent quite some time comparing diamonds on BlueNile around my budget. But I am overwhelmed by the selection and seems each of them has pros/cons. Currently, I am looking at 3EX cut, F+ color, VS1+ clarity, and faint- fluorescence. I am thinking of moving from VS1 clarity bound to VVS2 after I see a lot of pinpoints and clouds on VS1 diamond in the GIA certificate, but my understanding could be wrong. Just wondering whether someone can help me clear my mind?

Here are the options I have
1. LD21622563 (https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD21622563). [1.76 ct, E, VS1] I hold this diamond because I did not see a lot of pinpoints on GIA certificate so I thought it was a hidden gem. But I just see a comment: "Clarity grade is based on clouds that are not shown". Hence I start to worry that this diamond will be milky.

2. LD21723661 (https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD21723661). [1.84 ct, F, VS1]. My seller recommends this to me. It is the largest within my range. The concern I have is there is a group of crystals in the center.

3. LD16606049 (https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD16606049). [1.70 ct, E, VVS2]. I find this stone today and seem it's OK in terms of flaws and color (E). But it seems it's available for a long time (since 2021). So there might be some unknown issue?

4. LD21232419 (https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD21232419). [1.70 ct, F, VVS2]. Similar to 3, it has fewer flaws but a worse color. I assume surface graining is not a big problem?

5. LD21542585 (https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD21542585). [1.70 ct, F, VVS2]. This is a newer stone. But compared to 3, its color is F.

6. Other options by making the diamond smaller and searching for better color/clarity. But is this really worth it to do so by sacrificing ct?

Please let me know your opinions. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you!

 

[headlight]

Did you purchase the first one?

 

[tyty333]

@Madstat Most of these stones are not well cut. Let PSers help point you to some better cut stones.

Edit Or use PS's diamond search function and look for EX HCA scores. This will "help" you pick out well cut stones. It is
a start. Further evaluation is needed for the stones it says are "Ex".

Unfortunately, for your budget, you're probably going to need to go down in color/size or clarity to find a well cut stone. A well
cut stone is more important than a VS1 vs. a VVSI or the difference between an F or a G color. A well cut stone should be your top
priority.

Here is a WF stone that fits your budget

Diamond | 1.576 ct E VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4558484

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.576 carat E color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4558484

www.whiteflash.com

 

[Madstat]

Did you purchase the first one?

Not yet. Just put it on hold. Are there any concerns?

 

[tyty333]

Not yet. Just put it on hold. Are there any concerns?

Yes, it is not cut well...it has leakage (35 crown with 41 pavilion is not a good combo). You need to slow down and let us point you
to well cut stones if you dont want to learn about them.

Edit...not a single one of those stones you posted is a good choice. None of them are cut well. Let me look around some and
see what I can find.

 

[tyty333]

Can you do an H?

Diamond | 1.71 ct H VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4583258

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.71 carat H color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). | 4583258

www.whiteflash.com

Victor Canera

www.victorcanera.com

Victor Canera

www.victorcanera.com

G colored stones

1.79 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 1.79 carat G color vs1 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from AGS

www.jamesallen.com

1.90 Carat round diamond

This 1.9 carat round diamond G color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from AGS

www.jamesallen.com

While not perfect in my eyes, a lot better than the ones you've picked. Its an F

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD17876450

That should be enough to start with. What are your thoughts on any of these?

 

[Madstat]

Can you do an H?

Diamond | 1.71 ct H VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4583258

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.71 carat H color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). | 4583258

www.whiteflash.com

Victor Canera

www.victorcanera.com

Victor Canera

www.victorcanera.com

G colored stones

1.79 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 1.79 carat G color vs1 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from AGS

www.jamesallen.com

1.90 Carat round diamond

This 1.9 carat round diamond G color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from AGS

www.jamesallen.com

While not perfect in my eyes, a lot better than the ones you've picked. Its an F

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD17876450

That should be enough to start with. What are your thoughts on any of these?

Thank you so much for your time! I agree cut is the most important “C”. I previously thought GIA ideal cut was enough but seems I was terribly wrong.

I guess I prefer an F+ color in case she is going to compare with homies/coworkers… As for clarity, I thought vs1is a minimum to avoid visible flaws? Just wondering is my understanding correct here?

Given the budget is fixed. I am willing to sacrifice on the carat. Otherwise, the two James Allen gems look quite good for me (just not sure whether I should go with a g color).

 

[lovedogs]

Can you do an H?

Diamond | 1.71 ct H VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4583258

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.71 carat H color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). | 4583258

www.whiteflash.com

Victor Canera

www.victorcanera.com

Victor Canera

www.victorcanera.com

G colored stones

1.79 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 1.79 carat G color vs1 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from AGS

www.jamesallen.com

1.90 Carat round diamond

This 1.9 carat round diamond G color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from AGS

www.jamesallen.com

While not perfect in my eyes, a lot better than the ones you've picked. Its an F

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD17876450

That should be enough to start with. What are your thoughts on any of these?

These are 10000000x better than the originals.

 

[lovedogs]

Thank you so much for your time! I agree cut is the most important “C”. I previously thought GIA ideal cut was enough but seems I was terribly wrong.

I guess I prefer an F+ color in case she is going to compare with homies/coworkers… As for clarity, I thought vs1is a minimum to avoid visible flaws? Just wondering is my understanding correct here?

Given the budget is fixed. I am willing to sacrifice on the carat. Otherwise, the two James Allen gems look quite good for me (just not sure whether I should go with a g color).

Definitely you can go to VS2 and still have eye clean. You just need to confirm with the vendor.

 

[Madstat]

Thx folks! Let me educate myself on the cut.

Just wondering what if I would like to stick with F color and vs1/vvs2? In this case what option will I get with the most ideal cut? Sorry I might get too greedy so it’s OK if not answered.

 

[lovedogs]

Thx folks! Let me educate myself on the cut.

Just wondering what if I would like to stick with F color and vs1/vvs2? In this case what option will I get with the most ideal cut? Sorry I might get too greedy so it’s OK if not answered.

Do you mean "how big can I get in my budget w F/VS1?"

 

[Niel]

I know this is slightly above budget- but I saw some loose stones you were considering were around 23k so with setting this might be close- plus it’s already on sale so it may be on consignment and the original owner might play ball if you offer closer to your final budget …. Center is a vs2 but the sides are vvs and in the color and size you want … just an idea

2.93ctw Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Trilogy Ring, AGS000

Sparkle bomb! The diamonds in this 3-stone ring are all Whiteflash "A Cut Above" branded cut diamonds - truly one of the most beautiful round brilliant cut diamonds in the market currently.Set in a ring motif so classic, it has stood the test of time and remains a popular style even with modern...

www.jewelsbygrace.com

 

[Madstat]

Do you mean "how big can I get in my budget w F/VS1?"

Right. Also checked with Tiffany sellers so seems my budget fits in a 1.24 ct diamond. So just want to check whether buying online can make it a bit larger than this.

 

[Kim N]

Thx folks! Let me educate myself on the cut.

Just wondering what if I would like to stick with F color and vs1/vvs2? In this case what option will I get with the most ideal cut? Sorry I might get too greedy so it’s OK if not answered.

I like the 1.576 that tyty333 linked earlier. This one is also beautiful.

Diamond | 1.501 ct F VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4553590

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.501 carat F color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4553590

www.whiteflash.com

 

[Madstat]

Thanks for the education! After brainwashing myself, I plan to connect with WF for the two aforementioned diamonds and other A-cut-above gems.

 

[tyty333]

Also, with Whiteflash, if you decide down the road say 5 or 10-year anniversary (or anytime), you can easily upgrade.

You can upgrade at JA but you have to spend 2X the original price. At WF, just spend any amount more than your original
stone to upgrade.

 

[momofive]

I like the 1.576 that tyty333 linked earlier. This one is also beautiful.

Diamond | 1.501 ct F VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4553590

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.501 carat F color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4553590

www.whiteflash.com

Those two diamonds are gorgeous. Call them the minute they open! Good luck!

 

[Madstat]

Those two diamonds are gorgeous. Call them the minute they open! Good luck!

I end up ordering a white flash ring. I think after doing homework I realize it is impossible to beat the market by learning diamond knowledge for only several days. So it might be more reasonable to let the professionals take over. Thanks for the recommendations!

 

[MissGotRocks]

I end up ordering a white flash ring. I think after doing homework I realize it is impossible to beat the market by learning diamond knowledge for only several days. So it might be more reasonable to let the professionals take over. Thanks for the recommendations!

You are wise and will never regret buying quality! Please come back with pictures when the ring is finished!