Need help sourcing the perfect stone!

[blingylala]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to this forum. Me & my boyfriend are ready to take the plunge and buy me a shiny diamond.
I'm looking to buy online though can't seem to pull the trigger on such a large purchase without some expert opinions! Here is where you guys come in....
I am looking for a round stone- 2 ct, Ideal Cut, S1, H color
My overall budget is 20k, I was going to splurge on a hand-made setting ala Leon Mege/ Victor Canera but decided that a 2 ct was important to me and the only way I can make it work is if I get a generic setting ( such as the James Allen Halo that is under 2k) I def. want a HALO.

This decision leaves me with more money to play around to get a stone, while still giving me the option to upgrade to a dream setting later on.
The main reason for this post is that I need help with sourcing a 2 ct stone that fits the budget~ any suggestions? thank you all in advance!

 

[04diamond<3]

Here's one I'd make sure is eye clean:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/2.17-carat-I-color-SI1-clarity-Ideal-cut-sku-189705

this one's gorgeous and the size is perfect! I'd make sure it's eye clean. Put these on hold if you like them and request ideal scopes:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/2.60-carat-J-color-SI2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-178022

 

[blingylala]

These are nice. However, I think the lowest i'm willing to go with color is an H. I am pretty color sensitive and i've noticed i can detect tints in I's & J's easily.

 

[04diamond<3]

These are nice. However, I think the lowest i'm willing to go with color is an H. I am pretty color sensitive and i've noticed i can detect tints in I's & J's easily.

Would you either be willing to spend more on the stone or go lower in carat weight?

 

[blingylala]

yup willing to spend a little more for sure.

How come Blue Nile has many 2 ct H SI's going for $17k + but most other sites START AT 20K... Does this mean the Blue Nile ones have terrible inclusions?

 

[Christina...]

If you were willing to go down to an I color you could get this 2.3ct.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9940/

Jonathon will take video of the stone for you and do comparisons. I would ask him if it was eye clean, the photos show the grade making inclusions and they are in a good position, but I would also want to know that the cloud wasn't impacting the stones performance either.

 

[Dancing Fire]

These are nice. However, I think the lowest i'm willing to go with color is an H. I am pretty color sensitive and i've noticed i can detect tints in I's & J's easily.

a top cut 2ct H SI1 H&A stone will be close to $25K.

 

[Christina...]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.008-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104061006030#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/1/

 

[04diamond<3]

yup willing to spend a little more for sure.

How come Blue Nile has many 2 ct H SI's going for $17k + but most other sites START AT 20K... Does this mean the Blue Nile ones have terrible inclusions?

Well, that's the thing, you won't know till you get it...They don't provide pictures or videos like other sites do...

Here's another one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/2.03-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-sku-125572

and JA offers a 5% discount

And I know that this is another I, but it's AGS graded ideal and it faces up pretty white:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/2.03-carat-I-color-VS2-clarity-sku-124060

Another option: G:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/2.04-carat-G-color-SI1-clarity-Ideal-cut-sku-163827

 

[Christina...]

Many people start to see color differences in diamonds when they get below H, but an ideal cut stone is always whiter and brighter than an none ideal cut stone. Also color is graded upside down against a flat white background under controlled lighting,once the diamond is face up it becomes even more difficult to see the minute differences. Once the stone is set, even more difficult. You may or may not find this video helpful...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcmSj8dOLRI

 

[hearts-arrows_girl]

Here's one I'd make sure is eye clean:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/2.17-carat-I-color-SI1-clarity-Ideal-cut-sku-189705

this one's gorgeous and the size is perfect! I'd make sure it's eye clean. Put these on hold if you like them and request ideal scopes:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/2.60-carat-J-color-SI2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-178022

That 2.60 is gorgeous...and huge!

 

[04diamond<3]

Here's one I'd make sure is eye clean:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/2.17-carat-I-color-SI1-clarity-Ideal-cut-sku-189705

this one's gorgeous and the size is perfect! I'd make sure it's eye clean. Put these on hold if you like them and request ideal scopes:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/2.60-carat-J-color-SI2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-178022

That 2.60 is gorgeous...and huge!

Agreed! It's very white for a J and very clean for an SI2, the size doesn't hurt either!!!

 

[blingylala]

Like that stone a lot, thank you so much! I'm thinking maybe I can get away with a clean S12 as long as I don't see the inclusions. What are your thoughts? Can you guys recommend any 2 carat rounds in the g or H range that are good S12s? I figure i need to stop getting caught up in every detail and second guessing things and just go for it, as long as it looks clean and there are no visible inclusions. Its not like i have microscopic eyes, I just want the casual person to look at it and think wow thats a gorgeous stone! Any recommendations?

 

[04diamond<3]

Like that stone a lot, thank you so much! I'm thinking maybe I can get away with a clean S12 as long as I don't see the inclusions. What are your thoughts? Can you guys recommend any 2 carat rounds in the g or H range that are good S12s? I figure i need to stop getting caught up in every detail and second guessing things and just go for it, as long as it looks clean and there are no visible inclusions. Its not like i have microscopic eyes, I just want the casual person to look at it and think wow thats a gorgeous stone! Any recommendations?

Well, you won't get one as big as the 2.60....and there really aren't many I'd recommend that are less than 30k for something F-H range:

I'd really make sure this one's eye clean...
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/2.11-carat-F-color-SI2-clarity-Ideal-cut-sku-73565

This one is more expensive. As Dancing Fire mentioned, a decent 2ct g/h will start around 25k. If anyone else finds something better, please share. I have not been able to find anything SI2 clarity for around the OP's budget that didn't look terrible or score really bad on the HCA...

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/2.27-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-sku-129284

Here's a nice looking 2.0:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.008-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104061006030

Edit:

Another one. I know it's an I, but with the strong blue fluorescence will help the stone look g/h color:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.008-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104062571038