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Newbie needs help selecting Radiant diamond for engagement ring :)

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Fernie151

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 5, 2022
Messages
16
Hi everyone, hoping to get some help with the biggest purchase of my life :)

I am purchasing an engagement ring, and I know she wants a radiant cut with more pronounced rectangular shape. I've done some research and found 2 stones I think fit the bill in terms of size and quality. The first link is a D color si1 clarity (but it has strong fluorescence) which I was leaning toward, however I have heard conflicting thoughts on how negatively the fluorescence will affect the stone. I also attached the aset of that stone.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.01-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-14262929

aset.png

The second link is another stone with G color and vs2 clarity (but the fluorescence is faint), they did not have an aset for this one.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.01-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-11321492


Wanted to know anyone's thoughts as to if these were quality stones for the price, and if the fluorescence would have a negative impact, the sizes are similar and really going for the most sparkle of course :)
 
I’m not a radiant expert but I don’t love either of those. Both look like the most defined facets are in the middle and the ends look mushy without much definition. Fluorescence is, imo, the least important thing to worry about as long as it doesn’t make the diamond hazy/oily which seems to be rare. I believe, in a D colour, it should give you a decent discount since the market currently views it as a negative.
@Rockdiamond is an expert in radiants so I would suggest seeing if he’s got any suggestions on what to look for.
 
Ok, thanks for your help! Would love to hear your opinion on these @Rockdiamond or if you have any suggestions on other stones out there right now?
 
@Rockdiamond is a vendor and sells radiant cut diamonds (Diamonds by Lauren). He will not comment on other vendors'
stones. He can make generic comments on what to look for in a radiant cut (if he so chooses). I'm sure he can find you what
you are looking for if you talk to him.


Dont care for the first one you posted...second one is a smidge better but not great IMO.
 
tyty333 said:
@Rockdiamond is a vendor and sells radiant cut diamonds (Diamonds by Lauren). He will not comment on other vendors'
stones. He can make generic comments on what to look for in a radiant cut (if he so chooses). I'm sure he can find you what
you are looking for if you talk to him.


Dont care for the first one you posted...second one is a smidge better but not great IMO.
Click to expand...
Can you give a little more detail on why you don't care for the first one? The ct weight and dimensions are what I am going for, and the color is D. Any particular reason why you think it;s not a good value? I haven't found anything better or really close for that price with the same characteristics. But again.. I'm a noob
 
Fernie151 said:
Can you give a little more detail on why you don't care for the first one? The ct weight and dimensions are what I am going for, and the color is D. Any particular reason why you think it;s not a good value? I haven't found anything better or really close for that price with the same characteristics. But again.. I'm a noob
Click to expand...

The issue isnt the color or weight or dimensions, but the cut. I suspect the first one will be leaky and not great IRL. I think that because of the video and the ASET you posted.
 
You think the second will be better? they didn't have an aset. I am looking for a 2 ct radiant, G color and up with 1.30 ratio or higher. There are so many on jamesallen and even after all my research i have no idea how to tell if one will be good in person.
 
Thanks for the mention guys!!
My experience is that assessment really needs to be done in person. Pics/ Video/ ASET do give a lot of info….. but somehow not enough for me to make a decision.
Most of the online sellers ( in general) are working with limited info… so the best the sales associates can do is guess….
 
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Thanks @Rockdiamond , and I know it's hard to judge but do you think the first link I sent would be a good value, just based on what you can see?
 
Welcome to PS and the Radiant Club! I love mine.

Rad_Fan said:
Welcome to the Radiant Cut club, @lr0614 :wavey: How's your search going?

Mine has a similar ratio as yours but a bit skinnier. It's set in platinum.

1a.JPG

See post #103 & #108 below for deets and more photos if needed.

2 carat Radiant cut

@Matthews1127 - it is a bit “squatty”. I would have preferred 1.3:1. I wish the length was closer to 8.2 mm and the smaller width.
www.pricescope.com

Best of luck in finding your dream radiant diamond soon!
Click to expand...


If I HAVE to choose 1, I would pick the D color.

Have you looked it this one? The scintillation looks more even to me, perhaps higher crown helps? Has less fluorescence than the D.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-14252696

I’m not familiar with buying from JA, would they do a comparison shot/video for you? Seeing them side by side helps.
 
Rad_Fan said:
Welcome to PS and the Radiant Club! I love mine.




If I HAVE to choose 1, I would pick the D color.

Have you looked it this one? The scintillation looks more even to me, perhaps higher crown helps? Has less fluorescence than the D.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-14252696

I’m not familiar with buying from JA, would they do a comparison shot/video for you? Seeing them side by side helps.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply! All the input here is much appreciated. I was leaning toward the D color one also just because when you see it compared to the others, it looks so much whiter. Not to mention the ratio is what I am looking for. I noticed you said "If I HAVE to" which means you are not super fond of it though lol.

I also thought that was a a good one because although si1, there were no visible dark inclusions to my eye.

The one you sent you sent is beuaftul as well, but I was hoping to keep the ratio above 1.3 and also the color in the D-F range, but could just be a newbie like myself talkign that has no idea what he's doing and if that even matters :)
 
I understand, mine has a 1.34 ratio.

Have you asked JA what does Fluorescence Strong do to the diamond?
 
It's hard to tell since they use different light settings. JA's D has flatter crown but has a bigger spread.
 
Fernie151 said:
Thanks @Rockdiamond , and I know it's hard to judge but do you think the first link I sent would be a good value, just based on what you can see?
Click to expand...

Hi!
I’m not allowed to comment on stones being offered by our competition… didn’t want you to think I was ignoring you:)
 
Rad_Fan said:
It's hard to tell since they use different light settings. JA's D has flatter crown but has a bigger spread.
Click to expand...

Found this one also. Thoughts?

www.jamesallen.com

2.01 Carat radiant diamond

This radiant cut 2.01 carat D color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com
 
Fernie151 said:
Can you give a little more detail on why you don't care for the first one? The ct weight and dimensions are what I am going for, and the color is D. Any particular reason why you think it;s not a good value? I haven't found anything better or really close for that price with the same characteristics. But again.. I'm a noob
Click to expand...
I don't like the first stone because there is too much leakage.

For most diamonds, the most important thing is the cut of the stone. How well is it returning light? How is the Brilliance and
scintillation? It's more than just the color and size of the stone which seems to be what you've narrowed it down to.

With fancy cuts, IMO, you have to look at what's out there that is well cut then sort of accept the specs that it comes with. Its not
like round brilliant where you can pretty much pick your specs and you will find well-cut stones in that range.

FYI...Radiants are one of the hardest stones to pick on-line.

@Rad_Fan JA does not own the majority of its stones so there is no side-by-side comparison option that they can video for you.

When we see gray/not well-defined areas in an aset (or a regular image), we refer to this as "mush". Means the facets are not
returning light well. You want to minimize the mushy areas in a stone. There will be some mushy areas in almost all radiants (as well
as other fancy shape stones). In an aset you want to see more red and green and less gray/white for a white background image
or less gray/black for a black background image.

@Fernie151 You have a great budget for a stone. Make sure you educate yourself on what to look for before you spend
that kind of money (my unsolicited advice).

You might want to contact @Rockdiamond offline. He can help educate you. He can also do side-by-side videos and aset images.
Even if you don't buy from him you'll know what to look for. And no, I am not affiliated with him (or anyone...just a lover of
beautiful stones and want others to find that perfect stone.)

Fancy Colored Diamond Jewelry

Featuring Yellow, Pink, Colorless, Champagne, Blue, Green Diamonds. Custom made rings, stud earrings, Canary Necklaces, from New York City
www.diamondsbylauren.com
 
tyty333 said:
I don't like the first stone because there is too much leakage.

For most diamonds, the most important thing is the cut of the stone. How well is it returning light? How is the Brilliance and
scintillation? It's more than just the color and size of the stone which seems to be what you've narrowed it down to.

With fancy cuts, IMO, you have to look at what's out there that is well cut then sort of accept the specs that it comes with. Its not
like round brilliant where you can pretty much pick your specs and you will find well-cut stones in that range.

FYI...Radiants are one of the hardest stones to pick on-line.

@Rad_Fan JA does not own the majority of its stones so there is no side-by-side comparison option that they can video for you.

When we see gray/not well-defined areas in an aset (or a regular image), we refer to this as "mush". Means the facets are not
returning light well. You want to minimize the mushy areas in a stone. There will be some mushy areas in almost all radiants (as well
as other fancy shape stones). In an aset you want to see more red and green and less gray/white for a white background image
or less gray/black for a black background image.

@Fernie151 You have a great budget for a stone. Make sure you educate yourself on what to look for before you spend
that kind of money (my unsolicited advice).

You might want to contact @Rockdiamond offline. He can help educate you. He can also do side-by-side videos and aset images.
Even if you don't buy from him you'll know what to look for. And no, I am not affiliated with him (or anyone...just a lover of
beautiful stones and want others to find that perfect stone.)

Fancy Colored Diamond Jewelry

Featuring Yellow, Pink, Colorless, Champagne, Blue, Green Diamonds. Custom made rings, stud earrings, Canary Necklaces, from New York City
www.diamondsbylauren.com
Click to expand...

Appreciate all the input. Basically what I’m gathering though is with a radiant it’s really impossible to know unless seeing it in person. JA has a free 30 day return so I thought about taking the plunge and if anything I can always send it back.
 
Yah their return policy is nice but it would be better to have some experienced eyes help you BEFORE you buy since you might not necessarily know what to look for when one is delivered to you. Get all they eyes on it up front so when you open the box all you see is WOW!!
 
I also found these

www.jamesallen.com

2.00 Carat radiant diamond

This radiant cut 2 carat F color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com

www.jamesallen.com

2.01 Carat radiant diamond

This radiant cut 2.01 carat G color vs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com
 
Last edited:
Are you open to see some radiants in person locally before buying online?
 
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