Opinions on 3ct options for upgrade

[diamondseeker2006]

I am going to look through all the stones linked, but I want to give you some information that will help you search (although it might be faster if we link good stones for you!). First, there are vendors like James Allen who have pictures. Pictures are extremely helpful in narrowing down stones. JA is owned by a diamond supplier, and sometimes those stones are listed elsewhere for a lower price. But it is good to use the vendors that offer pictures first, and then we can check prices.

Here is the safe zone for GIA Excellent cut numbers to keep you in ideal cut territory:

table: 54-58

depth: 60-62.3

crown angle: 34-35.0

pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0)

I'll post again after I look at all the links including the ones LLJsmom posted from BN, which also might have pictures on another site.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, I have looked at the first 6 options and here are my comments:

1) no, I agree with LLJsmom that SI1 is not a good idea in a virtual stone, and we need to look at sites that show pictures before looking a stones that have none.

2) I think we can do better, and also find one with pictures which would be less risky

3) http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.12-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-878824

Yes, this is a good contender. I'll look later and see if I can find it for a lower price. Has strong FL which I happen to like and it lowers the price.

4) http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.32-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-642936

Maybe...Lower crown angle than 34 and I am not sure about I color for you. Also has strong FL. Low depth, big spread.

5) http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-767768

Yes, a contender if you want a 60/60 stone. I think H VS2 is probably what I would recommend to you. SI1 is hard to find totally eyeclean in stones over 3 cts, and H color is at the higher end of near colorless but less costly than G VS.

6) http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.01-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-768959

No, too deep (which can make a stone face up smaller than it should in diameter), crown angle a little high, clarity SI1 (I think we can find a better one.)

I'll look now at the BN stones LLJsmom listed.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I found these on BN. DS, there is a way to link to these right? I couldn't so I posted the GIA report numbers.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?stockno=LD05606145
AGS report 104077138004
AGS 000

Maybe... 3.01 H VS2 (AGS Ideal Cut) I don't think this is one of the best of the ideal cuts, but price is much better than the two below.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?stockno=LD03145211 I like this one b/c I like fatter arrows.
GIA 2151222678
HCA 1.4

PERFECT numerically, but price is crazy!

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?stockno=LD05561885
GIA 2198307478
HCA 1.6

3.15 H VS2 Also good numbers, priced really high, too.

193 diamonds popped up on BN when I put in the parameters. (I used none to medium fluor since it seemed you were ok with fluor.) I went through about 12 of them. Ignoring all that did not fall into the following parameters.
table 54-58
depth 60-62.3
crown: 34-35
pavilion 40.6-40.9

If you are stuck in a storm, you can go through the rest. About 180 more review. If they meet the paramaters above, I would plug it into the HCA and see how it scores.

You chose good ones, LLJsmom, but let's try all the ones that we can find pictures for first. I am going to look just a little more and see if I see anything else worth adding to the list.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, this is a gorgeous stone, but James Allen shows it not available. It is showing available at Enchanted Diamonds, but they may not have updated their site. Stones that are listed at many vendors can be sold by any of them, and sometimes there is a delay in all the sites updating. I was helping a friend look this week, but she has to upgrade with a specific vendor, and he was not able to access the stone. It's possibly the best cut we have listed thus far, but it also may be gone because of the low price (it has medium blue fl). If you are interested, I would contact ED immediately. This one won't last long if it is still available (and it may be sold).

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Round/GIA-Certified-3-1-Carat-H-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-AD3FJB

video of same stone (and it was priced at $42,450):

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.10-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-725865

Other prospects:

3.32 G VS2 $49k, great cut

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Round/GIA-Certified-3-32-Carat-G-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-6XWMXF


***same as #5 above from James Allen (which shows it not available)

3.01 H VS2 more of a 60/60, very clean, (Did you put it on hold, by chance? If so, compare prices)

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Round/GIA-Certified-3-01-Carat-H-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-MAM3YF

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-767768

 

[MrsT]

I just did a thread on two amazing WF ACA three-carat diamonds! I think one of them is the 3.5 that you've already seen, but there was also a 3-carat for about 34k, unless it's been sold since yesterday. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/someones-gotta-buy-this-diamond.219046/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/someones-gotta-buy-this-diamond.219046/[/URL]

They sell much quicker than I anticipated. WF will send a potential stone to an appraiser for me to look at since I'm unsure about my sensitivity to "I" color stones. If something comes up I need to put a reserve on the stone. Didn't realize that before.

Thank you DS - I will note the chart and look forward to seeing anything you or others suggest.

LLJ: I appreciate your reply and would like to try to set those ambiguous parameters if it makes things easier but not sure I can articulate it clearly but will try. Tweaking the 4C's with limited information and limited visual support is why I'm here on PS trying to learn the best way to approach this upgrade.

I haven't established my sensitivity level on color since it's impossible to do unless you're comparing color of Ideal cuts and comparing them to my existing stone. In a perfect world I would love to see three ideal/excellent stones in person: an "H", an "I", and a 60/60. Compare it to my existing "G" and come to a conclusion. This can only be done in person and requires the stones to be in house which is actually cheaper than having one stone sent to an appraiser.

I'm trying to learn how to critique "virtual" stones via certificates because I may need to source a stone using my own limited knowledge and inexperience. I haven't asked my vendor to do this so I'm not sure they provide that service. For now I'm trying to do it on my own and I don't mind really. I thought if I did the leg work, which I enjoy doing, they could then critique it and decide if it's worth bringing in for me. It would be satisfying to know I developed some skill in cherry picking.

My parameters are based on budget and goals. How to get a stone as close to 9mm for noticeable size increase. My current stone is 8.22mm. I find the 3.5ct size my ideal but I need to really come down in color and clarity.
Had I been sure about color sensitivity those options posted in the beginning of this post would have been a dream come true. My goal is for a ring to have about 10 - 11mm on my finger that includes the halo. Yes that's large but I saw it and loved it for this stage in life. 1.5mm + 1.5mm + 9.00mm = 12mm. Wow, that seems very large That's why 2.75cts is the perfect size but so hard to find. Keep in mind, if a wonderful 3ct fell in my lap I wouldn't shrink from it.

To summarize:
Carat: 2.75 - 3.00+
Cut: Ideal but flexible, must be ex,ex,ex,vg on HCA
Color: H preferred,
"I" if it is not a very noticeable tint and super ideal cut, or has Fluorescence to help with color.
Clarity: Eye/Mind Clean, prefer VS2 but if SI1 or SI2 inclusions had no effect on the beauty and it was eye clean I'd consider it.

That is a broad range and perhaps explains the ambiguity?

Side note: Just wanted to say I saw Bez Ambar rings in person on Park Avenue last week! I absolutely loved the "Blaze" cut. I actually thought it was too much of a show. Like fireworks. Can't praise Lucille and Jeffrey @Maurice Badler jewelers enough. Kind, respectful, fun, a pleasure to deal with. No insults there.
It would take a very special center stone to be able to stand all the brilliance of those cuts. I learned I like bling because I also visited SK with DH and DSON in tow and felt the SK pave not sparkly enough for me but keep in mind we just saw a light show at MB. I wish I could go to the jewelry show in NYC. All these new cuts are something to behold.

Hope this helps a little. Sorry for the length. I'm sure there was a shorter way to say explain all this. Writing is not my strength.
Thank you all for your support and guidance in this endeavor. Time to get the 5ft snow drift off the deck!
Mrs T

 

[MrsT]

Oh so sorry, didn't see these posts.

After the dig I'll be back to look. Thank you!!

 

[MrsT]

Same diamonds at two vendors. hmmm. Didn't notice that. I couldn't copy paste quote feature without getting loopy so listed below are the best options renumbered for my brain.

1. https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Round/GIA-Certified-3-1-Carat-H-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-AD3FJB
Perfect

2. http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.10-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-725865
Same as above and hits the mark for me but sold on JA

3. https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Round/GIA-Certified-3-01-Carat-H-Color-VS2-Clarity-Diamond-MAM3YF
This is one of those x,x,x,x, and I would love to see this too.

4. http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-767768
Same as MAM3YF and no longer available.

Both of these would have been great to see and compare. The 3.10ct more standard parameters, and the 3.01ct a 60/60 that does well with HCA so worth a look but the prices were great and so must be gone.

That leaves:
5. http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/3.12-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-878824
HCA 1.3, another HCA but seems to score well. Great color, great clarity, questionable light performance in that it might squeak by as an AGS Ideal.

Gorgeous day today shoveling. I earned a hot fudge sunday. You guys too for taking the time to search the inventories!
Thanks so much. Any advice after reading my lengthy post?

MrsT

 

[Jambalaya]

Hi Mrs T, in case you didn't realize, both the stones in the link are still available. I can't believe there's a 3.5 ACA for approx 36k. I totally understand your hesitancy with I color though. But going higher in color seems to garner a price difference of 10-15k - huge difference. I'm wary of I color in a larger stone but honestly, speaking for myself, if I were in the market to spend 36k on a stone, I might learn to love the I to get a 3.5-carat ACA! I think there are high I's and low I's. Maybe ask WF for their opinion on these stones' colors?

 

[MrsT]

Hi Mrs T, in case you didn't realize, both the stones in the link are still available. I can't believe there's a 3.5 ACA for approx 36k. I totally understand your hesitancy with I color though. But going higher in color seems to garner a price difference of 10-15k - huge difference. I'm wary of I color in a larger stone but honestly, speaking for myself, if I were in the market to spend 36k on a stone, I might learn to love the I to get a 3.5-carat ACA! I think there are high I's and low I's. Maybe ask WF for their opinion on these stones' colors?

I don't see it on the website.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would recommend calling Enchanted Diamonds and asking about the availability of those first two stones asap. Just because JA has them not available does not mean they are sold. It may mean another jeweler has called them in for a client to look at. You kind of need someone to watch and pursue the diamonds you are interested in or you may miss out. Great diamonds that are priced well go fast.

 

[yssie]

I would recommend calling Enchanted Diamonds and asking about the availability of those first two stones asap. Just because JA has them not available does not mean they are sold. It may mean another jeweler has called them in for a client to look at. You kind of need someone to watch and pursue the diamonds you are interested in or you may miss out. Great diamonds that are priced well go fast.

Definitely agree with this! A stone that isn't available to JA isn't necessarily unavailable. Especially in this size... you do have to be prepared to chase them down

 

[MrsT]

This stone is a bit over budget but was wondering if I could get opinions on the IS.

http://www.whiteflash.com/jewelry/thumbnail.ashx?itemcode=hearts-and-arrows-gia-excellent-diamond-gia-5213004897-aset.jpg&type=aset&quality=h&ft=1

Other vendors will not take my stone for trade in.

Thanks
MrsT

 

[MrsT]

I was hoping some experts could let me know what to look out for with the specs of the stone I posted above with IS image.
It's not ACA and I'm ok with that. I just want to know if the crown is possibly too shallow and what effect that might have on the diamonds personality. I might have to fly out to see this in person and I'd feel better if I at least knew it had serious possibilities.

Also, the lower girdle facet is 80%. That tells me the arrows will be thinner. Again, I have no idea how I feel about that without comparing it to something with 75% LGF.

This is a GIA cert so I know the facets are rounded and I'm not sure what all of that means as far as any issues.
It looks good to me and I may move on this one but would love to know anything that stands out that I should be aware of.

table: 55
depth: 61.8
CA: 34.0
PA 40.6
LGF: 80%

Crown Height: 15.5%

HCA 0.7

 

[Andelain]

That one is nice!!!!

 

[MrsT]

Thanks for your opinion so far.

What I need to go forward with confidence is to understand how the 40.6 PA/34.0 CA effect this stone and what could be the drawbacks since it is a GIA Excellent stone and does not fall into the Ideal category for AGS.

I read that a 34.0 CA should be paired with a PA of 41.0. Where will this cut suffer? Will there be a lot of head shadow when looking at it as in looking dark from head shadow? Or will the table appear dark?

None of the images I have seen of this stone look like it's an issue but photos aren't always reliable.

Could this stone be re-cut perhaps or would I lose much in the size to accomplish more ideal proportions?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The images show a great stone definitely worth considering! Trust me, you really won't be able to tell a 77 from an 80 lgf when looking at diamonds in real life unless you are trained to do so. Don't let numbers factor in. Use your eyes to choose between a selection of outstanding stones. You'll never go anywhere else where you'll have the selection you will see at WF because most local jewelers do not specialize in top cut stones.