Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo setting

[cooks]

Hello,

I have finally decided to go with the below setting, I did try on a similar GabrielNY setting at a local store and liked it, I am thinking of going ahead with this JA setting without trying it on. This will be my first ring purchase, so a little nervous.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-enclosed-pave-halo-item-8124

I will be looking for a 0.75 - 0.85 ct diamond (F-VS2, excellent cut) to go with the setting, my ring size is 4.5. As I have thin and small fingers, I decided to go down on the size of the diamond and up in color to F.

My main question is:

While researching diamonds, in terms of dimensions should I be looking for anything specific for this kind of setting. For now, I am trying to find one with a larger diameter/width at a good price point irrespective of whether its 0.75 or 0.85ct.

Thanks for everyone's help, I have been reading a lot of the posts here and decided to take the plunge.

Cooks.

 

[Niel]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

UGH!
I LOVE that halo! Ill be so excited to see this when its done! You have to promise to come back with hand shots pretty please

a well cut round will be fine, i don't thick you need anything "specific" for this type of setting... whats your budget for the stone?

ETA: i do think it looks perfect with a .75 ct

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

You aren't going to be able to tell an F from a G. So I would expand to G as well. VERY conservative and gives you a little more option. VS2 is fine, if that's what you want.

I would shoot for 6mm for the stone.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-271471 It's a 60/60 with great numbers. Fits all your requirements. About 60/60 stones: https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/60-60-proportioned-diamond

This is a little larger than you wanted, so if your budget can afford it, this is what I'd recommend: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-319512

But one is just what you wanted, but I'm not sure it is eyeclean: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.77-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-290134

This one is an E SI1 but honestly, it looks cleaner than the VS2 above. And it's got lovely angles: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.78-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-227464

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

ON CUT for ROUND BRILLIANT DIAMONDS:
The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough. And you must stick to GIA and AGS only. EGL is a bad option: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/[/URL]
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. Under 2 is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score 2 and under is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. BGD, James Allen, GOG, HPD, ERD and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.

 

[Niel]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

You aren't going to be able to tell an F from a G. So I would expand to G as well. VERY conservative and gives you a little more option. VS2 is fine, if that's what you want.

I would shoot for 6mm for the stone.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-271471 It's a 60/60 with great numbers. Fits all your requirements. About 60/60 stones: https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/60-60-proportioned-diamond

This is a little larger than you wanted, so if your budget can afford it, this is what I'd recommend: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-319512

But one is just what you wanted, but I'm not sure it is eyeclean: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.77-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-290134

This one is an E SI1 but honestly, it looks cleaner than the VS2 above. And it's got lovely angles: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.78-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-227464

I am not an huge F fan.
I don't have them nor covet them, but i can appreciate a D and an E, they are stark white. And thats appealing. I Think a G-H is a nice neutral watery color. I can appreciate that that its saving me money. I just think an F is expensive because its in that colorless range, but still not colorless enough to be worth the money. I know they will be a tad lenient on the size requirements. I don't know your budget, but if you could stretch it to say, a .7 D or E, i think that would be a nice compromise, or go down to a G as gypsy said. This is just one girls opinion and its a crazy one, i know but Fs seem too in between.

 

[Niel]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

if you could swing it i like this one
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-e-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-286674
yes the clarity is high but i don't care lol

otherwise i like this one
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.73-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-274316

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

I own an F.

It's VERY white.

Next to an E you can't see any difference. But next to SOME D's you can, but not always. And I've worn it next to G's as well and it is indistinguishable.

But if I knew THEN what I knew now, I would EASILY have gone down to H and gone up in size.

That said.

You need to decide what is right for you.

However you should concentrate on CUT first. Then have a color range(E-G is where I'd advise for you) and for clarity, Si1 or better and eyeclean.

I LOVE both of the ones Neil picked. Those are beauties. But like I said, I would want to hit 6.0 so this one would be the one I'd prefer of the ones she chose: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-e-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-286674 despite the high clarity.

 

[cooks]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

Thank you! Gypsy I will have to read up on the info you mentioned. My budget is around $4500 for diamond. I understand that there may be no difference between the F and G. So now, I have to decide whether to go up to an E or down to a G. Will think about it. In terms of clarity I know i will stay at VS2 and not go down to SI.

Niel great suggestions, I will look into them more. I think it makes sense to go with James Allen for the diamond too, will look around more and then contact them.

I will be looking for a 6mm or closer stone. Will get back here soon with my selections.

thanks once again,

Cooks.

 

[Niel]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

Thank you! Gypsy I will have to read up on the info you mentioned. My budget is around $4500 for diamond. I understand that there may be no difference between the F and G. So now, I have to decide whether to go up to an E or down to a G. Will think about it. In terms of clarity I know i will stay at VS2 and not go down to SI.

Niel great suggestions, I will look into them more. I think it makes sense to go with James Allen for the diamond too, will look around more and then contact them.

I will be looking for a 6mm or closer stone. Will get back here soon with my selections.

thanks once again,

Cooks.

If you really won't go down to an SI1 and want 6mm I'd go with this. Ask them how much it would be with a Pricescope discount and ask how much the whole ring would be if you paid with a wire transfer. Those two things should bring the price down. Not quote to 4500 but if your budget is a little flexible it might work. And I mean, the size you want, well cut, and almost TOO good of specs.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-e-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-286674

Put it on hold if you like it! Don't let someone snatch it up.

 

[cooks]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

ok I have gone ahead and put the round diamond on hold, below are the specs. The first one is my actual choice the 2nd, 3rd are back up choices.



Thanks so much for the recommendation Niel, I dont think I would have looked for an E/VVS1, my main focus was an F or G VS2

One thing that does concern me, is that I have been looking around on WF, BGD, GOG and other similar places. All of the G VVS1 diamonds (0.81ct) are around $4700-$5500 for an excellent cut GIA. I thought a G VVS1 would be considerably cheaper than an E VVS1. Of course the one I selected, the E is an AGS. I am assuming there are other factors then just the cut/clarity/color which affect the price.

I wouldnt think so, but are GIA diamonds slightly expensive then AGS?? Any thoughts.

Cooks.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

AGS is actually more expensive. But I LOVE that E VVS that Neil picked for you. Great stone! I'm happy you decided to go with that one!

 

[Niel]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

Truly I have no idea why that e is priced the way it is. It seems low. But if JA will honor the price I'm not complaining.

 

[cooks]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

I forgot to mention that JA said they no longer offer a pricescope discount. However they did offer the wire discount and 3% discount on diamond price ( not sure why that was offered).

Cooks.

 

[Niel]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

I forgot to mention that JA said they no longer offer a pricescope discount. However they did offer the wire discount and 3% discount on diamond price ( not sure why that was offered).

Cooks.

I heard PS told all the vendors to stop offering PS discounts. I suspect people people thought PS was getting kickbacks. I dunno. Either way its still the same amount of discount probabaky so that's good. Does it put those stones closer in budget for you??

 

[cooks]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

Yes, after combining the setting discount, the total price does fall into budget.

Cooks

 

[Niel]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

Yes, after combining the setting discount, the total price does fall into budget.

Cooks

Good! Can't wait to see the idealscopes they give you.

 

[cooks]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

Below are the ideal-scope images :

Diamond 1: 0.81ct, E VVS1, AGS Ideal



Diamond 2: 0.8ct, F VS1, GIA excellent


Diamond 3: 0.80, G VVS2, GIA excellent


I think the first and third diamond seem good. Not sure if the third is best of all three.

Would appreciate recommendations from the experts.

Cooks.

 

[cooks]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

They are all eye clean and have brilliance and sparkle.

Cooks

 

[Niel]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

What were the gemologists comments? I wonder if that E has such light arrows because its off center.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

I think I'd go for #3

 

[teobdl]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

Probably #1 or 3. What did the gemologist say?

 

[cooks]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

The gemologist said that both #1 and #3 diamond are both lively performers with excellent amounts of brilliance, fire and sparkle which are well balanced and symmetrical. The #2 diamond would be the last choice.

They are all white in color and eye clean face up.

The #3 diamond has faint fluorescence, would that be a concern?

Cooks.

 

[cooks]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

ok, since it seems like the G is the one to go with, I was thinking there isnt much point in going up to VVS2.

How does this diamond look like, 0.81, G VS2

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3142200.htm

 

[Niel]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

ok, since it seems like the G is the one to go with, I was thinking there isnt much point in going up to VVS2.

How does this diamond look like, 0.81, G VS2

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3142200.htm

It would be much more of a hassle to get a setting and stone from different place. They will charge you to set it too. If you like the g I'd say just go for it!

 

[cooks]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

Thanks Niel, yes I guess it does make sense that way. The G diamond does have a pinpoint inclusion,which is not visible. I was wondering about the fluorescence, it is faint, does that mean close to invisible. How does faint fluorescence impact the diamond?

thanks,
Cooks

 

[JulieN]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

I like 1. It is a 3 grade jump for less than $100

 

[cooks]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

I like 1. It is a 3 grade jump for less than $100

Hi Julie, thanks for the recommendation, yes I keep going back and forth between #1 and 3. After adding the discounts, #1 is turning out to be $100 cheaper than #3 even though as you said its a 3 grade jump. I am not sure about how the flourescence will look on the #3 so keep turning back to #1.

According to the gemologist, both of them are exactly the same in brilliance and fire. I have till tomorrow to decide, so still thinking.

Cooks.

 

[Niel]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

I like 1. It is a 3 grade jump for less than $100

Hi Julie, thanks for the recommendation, yes I keep going back and forth between #1 and 3. After adding the discounts, #1 is turning out to be $100 cheaper than #3 even though as you said its a 3 grade jump. I am not sure about how the flourescence will look on the #3 so keep turning back to #1.

According to the gemologist, both of them are exactly the same in brilliance and fire. I have till tomorrow to decide, so still thinking.

Cooks.

May I ask what's pulling you to the G then? Is it just the aset? If the gemologist said they perform the same, the E has better color and clarity, and is cheaper... Seems like a no brainer.

To your question about fluorescence, there is nothing wrong withcfluor in general. Its something you just have to be concerned with if it's strong because some strong fluor stones can look hazy. It's rare but it happens. Faint though, that's nothing to worry about! Probabaly won't ever notice it.

 

[JulieN]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

3 grades higher, cheaper, and bigger! Just do it!

 

[cooks]

Re: Selecting a diamond for this James Allen swirl halo sett

3 grades higher, cheaper, and bigger! Just do it!

Your beginning to sound like my husband

Cooks