This or that or am I on the wrong path?

[jaces]

Hello All,

I posted many many years ago on here but had to re register, and just want to say that the site and community really are an amazing resource.

To my query

I am looking for an approx. 2.5CT Round diamond for a solitaire engagement ring. I have been looking mostly in the I VS1 GIA certed range and would of course like it to be eye clean. The diamond will go in a platinum 6 prong setting.

I have found 4 stones all on James Allen that are below. As I am no expert any thoughts on these? They all seem very similar and within 1K of each other. Would I be ok with any of them? Am I off base and should potentially be looking at other stones?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

2.50-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-11302120

2.55-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-11290652

2.50-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-11132000

2.51-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6762221

 

[sledge]

As you may recall, what GIA defines as a triple excellent stone is very, very broad. Many of these so called 3x stones aren’t really all that excellent at all.

Also, if you aren’t aware, JA no longer posts certifications on their website. You have to request them for each stone you are interested in. Quickest way is to use their chat option.

However, with that said, looking at the videos of all the stones you linked tells me those aren’t going to give you a very good cut quality.

A quick way to search is using the PS diamond search engine (located under tools). Be sure to use the HCA rank filter option and set it to excellent and then enter other criteria to further narrow the list.

There is a little wiggle room to these proportions but they are a good starting point to get us on the right track:

• 54-57 table
• 60-62.5 depth (prefer <=62)
• 34-35 crown angle
• 40.6-40.9 pavilion angle
• 75-80 lower girdle facets
• Inverse relationship between crown and pavilion meaning steep crown/shallow pavilion, and vice versa
• HCA score 0-2 (prefer 1-2)

 

[lovedogs]

Unfortinately none of those are great choices. As @sledge said above, use the PS search tool. That way you will be narrowing your search to more promising stones.

 

[sledge]

Sorry, in my haste last night I said the search was under Tools. In fact it's under Resources. Here is a direct link.

https://www.pricescope.com/diamonds/search

The above said, I took a peek on your behalf and found a few additional stones for you to consider. What do you think?



BGD, H&A, AGS000, 2.623ct, I-VS1 @ $27,019
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/2.623-i-vs1-brian-gavin-blue-blags-104109827025

If you have wiggle room in your budget, this one. ALL DAY LONG! Superior cut. Hearts & arrow (H&A) stone. Gets your desired color & clarity. Proportions are great and is a solid performer that still gets you right at 9mm spread!

Also, the medium blue fluor (MBF) may help with color a smidge in the right lighting environments. And being part of the BGD Blue line, the stone has already been vetted so you get the perks of fluor w/o any of the negatives. Win-win.


JA, AGS000, 2.513ct, I-VS2 @ $24,830

Round 2.5100 carat diamond listed by James Allen

www.pricescope.com

More budget friendly. Loses the VS1 clarity. That 36.1/40.6 combo doesn't always work, but clearly this stone was cut nice and the ray-traced ASET on the cert proves it has a great light performance!

Below is the cert that I requested from JA.

 

[LLJsmom]

Sorry, in my haste last night I said the search was under Tools. In fact it's under Resources. Here is a direct link.

https://www.pricescope.com/diamonds/search

The above said, I took a peek on your behalf and found a few additional stones for you to consider. What do you think?



BGD, H&A, AGS000, 2.623ct, I-VS1 @ $27,019
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/2.623-i-vs1-brian-gavin-blue-blags-104109827025

If you have wiggle room in your budget, this one. ALL DAY LONG! Superior cut. Hearts & arrow (H&A) stone. Gets your desired color & clarity. Proportions are great and is a solid performer that still gets you right at 9mm spread!

Also, the medium blue fluor (MBF) may help with color a smidge in the right lighting environments. And being part of the BGD Blue line, the stone has already been vetted so you get the perks of fluor w/o any of the negatives. Win-win.


JA, AGS000, 2.513ct, I-VS2 @ $24,830

Round 2.5100 carat diamond listed by James Allen

www.pricescope.com

More budget friendly. Loses the VS1 clarity. That 36.1/40.6 combo doesn't always work, but clearly this stone was cut nice and the ray-traced ASET on the cert proves it has a great light performance!

Below is the cert that I requested from JA.

Both awesome choices. What finds @sledge!!

 

[jaces]

@sledge thank you very much for helping out a novice and for taking time out of your day to comment and look for additional stones, it is greatly appreciated. Both stones look amazing. I could extend the budget, and so will contact BGD tomorrow. I spoke to JA today, but will also ask them about this stone as well.

Many many thanks again

 

[sledge]

@sledge thank you very much for helping out a novice and for taking time out of your day to comment and look for additional stones, it is greatly appreciated. Both stones look amazing. I could extend the budget, and so will contact BGD tomorrow. I spoke to JA today, but will also ask them about this stone as well.

Many many thanks again

Glad to help!

Just a heads up, people lurk these forums and sometimes buy a recommended stone. Additionally I had a tough time finding those two.

So even if you aren’t 100% sure on either, I would encourage to contact both vendors ASAP and place them on temp hold while you finalize your decision. I’d hate someone to “steal” one or both your choices.

 

[LLJsmom]

@sledge thank you very much for helping out a novice and for taking time out of your day to comment and look for additional stones, it is greatly appreciated. Both stones look amazing. I could extend the budget, and so will contact BGD tomorrow. I spoke to JA today, but will also ask them about this stone as well.

Many many thanks again

You scored. Especially that AGS 000 @sledge found. To find one that is not a super ideal is very difficult. If savvy PSers or other others looking for your parameters see this...

 

[jaces]

Thank you both, I am in Europe and forgot the time difference, hence the calling tomorrow comment. I called BGD and the stone is reserved and it looks gorgeous couldn't be happier. Thank you so much I would have never found that.

 

[sledge]

Didn’t realize you were across the pond. Hope my advice to call didn’t come off pushy. I’ve just seen stones get poached and wanted you to avoid that.

If you go with BGD, you may ask Lesley if they have any specials running. A few weeks ago another buyer was able to score an additional 5% off the wire price. I’m not sure if they still have that promo going or not.

By the way, tell Lesley I said hi! That is where I bought my wife’s stone (also a BGD Blue) and Lesley made the whole process silky smooth.

 

[jaces]

Not in the least, in fact it was
much appreciated. I honestly didn’t even think that there was a possibility someone could try and snatch it out from under me.

I spoke to Emily at GBD today, but will definitely convey the message to Lesley!

I knew this was the right place to ask, even if it was with a very shaky question to start. I appreciate the thoughts, patience and sincerity as this will be exactly what we are looking for

 

[jaces]

@sledge BGD stone is ordered definitively! Am looking forward to collecting it in a few weeks, and they did give me the 5% off 8% if I had done a wire (just felt more comfortable with the card being overseas) Biggest worry now is I hope she doesn’t think it’s too big and I didn’t go overboard.

Lol In all honesty, I it will be perfect and thanks again

p.s. you are now part of the story of how it all came together

 

[sledge]

@sledge BGD stone is ordered definitively! Am looking forward to collecting it in a few weeks, and they did give me the 5% off 8% if I had done a wire (just felt more comfortable with the card being overseas) Biggest worry now is I hope she doesn’t think it’s too big and I didn’t go overboard.

Lol In all honesty, I it will be perfect and thanks again

p.s. you are now part of the story of how it all came together

Thank you for the very kind words, much appreciated. I am honored & humbled to play a very small part. And so very happy for you! Also, love that you got the extra 5%.

I think you nailed the size personally. Just remember to never ever EVER let her visit PS. Don't even tell her about this magical palace, where the ladies here will have her "slightly upgraded" to a 4 carat honker faster than your wallet can start crying!

Seriously man, best of luck. Post back with pics and your proposal story. And should DSS (diamond shrinkage syndrome) sink in, you have a good trade program with BGD and we will be here to help you.

Cheers mate!

 

[Dancing Fire]

@sledge BGD stone is ordered definitively! Am looking forward to collecting it in a few weeks, and they did give me the 5% off 8% if I had done a wire (just felt more comfortable with the card being overseas) Biggest worry now is I hope she doesn’t think it’s too big and I didn’t go overboard.

Lol In all honesty, I it will be perfect and thanks again

p.s. you are now part of the story of how it all came together

Congrats!, She'll love it!. My DD is sporting a 2.05ct G VS2 BGD med blue...and she love it!