I have literaly been looking at diamonds all night for the last week. I have it narrowed down to specifications but now looking at the 10x photos, I’m not sure if the diamonds with the dark black arrows are going to be more brilliant and sparkly or the diamonds with the light gray arrows. Confused.
I am looking for a 1C, H or I (I just don’t want to see any yellow and from your other answers you say that these will look the same side by side in color. SI1 or VS1…again, some pictures of the lesser clarity have no markings on them that I can see and some of the higher clarity have marks I can see. Confused.
I want a diamond that is going to be very brilliant and sparkly and only want the ideal cut.
I’m looking at these three right now. Budget is not to exceed 5K.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1343643.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1351098.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1334561.asp This one looks to have a ”nick” on top of it yet it’s the same SI 1 as the second link above.
So that’s where I’m confused, these diamonds are almost identical in options, yet the pictures look so different.
Which is the best and going to be the most white and sparkly?
Or do you have a better option(s)?
Thanks so much!
Thanks for writing. I definitely understand your confusion. The answer to your question is less exciting than you think – the only difference between the dark arrow and light arrows is a question of lighting. JA works with about 20 or so vendors in the NY diamond district. THey are each in charge of taking their own photos. So that’s 20 different “studios” set up with different photographers and different ambient lighting. That’s all it is.
As for the 3 stones you linked to:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1343643.asp – this might not be eye clean. The inclusion at 1 o’clock about halfway between the center and girdle looks like it might be visible to the naked eye.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1351098.asp – VG cut, so better to pass on this one.
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1334561.asp – a great option.
Thank you IRA.
I love the third option too.
The second link below you said to pass because the cut is VG,but it says the cut is ideal? Vg is the polish and symetry but I read on your blog that that doesn’t matter as much as cut.
JA’s cut classification has it as “Ideal” but if you look at the GIA certificate, the lab gave it a “VG” cut grade. That trumps JA’s own classification in my mind.
…….
Oh, and btw, don’t forget to apply the TADJ10 coupon code if you buy the ring as well from JA. It’ll take 10% off the setting.
Ahh, I didn’t realize that. I wasn’t looking at the actual certificate on each one. I assumed they matched the site. So frustrating. My boyfriend and I have been looking at diamonds for awhile now and it seem like everyone has some elusive sales pitch about their diamonds or made up brand names they give them. I just want a straight up diamond with the best cut, colorless and around 4K and as close to a carat as I can get. We are leaning towards the one you suggested for 3200. thanks so much for your help, it make the search easier with someone that knows what they’re talking about and isn’t “lying” like I’ve heard from the chain stores.
My pleasure! STay in touch and let me know what you decide to go with in the end!
Hi Ira, You had previously emailed me and I have since created a wish list on james allen and would like your advice on which diamond you would pick of my 6 options. Thanks so much for your time.
My Diamond
Item#: 1351114
Round 1.01 carat I color SI1 clarity diamond
Price: $4,800.00
View Item Details
My Diamond
Item#: 1351796
Round 0.91 carat H color VS1 clarity diamond
Price: $4,720.00
View Item Details
My Diamond
Item#: 1315248
Round 0.9 carat H color VS2 clarity diamond
Price: $4,550.00
View Item Details
My Diamond
Item#: 1350251
Round 0.9 carat H color SI1 clarity diamond
Price: $3,920.00
View Item Details
My Diamond
Item#: 1347691
Round 0.9 carat I color SI1 clarity diamond
Price: $3,200.00
View Item Details
My Diamond
Item#: 1351098
Round 1.01 carat H color SI1 clarity diamond
Price: $4,850.00
View Item Details
This one is your best value by far:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1347691.asp
The inclusion is all on the side, and it has an excellent cut. The larger stones aren’t enough larger to really make them worth so much more.
Perfect thank you!
If I had a .90 and a 1.0 side by side, would I visuallt be able to tell which is bigger? What I mean is, does one look bigger or not really?
Also,the inclusion on the diamond you’re recommending below, would I be able to see it or is it eye clear as you say? I really don’t want to see any defects.
Thank you!
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Oh, and on that diamond for 3200, why does the center area look gray in one part while the rest is white? Is that just shading from the photography? It’s not a defect right?
That stone would be eye clean.
…….
The difference is about 0.2mm which is JUST BARELY noticeable. At a quick glance, they would look the same. It’s certainly not worth (at least in my opinion) the huge difference in price.
Also, the gray area issue is just a matter of lighting – nothing to do with the stone itself.
Great, then this is the diamond. We were about to purchase a 1 carat H, SI3 from a local jeweler for 3600 but then I did some research and found your site as well as the standard 4C’s chart and I noticed there’s no such thing as an SI3. And then I asked her for the cert and it was an egl. so I asked her why they would make up a new grading scale than what everyone else had and she didn’t have an answer,even though she just got done bragging about her 25 yrs experience. The diamond was very pretty, under the store lights,but I’m not comfortable with any rating other than from gia and your site confirmed that I should stay away from egl. So tired of the run around from the chainstores and small jewelers. Don’t they realize there are sites like yours that help the consumer and that it’s time for them to play straight?
Thanks again
Thanks so much for this very kind email! I’m sure you’re going to love the ring when it arrives. Please stay in touch and let me know what you think when you see it!
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