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Q&A: Help Choosing a 0.8-1 Ct. Round Diamond With a $3-10k Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi,

I am looking for a ring between 0.8-1 ct, E-D colour, VVS2, 3x Ex. Any recommendations will be great help.

Best.

Is there a reason for such high color and clarity grades?

Also, can you give me your ballpark figure of what you’re planning to spend?

Thanks for your reply.

Do you have any special offers from the company that you will recommend?

Then reason for the high color and clarity grades is for preserving the value. I am not planning to sell the diamond, but based on my knowledge, the ones with higher grades might keep (or maybe even increase) their values in a long term of view. Is this correct in the diamond business?

My budget is between 3000 – 10000 USD depends on the stone. I used to look on stones around 0,8 ct, and it costs about 3000-4000 USD. If there is a stone which has a good value for the price, I will also consider for a 1 ct stone.

D/E VVS+ do generally go up more often than other combinations, but they are also much harder to sell because there’s less of a market.

Here are two choices for a 0.80ct D/E VVS+ diamond:
Blue Nile LD07113781

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2338713?a_aid=dmnd1357

Let me know what you think.

Thanks for the suggestions. For the two that you have recommended, one is with faint fluorescence and the other with “very good polish”.

I have two questions:
How to compare stones with different DEPTH % and Table %?
What are the best combinations that you will recommend?

Best.

The Very good polish isn’t an issue.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/polish/

As for the faint fluorescence, it won’t affect anything whatsoever. Medium and strong could be a problem, but faint is absolutely fine.

Ideally, the depth should be close to 61% and shouldn’t exceed 62.6%. As for the table, he larger it is, the less light refracts through it (sparkles). “Perfect” light refraction usually occurs with tables around 55-57%. The larger a table is, the larger the diamond looks (that is the biggest facet on the top, so it makes the face appear larger). I like the 58-59% as it’s a good balance between appearance of size and brilliance.

It doesn’t matter what combination it is. As long as it’s within the proper range, a diamond will look amazing.

Thanks for the information.

Another question, what are the differences between the one that with eight arrows can be seen from the top and the one with random pattern? Is the one with visible arrows indicating a better cut?

……

For clarity characteristics such as Needle, Cloud, Pinpoint, Feather, Manufacturing Remnant, Internal Graining, Surface Graining, Indented Natural…, does any of these one should avoid?

Theoretically speaking, the more visible the pattern is, the better the cut is. But as long as the specifications are in the proper range, I wouldn’t worry about it that much. The pattern isn’t that visible in real life anyways.

As for the inclusions, some of them are significant (feather, needle, cloud…), but it depends on where they are located and how big they are. There is no easy way to say which ones are better to avoid.

I would like to have your insight on these 3 diamonds, and let me know what is your suggestion. If you have a better choice within this rang, please let me know.
Blue Nile LD07899238
Blue Nile LD08765511
Blue Nile LD08425569 (Can you locate where are the crystals?)

I like the second diamond a lot. The price is the best out of the three. I think the crystal is on (around) 12 o’clock, but it’s tiny. I can’t see anything else disturbing. I also searched for similar stones, but that one still seems to be the best shot.

Here is the link again, so we are sure we are talking about the same diamond:
Blue Nile LD08765511

Thank you.

I have already place the order yesterday (LD08765511), but it is good to know that you will pick the same diamond also.

I used this email address for my order, if you need to contact them for your credit.

Thanks!

That’s amazing. I always like hearing that people can recognize quality themselves without our help.

Thank you for the info about your order. Let me know how it looks when you receive it.

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online.
What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free International Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisals
  • One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
  • Free ring inscriptions
  • Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • Best-in-class packaging
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisal
  • One free resizing within the first year of purchase
  • High quality images of about half of their diamonds
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
  • Best in class fulfillment
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