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Q&A: Help Finding a 1.5 Ct. Round Diamond for a Platinum Halo Ring

By Mike Fried,

Hello,

I’m looking to get a round platinum halo engagement ring. My research found that the diamond should be ideal cut, H+, and eye clean. I know there is savings to be made by shopping online. I’m exclusively using James Allen because of the high magnification video tool.

I have been looking at triple excellent GIA stones of at least H color that are eye clean SI1 or VS1/2. For curiosity I just looked at SI2 and found most are not eye clean except for one that met my carat size requirement. I had it looked at by James Allen and they agreed it was indeed eye clean. This would mean a potential savings of 1500-2000 for me! Can you please give me your thoughts?

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.60-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2336194?a_aid=dmnd1357

Looking at the number and size of the clouds on the table, I’m skeptical about that diamond not being cloudy. However, if JA inspected it and found it to be alright, then go for it. They have 30-day return policy in case you aren’t completely satisfied with the diamond, so you’re not risking anything.

Thanks,

JA reviewed the diamond with me the same way you did, through the magnified video. They did not examine the diamond physically.

Based on the video, can you tell if it will be hazy? I’m having a hard time seeing a difference between this one and a video of a similar VS quality diamond.

Thanks.

Clouds are usually not visible on the screen. So it’s hard for me to tell based on looking at this video.

Can you also send me the other diamond you’re looking at? Also, what’s the price of this and the other stone? I can have a look if I find another option for you.

Thanks. The first diamond was $8650 I believe.

Here is the other diamond for $400 more.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.58-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2524863?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thank you for the information and link.

I like this other stone much more. It’s beautifully cut, eye-clean and colorless. Although, it’s slightly smaller, this diamond is superior and I believe that it will give a better impression. I checked and didn’t find any better option at the moment. That’s why I suggest sticking with this other stone.

Let me know what you decide.

Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately it looks like it was just sold…

I’ll keep looking.

……

Do you think this would be eye clean?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.57-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2525579?a_aid=dmnd1357

I double checked with Mike and we agreed on the fact, that the clouds on the first diamond you sent are going to effect the brilliance of the stone.

I’m sorry to hear that the second stone is gone. I’m not 100% sure that this diamond is eye-clean. It might be stretching the eye-cleanliness a little bit. But I’d certainly choose this 1.57 carat over the 1.60 one.

Thank you. I appreciate you confirming with Mike. I’m going to go ahead and give up on that some and I’ll continue to monitor JA as they get new stones. I’m open to any size over 1.5 carats in this price range.

Our pleasure helping you.

I checked and didn’t find any better diamond over 1.50 carat for you at the moment.

If you like this diamond, I’d go for it. There’s a high chance that it will be gone soon, too.

Thanks. So I just recieved an email from James Allen saying that when I swapped the diamonds successfully yesterday, it was already sold and not taken off the website…

Back to square one.

……

Thoughts on these diamonds?
www.jamesallen.com//loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-e-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2096616?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com//loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2303233?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com//loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2305164?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com//loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.53-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2305165?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com//loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2396033?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com//loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2396040?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com//loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2424005?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com//loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2541765?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com//loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2570426?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com//loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2585006?a_aid=dmnd1357

……

Found one more:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.64-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2593709?a_aid=dmnd1357

I’m sorry to hear about your issues.

Can you choose 4 favorite diamond out of the list. Then I’ll be happy to comment on them.

Here’s my suggestion:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2289699?a_aid=dmnd1357

I see, I hope your girlfriend doesn’t realize anything. Enjoy your holiday. Going to South Africa sounds like an exciting adventure.

The issue with two of the diamonds is it’s strong fluorescence. It can cause a hazy look on higher colors. (Medium is fine on H, faint or none on higher colors).
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/

This stone is the best option of them all at the moment:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2424005?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thanks. I found a 1.4 carat one which seems very similar but 1300 cheaper. Thoughts?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2459860?a_aid=dmnd1357

I noticed that this diamond is not available. Did you put it on hold or is it gone?

It has great overall specs. It’s slightly smaller in measurements but if you like it, it’s also a great way to go.

Yes I placed it on hold.. I didn’t know I was allowed to do that on stones.. Should have done that before!

……

I went ahead and ordered the 1.4 carat stone using this email.

That’s fantatic news! Thank you for the confirmation of the email address.

Let me know how you like the stone once it arrives.

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.
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What we love about them:
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