I am looking for a round diamond in a white gold or platinum Tiffany-like 6 prong solitaire setting. I’m looking to max out at $3,500 – $3,800 for the stone.
Does paying more for the cut and paying less for the clarity make sense? I know my fiance, she likes sparkle and would likely be happier with a lab made larger stone – but for this kind of money I want something with a resale value – period. So am thinking to optimize on most impressive 1 carat stone by spending more on cut and less on color and clarity.
Let me know what you think.
Regarding the clarity grade, it can be basically anything as long as the diamond is eye-clean. It always depends on a particular diamond and its inclusions. I always search for SI2+, but sometimes it happens that the best-priced eye-clean diamond has a VS or VVS grade. There is no rule for that.
Cut is the most important aspect of a diamond, it’s what makes it beautiful and brilliant. So I would focus on Excellent/Ideal cut and wouldn’t go lower than that. As for the Symmetry and Polish, there’s no visual difference between Ex and VG grades: www.diamonds.pro/education/symmetry/ / www.diamonds.pro/education/polish/
I looked around and I found the following options that looked great to me:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.92-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10934909?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10535471?a_aid=dmnd1357
They are beautifully cut and either of them would make an amazing ring.
They both look great.
Can you find one at a full (or closer to a full) carat with same cut but only $400 to $600 more?
We got really lucky because I found this beautiful 1ct diamond for under $3.8k:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-11120254?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s a fantastic option because the inclusions are twinning wisps that would be unnoticeable in person.
I also found this gorgeous J VS1 that’s even larger (check out the real measurements):
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.97-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9145790?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s also fantastically cut and would be very brilliant in real life.
The last one may fit the bill. I see what you mean by ‘larger’ – and can only assume it must make up the difference in depth, since it weighs less than the first of these two.
But that shouldn’t be a problem, right? It sounds like the right trade-off if my fiance likes SIZE – or the appearance of size.
If size is your priority, then the 0.97ct diamond is the way to go. It’s also beautifully cut so would look bigger AND be bright and brilliant.
I went with your suggestion – and got a 25% discount on the setting!
Thanks for all your help!
That’s fantastic news, I’m glad it worked out so well for you!
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
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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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