Hi!
I wanted assistance with trying to find eye clean diamonds on James Allen. I found this diamond:
In the GIA report, it states – Clarity grade based on clouds not shown. Does this mean that the SI1 grade is because the diamond is cloudy or not exactly eye clean? What I am interested in is a diamond that is about 1.5cts, with the best light return.
Would it make more sense to choose something like this?
For me, it’s hard to tell how much color difference there would be between K and M. For what it’s worth if I did the K or M color, I would choose a yellow gold setting.
Thanks for all of your help!!
3112012 – this diamond is a big no-no. Firstly, it’s horrifically cut. For a round brilliant I wouldn’t settle for anything less than an EX (Ideal) cut as the cut is what makes the diamond brilliant and beautiful.
Secondly, “clarity grade based on clouds not shown.” – this means there is a very large cloud that covers a large percentage of the diamond and saps the brilliance from it. You should never buy a diamond with this note.
3755622 – this one looks better cut-wise, but have you ever seen an M-color diamond in person? The yellow tinge is visible in any setting. If you don’t mind that it might look a bit yellow, then it’s fine but I’d recommend you see one before the purchase.
I haven’t seen an M in person, is a K better? Is there anything other than changing the setting that could make the diamond appear whiter? I don’t know that even a little yellow would bother me but full on yellow would. What I care most about is the diamond sparkle, size, and clarity.
Are you able to make any suggestions? I am interested in an ideally something around a 1.5ct diamond, round brilliant. Our budget is 4k – 6k for the diamond. He is probably getting it set somewhere else.
Regarding the setting, I wouldn’t change it. A yellow gold solitaire setting is the only one that a K-color diamond can be set with without showing too much color.
Here’s my recommendations:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.27-carat-k-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-82231?a_aid=dmnd1357
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.35-carat-k-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4414096?a_aid=dmnd1357
I searched in the SI+ range and these two are the largest eye-clean options I found. They are well cut and either of them will be very brilliant. I’m happy to find some M options as well, but I highly recommend you go see an M diamond in person first.
What do you think?
I added both to my wish list.
Are there any L color diamonds you would recommend?
I saw these:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-l-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3539785?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-l-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4307795?a_aid=dmnd1357
An L color would be the same issue as an M color. You should see an L diamond in person before you pull the trigger on one.
3539785 – this one is cut a bit too deep, it might lose some of its brilliance
4307795 – this one is ok
Re: L, I’ve read that a strong fluorescence can offset the yellow tint along with the cut? Is that true?
Also, I would like some L suggestion but will view them in store before deciding. Thank you!!!
Fluorescence won’t bring up an entire color grade up. It can help slightly but L color with medium/strong fluorescence is not equal to a K color.
New recommendations coming right up:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.58-carat-l-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2786168?a_aid=dmnd1357
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.53-carat-l-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2419190?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-l-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2670385?a_aid=dmnd1357
Have them bring these three options to the store, they are beautifully cut and worth looking at.
Let me know how it goes.
Thanks! I sent a request to the James Allen showroom to view the following:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.53-carat-l-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2419190?a_aid=dmnd1357
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.29-carat-l-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4368051?a_aid=dmnd1357
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-386638?a_aid=dmnd1357
I picked the last one because it’s a K and I can compare, also I had to choose at least 1 in NYC. Thanks for all of your help.
All of them are great choices. Keep me posted.
The other 1.5ct diamond wasn’t available and they are switching it out for this diamond:
Should I be concerned by the black inclusion? I was told that since it is VS2 it would not be detectable.
I don’t think it’s eye-clean (and the fact that it’s a VS2 means nothing, you can find and eye-clean SI as well as a VVS2 with visible inclusions).
I found two alternatives:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.58-carat-l-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2786168?a_aid=dmnd1357 (I shared this one in one of my previous emails)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-m-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3056380?a_aid=dmnd1357
That’s what I was thinking! Thanks!
You’re welcome. Let me know how they look in the showroom.
We went to the showroom yesterday and I wanted to let you know how it went. We bought this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.29-carat-l-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4368051?a_aid=dmnd1357
I think it ended up coming down to the L bc it looked whiter than M and K diamonds. The M really did have a bit of yellow tint and I didn’t see it all in the L, 1.29ct one.
It’s bought and there is still a 30 return policy if we aren’t happy, but I think we are happy.
Thanks for all of your help!
Thank you for letting me know which one you went with. If you could also let me know how the ring looks when it arrives, I’d appreciate it. Thank you!
I just got engaged! I wanted to show you some pics of the ring. It looks so different in different environments. I love the warmth. It’s a really nice creamy tone but most of the time it’s very bright. I also really love the fluorescence.
Thanks for all of your help!
Congratulations! I’m glad that you are happy with your new ring. It’s beautiful!
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
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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