My budget is between 5-6.5k and I would like as near a flawless diamond as possible to the naked eye and around 1 carat (for the center stone –> I am looking for a 3-stone setting). Imperfections that are only visible under a microscope don’t bother me.
I had read that cut is the most important and then color and then clarity, so I created the following diamond on the James Allen website: 1.00 carat, J color, VS2 clarity, and excellent cut (SKU 2433978). The 3-stone setting I selected is the 18k white gold micro pave setting (SKU 17197W). In all, this ring costs $6,615, which is at the very, very high end of my budget.
I became a bit concerned after reading some of your articles that show that certain diamonds that have better metrics (higher color or clarity, for example) are actually worse diamonds because of visible imperfections. It is hard for me to spot imperfections on the James Allen website, so I was hoping you could help me out. Is the diamond that I picked out any good? I don’t really want to go over 6.5k, so can you suggest any possible better ones?
Thanks a lot for your help.
The main issue with the stone you found is its IGI certificate. You can search for diamonds with either GIA or AGS certification (these are legitimate labs) instead.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/igi/
Also the color grade is already pushing the colorless effect. I’m afraid that the stone is going to have warm tint in the style of setting you like.
As for the budget, are you talking about CAD?
Oh, I didn’t even realize the different certifications. And yes, I am talking about CAD. Given the bad certification and the color, are there any other diamonds you could suggest?
Thanks a lot for you help.
Thank you for the information.
Have a look at this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2477868?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s very well cut and colorless. The clarity grade is slightly stretching but I believe it’s eye-clean.
Let me know what you think.
Is it possible under my budget to get a diamond closer to 1.0 carats? Without sacrificing color, etc. If not, how much do you think a ring with the center diamond around 1 carat would be?
I read that diamonds with higher fluorescence are cheaper but that this is not visible under normal light. Would this help to reduce the cost at all?
Have a look at this 1.00 carat stone:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2028128?a_aid=dmnd1357
As for the fluorescence, I include medium and higher grades into my search. Strong fluorescence on I+ colors can cause a hazy look. That’s why I don’t recommend going for such stones.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/
This diamond has great overall specifications, it’s very well cut, colorless and eye-clean.
Let me know what you decide.
Hi, I think this is a bit too expensive. I was thinking up to 6,500 CAD for the ring (maybe 7k, but not over), not just the middle diamond. If this is not possible, it is not absolutely necessary to be 1 carat or over. I would prefer to have a colorless well-cut diamond with good clarity, etc. that is under 1 carat than a 1 carat diamond that doesn’t look good.
The first diamond you showed me looks nice, but is it actually eye-clean? Is there a way to know for sure? Are there other ones you would recommend?
Sorry to keep going back and forth, but I will definitely be buying one soon!
Thank you for the feedback.
The 0.90 carat diamond I sent is eye-clean and it’s still the best option I found on JA at the moment.
I wanted to let you know that I just bought that diamond. Thanks for the help!
That’s fantastic new!
Let me know how you like the ring once it arrives.
Unfortunately I just received an email from James Allen saying that the diamond is no longer available.. Apparently the website did not update quick enough (someone else bought it) even though I already sent my wire transfer.
So I need to keep looking… Do you have any other suggestions?
Thanks again for all the help.
I’m really sorry to hear what happened with your order. That’s a rare situation and it doesn’t normally happen with JA.
This is the best option I found at the moment:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2409113?a_aid=dmnd1357
Did they also give you any suggestions? If so, feel free to send me the link, I’ll be happy to comment on that stone, too.
That one has a visible black inclusion in it… Would that still be eye-clean?
They suggested these 2 stones:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.86-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2403108?a_aid=dmnd1357
These have better color/clarity then the previous one and only slightly smaller for about the same amount of money.
I found this one which is a little bit more expensive, but much better clarity and very slightly bigger:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2536953?a_aid=dmnd1357
What do you think?
That inclusion can be covered by a prong of a setting. This stone will be eye-clean.
The inclusion right on the table of the H color stone is not good as you can’t cover it. The issue with the 0.91 carat stone you fund is its strong fluorescence. It can cause a hazy look on I+ color grades.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/
This diamond is beautiful:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.86-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2538765?a_aid=dmnd1357
If you want to go for a slightly smaller stone, this one is a perfect option.
Wow, there is so much more into buying a diamond then I ever would have thought haha. I ideally would like to be 0.9 carats, but presumably there is not much difference between 0.86 and 0.9, so I think that’s a good option.
What do you think about this one though:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1766704?a_aid=dmnd1357
Thanks.
……
Actually, probably not worth it for just 0.04 carats given that it also has lower clarity than the other one and it’s dimensions are the same. I think I will probably get the 0.86. Hopefully it actually goes through this time!
Thank you for your feedback. Keep me posted.
I forgot to update you, but I bought the 0.86 diamond we talked about! Thanks again for all the help!
Thank you for the information. That’s fantastic news!
It was my pleasure helping you. Feel free to contact me if there’s anything I can do for you in the future.
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
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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
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- 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)
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