Q&A: Looking for the Best .80 – .95 Ct. Round Diamond for a Platinum Solitaire Engagement Ring

Greetings, first, I love your site and the candid and useful information provided. I am looking to propose soon, though I have been struggling with identifying the correct stone.

Setting
James Allen
Platinum 2.5mm knife edge solitaire (SKU: 17002P)

Ring?
James Allen
Budget: $4,000 – $5,000
Size: .80 – .95 carat
Cut: Ideal / True Hearts (is there a major difference in these two categories?)
Color: …not quite sure, ideally looking around H, give or take a grade or two but would appreciate feedback
Clarity: have been looking at VVS1 and VVS2, but really just looking for something with great clarity to the naked eye

In essence, I’m looking for a great looking stone, with no obvious imperfections which could be detected by staring into it with your eye. Moreover, color is a relative term, as I have read on your other articles. I do not want anything that shows yellow. Additionally, I have only recently began researching more about fluorescence and would like to ensure the diamond does not appear cloudy.

Like anyone I suppose, I’m seeking the best “bang for my buck” with this significant “life purchase”. I just want to make sure I’m in the realm and again, I really appreciate your site and the feedback provided!

Thank you and look forward to following up soon. 

Thank you for the links, I really liked the .90 carat, I-Color VS2 clarity. As I mentioned in my previous email, I’m really looking for something that is well cut, clean to the naked eye, no yellow’ish color appearrence and if possible, as close to 1.00 carat.

With respect to the .90 stone you sent a link to, would you mind clarifying the following:

– Clarity, GIA report notes “crystal, feather, cavity” – would any of these be detectable to the naked eye?
– Fluorescence, GIA report notes “Faint” – is this a concern insofar as the diamond appearing “cloudy”
– Girdle, “Medium – Slightly Thick” – is this too thick? Does this make a big difference in general?

Below is the link to two diamonds I found on James Allen before reaching out to you. To be frank, with these diamonds would I really just be paying a premium for features I’m not going to truly appreciate?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.83-carat-h-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-237793?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.82-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-247856?a_aid=dmnd1357

Again, thank you for the input! It is truly appreciated!