Hi, I am looking to buy a round brilliant diamond not over $20k.
I am trying to find something that is the best value for this amount of money.
It will be in white gold/ platinum, with pave band, and possibly two little pink sidestones though I haven’t decided on that yet.
My criteria is that the centre diamond is triple excellent, eye-clean and 1.7c or larger. Willing to sacrifice size for quality. Initially I was after a colour G or above, however, it seems a H is nearly the same?
I also have a question regarding clarity. I seem to be able to see imperfections in some VS2 and higher clarity, how can i be sure what clarity is required so that no inclusions are visible?
I’d be happy to help, but I suggest adjusting your parameters.
1) When you say you see VS2, do you mean images or in person? Are you sure the diamonds were GIA certified. It is very possible that they are eye-visible (about 35/40% of VS2s in diamonds that size are), but I want to get a better feel for what you are saying.
2) I would strongly recommend dropping your 3X requirement. Cut is very important, polish/symmetry is not.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/polish/
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/symmetry/
Thanks so much for your reply.
To be honest I haven’t had the chance to look at many diamonds in person. I have just been trying to do my research online first. So the imperfections I’ve seen for VS2 have been in images. How do I tell by looking at images whether a diamond is ‘eye-clean’ or not since the pictures are so magnified? It feels like I can’t rely on the clarity classification as sometimes an SI1 would look better than VS2 etc. These are all GIA certified by the way.
Thanks for those articles. I had not read those before so I will do as you suggest and amend my requirements for polish and symmetry to good or very good.
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-241849?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.71-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-35941?a_aid=dmnd1357
Here is a perfect example. I love that first diamond. Its 100% eye-clean (the inclusion is tiny, corner of the table and will blend in given the color). The second one is a terrible choice.
The price is $19,617a including all taxes/duty (according to James Allen’s shipping calculator, located on the bottom right of their page). What do you think?
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
Still afraid of getting ripped off?
Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.
Ask your diamond purchase question here
DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.
