Q&A: Looking for 1 Ct. Round Cut for $8K Budget

I already feel like I have learned so much from your site that it feels rude to be asking for your time to give me more advice.

I’ve been searching for what feels like eternity for the perfect diamond for my, hopefully not for long, girlfriend.

I’m from the UK and initially I was skeptical about using a US site for this process as I was concerned about import and taxes etc. After seeing the price difference between online retail and in store I looked online UK stores but the lack of pictures of the actual diamonds means I won’t know until I get it and as it turns out the UK tax is the same wherever I go!

I’m looking for an approximate 1ct diamond for about $8300 (due to exchange rate and Tax). I’d like to be able to say it’s 1ct, though I’d take a smaller stone if it were of little consequence. I wish to have it set on a platinum band and so have looked at F colour diamonds with faint-no fluorescence. Originally I tried to look for ‘hearts and arrows’ only but expanded the search, will it be a noticeable difference? Since I’m no expert I kept my criteria to VS1-2 as I don’t know what would appear eye clean, though I’m open to your expert advice.

I made a short list if you would ever so kindly look at for me. I want this to be perfect.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.02-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-169528?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-201425?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-185431?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.97-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-200929?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thank you so much for your help already in addition to any else you can provide.

Thank you so much for getting back in touch so quickly.

The $8300 is before tax, thanks.

Look forward to your advice.

Thanks so much for the speed of your replies. I understand you are a very busy man and giving your time to help me is really appreciated.

Both those diamonds are beautiful, I certainly cannot even tell the difference in colour between these G’s and the previous F’s that I’d looked at. I cannot even see the inclusions on the 1.2ct diamond.

Now I have a further dilemma, from my (now I look at it, rather crude) initial search I did not think I’d be able to afford anything near a 1.2ct diamond. Although I do like to save money where possible, I suppose this is a decision that I need to make myself.

Do you think either diamond is particularly better than the other, be it value or beauty? Am I going to have to decide on cost vs size? If it matters I thought to set it on the 2mm knife edge solitaire ring as my girlfriend has always liked the more simple rings with finer bands.

Thank you so much again, you guys should be given honours for this amount of free advice.