Hi,
First of all, like many users thanks so much for this website, has given me so much info to make my search easier!
I’m looking for a loose diamond for a custom setting that I’m having made. It will be a solitaire diamond, white gold band, maybe with a few small sidestones but haven’t quite worked that one out.
Here is what I’m thinking in terms of the diamond:
Budget: CAD 3,000 – 3,500
Colour: I-H
Cut: Ideal
Clarity: SI1-SI2
Carat: 0.8-0.9
Shape: Round
Based on all I’ve read I’m happy to go ahead a purchase through James Allen. But with these specific search criteria above it comes back with 77 results and despite your help in narrowing it down that far, I don’t know where to start in terms of selecting the best one!
Would you be able advice of the above specifications are the best based on the on the setting and budget? And if so a few suggestions on how to pick that final diamond?
Thanks so much!
I looked around and I absolutely love this diamond for you:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4453798?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s gorgeously cut and will be very bright and brilliant. The crystal on the edge can be hidden within the prong area.
What do you think?
Thanks so much for taking a look. The diamond looks good but I’m concerned with that crystal, I thought generally speaking SI1 – SI2 would be eye-clean diamonds? I’m planning on having a double prong setting, so worry that it would show through the middle.
Also, I’d be curious to know exactly what it is about this diamond that made you pick it out above the others?
Last thing, are the specs that I included below realistic, or would you suggest any adjustments either up or down in quality?
It’s quite the opposite actually. Most SI diamonds are not eye-clean and rarely you find something like I found where the inclusion is conveniently located on the edge. I recommend double checking with JA, they’ll tell you whether it’s possible to put it in the setting you have in mind.
When we search for diamonds, we’re looking for the best balance of the overall specifications (carat weight, color – colorless look, clarity – eye-cleanliness, fluorescence, depth and table %, cut – brilliance). And we search for the best stone that’s currently available for your buck. In this particular case, I really love the cut on the diamond, it’s stunning.
I don’t think you were unrealistic, you can have this beautiful 0.8ct stone that fits your budget and will make a beautiful ring. I don’t think that any adjustments would significantly increase the value here.
Thanks for the info.
Are there any others that you have seen that are SI1 and fit the other specifications below?
I’m happy to dig a little deeper, can you just tell me if you have a better idea of what the setting is going to look like?
Rose gold pave.
For that type of setting, you can drop down to an I color, but when I searched their inventory, the 0.81ct H-SI2 is still the largest eye-clean option I can recommend from the I+ range.
Ok thanks for clarifying, so this one would be considered eye-clean then? Is that because of the size of the inclusion, or because it can be hidden within the setting?
We merely recommend eye-clean diamonds.
Once the largest inclusion is covered with a prong, there are no other imperfections that would be visible with the naked eye. That’s why the clarity grade doesn’t really matter as it only tells you the size of the inclusion, but not its location.
What do you think to either of these?
sku-3583355 – this one is cut way too deep and not only will it be less brilliant, it’ll also look smaller https://www.diamonds.pro/education/carat-weight/
sku-4504431 – this one is fantastic, I love it! Good find!
Thanks for the advice, I went ahead and bought the sku-4504431
That’s great news! You got yourself a fantastic diamond.
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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