Q&A: Looking for Second Opinion on Round 0.84 Carat Diamond

Great site; it’s been extraordinarily helpful in my diamond-selection process. I’m currently looking for a round engagement stone in the 6-6.5 mm size range with an upper price point of ~$5000. Being accustomed to regularly hitting these budgetary limits of mine, with your advice (and JamesAllen’s visual selection system) I think I’ve found a very nice 0.84 ct G-color stone at a much more affordable price point ($3400). The link is below; I’ve got the stone on hold:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1349846.asp

Although I was originally looking for a 0.9 ct. stone, it seems likely that the size difference here will be negligible. I’ve come to be a bit of a stickler for cut, so the great visual symmetry and and good rating (H&A Ideal; AGS) are big selling points for me. After looking at the examples on your site, I’d guess that the inclusions in the stone (left of center) will not be obvious to the naked eye, but I just wanted to get an expert’s opinion on this point. After my searching, it does seem to be very nice stone at the price point.

In short: 1. Do you think that the stone is eye-clean? and 2. Do you think that this particular stone is a good value?

Thanks so much for your advice, and thanks again for putting together such a valuable resource. Happy new year!

Thanks so much for your advice. It’s certainly reassuring to have a second point of view. It was a nice stone you suggested as well; I’m surprised I missed it. I’m still leaning towards my original selection based on (my own) perceived symmetry; it’s great to know that stone should be eye-clean as well.

Also, are AGS Ideal stones any different from the GIA “triple-ex” variety? I ask simply because it seems strange JA.com doesn’t have any H&A GIA stones. I’d think that marketing the top-cut GIA stones as H&A would be beneficial from a sales perspective. Is the H&A cut the “top-tier” of the Ideal cut? I figured it might have to do with the availability of “idealscope” images, but the stone I’m considering is H&A with no such supplemental information…

In any event, thanks again for your help. Again, your site (particularly the side-by-side image comparisons) has been very helpful.

Thanks again for the clarification and advice. I wound up going with the 0.84 ct “True Hearts” stone. It arrived this morning and it looks great. As I’d guessed and you suggested, it does appear to be eye-clean. If I use a little imagination, I might be able to see the inclusions, but I’m certain I’d never find them without a loupe if I didn’t already know their locations.

JA actually sent an ‘idealscope’ along with the stone as well, which is a cute gimmick. Nonetheless, it was good to see first-hand that their claims were true regarding the cut.

In any event, the whole process wound up being an experience more pleasant than I had anticipated, in large part owing to your advice. I’m certain I made the right choice, which is really all I could’ve asked for at this point.

And keep on recommending JA.com; from my ordering experience it’s obvious that they are an extraordinarily user-oriented outfit.

I’m happy to leave a positive review of the site. With so much lousy content on the web these days, it’s really a rare service you’re providing.

Thanks again, and best wishes!