I am looking to purchase a 1 carat round diamond and I came across your website. I have a good basic understanding of the 4 c’s but I don’t pretend to be an expert. What services do you provide and is there a fee to help me find a diamond. I am interested in something that has a G or H color and not sure about the grade if I should look at a VS or SI.
Thanks!
I’d be happy to make some recommendations for you, but I need a little more info.
What style setting (solitaire, pave/side stones/halo) and metal (yellow/white gold, platinum) do you want to use? This may affect the colors that I recommend for the center diamond (as we explain in our post on color).
Can you give me your ballpark figure of what you’re planning to spend? Then I’ll be able to help you more.
I found a white gold setting at James Allen that I like and it has channel set princess stones in the engagement ring and wedding ring. I am looking for a 1 carat round stone or a stone a little shy of 1 carat that is white in color. I don’t like a warm colored stone. I am also looking for a stone that is eye clean and has a HCA 0-2 along with a nice scope image. I would like to stick around the $6000.00 range for the stone.
This is all new to me and I am a little overwhelmed and I appreciate your guidance.
Great, thanks for the clarification. For that type of setting, I color is our usual recommendation and it looks great.
Have a look at these:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.12-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2164369?a_aid=dmnd1357
They are fantastically cut, eye-clean and either of them will be very brilliant.
What do you think?
Thank you for your quick response. I looked at the stones you sent and considering them. I am also interested in looking at some VS1 stones around the 1 carat range even if they are a little shy of 1 carat. In terms of color I want to stick in the G,H,I range.
I want something nice but of course I want something that is a good buy. I know that the cost is higher but is it attainable to stay in the $7000.00 range?
Alright. Here are the largest and cheapest options I found in the VS1+ range:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.12-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1855952?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.92-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1107917?a_aid=dmnd1357 (this amazing F-color diamond happened to be a much better value than some of the Gs in that range).
They are all fantastically cut.
Personally, if you want something that is a good buy, I’d stick with an I color. You’d get the same look for the naked eye with a significant price difference.
Let me know your thoughts.
I am looking for a 1 carat round diamond or even a little larger such as 1.06. I want a stone that is g, h or i as I do not like a warm colored stone. I am thinking vs1 or vs2. It must be eye clean. My budget is 7k to 8k and of course I would like to get the best bang for the buck. I am also wondering about the ASET of the stone.
Welcome back! Just to make sure we’re on the same page, are you still using a channel setting?
This would be my recommendation:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.39-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2273735?a_aid=dmnd1357
The specs are great on it. Thoughts?
I am thinking more of a pave setting in white gold. What r u thoughts about the true hearts by James Allen? I also was reading an article by mike fried Talking about fluorescence. He mentioned when diamonds are h i j in color one should consider medium blue fluorescence to make the diamond appear colorless. I’m so overwhelmed with all the stuff I’ve been reading. Also I would like to stay in the 1 carat range and not go over 1.10 carats.
Alright.
For a white gold pave setting I color is still perfectly fine.
I know what article you are referring to. It is true that medium fluorescence is a nice bonus on H/I color, but a well-cut H/I diamond will look just as beautiful without it.
We’re not huge fans of the “True hearts” collection. Sometimes you can find a good value there, but the diamonds are usually way too expensive with no additional bonus. The only “better” cut I would recommend would be Brian Gavin’s Hearts and Arrows. He is known as one of the world’s experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds.
They are superbly cut and any of them will be incredibly brilliant.
Thoughts?
Thank you Jenny for your professional advice. I was not totally sure about the true hearts but I am becoming overwhelmed with reading articles about diamonds. I would like to stay with James Allen only because I found a setting there I like. I also read an article about how important the cut is and it went on to state that a truly well cut 1 carat diamond measures 6.48 – 6.52 x 3.96 mm. Thoughts?
You’re welcome. Let’s focus on JA.
The statement you read online is a generalization that is not accurate and should not be used. How well the diamond is cut depends on its proportions and the angles. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as it may seem with numbers and percentages in the world of diamonds. Different angles work better with different depth/table combinations.
I absolutely love this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.02-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2309710?a_aid=dmnd1357
Its cut is stunning and the stone will make a beautiful ring.
Let me know your thoughts.
I am interested in this diamond from blue nile and I would love your thoughts about this stone:
That diamond is great, I like it a lot! It’s gorgeously cut and will look fantastic in any setting you choose.
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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