Q&A: Looking for 1.2 Ct. Round Cut for $7500

Hello, I first would like to say your website is very, very informative and I’ve spent many hours on it educating myself for the past few months.

I have a budget of max $7,500 (taxes in – I live in Canada) and I’m looking for a 1..20 +/- carat round cut diamond. I am only looking at diamonds certified by GIA and it must be Excellent cut. In terms of clarity and color, I am stuck on how low of a grade I can go? My main focus is for the diamond to sparkle and to be clean to the naked eye.

Can you steer me in the right direction in terms of color and clarity. What is the lowest I should go without jeopardizing the sparkle and the cleanliness of the diamond to the naked eye? Like I mentioned before, my max budget is $7,500 but if I can spend less, by lowering the grade(s) with no difference visually to the naked eye, then I definitely would do that.

Thank you for your time!

Hello Mike, it is very nice to meet you. Yes, I would still really appreciate your help.

I have 3 loose diamonds I narrowed it down to on jamesallen.com and I would like your opinions on them and can you please tell me if you recommend them and which you like best.

1) 1.25 ct (6.86-6.88 mm), $6,620, G SI2, Triple Ex, Faint, HCA: 2.7, GIA: 5146684441

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.25-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-206313?a_aid=dmnd1357

2) 1.16 ct (6.74-6.76 mm), $7,270, H SI1, Triple Ex, Faint, HCA: 1.5, GIA: 1149601782

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.16-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-200788?a_aid=dmnd1357

3) 1.20 ct (6.76-6.81 mm), $6,650, G SI2, Triple Ex, None, HCA: 1.6, GIA: 1139841563

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-170691?a_aid=dmnd1357

I would also appreciate it if you can help find me a diamond, or maybe your top 3 choices, that you would recommend found on jamesallen.com if none appeal to you from the 3 listed above.

SPECS:

Shape: Round
Lab: GIA Certified only
Carat: 1.14 – 1.25 (I prefer getting a 1.20 carat and up but I’ve also seen some 1.14 carat diamonds that have a wide diameter which makes it look like a 1.20 carat)
Cut: Excellent
Color: G or H
Clarity: VS2, SI1, or SI2
Fluorescence: None or Faint
Budget: Maximum of $7,500 (but I hope to only spend more/less around $7,000)

My main criteria are it MUST BE eye-clean and have a very nice sparkle. The diamond will be on a solitaire style ring with North-East-South-West setting in 18 ct white gold.

Thank you for all your time and effort.

…….

Sorry to e-mail you again, but I was wondering if you can give me your opinion on a diamond that a local vendor recommended:

GIA: 2151010590
1.14 carat (6.79 – 6.81 mm)
Round
H
SI1
Triple Excellent
No Fluorescence
HCA: 4.1 (Good)

Thanks again.

…….

Please disregard my last e-mail. I am currently looking at these 3 diamonds on jamesallen.com, what do you think?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-173494?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.21-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-204081?a_aid=dmnd1357

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-189815?a_aid=dmnd1357

Do you think they will be eye-clean? Do you think the med flour will look hazy on any of them?

Thank you.

Can you give me your opinions and comments about the following 3 diamonds found on jamesallen.com?

1) SKU: 204081
GIA: 5146468276
1.21 carat (6.81-6.81 mm)
Triple Excellent
I VS1
Medium Blue Fluorescence
HCA: 1.3

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.21-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-204081?a_aid=dmnd1357

2) SKU: 189815

GIA: 5146430300
1.20 carat (6.77-6.79 mm)
Triple Excellent
I SI1
Faint Fluorescence
HCA: 1.7

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-189815?a_aid=dmnd1357

3) $7,250

SKU: 173494
GIA: 1139628285
1.20 carat (6.77-6.80 mm)
Triple Excellent
I SI1
None Fluorescence
HCA: 1.8

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-173494?a_aid=dmnd1357

– Which would you recommend out of the 3? Which comes in second place?

– I am a little concerned going for “I” color grade, do you think any of these will look yellowish to the naked eye when placed beside another diamond that is higher in color grade?
– Also, which of these are eye-clean?
– If I do decide to go for “I” colored grade, should I try to get one with medium blue fluorescence or one that has none/faint?

Thank you for all your help.

1) $7, 120

2) $7, 060

– which do you pick from the first two?
– are these 2 eye clean in your opinion?
– should I worry about either of the two being too yellow in color?

I also received opinions from James Allen gemologist. Here are the comments I received from them:

“I am happy to tell you that the gemologist found Diamond SKU # 189815 to the best performing of the three. It has very good fire brilliance and scintillation that is very well balanced throughout the diamond. Even though this diamond is an “I” in color, the fluorescence is causing it face up whiter, closer to an “H”. Also, the feather on the edge of the diamond blends very well and can be covered with a prong with no durability risk. Whether we cover it or not, this diamond does face up eye clean.

Diamond SKU # 204081 is a close second with great fire brilliance and scintillation. It too is facing up closer to an “H” in color due to the florescence and it is eye clean”

What are your opinions? Do you think I should get one of them or continue looking for others?

Here are details of the two diamonds again..

1) $7,120
SKU #: 204081
GIA: 5146468276
1.21 carat (6.81-6.81 mm)
Triple Excellent
I VS1
Medium Blue Fluorescence
HCA: 1.3

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.21-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-204081?a_aid=dmnd1357

2) $7,060
SKU #: 189815
GIA: 5146430300
1.20 carat (6.77-6.79 mm)
Triple Excellent
I SI1
Faint Fluorescence
HCA: 1.7

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-189815?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thank you greatly!!