Q&A: Looking for Round Brilliant 0.8 Ct. Diamond for Solitaire Setting

Thank you for all the great information you’ve put together on your site, it’s been a great resource for me.

I’m looking for a great stone for my girlfriend’s engagement ring and am looking for some advice. My criteria

Cut: Excellent/Ideal (or better)

Color: J (or better)

Clarity: SI2 (this is where I need help looking at the stones)

Carat: .8 or bigger

Budget: $4,000 for the stone (going in a simple 14k white gold solitaire)

This is sort of what I’ve been looking towards; can you see my money better spent elsewise on JA? I’m leaning towards round brilliant but could be convinced to a princess.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1495910.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1477594.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1520780.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1522142.asp

You help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for taking the time to find me a stone; that one does look pretty incredible (from what little knowledge i have on the subject).

On Gavin’s website, that stone is already listed as “reserved”; did you take the liberty of reserving it for me to review? If not, perhaps is there another stone you could recommend if that one isn’t truly still available?

…….

One other option I looked at last night, it comes in under budget, but might be decent? Thoughts (again, assuming the one you suggested isn’t available)

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1445017.asp

Thanks for the insight. I’ve requested information from BGD about the 2nd diamond you suggested I review and await their response.

I went ahead and ordered the ring last night from James Allen as i felt the dimensions looked spot on and the inclusions small enough to not see. If i get the ring and love it, than I’ve hit my budget to within $10, if it’s not, I’ll make use of their 60 day full refund policy. You don’t think I’ll be disappointed with that stone, do you? (and I’m a bit sorry for asking advice and then ordering anyhow without waiting on it, that seems a bit rude on my end)

That is true. I took what you said and reread all the things on your website w.r.t the 4c’s and actually went back to James Allen and got this stone instead:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VVS1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1463777.asp

I know you guys say not to pay the premium for VVS designation, but at my size, the increase wasn’t so great and the stone looks amazing too me. Thanks for all your help! Here’s hoping it’s as nice in real life as it looks online.

FWIW, the folks at BGD still do not have pictures available of the one you suggested, but i did request them.

So I changed my mind, again, this time for the final time. I decided on a place called “Tappers” in Metro Detroit (a local business). I got the following stone for $4150 (with a 14k white gold solitaire and setting thrown in “for free”). Looking at the stone at 10x and farther revealed some small inclusions, but all were not visible to the naked eye (“eye clean” as you say).

Carat: 0.9

Color: I

Clairty: SI2 (just like you told me)

Cut: Excellent (a slightly large table, but still excellent by GIA standards)

http://www.diamondhunt.com/diamond_search/diamond_search_details.php?store_name=tappers&diamonds_id=1467&is_store_diamond=

http://www.diamondhunt.com/diamond_search_files/popups/cert_window.php?id=1467&cert_path=E22586&store_name=tappers

I couldn’t have done this without all of your help (and Ira’s). I’ll send pictures when i get it after it’s set.

I had the JA diamond ordered, but went ahead and called to cancel last night to save everyone involved the hassle.

Thanks Mike.

So I got the ring home, am very pleased with the cut and it is completely eye clean from the top.

I did, however, find a blemish (feather, it looks) from the side that scares me, wondering if you can have any opinion from a picture if this should cause any concern about the durability of the stone. The inclusion does not appear to me to break the surface. I plan to visit the store i bought it at and ask to speak to the gemologist too, but may also seek out a local independent for an appraisal and review prior to my 30 day return policy. Aside from this, i’m incredibly happy with it, but I’m hoping for some reassurance.

What are your thoughts?

https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=1136995372&weight=.9

…….

I’m sorry for flooding your inbox, but I feel you should understand how influential your site had been in my diamond buying process.

Brief: I bought the .83 J VS2 BGD you recommended.

When i got my .9 stone from my local dealer home, i noticed i wasn’t so thrilled with the inclusion on the side, and it maybe wasn’t quite as brilliant as I would like. When the pictures from BGD went up on the stone you recommended, it seemed like a no brainer (and I save $700 over the other ring). I’ll send pictures when it arrives next week. Thank you again for the knowledge and patience.