Calling all diamond experts, please help!

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thwhang

thwhang

O.G.
Jan 23, 2008
78
23
#1
Hi,
My husband and I agreed it's time for an anniversary ring. It was mostly me telling him and him agreeing to it :)
I'm in search for a 3 ct round diamond (budget is $30K) and wanted to know what you think of these stones. I like James Allen bc I can go to their NYC showroom to see the actual ring. If you can recommend any other stones or diamond stores that would be great too.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-very-good-cut-sku-1035130

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1818696

The settings I'm looking at are:

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...pave-crown-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53023
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ife-edged-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-2426
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...amond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-17442

Thank you so much!!!
 
#2
My current E-ring is 2.11ct Tiffany ring, Color H, Clarity VS2, (Link). My thoughts for my future upgrade to around 4ct Tiffany E-ring, I won't go lower than Color H. But it is just me.
 
#3
thwhang said:
Hi,
My husband and I agreed it's time for an anniversary ring. It was mostly me telling him and him agreeing to it :smile:
I'm in search for a 3 ct round diamond (budget is $30K) and wanted to know what you think of these stones. I like James Allen bc I can go to their NYC showroom to see the actual ring. If you can recommend any other stones or diamond stores that would be great too.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-very-good-cut-sku-1035130

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1818696
Click to expand...
No, and No.

Also, there's not one damn thing wrong with a color lower than H.

When you're searching for stones over there, follow these guidelines for cut. Neither of those is cut remotely well. Don't just trust GIA's cut grade. Look for stones that are AGS as well, and if it says IDEAL for AGS, give that one a look, as well. They actually DO grade for cut quality and have a fairly stringent set of standards. GIA does NOT have a solid standard for cut grade, and just because it says Excellent, does not mean it's well cut. In fact, it casts a ridiculously wide net for just about any unsavory creature to swim into. Dead bodies and sunken ships included.

Diamond FAQ/Reference thread

If you find a few you want some input on, PM the links to me, DO NOT post them in open forum like this, because if someone gives you the A-OK on them, me or another "expert", that stone will get bought out from under you before you can blink.
 
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#5
I know all kind of people will have all kind of opinions on diamond choice, some loves Brands, some loves diamond size, some can not get over with lower clarity grade, and some prefers fluorescence, and some hate fluorescence... It is not right using certain opinion to dominate others or twist the truth. And again, it is my opinion only as well.

ame said:
No, and No.

Also, there's not one damn thing wrong with a color lower than H.

When you're searching for stones over there, follow these guidelines for cut. Neither of those is cut remotely well. Don't just trust GIA's cut grade. Look for stones that are AGS as well, and if it says IDEAL for AGS, give that one a look, as well. They actually DO grade for cut quality and have a fairly stringent set of standards. GIA does NOT have a solid standard for cut grade, and just because it says Excellent, does not mean it's well cut. In fact, it casts a ridiculously wide net for just about any unsavory creature to swim into. Dead bodies and sunken ships included.

Diamond FAQ/Reference thread

If you find a few you want some input on, PM the links to me, DO NOT post them in open forum like this, because if someone gives you the A-OK on them, me or another "expert", that stone will get bought out from under you before you can blink.
Click to expand...
 
#6
Lisa-SH said:
I know all kind of people will have all kind of opinions on diamond choice, some loves Brands, some loves diamond size, some can not get over with lower clarity grade, and some prefers fluorescence, and some hate fluorescence... It is not right using certain opinion to dominate others or twist the truth. And again, it is my opinion only as well.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but it's completely unhelpful to like to a ring that's 50k over budget for fewer carats.

The OP stated her budget and desired size. Clearly Tiffany and Cartier are off the list.
 
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#8
ame said:
Diamond FAQ/Reference thread

If you find a few you want some input on, PM the links to me, DO NOT post them in open forum like this, because if someone gives you the A-OK on them, me or another "expert", that stone will get bought out from under you before you can blink.
Click to expand...
thwhang said:
Thank you everyone for your suggestions!
Click to expand...
OP/Thwhang...go by AME's cheat sheet, it will help to eliminate good/fair/poorly cut stones. Get an ex/ideal cut and you can cheat on the color/clarity.
Yea...watch for poachers!
 
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#9
JenW said:
Yeah, but it's completely unhelpful to like to a ring that's 50k over budget for fewer carats.

The OP stated her budget and desired size. Clearly Tiffany and Cartier are off the list.
Click to expand...
Ah..sorry..my post was only talking about "my" preference upon diamond clarity, and fully aware all others may have totally different preference. I did not suggest any high end brand, or suggest moving up budget, was solely talking about my past experience, or future expectation.
 
#10
Lisa-SH said:
I know all kind of people will have all kind of opinions on diamond choice, some loves Brands, some loves diamond size, some can not get over with lower clarity grade, and some prefers fluorescence, and some hate fluorescence... It is not right using certain opinion to dominate others or twist the truth. And again, it is my opinion only as well.
Click to expand...
And it's very welcome. But to state it in a way to demean anyone else's opinions or budget, which was the implication with your comments that anything below an H is simply unacceptable, is not in any way germane to the conversation or helpful to the OP or anyone else trying to gain insight.

OP I got your PM with the links, I am going to review them on my lunch break.
 
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