Hello!
I stumbled upon a few of your posts on Reddit and would appreciate some help.
I am looking to upgrade my wife’s (.60, Round, Super Ideal cut, F color, VVS2) engagement ring through Brilliant Earth (lifetime upgrade) to a bigger diamond.
Ideally around 1 carat, eye clean and very sparkly! What are the most important characteristics to look for in a 1 carat diamond when it comes to value? My budget is 6-7 thousand (CDN) for the diamond. Any help would be so appreciated.
thank you for your time and your expertise!
7000 CAD ~ 5500 USD for 1ct will require some trade-offs. Don’t sacrifice cut – stay with AGS 0 Ideal proportions. You’ll need to trade both color and clarity to stay within budget.
Of the three, I would go with 10441239.
I would prefer slightly better optical symmetry. 10441239 and 10419243 both have AGS 0 Ideal proportions, but the arrows aren’t as clean (it’s hard to have clean arrows with pavilion angles > 41.2). 10477371 has better arrows, but that looks to be a brown I. So that’s why I would go with 10441239.
Thank you for your help and prompt reply, Joe!
Would you say that the 10441239 diamond is best for value?
My wife’s current diamond is VVS2 and F grade (.60 carat) so I just want to make sure the above is indeed an upgrade and has the same sparkle as current one. I know the clarity and colour is lower but I really want to get her at least 1 carat.
I haven’t seen the 0.6ct F VVS2, but if it has better proportions, then I think it would look better than the I. You’re upgrading carats, but everything else is being downgraded: color (F -> I), clarity (VVS2 -> VS1), and cut (superideal -> ideal).
If I were in your position, I would keep the 0.6ct F VVS2. Instead of trading it in, I would buy a 1ct F+ VS2+ lab diamond. That should be feasible using just the upgrade budget (7k CAD minus the trade-in credit), so you’re not spending any more than you would have. You can then keep the 0.6ct F VVS2 for sentimental reasons, either as the original ring or repurposed as a pendant.
Hello Joe,
Thank you so much for your reply and your help. I reviewed your education content on your website and it’s been so helpful. Would you please give me your opinion on these options below?
I should have mentioned that my wife’s ring is a 18k yellow gold 4 prong solitaire setting if that makes a difference.
https://www.brilliantearth.com/loose-diamonds/view_detail/10441239/
https://www.brilliantearth.com/loose-diamonds/view_detail/10419243/
https://www.brilliantearth.com/loose-diamonds/view_detail/10477371/
Thank you,
Grayson