Looking for a round diamond, excellent cut, at least H color, VS2 or VS1, $14-18K budget. Would really appreciate some help narrowing things down…
Options I’m looking at right now:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.59-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9748744?a_aid=55f8cd4e21a11
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.41-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-11975919?a_aid=55f8cd4e21a11
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.59-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-9748744?a_aid=55f8cd4e21a11
This first and third diamond are the same 1.59 G VS2. That diamond shows some strain in the diamond crystal and I think the black crystal under the table could be improved. The 1.41 G VS2 is cloudy.
You might consider the options below. The 1.55 H SI1 is lower clarity than your criteria, but should be eye-clean and would save you the most. The 1.67 H VS2 goes a bit bigger. And then the 1.5 D VS2 jumps up in color compared to the 1.59 G VS2. I only searched under $16k as that was similar to the options you listed.
Shape,Carat,Color,Clarity,Cut,Price (USD),Affiliate Link
Round,1.55,H,SI1,Excellent,11870,https://www.diamondscreener.com/ja/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-13059293
Round,1.67,H,VS2,Excellent,14570,https://www.diamondscreener.com/ja/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.67-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-13107574
Round,1.5,D,VS2,Excellent,15080,https://www.diamondscreener.com/ja/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-13065421
In the 1.41 G VS2, the blacks aren’t as deep as they should be, sort of like what you’d observe through cloudy water. It should be clear.
Strain is the faint lines you see on the facets as you rotate the diamond. A higher quality crystal doesn’t show strain.
I picked those three by searching my database for diamonds that meet your stated criteria. I’m just faster at it because I’ve done it thousands of times.
Thanks Joe. In the 1.55 Carat SI1 diamond im seeing some straight feather lines across the diamond in the GIA image. Are those things I shouldn’t care about?
I don’t mind sacrificing clarity to get a larger diamond, but only if it really is “eye clean”. What are the key clarity characteristics to avoid?
Those lines you see are twinning wisps, not feathers. They’re fine and white – the diamond will be eye-clean so you shouldn’t worry about them.
Avoid clouds as the grade setting inclusion at SI1 – you may not see an obvious inclusion, but the diamond will have reduced transparency.
White inclusions are preferable to black inclusions because there’s less contrast with the diamond.
Placement of the inclusions matters (off to towards the edge is better than in the center under the table).
Thanks Joe – this is really helpful. How can you tell the 1.41 G VS2 is cloudy from the photos? Additionally, how do you tell strain in the diamond crystal ?
I’m curious how you were able to pick the 3 you selected? After optimizing my preferences for the 4Cs, it’s been tough for me to narrow things down and avoid those imperfections you mention (e.g., “cloudy” diamonds, “strain”). Any advice you can offer?