Quick and Easy Buying Guide
Carat weight: 1 carat = 200 milligrams = 6.5 mm diameter. Doubling weight doesn't double diameter.
Diamond clarity: FL/IF/VVS/VS = super expensive, near perfect. SI = best value if you can check a photo for obvious inclusions (defects).
Color: D-G = colorless, expensive, only if you have money to burn. H-J = best value. Can go lower in gold metal settings than white metal.
Cut: Better cut ratings let more light into a diamond, making it sparkle more. Very important property, don't skimp here.
Set a budget and minimum cut (Premium). Go J color for gold and I/H for white metals. Go searching for SI1/SI2 clarity diamonds at James Allen. Pick a diamond with small/no inclusions. Choose a ring setting and buy it risk-free (60-day returns).
$11870 Gets One This 1.52 Carat G Color SI1 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond
This diamond has an interesting coupling of a quite good color rating of G, combined with a sometimes shaky SI1 clarity rating, putting the onus on you to examine the photo to check for inclusions.
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I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck. Emma Goldman .
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Shape: Round Carat weight: 1.52 Cut: Ideal Color: G Clarity: SI1 Price: $11870 Certificate: GIA Depth: 61.7% Table: 58.0% Polish: Very Good Symmetry: Very Good Girdle: Thin to slightly thick, faceted Culet: None Fluorescence: None Measurements: 7.32*7.34*4.52 Item number: 1175026 |
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Pay attention to this diamond's girdle description - "Thin to slightly thick, faceted" - and if you don't know about girdle thickness, go have a read of my girdle thickness article. If you can see the diamond in the flesh or see zoomed in photos of the diamond (like the photo for this SI1 clarity diamond), this is where bargains can be had - identifying an SI1 or SI2 stone which is "eye clean" is a rewarding experience that translates to less dollars spent. While not quite as perfect a cut as Hearts & Arrows, the Ideal cut of this diamond means it is significantly cheaper, because you're not paying a premium for a "perfectly" cut diamond. Throwing $11870 towards a stone nets one a diamond well above the cut, such as this diamond. Just be sure that you and your partner are happy spending the money.
The G color of this diamond provides value for your dollar, since it is not one of the expensive premium color grades D-F. Think about if you're really set on the 1.52 carat weight that this diamond is - or whether you can extend a bit more to buy a slightly larger diamond.