Diamond Query: “The Main Two Things Holding Me Back are the Size and the Fact that the Polish is Only Excellent Not Ideal.”

| Anonymous Reader

Hi Sebastian,

I’m from Australia and looking to purchase a loose diamond for an engagement ring. The specs I am looking for are:

  1. GIA/AGS certified
  2. 0.9 carat
  3. Triple excellent for cut, polish, symmetry
  4. Minimum VS1
  5. Minimum G colour
  6. Very interested in ideal super cut diamonds

The main thing is my budget which is around $6500AUD. Based on the current exchange rate, this equates to $4500 USD ex duties/taxes.

At the moment i am looking at pulling the trigger on the James Allen diamond:

0.86 CARAT G-VS2 TRUE HEARTS IDEAL DIAMOND

0.86 CARAT G-VS2 TRUE HEARTS IDEAL DIAMOND

However, the main two things holding me back are the size and the fact that the polish is only excellent not ideal. Also I received the following diamond recommendation from Whiteflash, how would you rate this compared to the James Allen option:

0.84 Carat G VS1 Premium Select Round Cut Diamond

And a few more queries,

  1. My local jeweler mentioned that sometimes diamonds can have a milky hue and I should be wary of it when purchasing unsighted. Can you let me know if this is something I should be worried about or if the James Allen 360 degree video is sufficient to determine if the diamond exhibits a milky hue.
  2. If I stretch my budget by about $500USD (i.e. $5000USD) is there a better diamond that you would recommend or is the James Allen option the best bang for buck.

I understand its quite few questions and really appreciate your time. Hopefully the above makes sense.

Your Diamond Teacher |

Thank you for your inquiry. I am happy to help!

Ideal and Excellent are the same thing. AGS uses the word Ideal and GIA uses the word Excellent. The only reason a diamond may appear milky is due to strong fluorescence or the diamond being heavily included with twinning wisps, graining, or large cloud inclusions. The below JA diamond is an excellent choice. The Whiteflash diamond is no longer available.

0.86 CARAT G-VS2 TRUE HEARTS IDEAL DIAMOND

0.86 CARAT G-VS2 TRUE HEARTS IDEAL DIAMOND

Many thanks!

| Anonymous Reader

Hi Sebastian, thanks for that.
However the AGS certificate says excellent for polish instead of Ideal. Is it an issue?

Your Diamond Teacher |

For cut grade, AGS says Ideal. When grading polish and symmetry they use the word Excellent.

| Anonymous Reader

Thank you for the info. So after some pondering, I have decided to got with Whiteflash. The budget has been upped a bit to around $6k max. What are your thoughts on the following and which would you recommend:

0.90 ct G SI1 A CUT ABOVE Hearts and Arrows Diamond

0.90 ct G SI1 A CUT ABOVE Hearts and Arrows Diamond

0.913 ct G VS2 Expert Selection Round Cut Loose Diamond

0.913 ct G VS2 Expert Selection Round Cut Loose Diamond

0.911 ct G SI1 A CUT ABOVE Hearts and Arrows Diamond

0.911 ct G SI1 A CUT ABOVE Hearts and Arrows Diamond

Your Diamond Teacher |

The three diamonds you selected below from Whiteflash are all an excellent choice. If I lined them each up in front of you, in person, you would not be able to tell them apart. With that being said, you should choose the one you instinctively like best.