Truth About Diamonds » Excellent Polish

This is a great value buy. You can pair this diamond up with a solitaire mounting and come in around $2,000 for everything. Its a beautiful cut and will look great in a solitaire mounting.

Here are the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Click on image for enlarged view.

Shape: Round

Cut: Excellent

Carats: 0.63

Diamond Color: J

Diamond Clarity: VS2

Measurements: 5.48*5.51*3.41

Depth: 62.1%

Table: 56%

Diamond Polish: Excellent

Diamond Symmetry: Excellent

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price:$1,730

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Q&A: “The diamond world is definitely overwhelming!”

DU — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:43:37 +0000

Q: I am currently looking for a loose 1 Carat (or slightly larger) Princess Cut Diamond with the following criteria:

Ideal Cut (I realize GIA doesn’t rate this for princess cuts)
D-F Colour
VVS1-VS2
65-70% Table
65-73% Depth
Excellent-Very Good Symmetry/Polish
Budget $6000-$8000

I have been reading the information on your site and have taken your advice on searching for diamonds on the James Allen website. I think I have found one I like but would appreciate your opinion on this specific diamond and any others you might recommend. I know you have said before that the images are already magnified without the use of the loupe but I do see a black spot on this particular diamond and just wonder if by chance you might be able to see it with the naked eye?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1353414.asp

Thanks very much for your help.

A: That’s a beautiful stone indeed that you linked to! I couldn’t see anything – and I wouldn’t expect to since it’s a VS1. So I’m fairly certain that whatever your seeing is a dark spot due to an artifact of the photography caused by the faceting.

I think your specs are all great except for one thing – you can be a bit more flexible on clarity – as long as the diamond is confirmed to be clean to the naked eye. Clarity doesn’t affect brilliance. So an SI1 and flawless stone will look identical to one another (if the SI1 is eye clean) and all else is equal.

So having said that, here’s what I Like for you and your budget:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1352631.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1335400.asp

let me know what you think!

Q: Thanks for such a quick reply Ira! In regards to the 1.22 smaller table diamond you picked out (I actually had my eye on that one too) -It’s a very impressive diamond, however the girdle is quoted as “very thin to thick” and I have read that this can be a problem as “very thin” can result in a weaker diamond and may be damaged in setting or just daily wear?? What are your thoughts on that?

Thanks again for your advice…the diamond world is definitely overwhelming!

A: Very thin is still fine. Just stay away from extremely thin.

Q: Hi Ira. I just wanted to let you know that I just purchased the 1.07 diamond through James Allen. All the specs looked great and I just felt like it was the right one. Thanks for your advice. With a big purchase like this, it’s nice to get a second opinion.

Thanks again

A: Sounds great! Please stay in touch and let me know what you think when it arrives!

Best Round Brilliant Cut for $6,000: 1.02 Carats, H Color, SI2 Clarity, GIA Certified Excellent Cut Diamond

Mike — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:06:28 +0000

This diamond is for those of you who are looking to purchase a setting with sidestones. While an IJ diamond is usually the best value, it is important to purchase an H+ colored diamond when there is a sidestone setting because you don’t want the center diamond to look dark/yellow compared to the setting. This is a beautiful diamond that will go great in a pave or sidestone ring.

Click on image for enlarged view

Here are the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Shape: Round

Cut: Excellent

Carats: 1.02

Diamond Color: H

Diamond Clarity: SI2

Measurements: 6.45*6.48*4.00

Depth: 61.9%

Table: 59%

Diamond Polish: Excellent

Diamond Symmetry: Excellent

Diamond Fluorescence: Faint

Diamond Price:$6,020

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Best Round Brilliant Cut Diamond For $4,000: 0.90 Carats, J Color, VVS2 Clarity, GIA Certified Excellent Cut

Mike — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:30:18 +0000

And the run on VVS2 diamonds oddly continues. This is a great value buy. Given the current diamond market, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find nice 0.90 carat diamonds under $5,000. This diamond is beautifully cut, eye-clean (obviously, given its clarity) and will have great fire and brilliance.

Click on diamond for enlarged view.

Here are the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Shape: Round

Cut: Excellent

Carats: 0.90

Diamond Color: J

Diamond Clarity: VVS2

Measurements: 6.23*6.27*3.82

Depth: 61.1%

Table: 53%

Diamond Polish: Excellent

Diamond Symmetry: Very Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price:$4,020

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Best Round Brilliant Cut For $7,000: 1.26 Carats, I Color, SI2 Clarity, GIA Certified Excellent Cut

Mike — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:02:23 +0000

Here is another great diamond that I stumbled across on one of my searches. This is a great deal. The inclusions are just some scattered twinning wisps that are not noticeable to the naked eye. Its an excellent buy.

Here are the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Click on image for magnified view

Shape: Round

Cut: Excellent

Carats: 1.26

Diamond Color: I

Diamond Clarity: SI2

Measurements: 6.93*6.88*4.27

Depth: 61.9%

Table: 59%

Diamond Polish: Ecellent

Diamond Symmetry: Very Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price:$7,170

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Best Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Under $15,000; 1.73 Carat, H Color, SI2 Clarity, GIA Certified Excellent Cut.

Mike — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:01:55 +0000

This diamond is an incredible find. The inclusion is right on the edge and easily ‘prongable’ (covered by a prong) so the diamond will be completely eye-clean. It is beautifully cut and the faint fluorescence is like ‘an olive in the martini.’ All in all, this is a great value.

Here are the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Click here for an enlarged image of the diamond

Shape: Round

Cut: Excellent

Carats: 1.73

Diamond Color: H

Diamond Clarity: SI2

Measurements: 7.82*7.80*4.75

Depth: 60.9%

Table: 55%

Diamond Polish: Ecellent

Diamond Symmetry: Excellent

Diamond Fluorescence: Faint

Diamond Price: $14,750

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Best Round Brilliant Cut Diamond for $2,500; 0.75 Carats, J Color, VS2 Clarity, GIA Certified Excellent Cut.

Mike — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:02:54 +0000

This is a great diamond on a budget. The cut on this diamond is beautiful, and the inclusions are a faint grey, so they will be eye-clean. The faint fluorescence is an olive in the martini (just a little bonus).

Here are the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Click on image for magnified view.

Shape: Round

Cut: Excellent

Carats: 0.75

Diamond Color: J

Diamond Clarity: VS2

Measurements: 5.80*5.82*3.63

Depth: 62.4%

Table: 57%

Diamond Polish: Ecellent

Diamond Symmetry: Excellent

Diamond Fluorescence: Faint

Diamond Price: $2,550

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Best Round Brilliant Cut Diamond For $12,000: 1.71 Carat, J Color, SI1 Clarity, GIA Certified Excellent Cut

Mike — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:24:06 +0000

This is a unique diamond. While the inclusion is large, it is in a perfect location. You can easily cover that with a prong and the diamond will be completely eye-clean. This diamond is an excellent deal for the price they are selling it for.

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Click on image to view enlarged photo.

Shape: Round Brilliant

Carats: 1.71

Diamond Cut: Excellent

Diamond Color: J

Diamond Clarity: SI1

Measurements: 7.70*7.74*4.67

Depth: 60.5%

Table: 59%

Diamond Polish: Excellent

Diamond Symmetry: Excellent

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price: $12,070

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Q&A: Best Oval Diamond for Under $3K

DU — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:43:08 +0000

Q: Hello, I have been looking extensively for an oval diamond around .7-.8 ct and then I came across your site. I am looking for the best bang for under $3k. I value the quality of the diamond much more so than the size.

F or better

VS2 or better (unless an SI1 has no visible things)

Most sites I have been looking at premium/very good to ideal cuts

From what I have read, symmetry of good or better is fine as this isn’t even noticeable to the human eye?

I have been looking for a polish of very good to excellent (is there a noticeable difference to the human eye between good through excellent?)

And now after reading your site, sounds like I want to stick with a fluorescence of faint to none.

Thanks!

A: Thanks for writing. Good is fine for polish and symmetry in my opinion. Here’s a really nice stone I like for you:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1303083.asp

Q: Thanks for the input, I am looking exclusively for an oval though

A: Sorry! I found a stone, I just had that other link on my clipboard and didn’t successfully copy your link. Here it is:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1095648.asp

Q: Hey Ira, I have been looking a little more, what do you think of this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1337708.asp

This was my pick from all of James Allen oval – ideal cut .65 – .90 ct

Thanks!

…….

also, do you have a new updated coupon code? tadj10 isnt working

A: The coupon only works when you have a setting and a diamond in the shopping cart together. Was that the case? It’s possible they put an expiration on the code through the end of January.

Q: I bought a loose diamond from them and they gave me a discount for linking from your site. Thanks for all of the knowledge on your site !

A: Wow! That’s great!