Deciding Between 3 Whiteflash Diamonds Need Help Choosing

Q:

Liz,

I’m planning to pull the trigger and spend some money tomorrow, but just found your very informative site. Thanks for the good info. Can you give me your opinion on three Whiteflash diamonds and which of these would be the best buy? I’ve got this first “ACA” reserved, but am considering one of the larger “Expert Selection” listed below. Let me know your thoughts!

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2890093.htm
AGA/NAJA = 1B
HCA = 1.9

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2945676.htm
AGA/NAJA = 1A
HCA = 1.4

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2972960.htm
AGA/NAJA = 1B
HCA = 3.9 (this is a concern)

All 3 Whiteflash diamonds above are considered “eye clean”.

I’ve received excellent customer service from Whiteflash so far. I’ve also looked at Brain Gavin, James Allen, and B2C Jewels (which seems cheapest, has mostly GIA graded diamonds, limited information, etc.) Any thoughts on buying from B2C?

Hope I hear back from you fast!

Thanks so much for your help!

Dan

A:

Hello Dan,

Thanks for contacting me. With consideration of these three specific Whiteflash diamonds:

The 1.312ct H SI1 is cut a little too shallow: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2972960.htm

The 1.325ct H SI1 is a bit busy in terms of clarity: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2945676.htm

Overall, the 1.216ct H SI1 ACA is the best out of the three. It has a crystal/cloud under the table facet but it is perfectly eye-clean, so no worries there. AGS triple 0 with hearts and arrows optical symmetry, you are guaranteed optimum brilliance and light reflection.

B2C has some well cut diamonds and also some very poor cut diamonds. Like anything else you have to search through their inventory to find the best quality diamonds. They do standout as a retailer because they have actual magnified pictures along with ASET, ideal-scope, and hearts and arrows images for some of their diamonds and their prices are in fact very competitive.

I hope this gives you the confidence to make your purchase today! I wish you all the best!

Kind Regards,

Liz

Q:

Liz,

Thanks for the quick reply and feedback! One more question, if you don’t mind…just trying to learn and hopefully see what you see. It pertains to your comment about the first stone being cut too shallow. Where are you seeing this? When I compare the specs on the 3, I see overall depths of 4.43mm/62% (3.02mm for the pavilion) on the one you graded as too shallow, and 4.25mm/61.9% (2.98mm for the pavilion) on the one I have reserved, and about the same for the one you said is a bit busy to be an SI1.

Just wondering if I’m looking at the right numbers??

Thanks again,

Dan

Small Deviations In Table%, Depth%, And Angles Can And Do Change The Way Light Is Reflected Within A Diamond

A:

Hi Dan,

With diamonds, it isn’t as straight forward as simple number comparison. We are evaluating a crystal that has been cut to minute specifications that can drastically alter light performance if just slightly out of proportion or out of facet alighnment (commonly called yaw). The ASET image shows the 1.312ct as being dark in the center. This is due to light leakage. The 1.216ct on the other hand is bright red and consistent throughout the stone.

Small deviations in table%, depth%, and angles can and do change the way light is reflected within a diamond. It is very possible to have identical diamond proportions on paper but possess different light performance capabilities. That is why it is always important to purchase a diamond with actual images and light performance information. Images on this page should help explain further: https://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/diamond-education/about-aset.htm

I hope this helps!

Liz

Q:

Very interesting and good points! Again…you’re the expert and I really do appreciate your help! The 1.312ct is now out of the running. The 1.216tct looks best overall, but I still like that 1.325ct too, a bit more expensive ($800), but bigger…and maybe some other slight draw backs compared to the ACA 1.216ct.

We shall see!

Thanks again, for all your help!

Dan

A:

Hi Dan,

Another thing to keep in mind is that the pavilion and crown angles provided on a gem lab report are averages. This is why it is possible to have identical diamond proportions but different light return.

This 1.216ct H SI1 represents the greatest value for money from Whiteflash.com

I’m sure you already know that there will be very little visual size difference between the 1.216ct and the 1.325ct. For example, the 1.216ct measures 6.85×6.87×4.25 while the 1.325ct measures 7.06×7.09×4.33. The difference is 2/10 of a millimeter. You could always ask Whiteflash to create a video of both stone side-by-side to see the actual size difference and light performance.

The 1.216ct has an isolated crystal/cloud inclusion under the table facet. Other than that, the stone is very clean. The 1.325ct has a crystal, cloud, feather and needles scattered throughout the stone. So in terms of clarity, the 1.216ct is a much cleaner stone.

The hearts and arrows optical proportion coupled with the cleaner clarity would make me feel the 1.216ct has greater value for money. But, that is just my opinion! Good luck in your diamond search and let me know which of the two remaining Whiteflash diamonds you end up getting!

Take care,

Liz

Q:

Liz,

You’ve been a great help! With my hours of researching Whiteflash diamonds, advice from Liza at Whiteflash, and your guidance…I’ve gone with the 1.216ct stone in a 14K white gold pave setting! I think I bought and selected well, based on the quality of cut, and other features for the money. I looked at multiple sites and couldn’t find anything with the same light performance results, HCA, and AGA results for the size/color/clarity that this diamond had for the money. In most cases I was seeing inferior stones of the same approximate size for anywhere between 30-50% higher…I found the setting for 1/3 the cost of other locations for the “exact” same specs. So, unless I’ve fooled myself and your great guidance was off…I’m feeling pretty good, albeit broke! 🙂

Best regards,

Dan

A:

Hey Dan,

Congratulations! I’m happy to hear that you made your decision on the 1.216ct H SI1. It is a very nice stone. I love Whiteflash for exactly the same reasons you listed. They are a very ethical and consistent diamond retailer.

All the best!

Liz