Zoara Diamonds With $15K Budget

Q:

Hello,

I am purchasing my first diamond with a $15k budget. I have two stones in mind and was hoping if you could help me decide between them because they are very similar.

http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs2#p=3452157

http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs2#p=3169405

I’m looking for ~1.5 ct, nearly colorless, set in solitaire white gold setting. Your help is greatly appreciated and your website is absolutely amazing!

Best regards,

Diane

A:

Hey Diane,

I do not recommend the 1.50ct H VS2: http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs2#p=3452157. There are a lot of clouds in that diamond.

The 1.50ct H VS2: http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs2#p=3169405, is better. The proportions are great and there is one large feather followed by a small cloud on the plotting diagram. I would go for this diamond.

Here is another option for you, just in case:

1.58ct G VVS2 for $13,923.00: http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_g_vvs2#p=2906559

The cut is incredible on this diamond. It is also one color grade higher and two clarity grades higher for about $1K more. It has strong blue fluorescence which is just another distinguishing characteristic and in this case doesn’t affect the diamond in any negative way.

or this 1.57ct H IF for $13,415.00: http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_if#p=3326323

Overall, the best value for money is the 1.57ct H IF for $13,415.00. But, if you wanted to save $600 you could go for the 1.50ct H VS2.

I hope this helps!

Kind Regards,

Liz

Q:

Hello Liz,

First just let me just say THANK YOU for all of your help. I spent so much time looking for the perfect stone that there came a point where I just wanted to give up and just buy whatever was available at my local jewelry store. But, I am still hopeful and determined to find a stone that I will be in love with forever. Fortunately in my search I have your website to refer to constantly to ensure that the stone I am considering is the best.

Anyway, I considered the stones that you suggested as an alternative but my husband and I are not a fan of fluorescence. I did, though, discover this 1.52ct H VS1 for $13,917.00: http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_h_vs1#p=3291601

However, there is a crystal inclusion that I’m not sure how it will turn out in real life (no real images available) – any thoughts? Overall, what do you think of this diamond? I am attaching it’s GIA certificate to this email.

Thank you again Liz and let’s hope I’m getting closer to “the one”.

Best regards,

Diane

A:

Hi Diane,

You are very welcome.

No problem. I looked at the GIA grading report for your 1.52 H VS1 and the grade making inclusion is a small crystal followed by a pinpoint. Since the diamond is graded a VS1, the crystal will not be an issue. The diamond will be eye-clean, with the inclusion being somewhat difficult to find with 10x’s magnification.

The GIA plotting diagram above has a crystal listed first as the grade making inclusion followed by a pinpoint. Neither of these inclusions will be visible to the unaided eye and therefore this VS1 diamond is perfectly eye-clean.

You will be just fine with this diamond.

King Regards,

Liz

Q:

Hi Liz,

I finally received my diamond! It was shipped overnight via FedEx and came in a beautiful blue lighted-box. I do love my ring and it’s even more beautiful than I had imagined.

Thank you again Liz!