The ODBA Diamond Education Learning Curve – Doing Your Homework

Q:

Hi Liz,

I’ve been reading ODBA for a few weeks and it has been my best resource for diamond education. Your articles on ASET, ideal-scope, hearts and arrows, not to mention your easy to understand guides on cut, color, clarity and carat weight have been enlightening!

So, with the help of your diamond education articles and tutorials, I think I’ve come across the right diamond but wanted to get your opinion on it.

It’s near the top of my budget, which is between $12,000 and $18,500, but fits all the criteria I’d like: 1)Super ideal round cut, 2)H, 3)VS2, and 4)greater than/near 1.5 ct. Here is the link: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3034510.htm

Is this a good diamond for the price? Do you have any thoughts general opinions, or how I could better utilize my budget within similar quality criteria?

Thanks a lot,

Frank

A:

Hello Frank,

I’m glad that ODBA has been a great source of diamond education for you.

If you are looking to maximize your budget for an ideal cut round brilliant that is around 1.50ct or more, then this certainly fits your requirements nicely. As an ACA, this diamond exhibits perfect optical symmetry (hearts and arrows contrast) as well as superb light performance. It will definitely shine brilliantly and face-up nice and white. The clarity making inclusions are some clouds located primarily under the main table facet, however these are not visible to the unaided eye and therefore this diamond is perfectly eye-clean.

I’ve searched through Whiteflash’s current diamond inventory and it looks like you have the best stone for your chosen budget. Other alternatives might be slightly less money, however the compromise wouldn’t make sense for you. So, I agree that this diamond offers you the best bang for your buck and is also a great price for this size diamond.

1.63ct H VS2 A Cut Above diamond from Whiteflash (from left: actual magnified image of diamond, ASET image, hearts image)

What kind of setting were you thinking of setting your diamond in?

Please let me know if you have any other questions. I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards,

Liz

Q:

Thank you very much, Liz.

I appreciate your prompt response. I think I’m looking at a 6 prong knife edge solitaire setting in either white gold or platinum. Does this sound like a logical combination? My girlfriend describes her tastes as simple and clean. And do you think it’s worth the bump in price to go to platinum? Any additional diamond education would be sincerely appreciated!

Thanks again,

Frank

A:

Hi Frank,

Ok, that setting sounds nice. I only asked because if you were thinking of yellow gold then you could go lower in color and save some extra cash.

With regard to metal choice, I am a fan of platinum. It is more money, but it is a pure metal not an alloy. White metal is coated with rhodium which does eventually wear away to a yellow-ish tone after wear and tear over a few years. Because of this you’ll have to get the ring dipped in rhodium to keep it white. Platinum doesn’t need this upkeep. That is the main difference.

Kind Regards,

Liz