Brief
Type: Lab Created
Cut: Radiant
Carat: from 2 ct to 2.25 ct
Color Range: Colorless (D-E-F)
Clarity: VVS1-VVS2
Message: Elongated radiant cut with excellent scintillation, perhaps more fire than brilliance. I could go to VS1 I suppose but a couple hundred dollars in price is not a big factor for me.
I am looking at 1.41-1.43 for the elongated radiant shape and medium girdle. I really appreciate your help!
The following chart includes my assessment of the three diamonds you are interested in
Lab Diamonds
| Affiliate Link | L/W Ratio | Vendor | Crystal Quality | Cut Quality | Overall Rating | Hue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radiant IGI LG639426823 2.01 Ct D VVS2 | 1.41 |  | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 | None Detected |
| Radiant IGI LG625447869 2.08 Ct E VVS2 | 1.42 | | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 | brown |
| Radiant IGI LG629486498 2.07 Ct F VVS2 | 1.42 | | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 | gray |
FAQ
Are the diamonds you recommend always eye-clean?
Yes, I only select diamonds which I deem to be eye-clean as per the definition I have written about here. (The rare exception being where someone specifically requests a diamond with visible inclusions.)
What does “Material” in the above table mean?
Way too many lab created diamonds have no sparkle as they are cut from low quality rough. I therefore rate the material where useful video is available and look for strain, odd hues, haziness, or any sign of reduced translucency. The acceptable range is between 9/10 and 10/10. Anything below that and the lack of translucency starts to severely affect the passage of light and this hampers the stone’s luster and sparkle.
Higher quality simply means the stone has a better response to light.
Low quality means it may look lifeless, more like glass, or even faintly tinted glass.
What does “Light Return” mean in the above table?
Diamonds act as both windows and mirrors. The light that enters a diamond is ideally bounced back when it hits the inside facets at certain angles which causes the light to be returned to the eye. You can read more about diamond performance here: Diamond analytics. The acceptable range is where I have rated diamonds between 9/10 and 10/10.
What is the Overall Rating Based on?
This is the average of the three other ratings with my discretionary rounding, increase, or decrease, where I consider it is merited.
Diamonds to which I have given an overall rating of 9.5+ have always ended up being keepers where the quality of the diamond is the only factor.
What is a hue?
A hue is the basic attribute of color that defines its identity on the color spectrum. It’s essentially the “name” of the color—like red, blue, green, or yellow. Hues are the pure colors you see on a rainbow or a color wheel.
Key Points About Hue:
- Pure Color: A hue doesn’t include shades (darker versions) or tints (lighter versions). For example, red is a hue, but maroon (a shade) and pink (a tint) are not.
- Primary Colors: The fundamental hues—red, yellow, and blue—combine to form other hues.
- Warm vs. Cool:
- Warm hues: Red, orange, yellow (think fire and sunlight).
- Cool hues: Blue, green, purple (think water and ice).
- Hue vs. Color:
- “Color” includes modifications like brightness, saturation, and tone, while “hue” is just the pure spectrum position.
If you’ve ever used a color picker, the slider showing a rainbow of colors is where you choose your hue!
Just because I mention a hue doesn’t mean it will be prominent. For example:
- A diamond graded D is completely colorless, meaning it has no hue at all.
- A grade of E indicates a hue or color so faint that it’s nearly impossible to detect.
That said, it’s important to understand how grading practices can vary:
- IGI vs. GIA:
- IGI often allows stones to be submitted in pre-labeled batches, which may influence the grading context.
- GIA assumes no prior knowledge of the stone, focusing on an entirely independent evaluation.
While IGI grades are generally reliable, from what I have seen they can occasionally differ by up to one grade compared to GIA assessments. This variance is rare but worth keeping in mind when comparing certifications.
Is HPHT better than CVD?
Neither method of growing a diamond is inherently better. Both methods can produce good and bad quality rough. There is no reason to shun either type of diamond. The diamonds I select are ones I deem to be cut from good to high quality rough and which I deem not to have issues with haziness nor displaying any odd hues. If your budget does not allow for a high quality diamond I recommend going for a lower carat size. Else be prepared to accept a diamond with little to no sparkle.
What are the proportions for ideal diamonds?
This is a short question with a long answer as there are many interacting factors at play.
Teaching the specifics of diamond performance is beyond the scope of what I offer as part of my free Diamond Concierge Service.
There are many resources available on gia.edu if would like to learn more about diamonds.
About This Service
Offering this as a free service is made possible using an affiliate model.
Simply use the affiliate link above at the time of making the purchase and let me know the order number after placing an order.
There is no additional cost to you and the merchant only pays me long after the return period has passed.
Disclaimer:
While every effort is made to recommend diamonds that exhibit the highest brilliance and fire based on available data, it is important to note that remote assessments are inherently limited. Evaluations rely on reports, images, and videos, which may not fully capture subtle characteristics such as precise symmetry, material quality, or light performance under different conditions.
As such, these recommendations should be considered as informed guidance rather than definitive guarantees. We advise allowing for a margin of error and, where possible, consulting directly with the retailer or obtaining an in-person evaluation to ensure the diamond meets your expectations.
Need more assessments?
Please reply to the email I sent you for information on what I can offer beyond the above free service.
Thomas J Stevens GIA DG CSG
