Trying to decide between two FY 2+ carat diamonds

[Ramod]

Hey guys,

Wanted you guy's opinions on the following two stones:

1. http://www.leibish.com/yellow-diamond/250ct-fancy-yellow-radiant-if-84801-15383
Video: http://vimeo.com/88728253

Modified Cushion Brilliant
2.50 carat
Fancy Yellow
IF
8.13x6.82x4.76
VG polish
VG symmetry
Fluor: med blue
Table: 67%, depth 69.8%



2. http://www.leibish.com/yellow-diamond/220ct-fancy-yellow-radiant-if-80071-14919
Video: http://vimeo.com/88727740

Modified Radiant Brilliant
2.20 carat
Fancy Yellow
IF
8.10x6.90x4.35
G polish
G symmetry
Fluor: none
Table: 67%, depth 63%

The 2.5 is very nice. A bit of a bowtie effect and extinction on the N/S edges but not much I think? It has a larger depth as well, but now only medium fluor. My sale agent assured me the fluro had no negative effect, and actually enhances the yellow. I only worry the color looks a bit "dirty" as oppose to a lemony sunshine color.

The 2.20 is very large face up and looks more bright, polish and symmetry bit lacking comparatively but great depth. Visually, it looks like there's a bit more windowing around the center and dark clouds around the edges then I like. And my sale agent did confirm this.

Here's a side by side comparison:

 

[LoversKites]

The 2.5 is very nice. A bit of a bowtie effect and extinction on the N/S edges but not much I think? It has a larger depth as well, but now only medium fluor. My sale agent assured me the fluro had no negative effect, and actually enhances the yellow. I only worry the color looks a bit "dirty" as oppose to a lemony sunshine color.

The 2.20 is very large face up and looks more bright, polish and symmetry bit lacking comparatively but great depth. Visually, it looks like there's a bit more windowing around the center and dark clouds around the edges then I like. And my sale agent did confirm this.

Regarding the 2.5ct, I agree with what you wrote, and for the bolded reasons I would not consider it.

Regarding the 2.2ct, again, for the reasons I bolded wouldn't consider it.

With the drawbacks you stated above... I wouldn't spend the $$ on either. Assuming time wasn't a factor, if I were in the market of a FY diamond I would be fussy about the colour, cut (performance & extinction) and the depth. I would only make a large purchase if the stone had no issues.

Fwiw, and I could be wrong, I wouldn't call 63% depth 'great' since the ideal, I believe, is 60-62-ish and I've seen diamonds with 55% depth with no windowing that make it face up quite a bit larger.

 

[Ramod]

Thanks for the input!

Yea timing is a bit of a factor, I've been looking for 1.5 months and the stock around the 2.2 - 2.7 carat range is a bit limited.

I definitely like the 2.5c better I think. The extinctions are minimal, the depth is not great but that might add color to the diamond as well, as more time for light to travel. My biggest issue is the dirtier color, but in the comparison picture, I don't see a lot of difference.

 

[MollyMalone]

Perhaps you're putting unnecessary pressure on yourself? It's entirely possible to propose -- and receive a happy Yes! -- without the ring in hand

 

[minousbijoux]

Ramod it is so nice to have you here looking for your engagement stone and I'm definitely not trying to get rid of you, lol. But while you are looking for a colored stone, it also happens to be a diamond and I'm wondering if you wouldn't get even greater assistance if you asked your threads to be moved over to RockyTalk? The traffic there is much, much higher and there are so many more folks knowledgable about diamonds - including yellow diamonds - there. I just think there will be a greater chance of getting even more good ideas and feedback there than here. But good luck whatever you decide

 

[marymm]

Of the 2, I prefer the 2.20ct - to me, it has the better color and I also prefer its patterning. Plus, I do think blue fluor (medium and higher) tends to work against the color in yellow diamonds and can "drab" out the stone - I'd likely avoid blue fluor unless it is faint?

Do you already know how you plan to set the FY? If it is to be bezelled in yellow gold, that would offset any watery outer edges and really showcase the stone well. If the stone is to be prong-set, rather than go either of these 2 stones, I might look around longer for a stone with edge-to-edge color and patterning.

 

[MollyMalone]

Ramod, I asked my brother-in-law in Massachusetts, who's now the executor of his mother's estate, to ask if he would mind looking through his files to see if there's any documentation re the colored diamonds that my FIL purchased & had set into a brooch. He just called to say that he had the paperwork for those FCDs: they came from Amgad and from Ishay-Ben David here in NYC's Diamond District.

My FIL was in the trade, but you need not be to purchase from either of these merchants. They don't seem to have received much publicity on the PS forums in the most recent years, but using the Search box will bring up past endorsements (and I didn't see any negative comments).
http://www.amgad.com
http://www.fancycolordiamond.net

 

[chrono]

I would go by measurement, rather than a carat weight range since this can vary greatly due to the cut. I noticed that you are only looking at rectangular radiants. Any chance of opening your options to include cushions or something squarer? I saw one or two promising FYs on Leibish's website that fits your price range and is still above the 2 ct mark.

http://www.leibish.com/yellow-diamond/204ct-fancy-yellow-cushion-vvs2-80580-15005
The yellow looks strong for a fancy grading, the cutting looks good and the fluoro is faint.