Center stone opinions for e-ring

[gabe2500]

I am purchasing a setting and center stone through Blue Nile and wanted some opinions on these 4 stones. I am most partial to the .56c G color ags 0 because the aset looks great for the most part, as do the proportions according to my taste. The other 3 I selected in hopes of getting a slightly larger center with only a slight drop in quality if any, despite the J color drop. Is a G that much of an upgrade in comparison to face up white J in a prong double halo setting? I contacted blue nile about all 4 stones and verified that they are eye clean. The .70c stone is the most interesting one out of the bunch because it has a 53% table and a 62.4% depth, but the crown and pavilion numbers looked good. To me the upgrade to the .75 compared to the .56 is almost worth it for the size increase, but perhaps I am overanalyzing and that perceived difference is overshadowed by the ags 0 cert and G color.

So I would appreciate some opinions based on the info I have provided and some honest opinions. Thanks in advance.

.56
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamo...ture-ideal-cut-g-color-si1-clarity_LD03381715

.70
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-j-color-vs2-clarity_LD03295204

.73
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-j-color-vs2-clarity_LD02902839

.75
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-j-color-si1-clarity_LD01522256

 

[gabe2500]

anybody?

 

[JulieN]

Maybe Blue Nile can help you find AGS 0 stones that are bigger/lower color, because there is no lab report sorting on their website.

 

[gabe2500]

Actually, there is if you select symmetry on the drop down screen. Whenever you select it, there will be an order of ID first, then EX . The .56 had an excellent asset, I was just curious if the jump in carat size was worth the sacrifice in color. That's how I weeded out the AGS stones

 

[AprilBaby]

I would take the ideal cut and higher color.

 

[gabe2500]

Thank you for the response, that I was thinking too I just wish that I could find a .7-.8 since that is a 25% ish difference in size. But at the same time that .56 has a great asset and a nice color. I guess it is worth the trade off and since this will be placed inside a double halo there will be less noticeable size difference in comparison to a solitaire. Since from my limited understanding 20% is where the size difference comes in to play when comparing stones, at least from what I have noticed on pricescope and in person.

Thank you for all the help and anyone else that has input feel free to chime in. I wish my budget was bigger since its 2k for the center stone and that's pushing it, so I could get an ags 0 stone in that .7-.8 range. That is the size that I would prefer for piece of mind and unfortunately blue nile will not provide aset for GIA stones. Before anyone suggests buying the stone elsewhere my significant other only liked a setting she saw on blue nile in comparison to other vendors so this is the compromise.

 

[yssie]

-Can't tell anything about optical symmetry of the GIAs

-When the stones are loose, I think the size difference between the G and the Js is both visible and memorable (you'll remember the G being smaller even without a side-by-side point of comparison)

-When the stones are loose, I think the colour difference between the G and the Js will be visible face-up in a side by side comparison unless you're particularly colour-insensitive, but looking at the J by itself all anyone will ever see is "white diamond".

But you aren't buying a loose stone, you're buying a ring. A double halo is a substantial design - like you say, the few tenths of a mm of difference between the G and Js loose will be completely overshadowed by the diameter of the halos. And melee face-up really, really white. So I'd pick the G, because they're all small enough to behave somewhat melee-esque in terms of light return.

 

[gabe2500]

Thanks!!! Yeah, that is why I was very hesitant to purchase any of the GIA's because without an ASET that is a no go for me. The only exception would be the GIA signatures ideals because of the GCAL, but I won't even get into that

Definitely side by side there would be a somewhat obvious difference between the G an J and the size difference which is about 20-25% depending on the carat size. But you are totally right, that face up by itself mounted in a halo the J would look white.

Yet, at the same time, since a G is a better color for matching a halo melee and since the double halo is a substantial design, the halos should mask somewhat the size difference.

My worry was that the .56 G AGS 0 would get swallowed up by the double halo design, where as a .7-.8 would balance the ring out better, but maybe I am thinking too much. I have to think carefully about that specific situation and whether I not I should save up more and aim for the .7-.8 range.

Its just that aset for that .56 is looking real nice and symmetrical in comparison to most of the other asets I have seen for anything under a carat on blue nile. I have been looking at a lot of asets and found that one to be definitely the best compromise so far.

Thanx for all the input, this forum is awesome and has so many knowledgeable people

 

[yssie]

My worry was that the .56 G AGS 0 would get swallowed up by the double halo design, where as a .7-.8 would balance the ring out better, but maybe I am thinking too much. I have to think carefully about that specific situation and whether I not I should save up more and aim for the .7-.8 range.

Halos are amazing size-equalizers - for better and worse! The "better" part is that I honestly don't think you gain anything in terms of impact or center/halo(s) proportions by sacrificing colour to go from a 0.5ct to a 0.7ct.
The "worse" part is that, well, I honestly don't think you gain anything in terms of impact or center/halo(s) proportions by saving up to go from a 0.5ct to a 0.7ct without sacrificing colour! I think you'd have to go to maybe 1ct+ to really note a significant difference.

 

[gabe2500]

Thanks, and you totally reassured me now since it really isn't a huge size jump from .5 to .7 and not worth the sacrifice in symmetry and color.

You are totally right about a 1 carat being the size where there would be a noticeable increase, but I have to be cost conscious and wise with he budget that I have.

Down the line I could always upgrade through Blue Nile anyways to something over the 1 carat range, since to me personally and to my wife to be only a 1-2 carat would be a worthwhile upgrade and we discussed this at several local jewelers when we were searching.

You have been a great help because I definitely overanalyze and this helped me look at the bigger picture. When I get the ring in I will be sure to post some pics on SMTB to display all the blingy goodness.

 

[yssie]

Thanks, and you totally reassured me now since it really isn't a huge size jump from .5 to .7 and not worth the sacrifice in symmetry and color.

You are totally right about a 1 carat being the size where there would be a noticeable increase, but I have to be cost conscious and wise with he budget that I have.

Down the line I could always upgrade through Blue Nile anyways to something over the 1 carat range, since to me personally and to my wife to be only a 1-2 carat would be a worthwhile upgrade and we discussed this at several local jewelers when we were searching.

You have been a great help because I definitely overanalyze and this helped me look at the bigger picture. When I get the ring in I will be sure to post some pics on SMTB to display all the blingy goodness.

Oh I think you're very wise to make a budget - whatever it is! - and actually *stick* to it and a double halo will be blingtastic!
Please do post pics when you get it