Diamond Comparison - Need Advice

Date: 1/6/2009 12:12:07 PM
Author:mishamish
Hello All,

I'm very close to making the purchase and plan on proposing before valentine's day. I've come across a few stones that seem nice and was hoping to get some opinions:

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-i-color-si2-clarity_LD01447333?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

GIA
crt: 1.50
table: 56%
depth: 60.6%
crown: 34.5
pavillion: 40.8
color: I
clarity: SI2
symm: ex
pol: ex
hca: 1.1
price: $6,836

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1131284.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

GIA
crt: 1.50
table: 57%
depth: 61.1%
crown: 35
pavillion: 40.8
color: H
clarity: SI2
symm: ex
pol: ex
hca: 1.6
price: $7,670

I feel as i get closer to making the purchase, and the more research i do, my confusion level goes up exponentially!! Ultimately i'm looking for a great cut first, size in the 1.5 range, and something that faces up white and is eye clean.

I've been starting to look at EGL stones because of the SIGNIFICANT difference in price/stats, but i'm not sure if i'm veering down the wrong path.

Any insight, ideas, thoughts, etc.., would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Thanks in advance

Date: 1/6/2009 12:35:49 PM
Author: mishamish
Thanks for the info Lorelei, one question that i have is regarding the 'eye clean to my standards'. I'm not exactly sure what my standards should be for eyeclean. I was under the assumption that eyeclean meant that you couldn' see any blemishes with the unassisted eye. What else should i be looking for? When i speak with the JA people, what lingo should i use when describing my eyeclean standards?

Thanks!!!