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Need help deciding between two diamonds

Tara1718

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CBD196BF-BB1C-43A5-B07B-70165463E2D1.png F5CC93E2-4F04-44D7-8A57-7A9997C85C20.png FEDF6BB8-8746-4B1D-9859-D2B04615017C.jpeg D4199857-9245-4DA8-B6E0-55E947102A49.jpeg Second post here. Lost out on the first diamond.

Here are the reports of the two. I know one is more of an ideal (also scores 1.6 HCA and AGA 1A). The other does not have such ideal proportions, but I think they counterbalance each other to still make a good diamond (0.6 HCA and AGA 1B).

They are about the same in price. The jeweler said they both shine the same. No IS/ASET images available, but I have both H&A. Obviously the 0.6 HCA has a worse H&A, but it also falls outside the proportions so that is expected. I am not sure what that means for the diamond though in terms of shine.
 

pfunk

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They are going to have a different look to the discerning eye. So they may both “shine” but the characteristics will be different. The 0.6 on the HCA scores that way because the creator of the HCA has a preference for shallower, spready stones. It will be a nice bright diamond and will be noticeably larger than the other stone when held side by side. The second stone has good symmetry and angles that are more ideal. It will also be bright from edge to edge, but will give off colored flashes in more diverse lighting environments. It does hide a little bit of weight in the depth as well as the girdle, but is the type of stone that performs well in all kinds of lighting. Without being able to see an ASET or IS, my choice would be #2.

Having said that, if there is no reason in particular for the high clarities of these stones, I would pass on both, drop the clarity requirement, and move up in size or color.
 

Tara1718

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They are going to have a different look to the discerning eye. So they may both “shine” but the characteristics will be different. The 0.6 on the HCA scores that way because the creator of the HCA has a preference for shallower, spready stones. It will be a nice bright diamond and will be noticeably larger than the other stone when held side by side. The second stone has good symmetry and angles that are more ideal. It will also be bright from edge to edge, but will give off colored flashes in more diverse lighting environments. It does hide a little bit of weight in the depth as well as the girdle, but is the type of stone that performs well in all kinds of lighting. Without being able to see an ASET or IS, my choice would be #2.

Having said that, if there is no reason in particular for the high clarities of these stones, I would pass on both, drop the clarity requirement, and move up in size or color.

Thank you for your input!! Is #2 the 1.07 carats? I just want to make sure.

I feel like something tells me to go with that one, but the appeal of 1.15 with a larger table is obviously more appealing. The jeweler mentioned the size difference, but I have no clue what a difference of 0.2 mm looks like.

The clarity is there to be safe. I know I can drop the clarity and go bigger in carat, but I am nervous doing that and buying blind through a website. The jeweler does not seem to have many IS/ASET images and seems to keep saying they shine bright, so without seeing it, I am hesitant. When I looked for lower clarity, I had trouble finding something more ideal.
 

pfunk

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Yes, when I said #2 I was referring to the 1.07. 0.2mm is noticeable, but is still a very slight difference. When viewed side by side, I think most would be able to see the difference, but it isn’t like it’s way bigger, especially once set. I just think that the 1.07 is a safer bet without more images. The angles are good and the symmetry is really good as well.

If you want to post your preferences as far as the four c’s go, as well as your budget and any future considerations (trade up possibility?), you might get some additional input.
 

Tara1718

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Yes, when I said #2 I was referring to the 1.07. 0.2mm is noticeable, but is still a very slight difference. When viewed side by side, I think most would be able to see the difference, but it isn’t like it’s way bigger, especially once set. I just think that the 1.07 is a safer bet without more images. The angles are good and the symmetry is really good as well.

If you want to post your preferences as far as the four c’s go, as well as your budget and any future considerations (trade up possibility?), you might get some additional input.


I was leaning towards the 1.07 as well. Something told me to go with it over the 1.15 in terms of overall specs. I would like a ring that is great overall, not just a little bigger and is better in clarity. Do you think the feather and placement will be a problem for the 1.07?

I wanted one carat and my boyfriend was aiming for 1.25 carats. Budget is $6,000 for the diamond. I would love something with no fluorescence and excellent symmetry, polish, and cut. I searched with VS2 through F and out of the ones with the specs that I wanted (ideal proportions in terms of table, depth, crown, pavilion, etc.), I then used the HCA and AGA calculators to weed out the others. These two are the ones that came out the best and they just happen to be VVS1 and IF.
 

Tara1718

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Yes, when I said #2 I was referring to the 1.07. 0.2mm is noticeable, but is still a very slight difference. When viewed side by side, I think most would be able to see the difference, but it isn’t like it’s way bigger, especially once set. I just think that the 1.07 is a safer bet without more images. The angles are good and the symmetry is really good as well.

If you want to post your preferences as far as the four c’s go, as well as your budget and any future considerations (trade up possibility?), you might get some additional input.

Also, is giving off colored flashes inder lighting bad? I am thinking it is more personal preference, but I am not sure what it would be compared to.
 

pfunk

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Well it sounds like you have a good system going. If I can find some time a little later I will see what I can find in a search.

The feather is of no concern with a clarity grade of VVS1. I wouldnt pay it any thought.

You seem to keep mentioning you are drawn to the larger table. A lot of folks here prefer smaller tables as they tend to help you get more fire. The table is just the window into the diamond, and while some prefer them larger (60/60 style stone), most here seem to prefer smaller (like 54-57). The 56% table on the 1.07 is a good spot to be.

As far as colored flashes, I think they are a very good thing! These colored flashes (aka “fire”) are more apparent in diamonds with higher crowns and smaller tables. This is why the 1.07 is more likely to show fire in wider ranges of lighting. The other diamond will return more white light which some prefer, but others find that look to be too much like a mirror. I will try to look later to see if I could find a video that might help you visualize the appearance differences in brightness, scintillation, and fire.
 

Tara1718

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E293FD7F-CE21-4CF8-AE66-CA16DB18070D.jpeg
Well it sounds like you have a good system going. If I can find some time a little later I will see what I can find in a search.

The feather is of no concern with a clarity grade of VVS1. I wouldnt pay it any thought.

You seem to keep mentioning you are drawn to the larger table. A lot of folks here prefer smaller tables as they tend to help you get more fire. The table is just the window into the diamond, and while some prefer them larger (60/60 style stone), most here seem to prefer smaller (like 54-57). The 56% table on the 1.07 is a good spot to be.

As far as colored flashes, I think they are a very good thing! These colored flashes (aka “fire”) are more apparent in diamonds with higher crowns and smaller tables. This is why the 1.07 is more likely to show fire in wider ranges of lighting. The other diamond will return more white light which some prefer, but others find that look to be too much like a mirror. I will try to look later to see if I could find a video that might help you visualize the appearance differences in brightness, scintillation, and fire.

You have been so helpful! Thank you! I feel like I have definitely learned a lot by taking over the diamond search. My boyfriend was going for carat over color and clarity and I was like why, when you are only going to see problems bigger. He thinks I am going beyond what I need to in terms of picking a diamond.

For the larger table, I should add paired with the crown. I do not want a “tall” look where the table is small and the crown angle is big, leaving it to look taller than fatter/fuller. The setting that I like gives the illusion that it is not as tall, even though I do not know the specs from the website stock image.

If you can find some videos, that would be awesome! I wish I could have seen the 1.07 and 1.15 in person or have more pictures, but they say they do not have any.
 

pfunk

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Tara1718

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F75D2A05-B9B2-47AA-9F99-FE8DB0292E17.jpeg What about this diamond compared to the 1.07? I do not have any images as of yet.
 
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