The first one only has some potential based on GIA alone, but we like to see a lot more info before committing to a stone. It also falls outside of the preferred parameters, but it could be a nice 60/60 stone. Where are you located? Why only 3 choices? Is the high color and clarity selection due to cultural reasons? What’s the budget?
And this is a nice D/VS1 if you wanted to stick with D color, although I would consider both D and E in your search, as they will look similar to all except professionals grading the diamonds in a controlled environment:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...d-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5015327
And a nice E/VS1, if you would consider E:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...e-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4553962
The first one only has some potential based on GIA alone, but we like to see a lot more info before committing to a stone. It also falls outside of the preferred parameters, but it could be a nice 60/60 stone. Where are you located? Why only 3 choices? Is the high color and clarity selection due to cultural reasons? What’s the budget?
As @SimoneDi pointed out, the first stone could be a nice 60/60 stone. What that means is you will get more white light and less rainbow sparkles. While some people seek out and prefer this type of diamond, not everyone does so it's best to understand if you like that style.
Also it would be very useful to understand your reasoning for the color & clarity. Some cultures require it; however, the reality is that a D-G will likely yield you the same results when viewing with the naked eye and might be a way to save money and/or apply that money to a better cut diamond. Same deal with clarity. Everyone's eyes have different sensitivity but generally speaking there are many SI1+ diamonds labeled as "eye clean" that really help with budget/size goals.
All this leads us back to your budget. Knowing that helps a lot as well. My guess is that for a 1 carat, D, VS1+ stone you have a healthy budget and can probably get a super idea equal to 1 carat or larger if you have any flex in color/clarity. Not to say any of these stones aren't great, but the options available online bring top of the line diamonds to you at less cost than most local jewelers.
You are right @TreeScientist, it is POSSIBLE to tell a color difference so I was incorrect in stating what I did in that manner. This is exactly why color grading exists. But if I were to take 4 diamonds D-G and show them to you 4 hours apart, in random order and with no other reference point could you correctly identify them? Maybe, but I think most people would struggle greatly.
If I narrowed that range from D-F, I think it would even be more of a struggle. My point wasn't that they are all the same, but in the real world when you a person is looking for a nice white & bright color then maybe there is some lead way. One exception being Asian culture where having a G may stick out like a sore thumb as you are likely to have many D-E contenders and comparables on a daily basis.
That's the point I was trying to make: It really only matters what you're comparing them against. For Americans, where the average color is around an H, the near colorless range is great. But if the OP is asian, and all of their friends have D-E diamonds, then a G might possibly be noticeable if they were comparing.
Just trying to say that I totally understand why someone would choose a D, and it's good to respect people's preferences if they say they want a colorless diamond.
@TreeScientist brings up a good point -- does the local jeweler pricing include VAT? If so, there might be some monetary reasoning to stick with him.
Before you drive yourself too insane, let me slip on my math nerd hat.
Short version = don't stress out. Save the $6k. Fly me to Australia and let's party together and celebrate your wonderful diamond purchase, lol!
- The larger BGD or HPD diamond comes @ ~19% price increase for 3% square surface area increase
- The 3% difference is a square mm (mm2) difference
- 8.61mm x 8.63mm = 74.3043 mm2
- 8.73mm x 8.76mm = 76.4748 mm2
- 74.3043 mm2 / 76.4748 mm2 = 97.1618%, meaning there is actually 2.838% difference as opposed to the 3% rounded number we have already mentioned
- When looking at the individual dimensions, there is less than 1/128th of an inch between them
- 8.73mm - 8.61mm = 0.12mm
- 8.76mm - 8.63mm = 0.13mm
- 0.13mm = 0.00511811 inches
- For reference, 1/128th inch = 0.007813 & 1/196th inch = 0.005102
1.
https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=6197343768
$7,596 US
This diamond will tend to have obstruction (black or grey-out) when viewed up close. Not a great option for a ring. Eliminate.
2.
https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=2181908447
$8,038 US
Good option. Can they get you an ASET image, photo and video? You need to determine if the crystals are white/clear or black to see how visible they are.
3.
https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=1189801794
$7,838 US
Eliminate. Not complimentary angles at all. Too deep.
If you have a bit of wiggle in your budget, you could look at a super-ideal. These have all the online images you need to judge performance and are eyeclean.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3986335.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3978022.htm
From online vendors, you could find something similar with better videos for about $7-800 usd less. JamesAllen will post IS (idealscope) images for most of their stones. Put on hold if you like these first.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5110170
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4189503 {needs to be cleared for the clouds, but the plotted ones are all on the edges, which is good}
Would you eliminate #1 diamond due to the 40.6 pavilion? Recently, I helped my future son-in-law choose a diamond and we settled on a WF ACA with a 34.9 crown angle and a 40.6 pavilion angle. I haven't noticed any black or grey-out but I have seen this on other diamonds I have considered buying and have never quite understood what caused this to occur, especially since these diamonds were within recommended range for ideal cut stones.
What @TreeScientist said...plus, it about how all the angles work together. The issue with the stone above is that the pairing of a 34.5 CA and 40.6 PA. If that PA was really 40.8 or the CA 35.5, it would be a better pairing. With GIA averaging, I tend to be more cautious of stones that might fail on close viewing.ACAs are graded by AGS. AGS is more precise with their measurements of crown and pavilion angles, and provide the average to the nearest 0.1 degree. GIA is a little b...
When you hit "magic numbers" like 1ct, 1.5ct, etc. then there is a price premium because they are now 1 carat stones instead of almost 1 carat stones.