1.7 H VS2 Ex Ex Ex - Need Help Choosing Please!

[Maverickgmt]

Hello,

I've done quite a bit of reading and really appreciate this forum and (as an engineer) the HCA tool. Unfortunately I've tried to pull the trigger twice now and ended up with near misses (stone note as advertised and second stone chipped in shipment). I feel like I've looked at so many stones that if this whole engineering thing doesn't work out I could go into the business. Anyway, I'm down to these three choices that I like a lot and would be more than happy for recommendations:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-2781684-1.66-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=2781684&utm_source=diamondse.info&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=diamondse.info
http://www.lumeradiamonds.com/diamonds/detail/33280709
http://www.solomonbrothers.com/DiamondDetail.aspx?sku=546H3H5H&affiliate=9318613A-AD0C-4530-A456-0409DFEFB8DE&utm_source=DiamondSE
http://www.lumeradiamonds.com/diamonds/detail/35862419

(Right now I'm leaning towards the AGS stone but am definitely open to input/other options).

Also, I plan to set the stone in platinum, is it worth it to spend the extra dough to go for the G color or would I never notice in the real world?

Thank you for any advice!

 

[yssie]

1.66 H VS1 - clarity overkill esp at these stats where the step up in clarity is so pricey
1.7 H VS2 - would want more info/pics w/ those proportions
1.714 H VS2 - nice safe choice
1.68 H VS2 - also "safe" by the numbers

I'd pick the AGS too, given the prices and info available.

 

[Amys Bling]

AGS

 

[Maverickgmt]

Ok, one more for comparison. This scores a 0.8 on the HCA and seems to be a lot better deal. I'm a little concerned with the 33 degree crown angle though. Will this be detrimental or it more a matter of opinion?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1427662.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Right now I'm between this RB and the AGS one.

Thank you!

 

[yssie]

Ok, one more for comparison. This scores a 0.8 on the HCA and seems to be a lot better deal. I'm a little concerned with the 33 degree crown angle though. Will this be detrimental or it more a matter of opinion?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1427662.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Right now I'm between this RB and the AGS one.

Thank you!

They both face-up exactly the same size. It'll have a different 'flavour' of light return but
A) which you prefer is totally matter of (your) opinion - nothing *wrong* w/ 33crown, and
B) these sorts of differences are subtle, really only noticeable on comparison through a variety of lighting types - the vast vast majority of people won't see anything but "Sparkly!!"

Request review and IS, and decide what eyeclean means to you (must be clean if you stick your eyeball up to it from all angles? Clean from 8" face-up sufficient?) and have JA vet the stone to your specifications. It's a recent report so no concerns there.

Other things to consider - how much info the vendor can provide before purchase (JA will provide IS and professional review, don't know about SB) vendor policies (return/upgrade/buyback/...), does one vendor have the setting you want (best to keep it all in the family if possible), is one vendor local to you (can you visit the stone)...

 

[Maverickgmt]

Thank you all for the excellent information. I managed to get a picture of the AGS RB (HVS2) from Solomon brothers. When I compare it to the James Allen stone (HSI1) the James Allen one seems to have a lot better defined star pattern from the photo. Does this reflect at all on the light performance, symmetry, etc. of the stone?

Here is the link to the picture of the two:

**photo removed by moderator. please upload photos to forum directly per the policies**

Thank you!

 

[yssie]

Admin will remove that link so I'm reposting your pic -




Just differences in photography. Like I said before they'll have different flavours (which you may or may not even notice!) but one isn't going to be objectively better/prettier/sparklier than the other.

How a diamond sparkles depends pretty much entirely on the type of light there is - in some lights like spotlights all diamonds show coloured light, diffuse office light is the other extreme. In "mixed" types of lights stones with some types of proportions will err toward colour while others will err toward white - generally w/ RBs lower crown + steeper pav + larger table + longer lgf (thinner mains = skinny arrowshafts) combos like the JA will lean toward the latter, vs. the SB. But, again, I have to emphasize how subtle these differences can be - most people won't ever see anything but sparkle.

Both look nice. Get the IS and JA rep's review, see if one vendor has the setting you want and/or more generous policies, and go from there.

 

[Amys Bling]

they look nice- go with the vendor whohas the setting you prefer.