1.708 I VS1 AGS000 vs 1.70 H SI1 AGS000 - Which one?

[dangaa]

Hi

After spending countless hours lurking this forum and absorbing as much information possible, I've narrowed it down to two stones, both from WF, both Expert Selection for my E-ring - I need help choosing one, looking to buy before the weekend!

1.70 H SI1 RB
Price: $17,792.00
Cut: Ideal
Light Performance: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Depth: 61.9
Table %: 56.3
Crown Angel: 34.9
Star: 53.0
Pavillion Angle: 40.9
Crown %: 15.1
Lower Girdle %: 78.0
Measurements 7.64 x 7.67 x 4.74
Girdle: Thin to Med
Fluorescence: Neg
HCA Score: 1.9
AGS 0/0/0/0




1.708 I VS1 RB
Price: $18,664.00
Cut: Ideal
Light Performance: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Depth 61.5
Table %: 56.0
Crown Angle: 34.7
Star: 52.0
Pavillion Angle: 40.8
Crown %: 15.2
Measurements: 7.69 x 7.71 x 4.73
Girdle: Thin to Med
Fluorescence: Neg
HCA Score: 1.4
AGS 0/0/0/0




Which one would you choose? The SI1 is totally eye-clean from 6" from the top and side as per WF. Is the drop in color worth the two steps in clarity? I've spoken to Liza at WF who has been EXTREMELY helpful, and she insists that there is no difference in color face up.

I really want the diamond to shine brilliantly with lots of sparkle and after seeing some of the I color stones here on PS don't think its that big of a concern, however, I would like to hear your personal/expert opinions.

If this was YOUR stone which one would you prefer?

Thanks!

 

[dangaa]

I forgot to mention that I'm in Canada, so i'd really want to buy it right the first time and not have to send it back to WF for any reason (not that I have a feeling I will need to with either of these two stones.... )

 

[Gypsy]

I usually say higher color, but in this case I'm going with clarity. The color is relatively similar but the clarity is hugely different. Depends on your finances but I think I'd go with the I stone, UNLESS it strained the budget in terms of settings.

Eyeclean from 6 inches isn't enough for me when I'm spending that kind of money. I'd want eyeclean from ALL viewable angles and distances.

 

[Glitteratti]

I would also go with the I stone. I can't tell the difference between and H and an I, but for such a large (ish) stone, I would want it to be as clear as it can be (within my budget, or course).

 

[ame]

1.708 I VS1 RB
Price: $18,664.00
Cut: Ideal
Light Performance: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Depth 61.5
Table %: 56.0
Crown Angle: 34.7
Star: 52.0
Pavillion Angle: 40.8
Crown %: 15.2
Measurements: 7.69 x 7.71 x 4.73
Girdle: Thin to Med
Fluorescence: Neg
HCA Score: 1.4
AGS 0/0/0/0





If this was YOUR stone which one would you prefer?

Thanks!

This one There is not a bad thing I can say about this stone. It's amazing.

 

[mjertl]

they both look gorgeous, I bet you will be happy with either

 

[CedarRapids]

Both! And make them into studs!

I know the costs aren't exactly equal but since you seem willing to pick either, I'm assuming they are equivalent to you.

Eye clean from 6" is pretty good. Nevertheless, I'm personally a bit more into clarity than color. I think the large improvement in clarity trumps the minimal color difference. Especially if you're OK with an I colored stone. I assume you've seen other I-colored and S11 diamonds in person at a B&M store.

Color doesn't influence sparkle, only cut.

Clarity can hamper sparkle in a much more included diamond. I don't think you're going to have problems with an SI1, in general, and particularly one that is eye clean from 6".

Since you want to get this right the first time, I think you should pick the one that prioritizes your likes in a diamond. If it were my biased self? I'd get the VS1.

Nice picks, in general, though.

 

[ecf8503]

I'd pick the H. To my eye it is a prettier stone in the pics, and clean from 6" is fine with me. It somewhat depends on what setting you are putting it in - if the setting is open on the sides and the inclusion is visible from the side then maybe not, but if it is in a basket....

Anyway I love SI's that are clean - I'm fairly color sensitive, so I'd rather pay for something I can see rather than something I can't.

 

[dangaa]

Thanks everyone for chiming in.

Yes, i've seen H/I stones at a B&M, but they were not ideally cut stones hence my concern. In fact, they were only VG cut VS2/SI1/SI2 stones to which i'm really hoping either of these two will outshine. I know size and sparkle are two of the most important factors for my SO but at the same time don't want to buy a stone that will look 'unwhite' hence my concern with the I (when we first started looking we were in the G/H color range). I'm thinking that an ideally cut stone will come off whiter than a well or even average cut H (even G?).

I agree that the jumps in clarity are huge - something about being 'mind clean' that pushes me towards the I stone. Since i've been reading that H is really the sweet spot, i'm hoping that venturing into an I stone wont compromise or render the stone a tinge yellowish. All the I stones that I've seen here on PS look GREAT (in fact so do the J/K's that i've seen) and really don't know if I am just being nit picky about it!

 

[dangaa]

I'd pick the H. To my eye it is a prettier stone in the pics, and clean from 6" is fine with me. It somewhat depends on what setting you are putting it in - if the setting is open on the sides and the inclusion is visible from the side then maybe not, but if it is in a basket....

Anyway I love SI's that are clean - I'm fairly color sensitive, so I'd rather pay for something I can see rather than something I can't.

This is going to be put into a Tiffany 6 prong style setting 19K WG, with a total of 10 accent diamonds (totaling .50 carats) in the band. She is only a size 3.75, so you can imagine how far around the accents stones wrap!

The 1.7 H SI is supposed to be eyeclean from the sides as well....

 

[CedarRapids]

I'd pick the H. To my eye it is a prettier stone in the pics, and clean from 6" is fine with me. It somewhat depends on what setting you are putting it in - if the setting is open on the sides and the inclusion is visible from the side then maybe not, but if it is in a basket....

Anyway I love SI's that are clean - I'm fairly color sensitive, so I'd rather pay for something I can see rather than something I can't.

This is going to be put into a Tiffany 6 prong style setting, with a total of 10 accent diamonds (totaling .50 carats) in the band. She is only a size 3.75, so you can imagine how far around the accents stones wrap!

Is the setting going to be platinum? That should make an I colored stone look whiter.

just to comment on your comment above, there really isn't a sweet spot when it comes to color preference. Some people like the warmth and some people like the icy look. There's only a sweet spot for the price with anything more colorless than a G being skyrocketed higher.

The whole mind clean thing is real. I probably need therapy for it.

 

[dangaa]

I'd pick the H. To my eye it is a prettier stone in the pics, and clean from 6" is fine with me. It somewhat depends on what setting you are putting it in - if the setting is open on the sides and the inclusion is visible from the side then maybe not, but if it is in a basket....

Anyway I love SI's that are clean - I'm fairly color sensitive, so I'd rather pay for something I can see rather than something I can't.

This is going to be put into a Tiffany 6 prong style setting, with a total of 10 accent diamonds (totaling .50 carats) in the band. She is only a size 3.75, so you can imagine how far around the accents stones wrap!

Is the setting going to be platinum? That should make an I colored stone look whiter.

just to comment on your comment above, there really isn't a sweet spot when it comes to color preference. Some people like the warmth and some people like the icy look. There's only a sweet spot for the price with anything more colorless than a G being skyrocketed higher.

The whole mind clean thing is real. I probably need therapy for it.

The setting will be 19K white gold. I personally don't mind warmth if the stone sparkles immensely and I have a feeling at that point minor color nuances will be irrelevant - but then again, this isn't going on my finger!

 

[dangaa]

So... it turns out that the 1.70 H SI1 was sold last night but the good news is that the 1.708 I VS1 is on hold.

I guess unless I find something else equivalent or better then it most likely means the 1.708 will be the one!

 

[minmin001]

So... it turns out that the 1.70 H SI1 was sold last night but the good news is that the 1.708 I VS1 is on hold.

I guess unless I find something else equivalent or better then it most likely means the 1.708 will be the one!

yes, you should always put the diamonds that you are considering on hold before you post here to ask question

 

[kurtwoodfork]

well so it seems the decision was made for you!

but i was gonna say, that I stone is gorgeous omg i was sitting there with my mouth hanging open! lol. i'll be honest, i didn't look at anything but the pictures at first, and the I stone, has perfect, PERFECT symmetry that I can see. of course, i'm not an expert or antyhing but oh man i loooove that. look at how Perfectly symmetric the culet lies, compared to the H. beau-ti-ful.

and regarding color, i can tell the difference between H and I. I is when it becomes clearly yellow for me, but i don't mind that. you should maybe go to tiffany's if there's one near you or just somewhere where you can ask to see ideal cut diamonds in various colors to see what you really prefer.

good luck! and oh man honestly, great job finding those beauties. your gf is gonna be SO thrilled!!!

 

[dangaa]

well so it seems the decision was made for you!

but i was gonna say, that I stone is gorgeous omg i was sitting there with my mouth hanging open! lol. i'll be honest, i didn't look at anything but the pictures at first, and the I stone, has perfect, PERFECT symmetry that I can see. of course, i'm not an expert or antyhing but oh man i loooove that. look at how Perfectly symmetric the culet lies, compared to the H. beau-ti-ful.

and regarding color, i can tell the difference between H and I. I is when it becomes clearly yellow for me, but i don't mind that. you should maybe go to tiffany's if there's one near you or just somewhere where you can ask to see ideal cut diamonds in various colors to see what you really prefer.

good luck! and oh man honestly, great job finding those beauties. your gf is gonna be SO thrilled!!!

I think we might just to go and do that - but i'd hate to see something that might not be a great representation and rule it out cuz so many I's on PS just look so white!