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2.20+ G VVS2 vs G VVS1

L

lukee

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 4, 2014
Messages
8
Hi Everyone,

This is my first time posting on the forum. I have been reading up for the last few weeks and doing more research than my head can handle. I'm hoping to get some suggestions and insight from the community. I have narrowed my search down to two GIA stones and possibly one Gemscan if the two GIA are advised against.

The first is 2.20 G VVS1...my reservation is about the feather on the girdle.
HCA = 1.4, EX EX EX
https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=2156163853&weight=2.20

The second is a 2.23 G VVS2...I have this stone in my possession and the natural can only be found under 40x magnification.
HCA = 4.6, EX EX EX
https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=2135918220&weight=2.23

My issue with the second stone is obviously the HCA score which is why I am considering the 2.20 stone. I have not yet seen them side by side but that should help my decision. After some heavy reading I have seen some discussions about 60/60 stones not performing well on the HCA but still being brilliant in person. I have compared the stone with another EX cut stone and it seems to be just as bright and sparkly. Both are medium fluorescence which I don't believe will cause any issue. I have tested it next to an NF and could not see any noticeable difference in many types of light.

Before anyone asks, I cannot get any other reports on the stones, simply the GIA and my own two eyes. BTW stone 1 is approx $1500 more than stone 2. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Luke
 
The reason the second stone does not score well on the HCA is not because of the 60/60 cut. Those stones are a different flavor but can be beautiful. It gets dinged on the HCA because of the high crown and pavilion angle - anything over 41 for a pavilion angle gets dinged. The combo on the second stone puts it into the steep/deep category which can cause light leakage. If you have a high crown, you want a shallower pavilion to offset or conversely, if you have a high pavilion angle, you want a lower crown angle.

The first stone is nice but the depth is a bit deep so it doesn't face up as large as it could for a 2.20 stone. I wouldn't guess that the feather would be an issue for a VVS stone. Again, personal preference for the buyer.

Is there a reason why you are limited to just these two stones? VVS is really a bit of overkill and will send the price way up.
 
Lukee if you are looking at stones in the VVS realm you needent worry about the feathers or inclusions they would only be visible under microscope. Even some si1 stones are eye clean to 6" VVS stones are usually undetectable

As noted on the previous comment . CUT is key then your tolerance of color and clarity . Let's find an ideal cut stone and then consider cut and color. What is your budget and size range
 
Thanks to everyone for your responses. These price of these diamonds is approx. 30k each with the vvs1 having a $1500 premium. The whiteflash diamond is 10k higher than the two diamonds I presented and 10k more than I would like to spend. The James Allen diamond is also very nice but it is at the same price point as what I am looking at now but a VS1 quality. I figure if they are similar performing then Id rather have a vvs1 for the same price.

My ceiling would be 31k with G being the absolute lowest color grade I would consider. Everyone has been very helpful and I appreciate the help. Given the price on these stones, are they not a good buy?
 
You get what you pay for. Personally, I'd rather have a smaller, well cut stone. The stones you have posted are priced accordingly. I would lower the clarity and possibly lower the size - a two carat stone Is still a large stone.
 
MissGotRocks|1391557977|3607971 said:
You get what you pay for. Personally, I'd rather have a smaller, well cut stone. The stones you have posted are priced accordingly. I would lower the clarity and possibly lower the size - a two carat stone Is still a large stone.
Click to expand...

I agree with an ering it is all about the cut of the stone. If you want that ring to sparkle all the time not just in sun light or the light of the jewelry stone then you want an ideal cut stone. You do get what you pay for. So spend it on Cut first then color size and clarity..........
 
That BG diamond does look pretty tempting. I have a question regarding the HCA...it only managed a 1.1 vs the 1.4 of the vvs1 I posted. What makes it so superior, surely 0.3 on the HCA scale shouldn't make it or break it. Also it only managed a very good spread same as the vvs1.

It also seems to be more expensive by about 2k. I know that WF and BG really pay attention to the cut but how much more will it sparkle vs the diamonds I've presented? Will it really be that noticeable? Considering it is 10% smaller and a lower clarity, is there really that much of a difference in the cut?
 
BTW a question for Missgotrocks:

You mentioned that "those stones" can still be beautiful. Are you suggestion that even though they fail the HCA test they can still be brilliant? Or are you saying that they will still pass as mediocre given the dimensions? How would I know of this particular 60/60 stone is one I should pursue or not?
 
Running HCA with percentages gives it a 6.0

There are good stones with larger tables, but they still need to pass the HCA test. 63 is the upper limit of AGS 0 grade.
 
By 'those stones' I was referring to 60/60 stones. They are beautiful stones IF they are well cut. The second stone you posted is a 60/60 cut but it is not particularly well cut. You can also call some of the PS vendors and talk to them about what you are looking for. They will be happy to recommend stones to you to consider.
 
lukee|1391569710|3608126 said:
That BG diamond does look pretty tempting. I have a question regarding the HCA...it only managed a 1.1 vs the 1.4 of the vvs1 I posted. What makes it so superior, surely 0.3 on the HCA scale shouldn't make it or break it. Also it only managed a very good spread same as the vvs1.

It also seems to be more expensive by about 2k. I know that WF and BG really pay attention to the cut but how much more will it sparkle vs the diamonds I've presented? Will it really be that noticeable? Considering it is 10% smaller and a lower clarity, is there really that much of a difference in the cut?
Click to expand...

HCA is an elimination tool. The idea is that anything under a 2 on the HCA is worth looking at. Nothing says a .5 HCA is better than a 1.5 HCA, only that they are both worth considering.

Cut makes all the difference. A smaller well-cut stone will definitely have more presence than a slightly-larger poorly-cut stone. Plus, with a purchase this large, I always prefer to know I got the best option available, so I can remain confident in that fact for years to come.

Best of luck!
 
I recently learned that numbers on a report may look good but until you see the diamond in person or at least have some images such as IdealScope and ASET...you can't draw a conclusion as to which diamond is best. I asked about a GIA diamond that had really good potential based on the report numbers (and low HCA score) but the images came back looking not so great...it was just messy compare to the ACA I got to see at WF.

:wavey: By the way, thanks to MissGotRocks for suggesting the WF diamond that I'm in the process of buying...very bright shiny rock! :love:
I saw a few diamonds around 2 carat H VS1 at WF for around 30K. 2 carat G VS1 would run near 40K.
 
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