2.5ct I SI1 MRB vs 2.76ct J VS2 Transitional

[shells19]

Hi All,

It's come to crunch time and I need your help to decide between these two stones. I initially started my diamond hunt looking for a 2.5 carat MRB I colour or higher (with some great advice on what proportions/angles I should be looking for from helpful PS'ers I was able to narrow down my search parameters)

This is the stone I am considering that fits that bill:
2.5
I
SI1
8.72x8.74x5.31
Table: 58%
Depth: 60.8%
Crown angle: 33.5
Pavilion angle: 40.8
Med Blue Fluorescence
GIA XXX
HCA: 1.0
One major inclusion which is a white feather under the table. I have seen videos and stone is 100% eye clean and feather does not reach the surface. Stone is currently being held for me and I am told that it will perform brilliantly.

But then . . . . . I also came across this and it's pulling at my heart strings . . . . I've watched the videos numerous times . . . Wow! Can it really look like that in real life?

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/2-76ct-transitional-cut-diamond-ags-j-vs2/

My concerns about the transitional is firstly the lower colour, although I have been assured that it faces up very white, and secondly the light leakage from the ASET image. Also does anyone consider that its faceting is a little to far away from an OEC and a little to close to a MRB? I should mention that the vendor has been extremely helpful with all of my enquiries.

Maybe this is a head or heart kind of decision? I'm just very afraid of taking the plunge either way and then being let down when I see the stone in person. Your valued experience is appreciated here!

 

[Miss Marple]

Go with your heart. . .

That said, is it possible to order both stones to view in person and return the one you don't want?

 

[KKJohnson]

The HCA for the 2.7 is 4.7 and indicates light leakage, while the 2.5 scores a 1...I haven't seen the 2.5 so its difficult to say but going off the numbers I would stick with the 2.5

 

[ecf8503]

HCA is only for modern round brilliants - it's not to be used on fancy shapes, including older cut transitional, OEC, or old mine cute.

 

[Dreamer_D]

If it helps you in your decision, I think when viewed in person that transitional will look basically the same as an MRB, in that the culet will not be eye visible and there are modern diamonds cut with similar proportions, just maybe slightly lower crown height (I recently bought two little ones for side stones to go with my own transitional diamond - see avatar).

 

[foxinsox]

HCA is only for modern round brilliants - it's not to be used on fancy shapes, including older cut transitional, OEC, or old mine cute.

In saying that, the ASET image does look like it shows a ring of leakage (if I'm reading that paler ring under the table right) which would make me think that this might not be the nicest, brightest transitional you could buy.
On the other hand, there is a lot to recommend going with what your eyes love, regardless of the imaging specifics.
Have you you looked at other OECs on LAD and JBG or some of the other vendors?