3 Stones to Compare

[cajewel]

Hi again - I've been looking to upgrade my wife's diamond for about 2 months now and while I've learned a lot from this forum I am honestly so frutsted and confused about finding the right stone that I'm about ready to call it quits. It's honestly driving me nuts and the whole excitement/pleasure of getting her something nice is not too much fun anymore.

As a recap - I'm looking for a stone around 2.0 carats+ and just want something eye clean with a nice color, I hope I color is good, and of course "cut is king" budget is up to 25K

So I've identified 3 stones noted below, would anybody care to comment on which one looks best and is the best value or have something better in mind?

I had IS and Asset pics for 2 of the stones but don't know how to upload them or whatever I need to do to get them on here. The other stone I found about 1 week ago and somebody has it on hold but I'm next in line if they don't take it and I'll get the pics for those too at that time.

Regards -


1
Stone Size / Specs:
Shape: Round
Carat: 2.188
Color: I
Clarity: SI1
Cut: Ideal - A cut above H&A
Cert: AGS
HCA: 1.0
Price: 24347
Eye Clean: Y
Light Perf: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Depth%: 61.2
Table%: 55.7
Crown Angle: 34.7
Measurements 8.37x8.40x5.13
Fluorescence: Negligible
Girdle: Thin to Medium




2
Stone Size / Specs:
Shape: Round
Carat: 2.014
Color: I
Clarity: VS2
Cut: Ideal – Expert Selection
Cert: AGS
HCA: 1.1
Price: 22623
Eye Clean: -
Light Perf: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Depth%: 61.7
Table%: 55.6
Crown Angle: 34.6
Measurements 8.08x8.13x5.00
Fluorescence: Negligible
Girdle: Thin to Medium

3
Stone Size / Specs:
Shape: Round
Carat: 2.03
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Cut: Ideal
Cert: AGS
HCA: 1.1
Price: xxxxx
Eye Clean: ?
Light Perf: ?
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Depth%: 61.4
Table%: 56
Crown Angle:
Measurements 8.16x8.13x5.00
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Medium

 

[Gypsy]

I'd take 1 or 3. Probably 3 if the IS is good.

 

[cajewel]

Thanks for responding Gypsy - I've read tons of your posts and respect your opinion.

Was it the hearts and arrows on #1 or the better grade and color of #3 that helped you decide or did maybe the measurements play a factor..

If #3 ends up being sold, would you be happy with #1 or keep looking for something more in line with #3.

 

[Gypsy]

Thank you!! Happy to help.

Okay so this basically sums up my thoughts on the issue of precision cut faceting of Hearts and Arrows versus 'near ideals' that miss that mark, but still have great light return. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/[/URL]

For me the H, if it has a good idealscope image that confirms performance, is slightly more balanced. It's got higher color (which is something that is visible), it doesn't have hearts and arrows (but you can't see that with naked eye plus for the hearts you'd have to look at it from pavilion and who is gonna do that with a set stone?), the clarity is safe but not overkill, and the spread is bigger than #2 and only .2 mm difference with number 1. IT WILL NOT have the trade in and buy back though of stones 1 and 2.

Number one is the biggest. And it's so much bigger than 2 that it knocks two out for me, as it is the same color. But while the difference of .2mm with number 3 is visible-- in those sizes (8mm) range .2mm isn't as big a deal as it would be in smaller sizes TO ME. It's an ACA so I know it's going to be great in all performance aspects. PLUS it's got a great trade-in and upgrade policy. So it's also a win.

But if 3 ends up being sold, I'd be thrilled with 1 as long as it's is eyeclean (which I assume you have asked about).

 

[cajewel]

Wow – Thanks!

I read/studied your response in the link about H&A ‘s and your take on it, and while it may not suit everyone’s needs, it does suit mine perfectly and makes sense to me.

And thanks for taking the time to explain how you compared each stone and ranked them. It's like you know what I want....

#3 is on hold until Monday or so but they’ll contact me and let me know what’s up. They said there are 2 stones being compared so we’ll see. As far as #1 being eyeclean, it said it was in the description but I haven’t actually spoken to anybody yet, but will if I get to that stage.

I think I’ll absorb your comments some more and keep looking for some other stones to see what I can find. Would you mind giving me your opinion if I repost a couple more?

Thanks again Gypsy, I’m very grateful you took to the time to read and respond to my post and look forward to any other comments/suggestions you may have for me.

 

[Gypsy]

You are more than welcome.

Yes, if there are additional stones to look at I'd be happy to give you my thoughts, for whatever they are worth.

 

[cajewel]

So this is what I've found after hours of searching - what do you think compared to #3 and/or #1 above?

And thanks again - Your comments have narrowed down more to what I can expect in a stone for the size I'm looking for... that is, I'm seeing that if I want a VS2 I'm going to have to give up a color grade but if I want a SI1 I can go up a color grade - i.e. I to H. I do not want to give up the ideal / excellent cut regardless so that's what I see in my searching, does this sound about right?

So my next question I know is subjective but from what I understand you prefer a better color and give up a bit of clarity i.e. a SI1 (eyeclean) with a H or possibly G color (unlikely). Sound right? Is this how you would base your search?

Another question is while I know ACA is beautiful the way I understand it is the ES is very close in some instances and would also be a very nice choice - would you go with ES or stay w/ ACA

I'm thinking now my best stone is going to be an eyeclean SI1 with an H preferably G (unlikely) color with an ideal/excellent cut and the other specs, well I've just gone off a table that listed the ranges and don't really get all of that.

What do you think? What would you be looking for in my situation? I know you're not a diamond searcher for everyone but if you had something in mind....

Thanks again for everything - here's the 2 other stones I found for comparison. My guess is still what you originally ranked them above but I couldn't explain my reasoning it's only hunch. I think I've exhausted my search.

Stone Size / Specs:
Shape: Round
Carat: 2.04
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Cut: Excellent
Cert: GIA
HCA: 1.9
Eye Clean: ?
Light Perf: ?
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Depth%: 61.5
Table%: 57
Crown Angle: 34.5
Measurements 8.15x8.19x5.03
Fluorescence: Faint
Girdle: ?


Stone Size / Specs:
Shape: Round
Carat: 2.13
Color: H
Clarity: SI1
Cut: Ideal / Expert Sel
Cert: AGS
HCA:
Eye Clean: Yes
Light Perf: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Depth%: 61.7
Table%: 57
Crown Angle: 35.1
Measurements 8.23x8.27x5.09
Fluorescence: Negligible
Girdle: thin - medium

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You forgot the pavilion angle on the last two stones. In general, I prefer H VS2 or higher assuming cut is equal. There are other factors such as trade-in policies that should be considered as well when prices are being compared.