4 ct Diamond J or K color , OK vs Great Cut

[sunlvr]

Hello-

I have 2 stones I am considering, one better color (J), but worse cut (HCA 2.7) the other stone has lower color (K) but excellent cut. Which would you go for in a large stone?

Roughly same price (within $5K of each other)

Stone 1:
4.35 ct
10.39-10.45mm
HCA 2.7
Crown Angle: 35.5
Pavilion: 40.8
Depth: 62.2
Table: 57
Med to Slt Thick
Color: J
Fluorescence: Medium Blue
SI-2

Stone 2:
4.36 ct
10.56 -10.59mm
HCA: 0.7
crown Angle 34
Pavilion: 40.6
Depth: 61.3
Table: 54
thin to medium
Color: K
Fluorescence: None
SI-1

Will the better cut of the K stone mask the lower color grade?

Both stone have twining wisps as inclusions and are both eye clean. Both GIA Triple Ex graded.

 

[Niel]

Could you compare them next to each other?
There are levels within each color grade. If the J was a low J and the K a high K, they may look similar. Of you reverse that they could look quite different.

 

[Tourmaline]

I wouldn't go below VS1, but you have said you are ok with the clarity. The K stone has a larger spread AND scores better, and the clarity is a grade better, so I would lean toward that one.

 

[msop04]

OP, is there any way you can see these stones in person? I agree that the K has better numbers, but the J with Fluorescence would make me wanna see it anyway to compare. HCA isn't the "be all, end all" -- several reputable vendors have posted here that a stone can still score over 2 and be beautiful. Mine did, and I love it!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Stone one scores a 2.7 on the HCA for a reason. The crown/pavilion angles are getting into the steep deep area where you would probably have light leakage. The thicker girdle and depth reduce the face up diameter of the stone as well. I do think it's possible to find great stones over the magic 2 HCA score but you have to evaluate the cause of the lower score. In this instance, I'd have to see the stone in person.

The second stone has better numbers but in a stone that size, color will be a factor. If you've seen other K stones and are happy with the look, it could be your better bet.

 

[teobdl]

A K is a K, and it will never be confused with a colorless diamond, especially at that size. That said, I'd prefer a K color sparkler than a dead J. This is a tough call. Can you get idealscope images?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd look for an excellent cut J, personally. I would not settle for okay cut ever, and I also would not go below J color and probably VS2. But I guess SI1 twining wisps might be an exception. I'd keep looking.

 

[arkieb1]

The K is a better stone, but you need to look at it and work out if you are happy living with the colour of it. It will never look white all the time, irrespective of how it is cut.