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Advice needed between 1.5 H VS1 or 1.7 I IF

jason29252

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 28, 2014
Messages
3
Let me begin by thanking all of you for all the great information posted on the site. I just recently started shopping for an engagement ring and I have learned a lot very quickly from this website. Here is my dilemma, choosing between these two round cut diamonds:

#1 1.5 carat H color VS1 Strong fluorescence
Table: 56%
Depth: 60.9%
Crown angle: 33.0
Pavilion angle: 41.0
Strong fluorescence.
Excellent Polish and Symmetry
HCA: 0.6
GIA: 1156639161
Price: 11331

#2 1.71 carat I color Internally Flawless Medium Fluorescence
Table: 59%
Depth: 60.0%
Crown angle: 33.5
Pavilion angle: 41.0
medium fluorescence.
Excellent Polish and Symmetry
HCA: 1.4
GIA: 1165252996
Price: 12333

In terms of the cut, #1 definitely appears to be better. However, I like #2 due to the larger carat size and IF clarity. What do you guys think about those numbers? Will I be sacrificing a lot on cut quality with diamond # 2? Any input from you guys will be highly appreciated.
 
Don't go on the lab report numbers alone.

The second stone is more of a classic 60/60 cut (not bad, just not everyone's flavor), but a great value for the size/price. IF is not all it's cracked up to be, but in this case, that's A LOT of IF stone for $12.3, so you're not exactly overpaying for a rare quality.

Anything <2 HCA and you're in good shape, cut-wise. .6 vs 1.4 doesn't mean better.

I'd like to see images and Idealscopes/ASETs for both, but I'd lean toward the big, bad I. Not finding the GIA report for that stone, though. Is the # correct?
 
Neither, go for a VS2 or SI1+ and get a higher colour.
 
Will you be seeing them in person? For me, my priorities are alwaysthe best cut for the biggest size I can afford but still facing up white.
 
Thank you for all the responses. The correct GIA# for the second stone is: 1165262996.

My main struggle is the balance between finding the most ideal cut versus the other 3Cs. Both stones have HCA <2 but one has a larger table. At what point do you say the carat size is large enough to overcome the slight disadvantage in cut? And how noticeable is the H vs I color when the diamond is mounted on a 14K white gold band?

Here is my Pro vs. Cons list:

Diamond#1: 1.5C H VS1 HCA: 0.6
Pro:
Slightly more ideal proportions in terms of Cut
AGA Cut class 1B
H color
Con:
Smaller 1.5 carat
High fluorescence
VS1

Diamond#2: 1.71C I IF HCA: 1.4
Pro:
Larger 1.71 carat size
Clarity: IF
Cons:
Large 59% table
AGA cut class 2B
I color

If it comes down to it, I might purchase both and look at them under Idealscope. I would appreciate any additional input.

Thanks
 
jason29252|1390929237|3602734 said:
Here is my Pro vs. Cons list:

Diamond#1: 1.5C H VS1 HCA: 0.6
Pro:
Slightly more ideal proportions in terms of Cut
AGA Cut class 1B
H color
Con:
Smaller 1.5 carat
High fluorescence
VS1


Diamond#2: 1.71C I IF HCA: 1.4
Pro:
Larger 1.71 carat size
Clarity: IF
Cons:
Large 59% table
AGA cut class 2B
I color

You have two 'Cons' highlighted for Diamond #1 that are not Cons. For an H-colored stone, stronger fluor would be beneficial. In addition, VS1 is a GREAT clarity - much better than many here would suggest.

To me, a big Con is the IF clarity. This stone is NOT flawless, by any means. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. IF just means inclusions couldn't be seen with a 10x loupe. A stone with a grade of IF will often have inclusions that can be seen under a 40x magnification. You're paying much more for something you'll never see.

With the better cut, Diamond #1 seems like an obvious choice.
 
VVS1 VVS2 will be difficult or very hard to find with a loupe, by the time it takes to clean the stone and remove all the dust from it you will spend a good time looking for an inclusion. All diamonds have inclusions its just a matter of magnification at 60x it took 30 minutes to scan through all of the stone to see an IF inclusion. If you had a 200x magnification you could probably see even smaller inclusions.
Flawless is just a marketing scam really, you will never see a VS1 inclusion with the eye and most will struggle to see it with a loupe.
Most VS2 and SI1 and even some SI2 will be Eye clean so they are 'flawless' to the eye. Best money value grade to get is SI1 thats eye clean and has no black inclusions, as eye clean can be judged under white light but if you take the light away and there is dim light black inclusions stand out more, that is why some VS2 are visible if its black.
Conclusion I would get H colour in rounds with medium florescence SI1 , Ideal cut as possible and the largest size you can get.
 
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