Advice needed.

[Nadeaux]

First off I''d like to say thank you for a great forum, it has helped me a great deal in my search for the right diamond for my future fiance. I have been comparing diamonds for hours on end both in stores and onlne.

I''ve found 2 diamonds that I''m looking at and need some advice.

Diamond 1 - Round 1.00 H VS2 Ideal 62.4% 54% EX/EX GIA

Diamond 2 - Round 1.00 H SI1 Ideal (noted as H&A) 61.1% 57% EX/EX GIA

So as you can see both are the same size and color but the VS2 is Ideal cut were as the SI1 is Ideal H&A.

I''m sure that both will look great but which in your opinion will look better?
Will the H&A cut make up for the lower clarity?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Allison D.]

Nadeaux, both diamonds look to have potential, but a little more information about the crown/pavilion angles would be most helpful here.

Please keep in mind that "ideal" is a generic term in this case.....GIA doesn''t use the label "ideal" in their grading system. Please also know that some folks are more liberal in what they''d describe as ''ideal'' (generic sense) than others, so you need to get more information.

As far as clarity, as long as both are eyeclean, either would be a great choice. Around PS, most of us understand ''eyclean'' to mean no visible inclusions to the naked eye when viewed at normal viewing distance (10 inches or so?) in the face up position. If you are considering SI1s online, all of the honorable/reputable vendors here will be very upfront and candid with you on whether the stone is eyeclean.

Please also know that the term "H&A" isn''t standarized, either, so what one source may consider an H&A stone, another more stringent source may reject. Stones don''t have to have H&A to perform well, but some people like the idea of it. H&A isn''t the same as light performance.

 

[Ellen]

Hi Nadeaux,

We can''t give a good opinion without all the info on both diamonds. Could you possibly get that for us?

 

[Ellen]

*posting at same time*

 

[Nadeaux]

Here are the rest of the details I could find. Both diamonds are from James Allen''s website.

Diamond 1 – Round 1.00 H VS2 Ideal 62.4% 54% EX/EX GIA
Price $ 5,580
Item Number: 1138289
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 1.00
Cut: Ideal
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: GIA

Depth: 62.4%
Table: 54.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Thin to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.41*6.45*4.01

Diamond 2 - Round 1.00 H SI1 Ideal (noted as H&A) 61.1% 57% EX/EX GIA
Price $4,670
Diamond Details Item Number: 1108610
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 1.00
Cut: Hearts & Arrows Ideal
Color: H
Clarity: SI1
Certificate: GIA

Depth: 61.1%
Table: 57.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.43*6.46*3.94

Crown Angle: 34.0°
Crown %: 14.50
pavilion Angle: 40.6°
pavilion %: 43.00

 

[Ellen]

The GIA report won''t come up on the first one, so I can''t comment on the angles, which we really need. The actual pic looks good.

IF the second one is eyeclean, I''d pick that one. The IS looks great and it costs less.