Advice on a Diamond Purchase

[helpMeFindARock]

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post, but I've been reading over the site for a couple of weeks now trying to educate myself for a diamond purchase. Just reading through all of the posts has been immensely helpful, so thank you everyone who posts often.

On to my problem: I bought a 2.1 ct Brian Gavin Blue diamond VS2 I color 000 AGS. The diamond looks great except I can see a few crystals in the table without a loop. The crystals are even more apparent from the side, which normally doesn't matter except I'm doing a Kretchmer tension mount. I hate the idea of returning something especially this expensive of a purchase, but I'm worried these crystals will bug me forever. I don't yet know how my gf will feel about them.

Today, I looked at a 2.11 ct James Allen diamond VS2 G color 000 Fluorescence negligible AGS. The diamonds are nearly identical in measurements. The only major difference is the JA has a 55.9% table vs the BGB 57%. The JA diamond is about $1500 more, but with such a large purchase, I'll consider them basically equal in price. Looking at the AGS inclusion plot, the JA diamond appears to have a lot more inclusions, but all the inclusions are under the girdle and mostly clouds. I can't see any of the inclusions without a loop, and even with the loop all I can see is one very small crystal.

So here comes the million dollar questions. Should I feel guilty returning the first diamond? Should I be afraid of the 2nd diamond because of the inclusion plot even though I can't see them? Finally, I couldn't see the stones side by side, so I can't compare fire, scintillation, or brilliance. The JA diamond isn't one of their select/h&a diamonds, where as the BGB is a BGB, which is supposed to be their equivalent. The JA diamond does have a perfect idealscope image though. They don't offer H&A scope images.

So what are your thoughts community? Should I keep the diamond I have, or return it and buy the new one.
I want to surprise everyone about the engagement, so I can't ask anyone I know for advice.

Thanks for your help everyone!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I have a couple of thoughts. Yes, you need a very clean diamond with the setting you are choosing. I'd probably go with VS1. However, the only way to know how clean the JA stone is from the side is to call and ask them to pull the stone and be clear that you need eyeclean from the sides as well as the top. I'd rather have G color over I, also.

 

[helpMeFindARock]

Thanks for the reply. I saw the JA stone in person today. I have very good vision, and it was definitely eye clean from every angle. Even with a loop, I could only find one little crystal hidden under the girdle. I definitely like the idea of a G more than an I too. I guess my main concern is about brilliance. I know my BGB stone looks amazing when it comes to reflecting light. The JA looked good, but it's hard to tell looking at it under their crappy lights in a little office. I'd need to see the stone in more natural lighting to tell how it truly looks, which isn't an option.