Advice on which diamond to choose

[noreen925]

Hello

I am trying to decide between 2 diamonds for an engagement ring

the first one is:

Certificate: EGL
Shape: Round
Cut: Select Ideal
Carat: 1.81
Color: G
Clarity: SI1
It''s also hearts and diamonds

the second one is:

Certificate: EGL Israel
Shape: Round
Cut: Premium
Carat: 2.01
Color: G
Clarity: VS2

What are the pros and cons of each one? The prices for both are around the same. Size is a big factor for me, but everyone has telling me that there isn''t a difference between a 2.01 and 1.81.

Any advice?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/2/2009 12:00:07 PM
Author:noreen925
Hello

I am trying to decide between 2 diamonds for an engagement ring

the first one is:

Certificate: EGL
Shape: Round
Cut: Select Ideal
Carat: 1.81
Color: G
Clarity: SI1
It's also hearts and diamonds

the second one is:

Certificate: EGL Israel
Shape: Round
Cut: Premium
Carat: 2.01
Color: G
Clarity: VS2

What are the pros and cons of each one? The prices for both are around the same. Size is a big factor for me, but everyone has telling me that there isn't a difference between a 2.01 and 1.81.

Any advice?

Hi Noreen,

With the first it is actually commonly called hearts and arrows which is a type of precision cutting that shows arrow patterning face up and hearts patterning face down. This page gives a basic intro to h&a.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/hna.asp


In order to evaluate these diamonds properly we need the following info please.

depth %
table%
crown and pavilion percentages or angles
polish and symmetry grades
girdle thickness
diameter measurement

You can get this info from the EGL reports. Also in order to judge the cut precision of a h&a diamond we really need images such as ASET and hearts images. You can read up on hearts images in the link above, ASET and Idealscope images which are also very helpful read the page below.

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance

It is true that the larger you go the less you will notice size/ weight jumps - for example between 1.8 and 2 cts, however this is dependant on the cut quality. The diameter measurement will give us an idea of how well these diamonds show their weight face up and give us a size comparison.

Lastly EGL are said to grade diamonds more leniently in some circumstances compared to the top 2 labs GIA and AGS with EGL USA thought to be the strongest of the EGL labs, some of which are overseas. I would suggest that you make any sale final on the diamond checking out with an independant appraisal if you choose one with an EGL report. Get it in writing also that the sale is only final on the diamond checking out to your satisfaction in all aspects. Here is a tool you can use to find an appraiser in your area.

https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx


Ask the vendor if these are online if they can supply any images of these diamond such as ASET, Idealscope and hearts images for the first then if so post them here so we can take a look for you.

Or have you seen the diamonds in person at a jewellers?

 

[noreen925]

thank you Lorelei

for the first 1.81 carat this is the other information:

Measurements : 7.86-7.8 X 4.82
Depth % : 61.6%
Table %: 56%
Girdle: M
Culet: None (pointed)
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Flourescence: None (inert)

for the second 2.01 carat this is the other information:


Measurements : 8.00-7.93 X 5.00
Depth % : 62.7%
Table %: 60%
Girdle: M
Culet: None (pointed)
Polish: Very good
Symmetry: Very good
Flourescence: Faint

Does that help?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/2/2009 12:47:11 PM
Author: noreen925
thank you Lorelei

for the first 1.81 carat this is the other information:

Measurements : 7.86-7.8 X 4.82
Depth % : 61.6%
Table %: 56%
Girdle: M
Culet: None (pointed)
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Flourescence: None (inert)

for the second 2.01 carat this is the other information:


Measurements : 8.00-7.93 X 5.00
Depth % : 62.7%
Table %: 60%
Girdle: M
Culet: None (pointed)
Polish: Very good
Symmetry: Very good
Flourescence: Faint

Does that help?

You are welcome Noreen!

The first diamond has definite potential, the second is a bit deeper than I prefer. Can you post the crown and pavilion percentages too please? They will be on the report.

 

[noreen925]

that''s the only information i have about them....what do you think is best for an engagement ring? does a 1.81 look small?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/2/2009 1:26:44 PM
Author: noreen925
that's the only information i have about them....what do you think is best for an engagement ring? does a 1.81 look small?

Ask the seller if he has access to the grading reports if he can get the crown and pavilion percents or angles, these are critical in order to be able to judge each diamond properly - they can make or break the diamond for beauty and sparkle. With the limited info we have I would be most interested in the first but without the c&p measurements it isn't possible to say if these diamonds will be good looking rocks.

1.81 is in no way small and is a very sizeable diamond!~

 

[noreen925]

i will see if i can get it

so is there a visible difference between a 1.81 and a 2.01 carat rock?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/2/2009 3:25:43 PM
Author: noreen925
i will see if i can get it

so is there a visible difference between a 1.81 and a 2.01 carat rock?

A bit but not a huge amount, once you get into these larger sizes the differences in face up size aren''t as dramatic.

 

[noreen925]

thanks a lot, hopefully i will be able to decide!