Advice requested - which diamond?

[dmdsrchr]

Hi all - looking for some help in choosing between 2 stones. Any thoughts?

Option 1:
0.78 ct / G / VS1 / Very Good Cut / Ex polish / Ex sym / No flour / GIA certification
5.98-6.01 x 3.62mm
Depth = 60.4%, Table = 57%, Crown angle = 35.0, Pav angle = 41.0, star length = 50%, lower half = 80%, Girdle = thin, no culet
"Cut grade affected by brillianteering"

Option 2:
0.78 ct / AGS 1 (F) / AGS 4 (VS2) / Ideal 0 Cut / Ideal polish / Ideal sym / Negligable flour / AGS certification
5.89 - 5.94 x 3.64mm
Depth = 61.5%, Table = 55.7%, Crown angle = 34.3, Pav angle = 40.7, star length = 54%, lower half = 76%, Girdle = 1.5%-3.8%, pointed culet

Both are similarly priced (within a couple hundred bucks of each other). My knowledge of this stuff is pretty limited, so would appreciate some expert opinions on which stone is better and why.

Thanks!

 

[yssie]

Hi all - looking for some help in choosing between 2 stones. Any thoughts?

Option 1:
0.78 ct / G / VS1 / Very Good Cut / Ex polish / Ex sym / No flour / GIA certification
5.98-6.01 x 3.62mm
Depth = 60.4%, Table = 57%, Crown angle = 35.0, Pav angle = 41.0, star length = 50%, lower half = 80%, Girdle = thin, no culet
"Cut grade affected by brillianteering"

Option 2:
0.78 ct / AGS 1 (F) / AGS 4 (VS2) / Ideal 0 Cut / Ideal polish / Ideal sym / Negligable flour / AGS certification
5.89 - 5.94 x 3.64mm
Depth = 61.5%, Table = 55.7%, Crown angle = 34.3, Pav angle = 40.7, star length = 54%, lower half = 76%, Girdle = 1.5%-3.8%, pointed culet

Both are similarly priced (within a couple hundred bucks of each other). My knowledge of this stuff is pretty limited, so would appreciate some expert opinions on which stone is better and why.

Thanks!

Brillianteering (girdle treatments beyond what's necessary to actually cut the stone): http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs/NewCutGrading/PaintingandDigging/

Since the report doesn't tell us anything about what sort of treatment, I would want a photo before considering it further

Numbers on AGS are fine. Date of report? Any comments? Any pics?

 

[dmdsrchr]

Thanks for the prompt reply!

I called the GIA - the individual I spoke with said there was painting on the crown. I asked for some indication of degree - she replied with "4.7". Couldn't find a source online that explained what that meant.

Unfortunately I don't have any hi-res pics. To my untrained eye, both stones look the same.

No comments on the AGS report. Can't find the date on the report but its within the last 2 years. In contrast, the GIA stone report is from 2005 - does age make a difference?

 

[yssie]

Explanation with fantastic pics and ASET simulations here: https://www.pricescope.com/journal/visible_effects_painting_digging_superideal_diamonds

ETA: GIA takes a conservative stance wrt. what they consider "over-brillianteering" and demotes cut grade, the EightStar company has made its fortune w/ crown painting. Different ideologies - and of course people have different personal preferences.

There was a thread about choosing between these stones a couple of years ago - can't find it though...
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8399/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8892/

 

[yssie]

No comments on the AGS report. Can't find the date on the report but its within the last 2 years. In contrast, the GIA stone report is from 2005 - does age make a difference?

ETA: 2005? I thought GIA began issuing cut grades January 1, 2006?
Ah, explanation: http://www.diamondcut.gia.edu/07_gia_grading_reports.html
It must have been originally submitted in 2005 and a report w/ cut grade re-issued after that announcement.

If you wind up choosing this stone I would make the sale contingent on having a trusted independent appraisal done to verify that the stone is in exactly the condition presented on the report. Presumably it hasn't been sitting on a shelf for the eight years - poor setting jobs, careless maintenance, wear and tear can all leave marks.

 

[dmdsrchr]

Thanks Yssie - that link is great. Seem like the 4.7 refers to degrees and that the level of brillianteering is not too extreme. But I will definitely get whichever one I go for checked out.

In your experience, with the information available, which stone seems like the better option to you? (Also open to other who may have an opinion).

 

[yssie]

Thanks Yssie - that link is great. Seem like the 4.7 refers to degrees and that the level of brillianteering is not too extreme. But I will definitely get whichever one I go for checked out.

In your experience, with the information available, which stone seems like the better option to you? (Also open to other who may have an opinion).

I am nitpicky to the extreme about flavour of light return and have a very specific preference, and I don't personally care for painting, so of the two the AGS would be of more interest to me. Many others feel differently - as evidenced by EightStar's success. Once upon a time (I want to say 2006ish, back when Brian of BGD was with WF) a new line of crown-painted ACAs was introduced but I don't believe production lasted long.

You're lucky in that you do have the opportunity to see them in-person and compare them - at this point I would recommend talking to your vendor(s) and letting your eyes make the final choice.

 

[dmdsrchr]

Thanks again!