And then there were 3...

[tluv]

After MUCH research on this forum (you guys are AWESOME), as well as on my own, i''ve narrowed my choices down to three round stones. Can you guys please give me your opinions on which is the "better" one? I''ve done a ton of research to find these 3, the plotting all looks okay. This is a huge purchase for me and I would appreciate any help! Thank you in advance!

Stone 1 (GIA 1529411:

Carat: 1.54
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Cut/Polish/Symmetry: Excellent
Depth: 61.6
Table: 57
Crown Angle: 35.5
Pavilion Angle: 40.6
Holloway Visual Performance: 1.4
Light Return: Excellent
Fire: Excellent
Scintillation: Excellent
Spread: Very Good
Price: $15,862 ($10,300 per carat)

Stone 2 (GIA 15720081):
Carat: 1.54
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Cut/Polish/Symmetry: Excellent
Depth: 61.8
Table: 57
Crown Angle: 35
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Holloway Visual Performance: 1.7
Light Return: Excellent
Fire: Excellent
Scintillation: Excellent
Spread: Very Good
Price: $15,238 ($9,894 per carat)

Stone 3 (GIA 15849362):
Carat: 1.55
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
Cut/Polish/Symmetry: Excellent
Depth: 61.6
Table: 55
Crown Angle: 34.5
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Holloway Visual Performance: 1.3
Light Return: Excellent
Fire: Excellent
Scintillation: Excellent
Spread: Very Good
Price: $15,981 ($10,310 per carat)

 

[tluv]

Here''s #2

 

[tluv]

Here''s 3

 

[tluv]

FYI, #2 and #3 are from BLUE NILE, #1 is from a local wholesaler.

 

[hedarud]

It is to close to call, you may need idealscope to tell if one is better than other....Can you purchase 2 bn stones and return one you dont like ??

 

[Jenn5504]

There is another thread going on that says that BN will not allow 2 stones to be purchased for comparison.

I'd buy this if I was looking in a similar color/clarity range had that budget:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-273547.htm#

I would want to purchase somewhere with an upgrade policy and from a vendor who gives more info than BN gives. Just my opinion. All of the stones you listed look very similar and nice!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/30/2007 6:04:58 PM
Author: Jenn5504
There is another thread going on that says that BN will not allow 2 stones to be purchased for comparison.

I''d buy this if I had that budget:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-273547.htm#

I would want to purchase somewhere with an upgrade policy and from a vendor who gives more info than BN gives. Just my opinion. All of the stones you listed look very similar and nice!

Oooh, Jen does it again! I vote this one too, for the same reasons. (5% off for ACA''s too)

 

[Ellen]

However, if you MADE me pick one of the 3, I''d pick the last one.

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 8/30/2007 6:08:20 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 8/30/2007 6:04:58 PM
Author: Jenn5504
There is another thread going on that says that BN will not allow 2 stones to be purchased for comparison.

I''d buy this if I had that budget:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-273547.htm#

I would want to purchase somewhere with an upgrade policy and from a vendor who gives more info than BN gives. Just my opinion. All of the stones you listed look very similar and nice!

Oooh, Jen does it again! I vote this one too, for the same reasons. (5% off for ACA''s too)

Thritto - I''d pick #4, the ACA.

Same specs, in your price range, more info on the stone, upgrade policy, and more!

 

[tluv]

#4 the inclusions in the WhiteFlash ACA don''t scare anybody?

 

[gladyskristen]

If I'm not wrong, all Whiteflash ACA stones are eye clean. You should not depend on the plot of the inclusion on the cert, cos some of these inclusions are visible to your eyes while others are not. VS2 is rather similar to a VS1, so I definitely won't shy away from it! I personally bought an SI2 from Whiteflash and can't be more pleased with it!

P.S. I looked at the 40X pic of the stone and can't see any inclusion. I tend to shy away from BN cos they're a drop shipper.

 

[gladyskristen]

Hmm... On second look, I do see some small inclusions. I'm not sure if they will bother you, but it's likely that they will not be visible in real life size.

If you're concerned about visible inclusions, do consider this stone from the Whiteflash Expert Selection. It's an ideal cut but not H&A. Scores a 1.3 on the HCA. The face up size is another plus point.

Whiteflash ES, 1.587ct, G,VS1

Report: AGS
. Shape: Round Ideal Cut
. Carat: 1.587
. Depth %: 60.7
. Table %: 54.8
. Crown Angle: 34.8
. Crown %: 15.7
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Pavilion %: 43
. Girdle: Thin Faceted
. Measurements: 7.58-7.60X4.61
. Polish: Excellent
. Symmetry: Excellent
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible
. Price: after PS discount, it's $15569

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/31/2007 12:11:25 AM
Author: tluv
#4 the inclusions in the WhiteFlash ACA don''t scare anybody?

No, not at all with VS2. Ask them about it, but my guess is it''s quite eye clean.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Of the first three, I''d certainly pick number 2. I don''t know why anyone would pay more for number 3 which is a clarity grade lower. But I''d check out the ACA from WF for sure. I like the WF trade-in policy, just in case, and that stone will be 5% off that price and be lower than the other 3, I think.

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 8/31/2007 7:18:44 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 8/31/2007 12:11:25 AM
Author: tluv
#4 the inclusions in the WhiteFlash ACA don't scare anybody?

No, not at all with VS2. Ask them about it, but my guess is it's quite eye clean.

At VS2, no, but I would ask what's up with the laser drill hole and the chip in the plot key. It must be very minor to be there and be graded VS2, but inquiring minds...

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 8/31/2007 4:41:50 PM
Author: FireGoddess

Date: 8/31/2007 7:18:44 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 8/31/2007 12:11:25 AM
Author: tluv
#4 the inclusions in the WhiteFlash ACA don't scare anybody?

No, not at all with VS2. Ask them about it, but my guess is it's quite eye clean.

At VS2, no, but I would ask what's up with the laser drill hole and the chip in the plot key. It must be very minor to be there and be graded VS2, but inquiring minds...

No such inclusions in this stone FG. There is a crystal and some small needles/feathers. This AGS key shows all inclusion types even if those which don't appear in the diamond. They were doing this to be helpful but it wound up causing confusion in some cases... A month or so ago they began limiting the symbols; now the key shows only characteristics in that diamond, so this kind of confusion should fade.