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(Another) D vers F colour thread / Opinions on my purchase welcome (F - IF)

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rookie2024

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 20, 2024
Messages
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Hello everyone

I've been on a mission to select a ring without my partner's input (challenging, but she will love the surprise element). So I've been reading a lot here and appreciate all the advice I've picked up.

Today I made a choice that was contrary to some of the advice I've read - hence the post now for second opinions.

2 shortlisted rings were both 0.72 Carat, a round solitaire (cut/polish/symmetry all Excellent for both). Both close enough in price for price not to be a factor and I'm completely settled on the carat size being what she will want. To the other factors:

Ring 1 was D - VS1 - Faint Florescence
Ring 2 was F - IF - No Florescence

Finding it impossible to decide, I eventually put a deposit down on Ring 2, with the following logic:

> Viewing the GIA report for the F - IF diamond I really liked the 'mind clean' fact that it listed no inclusions at all. Maybe an ego thing, but nice nonetheless. I know both would be eye clean, of course.

> No fluorescence on the F also seemed to be a bonus, but I'm unsure if that's a valid opinion whatsoever but it made the report look really neat ;)2

> Also had in my mind that while most here prioritise colour, there are some that see colour coding as only that, and find D too icey. I had that front of mind but sadly don't know my partner's preference in this regard.

Actually, comparing both stones side by side very carefully on the counter I actually pick D being the whiter diamond, but moving toward the window/daylight I got them mixed up several times.... So in realising this that I finally made the impossible decision and chose the Ring 2 and paid deposit . To be honest though, I was still totally confused.

Afterwards, I realised that I'd gone off script from most things I'd read here ("prioritise colour"), so I thought I better report back and see if my logic today had any merit whatsoever!

PS. I'm sure if I had picked Ring 1 I'd be posting here, second guessing myself and asking if I should had gone for the other ! With so many variables and doing this alone it got a bit overwhelming.

Thankyou for being a great resource, and for any help here :D

I'm sure it's not too late to change if necessary, but I'm also sure they'll both be great.
 
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Welcome to PS!

I am not an expert, and am responding based on my own preferences when selecting a diamond, natural or lab grown, either in OEC or EC.

I would put cut over colour (G/H is the sweet spot, can go down to I/J) over clarity as long as it is eye-clean to get the biggest stone I could afford, not too bothered about flourescence unless it distracts the overall asthetic of the stone.

If both of your stones are equal in cut quality, then I would opt for the D VS1.

The diamond experts on here would be able to tell you if a modern round brilliant (MRB) is well-cut if you provide them with the numbers as in table and depth etc...

Good luck with your diamond purchase.

DK :))
 
Thanks ! Yes, it did seem like I got a bit of a rush to the head when I saw the GIA for the IF (being no inclusion of course, just the usual 'minor polishing' comment against clarity), and no flourecence.

I was way too confused at this point with all the components and got a little overwhelmed.

I'm sure I'll be able to get those numbers for the cut tomorrow and post them here, I didn't take away the GIA number today .

Thanks again
 
I've found the GIA Cert number of the diamond I placed the deposit on (0.72 - F - IF). The measurements are 5.75 - 5.71 x 3.54 mm. And the proportions are as follows:

Screenshot 2024-11-20 at 10.00.32 pm.png

I do recall that the table pct figure was lower on the D diamond, maybe 56% or so... but I didn't note the other figures. I could get hold of a copy I'm sure.

Thankyou :D
 
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Have you considered that with all the cheap colorless inert flawless Lab Stones flooding the market....maybe Fluoresence and unique (visible with magnification) crystals / needles / feathers might be good features to have ?

1732106362301.png

1732106881557.jpeg
 
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I'm not sure where you read to prioritize "color". We (Pricescope), prioritize cut and you have not given us enough info on
both stones to tell you which one we would suggest. The F/IF may* be ok...but we need up close images. 36.0 crown is a
little high but IMO may be ok depending on how the stone looks. Post more info/images when you can.
 
I would highly recommend you be very sure about the upgrade policy of the vendor you are using and the inventory selection they may give you in the future.

I just upgraded my wife’s ER stone size and I would bet an upgrade to a bigger diamond size will happen to you a few years down the road —- so keep that road open.
 
NY_Resonant said:
I would highly recommend you be very sure about the upgrade policy of the vendor you are using and the inventory selection they may give you in the future.

I just upgraded my wife’s ER stone size and I would bet an upgrade to a bigger diamond size will happen to you a few years down the road —- so keep that road open.
Click to expand...

Yes, always nice to have this option.
 
Cut quality is the most important factor and we can’t completely evaluate that from what you offered beyond saying it isn’t terrible by the numbers. IF is an interesting choice. It’s not something I personally care about. Nor D:F color. I agree with @freddyboston about enjoying characteristics in my natural diamonds these days that distinguish them from labs.
 
Cut is most important. 36 crown is a bit concerning. Please post the other cert
 
freddyboston said:
I think 58% table can be a bit too large/ risky when paired with a 36% crown angle...
Click to expand...

It can really depend on the GIA rounding.

I picked a 58 table/36 crown diamond after looking at 15 options for an hour at my jeweler friend’s office in multiple lighting situations (Including sunlight)… So it can work beautifully as a very lively firey stone but buying it blind based on parameters online is risky due to GIA rounding and potential for leaking/excessive obstruction. So not a “safe” purchase.
 
tyty333 said:
I'm not sure where you read to prioritize "color". We (Pricescope), prioritize cut and you have not given us enough info on
both stones to tell you which one we would suggest. The F/IF may* be ok...but we need up close images. 36.0 crown is a
little high but IMO may be ok depending on how the stone looks. Post more info/images when you can.
Click to expand...

Thanks. In my ignorance (and rush) had thought that since all of the options I was looking at were “excellent” cut, that they’d all be equivalent. I realise now that’s not the case. I’ll get more info for the diamonds I’d shortlisted.

Thanks again
 
Dreamer_D said:
Cut quality is the most important factor and we can’t completely evaluate that from what you offered beyond saying it isn’t terrible by the numbers. IF is an interesting choice. It’s not something I personally care about. Nor D:F color. I agree with @freddyboston about enjoying characteristics in my natural diamonds these days that distinguish them from labs.
Click to expand...

Yes that’s a really good point you’ve both mentioned. I did have a touch of buyers remorse (or “deposit placers remorse”!) once I left the store, I realised I’d been blinded a bit by the IF rating. Best thing to do from here I think is get the cut stats on the other rings.

They will all be only from GIA I’m afraid as I won’t have photos of the actual rings.
 
rookie2024 said:
Thanks. In my ignorance (and rush) had thought that since all of the options I was looking at were “excellent” cut, that they’d all be equivalent. I realise now that’s not the case. I’ll get more info for the diamonds I’d shortlisted.

Thanks again
Click to expand...

unfortunately, "excellent" cut is extremely broad and encompasses many poorly cut stones. It's really critical to get pics/videos of the actual stones. Reports aren't enough, because of rounding that happens with GIA. I wouldn't purchase from any vendor who couldn't provide images/videos of the stones (vendors can see stone videos/pics through their virtual database).
 
lovedogs said:
unfortunately, "excellent" cut is extremely broad and encompasses many poorly cut stones. It's really critical to get pics/videos of the actual stones. Reports aren't enough, because of rounding that happens with GIA. I wouldn't purchase from any vendor who couldn't provide images/videos of the stones (vendors can see stone videos/pics through their virtual database).
Click to expand...

OK great thanks. I’ll bare this in mind on my follow up visit get as much info together as I can then
 
Thanks to everyone for the info and help on this one. Another visit is in order and will update
 
You've already gotten great advice, but since "seeing is believing" here's a comparison from Jann Paul between a bad GIA Excellent and a top-notch one:
 
rookie2024 said:
They will all be only from GIA I’m afraid as I won’t have photos of the actual rings.
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that you saw the stones. If so, can't you or the jeweler at least take some close up photos and videos?

And these are rings? Not loose stones?
 
Lookinagain said:
I was under the impression that you saw the stones. If so, can't you or the jeweler at least take some close up photos and videos?

And these are rings? Not loose stones?
Click to expand...

Hi, I didn’t see the actual stones - the ones I referred to that I compared were examples available in-store of D vers F Coloured stone, already set in the same setting that I will be buying. The actual stone will need to be sent here from their stock elsewhere (all of which are already set in rings and shown on a database)
 
newtojewels said:
You've already gotten great advice, but since "seeing is believing" here's a comparison from Jann Paul between a bad GIA Excellent and a top-notch one:
Click to expand...

How interesting - thanks very much. Ok, seems imperative to get the cuts of my shortlist and post here (and photos if possible)

Will do asap
 
Hello all you helpful people. I've made some progress. Stats of the others on the shortlist are below - I've included HCA ratings, for what it's worth.

I realise numbers are only part of this process but indication of which is better here would be hugely appreciated as I don't have pics at this time.

I've included the HCA ratings:

0.72 - D - VS1 (HSa Rating "1")

D-VS2.jpeg

0.70 - D - VS1 (HSA Rating "1.4"):
D-VS1.jpeg

0.71 - E - VVS2 (HSA Rating "0.8"):

E-VVS2.jpeg

I'm drawn to the 0.72 D. Seems to rate well and the D is a nice touch, unless I'm missing something.

Thanks a lot for any help
 

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Any up close pictures/videos of the one you like?
 
Unfortunately neither of tje ones that have images are ideally cut. I would hold out for a better cut stone
 
The stones you selected are not terrible OP. They are not cut as precisely as we like them to be around here. However, they’re not terrible. A more precisely cut stone will have a more symmetric facet pattern and will sparkle edge to edge in different lighting scenarios. The diamonds you’ve selected may not sparkle quite as much if you were to compare it side-by-side with a super ideal cut. however, the diamonds you selected are probably still better than the vast majority of diamonds out there and if you chose to go with one of them, I don’t think you would be making a horrible choice.
 
lovedogs said:
Unfortunately neither of tje ones that have images are ideally cut. I would hold out for a better cut stone
Click to expand...

Thanks - appreciate the input. Seeing the other photo of a super ideal cut can appreciate most would keep hunting. I might have to go for one of them on the basis that I should’ve started this process much much sooner (I’m proposing on an overseas trip that we are soon leaving for)

Is there either that looks the better one to go for ? As a rookie I’d assume the one with Ex polish also. I appreciate they aren’t of the highest standards here, of course and appreciate the advice !
 
Dreamer_D said:
The stones you selected are not terrible OP. They are not cut as precisely as we like them to be around here. However, they’re not terrible. A more precisely cut stone will have a more symmetric facet pattern and will sparkle edge to edge in different lighting scenarios. The diamonds you’ve selected may not sparkle quite as much if you were to compare it side-by-side with a super ideal cut. however, the diamonds you selected are probably still better than the vast majority of diamonds out there and if you chose to go with one of them, I don’t think you would be making a horrible choice.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much - I’m already much more informed here on PS (and having lurked a little bit through the process before I posted).. so I’m really thankful for that and the information I’ve picked up. For this ring, whilst it would have been amazing to have known a lot of this info earlier and done a search over several months - unfortunately that’s not been possible so I’ll probably end up selecting one of these. There’s many other elements to this proposal and I think I’ve already benefited from some of the advice here otherwise I would’ve probably just gone for an ex-ex-ex D - IF and been blissfully unaware of any other elements at all !

I can certainly see they aren’t amazingly cut but as a full package (setting from a retailer she loves, proposal whilst we are travelling, etc) + with D Colour then either is probably good enough for our level of diamond-knowledge.

If I’d known more sooner I would’ve done things differently of course, but I’m not frightened off by either of these at this point.

Please let me know if either one stands out as a better choice :)
 
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