At wits end, which to choose

[pyle112]

I have two diamonds that I am looking at from two different vendors. Both have aspects that make me question whether I may like one over the other. HCA values are the same (~1.3-1.5 AGS0), carat weight is the same(~1.21), one is ES at WF and one is Signature Series H&A at JA. Both are SI1 H, both have good IS images. Both vendors say they are eye clean and look great. More specific info is below.
I think both can be beautiful diamonds but its hard to choose. They are within a couple hundred dollars of each other. My first inclination was to bring them both in and keep the better one. This has turned out to be harder than expected, considering I''d take a hit on the setting and shipping from WF (~200 bucks total).

WF:
Report: AGS
. Shape: Round Ideal Cut
. Carat: 1.214
. Depth %: 61.5
. Table %: 56.9
. Crown Angle: 34.8
. Crown %: 15
. Star : 56
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Pavilion %: 43.1
. Lower Girdle %: 77
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 6.84-6.87X4.21
. Polish: Excellent
. Symmetry: Excellent
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible


JA:
Report: GIA
. Shape: Round Ideal Cut H&A
. Carat: 1.23
. Depth %: 61.8
. Table %: 56
. Crown Angle: 34.5
. Crown %: 15
. Star :
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Pavilion %: 43.0
. Lower Girdle %: 75
. Girdle: Slightly thick to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 6.85*6.90*4.25
. Polish: Excellent
. Symmetry: Excellent
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

The WF polish is not up to AGS 000 cut grade, and the JA is GIA excellent grade polish symmetry.
The WF shows that the clarity grade comes from a feather and a cloud, which worries me for light performance (should it?)
The JA has prongable inclusions that look like they set the clarity grade (it also has additional clouds not shown).

Having them sent to an appraiser is an option (albeit one that I do not feel like paying for), but I just want the better light performer. I''m thinking of flipping a coin.

 

[belle]

Date: 8/30/2007 3:21:18 PM
Author:pyle112

I''m thinking of flipping a coin.

you can also use the tried and true selection tool of: ''eeney meeney miney mo''!

best of luck!

 

[pyle112]

Date: 8/30/2007 3:36:02 PM
Author: belle

Date: 8/30/2007 3:21:18 PM

you can also use the tried and true selection tool of: ''eeney meeney miney mo''!

best of luck!

you can cheat at eeney meeney miney mo
maybe I should have my dog point to the stone on the screen that she likes...I''m sure my gf would love that "Honey I knew you''d love it, it was "paw" picked!"

 

[Jenn5504]

My word those are very similar........I don''t know how you should decide. Maybe the cheaper one? What are your setting plans? Go with the vendor who has the setting you like. Both of those look to me like they will be lovely stones.

 

[pyle112]

I''ve chosen similar settings for each

 

[Jenn5504]

Wanted to add, don''t think you need to worry about SI1 clarity compromising performance. I''d love to see the settings you''re considering, to get a better picture of the whole ring.

 

[pyle112]

simple settings:



WF
sleek lines
JA
knife edge cathedral from JA

 

[strmrdr]

go with the lower priced one and buy some earrings with the couple hundred.

 

[pyle112]

Thats actually a good idea!
I could fake her out with the earrings, and then show her the matching e-ring!

 

[FireGoddess]

I like strm's idea. IRL, I'm sure you'd never be able to tell them apart once side by side. You're splitting hairs at this point.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 8/30/2007 4:14:20 PM
Author: pyle112
Thats actually a good idea!
I could fake her out with the earrings, and then show her the matching e-ring!

bingo!

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 8/30/2007 4:14:20 PM
Author: pyle112
Thats actually a good idea!
I could fake her out with the earrings, and then show her the matching e-ring!

Oh. I love this idea. Or you could put the $$ towards the setting. If your looking at solitares may I show suggest you browse the flame with diamonds in the head or the torchiere also with diamonds in the head?


www.mwmjewelry.com/

 

[Jenn5504]

Date: 8/30/2007 4:07:31 PM
Author: strmrdr
go with the lower priced one and buy some earrings with the couple hundred.

Adorable idea!

 

[Ellen]

I like the Sleek Line, so I''d make it easy on myself and get the WF stone.

Or, you could have the dog pick, I like that.

 

[Rock Candy]

Boy, it''s really a toss up between the two. But just wanted to say that I like the Sleek Line setting alot better.

 

[pyle112]

after driving myself batty I have finally chosen and purchased. I''ll post pics when it arrives (if I like it

 

[FireGoddess]

Well, which one did you go with?

 

[pyle112]

The JA stone.

 

[whatmeworry]

How did you decide? The wallet, the coin, the dog?

 

[pyle112]

Date: 8/31/2007 6:16:59 PM
Author: whatmeworry
How did you decide? The wallet, the coin, the dog?

A little bit of each. Toshi (the dog) actually licked my screen, the coin was two outta three, and the price difference literally was a pair of earrings...also in the end I was just exhausted...I didn''t even want to look at either one anymore and I just put the wire transfer down to get it over with especially after over a month of looking. I will admit though service was great at WF, better than JA, nevertheless both places answered every question promptly and satisfactorily.

I did think the JA had a little bit more potential considering its light performnce but like someone said-- splitting hairs.

 

[Ellen]

I think you''ll be very happy with your choice. Please post pics of the ring if you can!