Calling Critical Eyes - Which one would you choose?

[Melis]

Hi Everyone!

I’ve been a long time lurker and have admired all your knowledge on diamonds. This is the one place I don’t feel like such an odd ball for looking at percentages and angles as all my friends think I am crazy and am too picky. I can’t talk about my diamond selection process with any of them. So here I am, turning to you all, asking for your help and opinion in this important selection.

I have narrowed down to 3 diamonds below. Please give me your most critical and honest feedback as this is a big purchase for us. Is there one that outshines the other? Which one would you choose for yourself? Are any of the inclusions a concern (particularly Diamond#2 which has a large amount of clouds and I am concern it may cause the diamond to appear dull).

I would like to get the one with the most value (the bigger the better but not comprise on cut).

I’m also open to other suggestions if you encounter one that you think is better.

We need to make a decision by Sunday and are a bit nervous as this is a big purchase we’re making online and we’re not able to see the stone. I would greatly appreciate your expertise and feedback and welcome all critical eye. Thank you in advance!!


DIAMOND #1
1.574ct
H VS2
ACA
Eye-clean
Pro: Eye clean
Con: smaller than the other two

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3055785.htm#

AGS Report [url=http://www.agslab.com/pdf_syn...ab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104067447007-PGRH.PDF[/url]

Depth % 61.2
Table % 57.0
Crown Angle 34.3
Star 52.0
Pavilion Angle 40.9
Crown % 14.7
Lower Girdle % 79.0
Measurements 7.47x7.52x4.59


DIAMOND #2
1.815ct
H SI1
ACA
Eye-clean
Pro: good size
Con: inclusions has a lot of clouds – would this make the diamond not so crisp looking? Table a bit big?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3059431.htm?source=pricescope

AGS Report
http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104069784004-PGRH.PDF

The images on the report doesn’t seem to match up exactly to the ASET images (the triangles in between the arrow heads are touching the arrows in the AGS report but not in the ASET images). Is this a concern?

Depth % 60.5
Table % 57.6
Crown Angle 34.0
Star 54.0
Pavilion Angle 40.9
Crown % 14.2
Lower Girdle % 76.0
Measurements 7.88x7.91x4.78


DIAMOND #3
2.17ct
H SI1
Expert Selection
Eye-clean at casual inspection. Can see the small inclusion
Pro: Great size
Con: Inclusion may be visible upon real close inspection

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3033760.htm?source=pricescope#

AGS Report
http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104068282005-PLDQR.PDF

Depth % 62.0
Table % 56.0
Crown Angle 34.7
Star 57.0
Pavilion Angle 40.6
Crown % 15.1
Lower Girdle % 80.0
Measurements 8.26x8.31x5.14

 

[tyty333]

I'll admit I'd be going for diamond 3 if the inclusions are not noticable. It's an AGS0 and a great size. Not sure why it didn't
make ACA?

 

[kenny]

I'd take the smaller ACA with better clarity.

 

[MarionC]

Since I'm kind of picky about inclusions, I would go with #1

 

[Melis]

Thanks everyone for chiming in so far. So far Diamond#1 is preferred. Anyone else?

 

[Gypsy]

Size whore here so 2 or 3. I'd go for close to or over 8mm.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

I can deal with a little schmutz in an RB. I want the big one!

 

[AprilBaby]

Number three, they claim it is eye clean so I would go for size!

 

[Andelain]

#2. It's the largest eye-clean one, and it's an ACA. The clouds won't affect it, or WF wouldn't allow in in the brand. Any of them is going to be beautiful.

 

[Melis]

Thanks so much for all the replies, everyone!

After talking it over, and even tho we like Diamond #3, it is over what we'd like to spend at this time. So unfortunately, due to budget constraints, we won't be able go with this option.

Now left with just Diamond #1 (1.5ct) and Diamond #2 (1.8ct), which one to choose? I like that the 1.5ct is a VS and is completely eye-clean and has much few inclusions but it is smaller. The 1.8ct is a good size however, I'm concern about the clouds diminishing light return and making the diamond look less crisp/clear. Can cloud hinder performance? Also it has a larger table (58%). Is this a draw back for this stone?

For you size whore out there (from one size whore to another ) would you still pick the larger stone, even if the clarity grade is worst? The SI grade doesn't bother me as it is completely eye-clean but there are a lot of clouds that I fear would affect the performance of the stone. I've seen one of their Expert Selection diamonds where the clarity grading is based on clouds not shown and it does look duller in the picture. Or would the size difference between the two is too small and taking the one with better clarity is better?

 

[Andelain]

Read my previous post about the clouds.

 

[Gypsy]

Definitely #2. Then.