Can YOU tell the difference?

[missjuliajoy]

Between H and I color??

We're deciding between two round brilliants for the center stone of my engagement ring. Both are GIA excellent, have similar proportions and HCA ratings. Waiting on idealscope images to make the final decision.

In the meantime...which is more important to you, color or clarity? Here are the two choices: (imagine every other variable is equal)

Diamond 1: I color, VS1 clarity

Diamond 2: H color, SI1 clarity

Could you even perceive any difference between these two? Opinions and expert advice much appreciated!

 

[heather2012]

I am no expert. I do believe and have heard it is difficult to tell the difference in the color of a diamond if they are only 1 grade apart. One thing to think about though, what kind of setting do you plan on putting it in? If you want a halo and the diamonds are much whiter than an I, the center may appear more warm. If it is going to be set as a solitaire, I don't think you have anything to worry about!

As far as clarity/color it depends on what the inclusion is re: clarity. If the diamond is eye clean, I would care more about the color. If there is a visible inclusion than definitely the clarity is more important! I would only buy up to a color I (GIA standards)

 

[Gypsy]

I'd take color over clarity every time. As long as it's eyeclean, I don't care if it's SI or IF-- looks the same on my hand. But color, even a one grade improvement might be noticeable in some light.

Mind you, just because you can perceive the difference doesn't mean you are color sensitive. It just means that your eyes work. You are only color sensitive if you see the difference AND allow it to bother you. I'm not particularly color sensitive, but I do see the color gradations.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I would take the H SI as long as it is eyeclean. Color .. you can always see as it is all over the diamond

 

[TristanC]

Hmm, if I can't see visually any flaw with the stone, I pass it to someone with better eyesight and motivation.

E.g. Tell a young boy with perfect eyesight that you'll buy him a transformers toy if he can spot any flaws in the diamond.

If he doesn't get his toy after 15 mins, I'll take it as eye clean. If it is eye clean, it doesn't really matter if it is VS1 or SI1 as both are not flawless, and both are not visible.

I would then take the H over the I, because it is a 'whiter' colour.

 

[luv2sparkle]

I would take the clarity over the color. I love "I" color diamonds. It is what I pick every time. You pay less for the color and so many
SI stones I have seen, I can pick out the inclusions easily. I guess I am not particularly color sensitive so every "I' color stone I own looks perfectly white to me.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd try to find an H VS2 which will fall between those two...better color than the I stone and better clarity than the H stone!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Will you see them in person?

 

[oldminer]

In round diamonds the Rap Sheet indicates minor to major price differences depending on the weight between the two combinations of quality mentioned. All I-VS1 diamonds list at higher values than H-SI1. The end result is the H-SI1 ought to be somewhat less costly as an equivalent I-VS1. However, the word "equivalent" is important. While you may have compared them, there still may be some reason for value differences which are not apparent to you.

Similarly porportioned diamonds of high H color will usually look a bit whiter than similarly cut low I color diamonds. However, if the diamonds are low H and high I in color, I doubt many gemologists could tell the difference. They might look identical to most everyone. The grading consistency of the color near the borderlines is a subjective process. No one should predict how these two particular diamonds will actually look. You need to see them side by side in good grading lights, not spotlights. Also, the transparency and fluorescence of each stone might differ further throwing general advice out the window.

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

H !

 

[diamondringlover]

I cannot tell the difference between and H and an I, if it were me I would go for the I VS1...I would rather have clarity over color

 

[Enerchi]

I would pick cut first - and if both are equal - then I'd go clarity next, then colour.

 

[stargurl78]

I agree with Gypsy and Charmy and I'd go with higher color, as long as its eye-clean (and assuming cut quality is equal).

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Maybe not in a well cut RB.

But my brain would "prefer" the higher color.

cheers--Sharon

 

[LD]

How do they perform? If the I is cut well it may well out-perform the H and therefore you wouldn't focus on the difference in colour.

 

[missjuliajoy]

Ohhhh....now I'm even more torn! Thank you all SO much for your input though!

I decided against the .83 I VS1 today because it was from B2C jewels and I wasn't happy with their customer service. They don't provide any images at all, and I really want to see the idealscope picture before telling my soon-to-be fiance to pull the trigger (aka checkout button!). I just don't feel like I can trust them. Too bad, because it was a bit cheaper and had a better HCA score (0.6!) HOWEVER, the polish and symmetry were just 'very good' not excellent like the H SI1!

The H SI1 is from James Allen and after reading all the recommendations for them on here I feel much better buying from them. I am confident that it's eye-clean after seeing a super-magnified image. HCA of 1.3, only the spread is rated 'very good'.

Now for the question I don't want to ask....will the size difference be noticeable at all? .83 vs .79? The measurements were 6.09x6.14, and 5.94x5.97. Basically I'm just trying to find the best diamond for around $3,000. I'm so glad I found pricescope or I'd probably be buying something with no sparkle and visible inclusions!!

 

[Gypsy]

Ever score under 2 on the HCA is equally good. A .6 score is not better than a 1.8. It is a pass/fail test only. And it is a rejection tool, not a selection tool.

You can call ID jewelry, link them to the stone and they can call it in for you. If you call ID, Ask for Yekutiel and make sure you identify yourself as a pricescoper.


Spread of very good, is standard. Run any of the BGD Signature or WF ACA's through and you will get spread of very good.

 

[missjuliajoy]

Thanks, Gypsy!
Do you think they would provide images for us? Looking at the real pictures on whiteflash and james allen has made me realize what a range there can be for "excellent" cut...some look gorgeous, some look downright mangled!

 

[zephyr]

H and I are super close. I can't tell color difference personally so I'd choose I color and better clarity. I set all my diamonds in yellow gold anyway so it doesn't matter to me.

 

[armywife13]

I would choose the diamond with the higher clarity. I personally would not see a noticeable difference in color (though some people would), but I would definitely notice the clarit difference-unless the SI1 is positively eye-clean.

 

[Gypsy]

I think so, but call and ask to confirm.