Choice between 2 diamonds, Color or Clarity?

[kacole2]

I am in a bind. I found 2 diamonds that I really like, but not sure which one would be a better purchase. So I figured I would ask the diamond gurus of pricescope.

The major difference I see in these is that Diamond 1 has a G color and VS2 Clarity, while Diamond 2 has a E Color and Si1 Clarity. There is also a girdlge, table, and depth difference. I believe Diamond 2 has better Girdle, Depth and Table percentages. But i'm still not sure if those make much of a difference when it comes to Diamond 1's VS2 Clarity.

Any insight is much appreciated. Thanks

Diamond 1
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 0.77
Cut: Hearts & Arrows Ideal
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: AGS
Depth: 62.0%
Table: 55.7%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Neglible
Measurements: 5.83*5.88*3.64
Crown Angle: 34.7°
Crown %: 15.40
pavilion Angle: 40.9°
pavilion %: 43.20

Diamond 2
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 0.78
Cut: Hearts & Arrows Ideal
Color: F
Clarity: SI1
Certificate: AGS
Depth: 60.8%
Table: 55.9%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to medium
Culet:
Fluorescence: Neglible
Measurements: 5.94*5.99*3.63
Crown Angle: 34.4°
Crown %: 15.10
pavilion Angle: 40.7°
pavilion %: 42.80

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome!

Do you have links to the diamonds please? They both look great, an Idealscope or other images would be useful. Check the SI1 clarity is eyeclean to your standards by checking with the vendor. Also one is advertised as a hearts and arrows diamond, if that is important to you and the diamond is eyeclean then that is the one to mainly consider but if you have IS images or more info then that will tell us more as both diamonds have excellent proportions. Which vendor has these diamonds?

 

[kacole2]

ya, but by posting these I don't want anyone buying my diamonds! haha

 

[neatfreak]

I go for color assuming they are eyeclean and all else is equal. Why pay for what you can''t see is my thought.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

They are likely both beautiful stones if they are AGS0 Ideal. Clarity is very personal. For me, VS2 was my cut-off. But if I were to consider SI1, I would want to see the magnified images to see if the inclusions would bother me. I''d also want to know if they were visible from the side. It is totally possible to get nice, eyelean SI1''s, so it is definitely worth exploring. But I''d want to see magnified images of the inclusions before choosing.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/14/2008 2:07:52 PM
Author: kacole2
ya, but by posting these I don''t want anyone buying my diamonds! haha

I understand, did you want to just delete the links and post just the Idealscope images?

 

[Lorelei]

Here you go, Idealscope for the G VS2

 

[kacole2]

Diamond 1 is attached

 

[kacole2]

Diamond 2

 

[Lorelei]

Good job!

Ok, they both look great, the next step is to check if the SI is eyeclean to your standards by checking with the vendor, then you can decide from there.

 

[kacole2]

Ok. Well today isn't business hours.

So if the Si1 IS eyeclean, what would be next to decide? I just don't know what is more important between the 2, color or clarity and taking into account the Girdle, table and depth percentages

BTW, they are both Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cuts...
thanks for the help thus far

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/14/2008 2:17:34 PM
Author: kacole2
Ok. Well today isn't business hours.

So if the Si1 IS eyeclean, what would be next to decide?

BTW, they are both Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cuts...
thanks for the help thus far

You are most welcome!

Then it would depend on your colour preferences assuming the SI is totally eyeclean as to which you choose - both will be extremely white but it depends on whether you would rather have the E colour and SI clarity or G colour VS. Both diamonds are beautifully cut so that is taken care of, but really to judge a h&a diamond you need hearts images and I don't know if JA provide those or what criteria they use to qualify some of their diamonds as h&a.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The stones are going to appear almost identical to the eye. You have to decide what is more "mind clean" to you. Some people want F color and will go down in clarity to get it. Others, like me, prefer VS2 or higher clarity and will go to G or H color, etc. We all have to balance the specs with our preferences and budget. Both of those stones are fine, but the magnified images of the inclusions might help you make the final decision.

 

[kacole2]

These are the magnified diamond images.

Correct, me if i''m wrong but are those little specs the ''Inclusions''?

These are the only specs I could find I Diamond 1,

 

[kacole2]

Diamond 2

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/14/2008 2:33:49 PM
Author: kacole2
These are the magnified diamond images.

Correct, me if i''m wrong but are those little specs the ''Inclusions''?

These are the only specs I could find I Diamond 1,

Yes those will be inclusions but the only way to find out for sure if any inclusions will be visible to the eye, is to ask the vendor to inspect the diamond for you, also make sure they understand your expectations of what eyeclean means to you, for example if you don''t want to see any inclusions from any angle at close scrutiny, make sure the vendor knows that so you are both on the same page.

 

[kacole2]

Thanks Lorelei, this is going to be my first ever big diamond purchase so knowing the correct questions to ask will be a big help for me. Thanks again for all your insight! If you have any more ideas of what questions to ask, please feel free to post them.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/14/2008 2:45:54 PM
Author: kacole2
Thanks Loralei, this is going to be my first ever big diamond purchase so knowing the correct questions to ask will be a big help for me. Thanks again for all your insight! If you have any more ideas of what questions to ask, please feel free to post them.

You are most welcome and I am so glad we were of help to you! The main thing at this stage is to make sure you let the vendor know exactly what your expectations are concerning '' eyecleanliness,'' particularly of the SI1 clarity diamond. If it comes down to a tiebreaker between the two, if you can''t decide which one to pick from colour preference, ask the vendor to look at both diamonds for you in order to help you choose. They might say one has more '' flair'' than another as they will be able to see the subtleties of each stone - I take it the diamond is intended for an engagement ring?

 

[kacole2]

yes, the diamond is intended for an engagement ring...and thanks to slickdeals, linking me to pricescope, I feel 10x more confident in my diamond purchase, and getting it for almost 40% less than retail. I still plan on taking the diamond to the jewelry store where I''m getting the band custom made, to get an appraisal to verify I got the correct diamond and it matches the AGS card. I kinda had to lie a bit and say I wanted an appraisal on ''her grandmother''s center diamond'' so I can get an honest appraisal, even though the place I am buying from is a small family owned business since 1832. Merkley Kendrick jewelers

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/14/2008 2:58:07 PM
Author: kacole2
yes, the diamond is intended for an engagement ring...and thanks to slickdeals, linking me to pricescope, I feel 10x more confident in my diamond purchase, and getting it for almost 40% less than retail. I still plan on taking the diamond to the jewelry store where I'm getting the band custom made, to get an appraisal to verify I got the correct diamond and it matches the AGS card. I kinda had to lie a bit and say I wanted an appraisal on 'her grandmother's center diamond' so I can get an honest appraisal, even though the place I am buying from is a small family owned business since 1832. Merkley Kendrick jewelers

That is the best way, but if you wanted a professional unbiased appraisal then an actual appraiser who does not sell diamonds is your best bet.

Here is a tool you can use to find an appraiser in your area, https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

 

[kcoursolle]

Both are stunning, so the good news is that you can''t make a wrong decision here. I might go for number two since it''s facing up a tiny bit larger than number 1...or you could go for the cheaper one, whichever one that is.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 12/14/2008 2:58:07 PM
Author: kacole2
yes, the diamond is intended for an engagement ring...and thanks to slickdeals, linking me to pricescope, I feel 10x more confident in my diamond purchase, and getting it for almost 40% less than retail. I still plan on taking the diamond to the jewelry store where I''m getting the band custom made, to get an appraisal to verify I got the correct diamond and it matches the AGS card. I kinda had to lie a bit and say I wanted an appraisal on ''her grandmother''s center diamond'' so I can get an honest appraisal, even though the place I am buying from is a small family owned business since 1832. Merkley Kendrick jewelers

That was pretty smart thinking in that most jewelers HATE hearing that stones were bought from internet companies. The only thing I''d be concerned about is that the precision cut may clue them into the fact that it is a newer stone as opposed to an old one. So be aware of that.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/14/2008 3:18:08 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 12/14/2008 2:58:07 PM
Author: kacole2
yes, the diamond is intended for an engagement ring...and thanks to slickdeals, linking me to pricescope, I feel 10x more confident in my diamond purchase, and getting it for almost 40% less than retail. I still plan on taking the diamond to the jewelry store where I''m getting the band custom made, to get an appraisal to verify I got the correct diamond and it matches the AGS card. I kinda had to lie a bit and say I wanted an appraisal on ''her grandmother''s center diamond'' so I can get an honest appraisal, even though the place I am buying from is a small family owned business since 1832. Merkley Kendrick jewelers

That was pretty smart thinking in that most jewelers HATE hearing that stones were bought from internet companies. The only thing I''d be concerned about is that the precision cut may clue them into the fact that it is a newer stone as opposed to an old one. So be aware of that.

I was mulling that one over also...

 

[kacole2]

well there is no independent 3rd party appraiser in my WHOLE STATE! hah, good old KY for ya

 

[honey22]

Just a note of advice, with the stats, IS images and other pics you have posted, any PSer and a good lurker could easily identify the vendor and the stones you have picked. If you don''t want them snatched out from under you, I would suggest reserving one or both if you can. Most vendors have this facility online. Good luck!

 

[beach]

I highly recommend Richard Sherwood for an independent appraisal. He is located in in Sarasota Florida and you can just overnight the stone to him. I have met him in person and have mailed diamonds to him as well. I could not be happier with his service. Here is his info: http://www.sarasotagemlab.com/

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/14/2008 3:38:24 PM
Author: honey22
Just a note of advice, with the stats, IS images and other pics you have posted, any PSer and a good lurker could easily identify the vendor and the stones you have picked. If you don''t want them snatched out from under you, I would suggest reserving one or both if you can. Most vendors have this facility online. Good luck!

LOL!! Or naughty lurker!! Kacole, I would consider reserving the diamond/s just in case.

And blast that you don''t have an appraiser listed in KY.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

When a stone is GIA or AGS graded and bought from a reputable vendor, I personally do not see the need for a full independent appraisal because that is what GIA or AGS did. But it is pretty simple to take a stone into a jeweler that does appraisals and ask them to simply verify that the stone is the one represented in the lab certificate. This should cost maybe $0-25 and should be provided free if you are having the jeweler set the stone in one of their settings.

 

[kacole2]

I went with diamond 2 and made my purchase this morning. After talking to the rep he said that the diamond could easily be a VS2. I''m very excited about my purchase and thanks to everyone for your input