Choosing between 2 stones

[Islandblueclaw]

Hi Everyone,

This is my 1st post on the forum. I am trying to gauge between 2 different stones. Both are identical sizes

Here is the breakdown for both

Stone 1:
GIA
H Color
SI2
Excellent cut
Excellent polish
Excellent symmetry
Strong Blue Floro
Comments: Additional Twinning Wisps not shown. Surface Graining not shown.
see attached image for stone 1

Stone 2:
GIA
G color
SI2
Excellent cut
Excellent polish
Excellent symmetry
No floro
Comments: additional clouds not shown
see attached for stone 2

From looking at the pictures, it seems like stone 1 has some twinning whips (cracks, right?) while #2 just has clouds. #2 is also 1 color whiter... so i am leaning towards #2, but the only thing is #1 has some floro, which after reading a lot on this forum (too much i think ) ive come to decide that I would prefer a stone with floro... so which way to go, whips or clouds? floro or no floro? Stone #1 or Stone #2?

any/all advice would be greatly apprecaited!

 

[JulieN]

post full reports.

 

[Islandblueclaw]

I provided all the info from the cert. The only thing missing is the dimensions, which im not too concerned about. Could you provide advice based upon what I provided?

 

[AprilBaby]

Without dimensions we can't tell you anything.

 

[JulieN]

dimensions is the only thing i care about.

 

[Islandblueclaw]

Guys, both are basically the same CT and have virtually identical dimensions... im looking for help in regard to the clouds vs whisps and floro vs no floro... can you guys help

 

[Islandblueclaw]

Can anyone weight in in wisps vs clouds?

 

[JulieN]

Depth, angles, table. It might just be easier if you post the GIA report numbers.

With all SI2s and fluoro or not, you have to ask the vendor the stone is eye-clean, or hazy. If you are buying online, do you have a picture? If you are buying in person, did you look at them in sunlight?

 

[Gypsy]

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough. And do not consider anything except GIA Ex or AGS 0 or 1 stones. EGL is a bad value and should not even be considered.
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex get the angles and table and depth from the certificate (you can just get the lab report number and look up the angles on the GIA website with report check), and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. 2 and under is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score under 2 is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. Brian Gavin, White Flash, High Performance Diamonds, James Allen, Good Old Gold and Engagement Rings Direct.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.