Choosing diamond! Need help with reading specifications

[Jas7]

Hi everyone. This is my first post here but I have been browsing as a guest for over a year now! I have learnt alot by reading but now am desperate for some help as am down to choosing between 2 diamonds. Im not really understanding the measurements that well. The difficulty comes in that one has a HRD certificate and the other a GIA. So here it goes. I hope that someone out there can help me choose or tell me whats not so good with one or the other.

First stone: HRD graded

Shape: Brilliant
Weight: 0.94 carat
clarity: vvs1
Colour: grade: exceptional white - E
Measurements: 6.43-6.47-3.73mm
Proportions: very good
Girdle: medium 3.5% faceted
Cutlet: pointed
table width: 61%
Cr Height: 12.0%
Pav. depth: 43%
Finish grade: good

the percentages above have me very very lost!

Second stone: GIA graded

Shape: round brilliant
Measurements: 6.33-6.39-4.09mm
carat: 1 carat
colour : E
Clarity: vvs1
Cut grade: very good

Finish Polish: Very good
Finish Symmetry: Very Good
Flyorescence: strong blue

Then if i can kind of read the "profile to actual proportions bit",
Girdle: medium to slightly thick
Table width: looks like 54%
Crown height: 16%
Pavilion depth: 45%

Cutlet size: none
crown angle: 35%
pavilion angle 42%
total depth: 64.3%
lower gridle length: 80%

I know as much as choosing, colour, cut, proportion (per the certificates) and clarity. But the percentages of the diamonds have me really lost. Out of the two stones, which one would be the better buy?


Thanks in advance!!

 

[JulieN]

You definitely don't want #2. #1, at least, is HCA approved. You should consider buying online.

 

[peridot83]

Here''s the link to the cut advisor you just plug in the #s: https://www.pricescope.com/cutadviser.asp

I could only do it for the GIA because the HRD didn''t have all the proper #s. The diamond scored pretty badly. 2 and unders are "should consider," and 2+ is "you better have some really good pictures, or see it in person or else discard" and the GIA diamond got a 4.9

There''s really no point in getting an E vvs1 diamond, if it''s going to be poorly cut and not shine. I would seriously consider dropping down to a F VS1 at LEAST (my favorite is G VS2).

Fs are still colorless, and VS1 you won''t be able to see the inclusions with the naked eye. Basically the priority order should be based on what you''ll actually be able to see which is:

1. Great cut (can make up for tons of other flaws, including making it look bigger!)
2. Carat
3. Color
4. Clarity/Inclusions

Now, if you have a chance to actually physically look at the diamond, you''ve compared it to other diamonds, then that''s a completely different story, and ignore my condescending tone above .

I''m sure people will jump in...are you comfortable buying online? If you are people can start sending you links. Also, Good Old Gold has a really good 4cs lecture that shows examples of all the different color grades compared to each other etc.

 

[Jas7]

Thanks for the quick reply. I just used the cut advisor tool for both diamonds. With the HRD one, i used the % listed and to get "depth", i added together the crown and pavilion depth. Hope thats right!

It came back with (for HRD stone)

Factor: Grade
Light return: very good
Fire: excellent
Scintallation: very good
Spread: excellent
Score: 2.3

But then again if Ive calculated "depth" wrong, then the above could be all wrong!

So glad I came and checked on here before purchasing!
I've actually seen both stones from the store. Physically in all sorts of light, the first stone (HRD) seemed to look just generally alot more brighter and whiter. Second stone looked a little flat out in sunlight and under lighting, saw the blue but wasn;t a light blue. However, what confused me what the HRD cert saying proportions were "very good" but the finish only being "good". But the gia one has "very good" throughout so thought it was better!

The price for the first stone is approx $8600 and second one is $9,600. This is before adding on 10% tax. Im located in Australia so have converted to USD. Hoping the first stone is then considered a good buy!

 

[JulieN]

depth #1: 57.8%

 

[Jas7]

Thank you JulieN!!

Here''s what it came back with:

Factor Grade
Light Return Very Good
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Very Good
Spread
or diameter for weight Excellent
Total Visual Performance 2 - Very Good - Worth buying if the price is right


I shall go look at the pricescope search for diamonds near that price range and see what I get. In any case, would need to find them here in oz!

 

[peridot83]

Edit: Haha changing my whole thing now that Julie responded w/ the calculated depth

If you are happy with the size of your stone than go ahead. Just know, that at least in the U.S. for an G VS1 you can get a 1.2 carat stone for that price online & for an E vvs1 (if you really truly feel you need that in order to be mind clean) your diamond is definitely on the cheaper side (which either means you're getting a good deal). For a H & A (considered some of the top quality cuts), a E vvs1 easily runs $10,000.

Again, if you viewed a bunch of diamonds, and this all old hat, then forget the numbers and just buy the diamond. The most important thing is that you are happy with it.

 

[Jas7]

Its all good peridot83

Ive been working between two jewellers to even come close to sourcing my specifications of E VVS 1, between 0.95 and 1 carat and excellent cut. Both are saying its really difficult to find in the price range of under US$10,800 so am compromising a little. Have to be a bit more patient I think...thanks for your help!