color or clarity?

[Bride2Be2010]

I have the diamond search narrowed to 4 Princess cut diamonds. The carat weight range between 1.0 - 1.03. For practical purposes, I consider them all an equal 1 carat. All are GIA rated and have excellent cut, ratio, symmetry, polish, table, etc. I''m working with a knowledgeable jeweler, but due to the distance, I won''t be able to look at the diamonds under the scope. I trust the jeweler. All of these diamonds are excellent quality. The decision boils down to a cost difference of between $100-$260. I can''t decide which diamond is the better buy.

If given the above factors and the choice of the following stones, which 1 carat diamond would you choose?

1) E color, VS2, $4250
2) F color, VS1, $4250
3) F color, VS2, $4125
4) E color, SI1, $3990

Both E and F are in the colorless range. Is it worth the extra money to bump up the clarity range from SI to VS? I really want to get the best value for the money. Thanks for your feedback.

 

[tyty333]

Why dont you have the jeweler put them infront of you side-by-side so you can look at them and pick
the one you like best? The prices are so close I would probably go with the F VS1.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I would find an F SI1. You cannot tell the difference in color between an E and an F even side by side. And if the diamond is eye clean, why pay for higher clarity? Actually, I would get a G color because it would also look wonderfully white. That''s my 2c!

Aslo please note that GIA does not grader the cut of princess diamonds, so you cannot actually know if these are well cut based on the cert. You are taking the jewelers word. Maybe you are ok with this, I would not be personally. Buying a princess sight unseen I would stick with AGS graded diamonds because AGS *does* have a systematic grading scheme for princess cuts and so buying an AGS0 diamond would make it more likely you were getting the best possible cut.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 1/12/2010 11:57:03 AM
Author: tyty333
Why dont you have the jeweler put them infront of you side-by-side so you can look at them and pick
the one you like best? The prices are so close I would probably go with the F VS1.

This makes me wonder about the markup etc. because those difference should create more of a cost differential, no?

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I say go for a G SI or VS2 ASG 0 princess cut.

If you are set on these three diamonds, have the jeweler video them side by side in a few different lights and email that to you (see the GOG videos for reference)...

 

[AshNZ]

Without knowing the specifics of the inclusions, there is no point getting a VS1 over a VS2.
I can tell the difference between colorless stones when they are side by side so I would take the E VS2.
F''s look kinda yellow to me, but I am senstive to color.
If the SI1 is totally eye clean, then thats the stone for you I reckon

 

[MichelleCarmen]

The prices are so close. I'd either go with the E VS2 or shop around more and look for a larger diamond of slightly lower color/clarity.

 

[Bride2Be2010]

Thanks everyone! Your feedback is very helpful and greatly appreciated. Happy 2010!!!

 

[vespergirl]

I always prefer higher color to clarity, but since the particular stones you have listed are so similar, you are just going to have to look at those and see which one you like the best. It''s not like you''re comparing an F to a J ...