Color or Clarity

[Kissmark]

Which one do you think is more important?
suppose you have 2 rocks that are the same in all other aspects, but one is E and VS2 and one is H and VVS2, which would you choose? thanks

 

[MWG]

Date: 6/16/2007 7:18:13 AM
Author:Kissmark
Which one do you think is more important?
suppose you have 2 rocks that are the same in all other aspects, but one is E and VS2 and one is H and VVS2, which would you choose? thanks

Clarity should not be the issue because both SHOULD be EYE CLEAN in this case, both being VS quality.

Things for you and your fiancee to consider:

How color sensitive are you?

What is the CUT of each diamond? A well cut diamond will face up white and it will be hard to tell between an H color or E color, unless you are super color sensitive.

If you can actually see each diamond side by side, which one jumps out at you?

And lastly, PRICE, most on PS will tell you the VVS2 is overkill and you are paying extra for something that you cannot see. But, as Brain the Cutter at WhiteFlash says, "You have to be "mind clean" about your diamond decision.

Good Luck
MWG

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I am in a minority here, but I prefer VS1 in a ring diamond because I want my stone to be clean under a 10x loupe. Anything above VS1 is paying for something you can''t even see under the loupe, so I don''t want to pay for VVS. I did get VS2 for my earrings, but VS2 inclusions can vary a lot even though they are minor. But color is definitely a bigger factor between and E or an H versus VVS and VS. But I''d go between the two choices you mentioned and try for an F VS1 or maybe G VS1.

 

[Lorelei]

It depends on your preferences - assuming cut quality is equal, colour may be visible, although both diamonds will look very white, the E may be more noticeable, also you might have a preference to have a colourless diamond as a pose to near colourless. Both of these are very high clarity grades and will look similar with normal vision.

 

[Lynn B]

I am all about CUT and SIZE... my first diamond was an AGS-0 1.53 G/VS2 because I was a Nervous Noobie. A year or so later when I upgraded, I was much more comfortable and knowledgable... and my upgrade was (is) an AGS-0 2.36 J/SI2. It is a KILLER diamond, and I have never been sorry.

It is totally eyeclean, even under up CLOOOOSE scrutiny. Under the loupe, I can see a couple tiny white inclusions... but that doesn''t bother me at all. I love the color, too... it faces up beautifully white and is set in platinum. I adore my diamond, and get compliments on it every day.

It''s true that you have to be comfortable (and "mind clean") with your diamond purchase... but my advice is to see as many ideal-cut stones as you possibly can before you decide. You may just be surprised at "how low" you can go and still have a totally eye-clean, beautifully *white* diamond. (A word of caution, though -- do not think that the poor, sad diamonds in the mall jewelry stores are accurate representations of lower color and clarity diamonds... because they are NOT!)

 

[solange]

I agree with Lynn. I have an I SI2. I put cut and size before color and clarity and i am very hppy with my ring. It is eye clean and a few jewelers have guessed it to be a G. If you get a well cut stone it will be brighter and attractive than a poorly cut stone of higher color and clarity.

 

[jayreneepea]

I also have an I SI2 -- love it!

I guess I''d go for the E VS2 if those were my only choices -- or whichever one was bigger and less expensive. Personally, I''d find something in between or a combination of the two. H VS2 or G VS2. I''d say give SI''s a chance -- you never know when you''ll find an eye clean one. Unless of course you care about what is going on at 10x -- I could care less

 

[cinnamon013]

Would have to know the cut first to make sure other "aspects" are actually the same. VVS2 is way overkill. Cut first. You may be able to get a nicer size/color diamond if you lower your clarity search.

 

[DiamondSeeker7]

I, without a doubt would go for the E VS2 over the H VVS2. Color is something that I can see, so that is something that I would want of a higher quality. Clarity, is something that you can''t really see unless looking with a loupe, so as long as something is "eye clean", I wouldn''t care what it was. When we bought my diamond, clarity was the lowest factor to us, but everyone is different!

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 6/16/2007 7:18:13 AM
Author:Kissmark
Which one do you think is more important?
suppose you have 2 rocks that are the same in all other aspects, but one is E and VS2 and one is H and VVS2, which would you choose? thanks

VVS2 is definitely overkill on clarity. Two diamonds that are otherwise identical but one is an eye clean SI1 and the other is an IF will look exactly the same with the naked eye. I''d go for value and get an H/I VS2/SI1. H color is still very white.

 

[iheartscience]

If I have to pick between just the two, I would pick the E/VS2. Otherwise, I''d probably go for a G/H/I SI1/SI2 and get the biggest (but still well cut and eyeclean!) diamond I could possibly get!

 

[snlee]

I''d go for the E VS2. Both are eye clean since they are VS''s and that''s all I care about regarding clarity.

 

[Gothgrrl]

I''d go for the VS/E. I am a little color sensitive and as long as the stone is eye clean, I''m good to go.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I think it also depends on what shape diamond you are looking at. For step cuts I think clarity should be before color. For all others I think color should be before clarity.

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Between the 2 choices that you posted, I would go with the E VS2. I know that I am not going to see any inclusions either way.

 

[Stone Hunter]

Honestly I''d go for color over clarity. BUT that''s not what I did. LOL I was limited by the stones available when I was looking and ended up with a higher clarity than I''d like. But my stone is all that I wanted and I was so picky! I still haven''t seen anything I like as well. Love my facets and the mm size my stone faces up as and the MB Fluor.

So IF cut was equal I''d go for color but you have to go with the stones that are out there.

 

[SparklyDiamond]

I''d go for the better cut of the two. If both cut/symmetry/polish are the same, I''d put them side by side next to the setting I want, and see which one I like better. Afterall its you that will look at it everyday.

 

[gladyskristen]

Assuming tt all else are equal and it''s a brillant cut, I''ll definitely choose the E VS2. In fact, i might drop both colour and clarity to get a better cut and larger size! I have an X-factor in F, SI2 and I can''t be more pleased.

 

[jstarfireb]

I have an I/VVS2 princess. I didn''t want to go any lower than I/VS2 to be "mind-clean." When I was looking at princesses, there were a lot of very reasonably-priced I diamonds, but the priced jumped a lot even with an H stone of the same size and clarity. I didn''t notice as large of a jump in price with clarity. What made my decision was that I found a gorgeous stone in my price range that happened to be a bit higher in clarity than I would have requested. So while it might appear that I value clarity over color based on my particular choice, it was all a matter of finding a pretty, ideal-cut princess at a good price, within the constraints of I/VS2 or above.

Speaking of I color, I''ve generally found that I diamonds of any cut can be quite a good deal! So unless you''re (a) sensitive to color variation, and (b) someone who prefers an icy white color over a little warmth, take a look at of the I''s out there. I/SI1 may be a good combination that will allow you to save some extra cash or put it toward a larger rock!