Color vs clarity

[Schon]

Hi,

I was going to buy a 1ct. VVS H&A with F color with an HCA score of 1.4 for around $8500.

After seeing what a 1.5ct. looks like on someone's hand....I just had to upgrade but having a hard time downgrading quality.

I want the best cut possible so if I need to sacrifice on color or clairty which of the below would you pick?

Diamond 1 - $13,000

Shape: Round
Carat weight: 1.55
Cut: Hearts & Arrows Ideal
Color: I
Clarity: VVS2
Certificate: AGS
Depth: 61.8%
Table: 54.9%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to slightly thick
Culet:
Fluorescence: Negligible
Measurements: 7.44*7.48*4.61
Crown Angle: 34.7°
Crown %: 15.70
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°
Pavilion %: 43.10

Diamond 2 - $10,000

Shape: Round
Carat weight: 1.52
Cut: Hearts & Arrows Ideal
Color: F
Clarity: SI2
Certificate: AGS
Depth: 61.4%
Table: 55.6%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Negligible
Measurements: 7.38*7.42*4.54
Crown Angle: 34.2°
Crown %: 15.10
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°
Pavilion %: 43.00

 

[slg47]

what about a G/H VS2/SI1?

 

[Schon]

Either it was over my price range or none was available for the "Perfect Cut" I am looking for. So if these were the only 2 options....what would you pick?

 

[slg47]

OK I think I found the ones you are looking at, these are from JA?

JA also has an I, VS1 that is a little cheaper, and a 1.7 carat H SI1 that is around the same price? Have you seen different colors in person?

maybe ask JA if the F is eye-clean to your specs?

 

[acebruin]

definitely ask for eye clean SI1/SI2...

 

[ked123]

I am no expert, but recently upgraded my ring. I previously had a 1 carat G VS2. Now, I have a 1.9 carat I VS1. I do not notice the difference in color at all, and really enjoy the larger size.

 

[Schon]

I've owned a D colored diamond before and I really like how D,E and F seems much whiter and brighter (Could be in my head).

I didn't want to go below a VS2 in clarity but I want to maintain the perfect cut so I am considering this SI2.

Asking if it is eye-clean is a great idea. I think I will just do that.

I've seen horrible SI1 and SI2s in the mall but I went to a B&M store recently and saw really good ones as well.

I still like some feedback from people if they think color or clarity is more important to them?

 

[Anon-E-Mouse]

I've seen a GIA D SI1 that was insanely beautiful both to the eye and under the loupe. I wouldn't necessarily pass on diamond #2 based on numbers alone. It'd be to your advantage to somehow do a side-by-side comparison (pictures or in person) and see which one speaks to you. You might be surprised. Personally (and I'm just a burned-out consumer and not an expert) I'd go up in color before clarity assuming the cut is equal and we're talking GIA. Cut is key.

 

[acebruin]

color and clarity is definitely one's taste... it just depends on yourself... some people are more color sensitive... some are not... i am not color sensitive... and if you ask me to put the 4 Cs in order of preference, mine is cut, carat, color, clarity... i prefer a bigger stone than higher color / clarity... i'd say if you can find an eye clean SI1, then go for it and get a bigger stone and / or higher color...

 

[Dreamer_D]

I own a J VS1. You decide for yourself which was more important to me

If you can find an Si2 that is really eye clean for you, then I would go that route. It is not really easy though, if you are near sighted or like looking at your diamonds up close.

But ditto the others and find a happy medium, H Si1 is perfect.

 

[purplesilk]

I prefer higher clarity and lower color: flaws drive me crazy...once you see them , you always see them.
I color is still in the white range, plus you diamond is H&A, so I color is not a problem in my opinion (I saw a princess diamond - J color, excellent cut - and it was amazing, I could see a little yellow only from the side and very close).

 

[Schon]

I would never go with anything with visible flaws or colors that can be seen with the naked eye. I would rather go down in size or pay much more.

The white from the D-F (colorless) always seems to make the diamond look brighter and larger to me.

My order is Cut, Color, clarity then carat and will not settle for anything that isn't eye clean.

I am thinking of choosing a 1.3ct VS1 F rather than a 1.5ct SI2 H.

 

[kenny]

If they are all the same price I prefer diamonds with color and clarity compromises that are close like G VS1.
I can't go for a D I1 or a J IF.

If I had a diamond with extremely different color and clarity grades the lower grade would forever bug me.
YMMV.

 

[MarkBroumand]

Hi,

I was going to buy a 1ct. VVS H&A with F color with an HCA score of 1.4 for around $8500.

After seeing what a 1.5ct. looks like on someone's hand....I just had to upgrade but having a hard time downgrading quality.

Down to your last post...

I would never go with anything with visible flaws or colors that can be seen with the naked eye. I would rather go down in size or pay much more.

The white from the D-F (colorless) always seems to make the diamond look brighter and larger to me.

My order is Cut, Color, clarity then carat and will not settle for anything that isn't eye clean.

I am thinking of choosing a 1.3ct VS1 F rather than a 1.5ct SI2 H.

This seems reasonable given your parameters. A well cut 1.3ct will virtually have the look of a 1.5ct and you will feel better knowing you didn't sacrifice so much on the color/clarity scale.

 

[bigterpsfan]

I recently purchased a round 1.37C/E/VS1 GIA triple Ex with great proportions, and most everyone who has seen it has guessed it 1.5C or larger...I couldn't be happier with the stone. For what it is worth it scored a .8 HCA.

 

[diamond_seeker]

If money is NOT a major issue....max out at F/G and VS1. If money IS an issue.....dropping to H and eyeclean SI1 is the sweet spot to me.

 

[jstarfireb]

I have an I/VVS2, so I guess you know my answer! But sometimes I wish I would have gone for higher color. I really wasn't comfortable with SI clarity, but VS would have been fine. I'm thinking of upgrading to F-G, VS, so that would be a good range to shoot for.

 

[purplesilk]

I would never go with anything with visible flaws or colors that can be seen with the naked eye. I would rather go down in size or pay much more.

The white from the D-F (colorless) always seems to make the diamond look brighter and larger to me.

My order is Cut, Color, clarity then carat and will not settle for anything that isn't eye clean.

I am thinking of choosing a 1.3ct VS1 F rather than a 1.5ct SI2 H.

Sorry, I thought we had to choose one of the two diamonds you did post , I understood there were no other options.

 

[confusedaisy]

I'm so curious... what did you end up going with? Please update us as my bf and I are currently having the same discussions. It's always helpful to see which way people went with it.