Comparing two 0.5 carat RB stones

[GettingReady2009]

I''m looking at this 0.50 D-VS1 H&A stone from James Allen:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1197260.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

If you look at both the photo and H&A images for this, you can see a clear mark on the right side of the stone. In the AGS report this also seems to be called out. However, this stone is graded at VS1, which I would think means the flaw would be "difficult" to find with a 10x loupe. Besides this one flaw this looks like a great stone to me (price is good, is 1.0 on HCA).

I''m also looking at this other guy - 0.51 F-VS1:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193940.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

My main concern is having a great cut that will give lots of sparkle and shine, less so on D vs. F. Both of these seem great to me (besides the one flaw I mentioned above which I''m not sure I should care about) - any thoughts on these two?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/31/2009 2:06:18 PM
Author:GettingReady2009
I'm looking at this 0.50 D-VS1 H&A stone from James Allen:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1197260.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

If you look at both the photo and H&A images for this, you can see a clear mark on the right side of the stone. In the AGS report this also seems to be called out. However, this stone is graded at VS1, which I would think means the flaw would be 'difficult' to find with a 10x loupe. Besides this one flaw this looks like a great stone to me (price is good, is 1.0 on HCA).

I'm also looking at this other guy - 0.51 F-VS1:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193940.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

My main concern is having a great cut that will give lots of sparkle and shine, less so on D vs. F. Both of these seem great to me (besides the one flaw I mentioned above which I'm not sure I should care about) - any thoughts on these two?

I will just fix the links first. Welcome to Pricescope!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1197260.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131



http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193940.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Both are beautifully cut and should be excellent performers. With h&a diamonds I like to have hearts images in order to evaluate overall cut precision but JA do not provide them. But the diamonds from the info we do have look good. No worries with the clarities or any inclusions in VS1, also you probably wouldn't notice any difference in colour between D and F. You might be aware you could lower your colour and clarity a bit and get a larger diamond if you preferred but this is a personal preference. With the two diamonds you are looking at, either could be a good choice.

 

[GettingReady2009]

Thanks Lorelei.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/31/2009 2:09:45 PM
Author: GettingReady2009
Thanks Lorelei.

Glad to help!

 

[Diamond Explorer]

I like the D/VS1, Just to be sure you get the iciest and most brilliant diamond possible. Perhaps you wouldn''t notice the difference. But there certainly is one between D and F. If the money is an issue though, I recommend The F. In this economy you gotta save where you can.

 

[Lorelei]

GR, you might find this video on colour very useful as a guide, it will show you how incredibly subtle colour differences can be, particularly between colourless grades.

http://vimeo.com/3288695

 

[GettingReady2009]

Thanks - so, as far as the inclusion on the first stone I mentioned goes, why is that so visible in the H&A image? I haven''t really seen too many other H&A''s with such obvious flaws like that. And for a VS1 that seems surprising.

I was going to call James Allen to ask them to take a look visually - any suggestions as to what to ask?

 

[Diamond Explorer]

That very tiny inclusion you see is because of their high resolution photography. They magnifify 24x! You would certainly not see that with the naked eye, and it would be hard to find with a standard 10x jewelers loupe. Just make sure they tell you this is the case.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/31/2009 3:12:46 PM
Author: GettingReady2009
Thanks - so, as far as the inclusion on the first stone I mentioned goes, why is that so visible in the H&A image? I haven''t really seen too many other H&A''s with such obvious flaws like that. And for a VS1 that seems surprising.

I was going to call James Allen to ask them to take a look visually - any suggestions as to what to ask?

That pic is hugely magnified as Jonathan mentions, so not representative of how the diamond will actually look. Ask JA to take a look for you to check but I doubt anything will be visible to the eye with VS1 clarity of that size.