Consensus advice wanted for color vs. clarity

[callech]

I wanted to get everyone' opinion (as I am by no means a diamond expert, lol) on the subject of color vs. clarity. Assuming the same carat weight, and the same (or close to) cut, polish, etc. metrics, would you recommend a (round) diamond with

Color of G and Clarity of VS2

or

Color of E or F and Clarity of SI1


Basically, if you had to pick one, do you value a higher color or a higher clarity. I know pricewise, the 2 options I gave are not exactly the same, although they seem close enough to warrant a discussion. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[wen104]

The colors of E, F and G are very close and face up very white. Most people would never be able to tell between those grade unless you put them up against a D. So that being said you going to pay more for the VS2 then the SI1 and same with the color. I would probably go for the better color assuming that the SI1 was eye clean! If not then that is really no brainer go for the G VS2. I have a G/VS2 and it is absolutly beautiful. You would be happy either way! Good Luck!

 

[chrono]

If comparing apples to apples (close carat weights, eye clean, both equally well cut, accurate colour and clarity grading), I'd take the cheaper one.

F and G are next to each other in the colour chart, it'll be hard to tell them apart when set. VS2 and SI1 are also next to each other in the clarity chart, and if eye clean, it'll be difficult to tell them apart with the naked eye.

 

[lyra]

I''d take the G VS2. I''m pretty sure it would be the cheaper one, and the differences in colour would be pretty much indistinguishable once set.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 10/12/2007 2:45:13 PM
Author:callech
I wanted to get everyone' opinion (as I am by no means a diamond expert, lol) on the subject of color vs. clarity. Assuming the same carat weight, and the same (or close to) cut, polish, etc. metrics, would you recommend a (round) diamond with

Color of G and Clarity of VS2

or

Color of E or F and Clarity of SI1


Basically, if you had to pick one, do you value a higher color or a higher clarity. I know pricewise, the 2 options I gave are not exactly the same, although they seem close enough to warrant a discussion. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Good advice has been given. An SI diamond may have a feather in a thorny place. In most instances it will not be a problem but is worth checking on a stone-by-stone basis.

If carat weight and polish/sym are very close it will permit you to really get inside the cut details. If you're shopping live check them side by side through many lighting conditions - not limited to jewelry store lights - and base the decision on which 'speaks' to you more. If you're shopping on the 'net you can examine optical symmetry, cut consistency, how well the minor facets complement the make (if the major measurements are robust and close to each other) or just choose your "lucky number" if it's all equal.

Sounds like a fun choice.

 

[surfgirl]

I''d take whichever one looks better in real life...

 

[Lynn B]

I''d probably drop color AND clarity and get more SIZE!!!!

 

[marcy]

If they looked alike side by side; I''d pick the cheapest one. If one appealed to me over the other one; that is the one I''d pick.

 

[monarch64]

If you''re able to view both in varioius lighting conditions irl, (have both shipped to you if you''re looking at online purchase) then go with the one that pleases you most visually!

 

[surfgirl]

On paper I''d take the G/VS, BUT!...I''d really take whichever one looked best in real life.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I have both a .42 G VS2 and two .41 F SI1s and I cannot tell them apart. The G is GIA excellent and the Fs are ACA cuts. The three stones are gorgeous, but if I had to chose, I would for sure go for an F stone in the future IF I could find a great eye clean one. I love the idea of an icy diamond!

ETA: What would the price difference be? I checked a few different size groups and it seems the prices are similar. My local paper wrote an article on diamonds and stated that F SI1s are the best value for the dollar!

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

if you cna see the inclusions from any angle I would pick the VS assuming in it you cant (though you might be able to so...who knows)

another question to ask is how solid is the G. If it is a borderline H and your E is a borderline D then I would pick the E unless the inclusions were REALLY bad.

or if it is a GIA strong blu fluo G (which means it might actually be lower than a G, but affected by fluo) against an AGS no fluo E, well, I would probably pick the E unless, again, the inclusions were very obvious.

of course there is always the case where the G i....

I would rather look at real life examples, it is much easier