D colour worth the price?

[erasmus99]

I am deciding between two virtually identical round brilliant diamonds, save for the colour. Is spending a few hundred dollars more to get a a D colour really worth it? I heard D colour (Canadian) diamonds are rare and give off an icy colour to it. Is this true? Here are the diamonds I am deciding between.

0.52 Carat
Ideal
D
SI1
Very Good Polish and Symmetry
No fluorescence

0.53 Carat
Ideal
F colour
SI1
Excellent Polish and Symmetry
No fluorescence

Advice?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

How many is a "few hundred dollars more?" If you're talking $200, I'd spend that to get the D! I'd also rather have an SI1 than an SI2. But, I assume you're talking MORE than just a few hundred? Also, the D has better polish. Another reason I'd get the D.

 

[erasmus99]

$300 dollars more, to be precise. And my apologies, some of the information was incorrect at first (they are both SI1 actually). It is correct now.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Did you switch the polish too or what I reading that wrong? lol

Really, choosing between the two would come down to the numbers. You would have to post the specifics for anyone to give you an accurate answer. But, assuming both were fantasically cut, I WOULD spend more to get a D, but the majority would probably not.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Color is a personal question. No right or wrong answer. All things being equal, very few people can tell the difference between D and F if the diamonds are strictly graded, but that D rarity is pretty cool.

Cut is actually the most important quality for performance. I notice you listed these as 'Ideal,' but neither one has ideal polish/symmetry (which would prevent them from being 'ideal' per AGS standards). With strict labs there is not a visible difference between VG/EX and Ideal polish and symmetry - but there may be a vast difference between the notions of what a strict lab considers ideal in cut versus other 'adopted' ideals (if this matters to you). Do you know, in this case, what the term ideal implies?

 

[erasmus99]

Thanks for the reply. The diamonds are from Blue Nile. So whatever their standards for GIA graded diamonds are (60.1-62.8% depth; 53-57% table).

:: The D colour 0.52 carat has a depth of 60.2%, table of 55% (5.24 x 5.29 x 3.17 mm).
:: The F colour 0.53 carat has a depth of 61%, table of 58% (5.20 x 5.23 x 3.18 mm).

MC: Yes, your eyes are not fooling you; the polish info is now correct. In your subjective opinion, why would you spring for the D?

BTW I am leaning toward the D.

 

[Steel]

I think it is a personal choice.

I have a beautiful D round as my ering and wouldn't change that for the world. I have great peace of mind knowing that anytime I look at my ring I am deluded that I see any colour whatsoever.

However, I recently bought earrings and one is a D the other an E and I have tried my hardest but cannot see any difference between them. So apart from the mind clean issue, I would advocate an E rather than a D.

I can see the difference between a D/E and F and feel that the F stones can show an opaque-ness, like fluorescence, which I do not like.

Let it be said though, I often make pedantic look easy going.

Edit: To be specific, all things being equal, spend the extra few bucks and buy the D.

 

[angeline]

Date: 8/20/2007 4:02:57 PM
Author: erasmus99
Thanks for the reply. The diamonds are from Blue Nile. So whatever their standards for GIA graded diamonds are (60.1-62.8% depth; 53-57% table).


:: The D colour 0.52 carat has a depth of 60.2%, table of 55% (5.24 x 5.29 x 3.17 mm).

:: The F colour 0.53 carat has a depth of 61%, table of 58% (5.20 x 5.23 x 3.18 mm).


MC: Yes, your eyes are not fooling you; the polish info is now correct. In your subjective opinion, why would you spring for the D?


BTW I am leaning toward the D.

I''d get the D because I had a D for a little while and I loved the crispness of it. Also the D you''re looking at has a smaller table, which I would prefer to the 58% of the F. Combine those 2 and I''d go the D. Can you go and see a D and an F somewhere? If it doesn''t look any different to you, then maybe save the $$$ and get the F.

 

[erasmus99]

Thanks for all your help. I will probably end up getting the D stone.

 

[Lord Summerisle]

if i was looking... i couldnt choose between a D and an F as to me - theres no visible differance when set...

in this instance - i''m drawn more to the D simply from the table size and the depth... but i wouldnt like to make a choice over the net without knowing the Crown and Pavilion angles...

for example - this one: stock number: LD01113805 is a 0.52 D SI1 D60.9% T57%
but it has its angles on the GIA report - listed as C34.5 P40.8 which keeps it nicely in the centre of the AGS Ideal. and an HCA score under 2

while this one: stock number: LD01098454 is a 0.53 F SI1 D60.3 T57%
but on the cert its C32.5 P41 which puts it on the HCA at a 0.7, but outside of the AGS Ideal range... but scores excellent on everything on the HCA

 

[marcy]

I would go for the D. I can see the difference between 2 color ratings but not one.

 

[snlee]

Having had a D and now an F, I don''t notice a difference when it''s on my hand. I don''t miss my D. However, for 300 more, I would go with the D. It''s nice to own a D colored diamond. Also, in your case, the D also has a smaller table, which I prefer.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

I think this thread is being biased because we dont ahve the actual price of the diamonds being listed. If you are talking about 300 dollars, that doesnt seem like such a huge deal. But if you are saying 25% more....well, suddenly it seems very steep for such minimal to nil visual difference.

considering the large % price increase I would say put the money into a slightly larger F or G color, like this one



AGS 0 light performance,

or something like this one for even less at 1420, a larger diamond with F color for less than 300 dollars more:

here


and here is a .65ct from angara that might be worht finding more about*

here


While I myself went for a .61ct E, I really think, after having it on her finger for a while, that the increase in size is going to be far more noticable than the color difference. I dont regret getting the E at all, but at the same time, when you are talking about this ct size a difference of .2-.4 mm can be a fairly noticable difference, and it is something that she can appreciate everyday when she looks at her diamond rather than just when she compares it side by side with a D in the right environment, or holds it up and looks at it sideways against a light colored background. so for approx. 25% more, I say get a larger diamond, F and G are in general giong to be very nice compromises, I would generally say err on the side of the slightly larger F color, but at .65ct .3mm plus difference I say def find out about the larger G, and maybe just keep looking for the right deal on an F or G AGS0.