D, E & F Lovers: Would you settle on an H?

[iluvdiamonds2]

I found 2 stones I *love*. One is an old round stone, color is h. Looks white in daylight but next to f/g setting in store, you can see the tint. That's an old euro cut. Then I have an F chunky cushion, which is bright white and looks a little bigger. The old stone (prev) is pre-owned. Cushion gives a bit more finger coverage and is white. rectanglr shape.; I am not sure which to go with.

I was tested by a gemologist and I correctly identified 5 diamonds in a few seconds, E, F . I worry I might not like the H over time because I love white stones and I am very color sensitive. I am a DEF lover. What would you do fellow def lovers? Both stones are beautiful in their own unique way.

Typically i don't like rounds and always set them in a square setting to offset the roundness.

HELP!

 

[bigterpsfan]

IMO E/F colorless excellent cut diamonds just pop and appear larger.....D is probably overkill...some might argue that e and f are too

 

[tyty333]

I would have no problem with an H but it sounds like you are color sensitive and maybe you should stick with the
chushion. Added finger coverage is a bonus. Do you like the faceting pattern that the cushion has?

 

[Imdanny]

That might be risky in your case.

 

[kenny]

I'm an F-guy.
We bought an H Octavia cut because that's the only one they had in our size.
I wish it was closer to F color but we still love it because of the cut.

 

[shihtzulover]

If I were you, I would go with a colorless stone, just because you are already questioning whether or not a 'H' colored stone would bother you in the long run. Why take the risk? Unless you love the 'H' diamond more overall, the colorless diamond seems like a safer bet - and the better finger coverage sounds great, too! Also, you mentioned that you don't even really like round stones that much.

Of course, I'm definitely biased, because I love the icy white look of colorless stones. Ultimately though, it's all about what feels right to you.

Good luck!

 

[marcy]

I also agree you should go with the colorless. You appear to like them and can see a difference. I like the icy whiteness of colorless diamonds.

 

[yssie]

I agree with PPs - if you are a D/E/F lover, I don't think *you* will ever be satisfied if you 'settle' for the H - probably best to just go with what you know is mind-clean!

 

[Siamese Kitty]

IMO E/F colorless excellent cut diamonds just pop and appear larger.....D is probably overkill...some might argue that e and f are too

After spending a few weeks with my new E, I really agree with this. Except with the "D is overkill" part! And I concur that you should go for the colorless stone if you are a colorless lover.

 

[Natylad]

Stay within the DEF range...I am exactly like you and i know for a fact that i couldn't ever get used to wearing an H every day. Even though there are many gorgeous H's out there, i believe that you would constantly notice the slight tint and it'd bother you. I wear an E diamond and the crispy white color pleases my eye so much. I also own an F and i believe it looks amazing too. The D is definitely an overkill and i can't see the difference with my E. I believe that the F is the best value for money and an excellent choice.

 

[Frenchgirl]

F is a very great color!!!! My pears are F and I'm in love!!!!

 

[marymm]

I would encourage you to stay within the DEF range -- even your thread title indicates an H is below your preferred standard -- and there's nothing wrong with that. I am in the opposite camp; I have a G cushion and a pair of H/I OECs and I love them to death. I also have a very small D pear (0.30ct) and it is indeed icy white... it sits in my gem box and I have yet to set it, partly b/c of its size but mostly b/c I'm not drawn to the color. I picked it up b/c it was a very good deal and a D, for goodness sakes, but it's true value has been in teaching me that although I am color sensitive in that I can perceive colors and tints, I am one of those who prefer the warmer ranges (at least my pocketbook benefits!) Diamonds are purely for our enjoyment; if you are choosing between one whose color pleases you and one for which you would "settle" -- choose the cushion!

 

[diva rose]

I am colour sensitive also and like Kenny, a F person.

I'd stick to DEF - if you are colour sensitive.

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

Thank you all so much!!!! I feel so much clearer now. I love the way the round old stone shines/sparkles, and it's half the price of the white cushion, so i'd save money but this is forever and i've been waiting for years.....

I also would probably prefer a new ring vs pre-owned for my forever set. I really appreciate all of your helpful opinions!

 

[Cehrabehra]

if you think it's "settling" then don't do it. there are others who don't think it is settling and they are the ones who should be buying an H.

 

[Gypsy]

Don't settle. You will always feel that in the pit of your stomach when you look at the piece.

All my diamonds are F and G and very white. I too can easily spot differences in color, even in ideal cuts where only one color grade separating two stones--- WHEN I SEE THE STONES SIDE BY SIDE. But once set I can honestly say I think J's are as beautiful to me as D's are. Do I see a tint? Depends on the size of the stone, the cut, and the setting (if I can see the side or not).

So would *I* go for a H? Heck I'd go for a J. But to me a J wouldn't be settling. It would be a lovely stone I picked for it's own merits.

For you, I don't think an H would be mind clean. And that just means you will run around with a diamond that doesn't make you happy... and when you spending a good amount of money on something that's entire purpose it so make you happy, that's just plain silly.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Hi,

I am quite color-sensitive and have an F colored stone (OEC) for that reason. In the stores, I just could not get past the slight tint. As time has passed, I do think I would be fine with an older stone in a lower color grade.

In your case, given the two stones you have available, it doesn't sound like you really like the older stone (you don't love round stones, etc.) so color is not the sole deciding factor against that stone. It seems you prefer the cushion regardless. Perhaps searching for a G or H cushion and spending less would make sense? I only suggest this because I wish I had been more open to a G or H or even lower when I was initially searching.

Would love to see pics of both stones if you have them!

 

[katushka]

After seeing so many gorgeous H—J stones on pricescope and admiring them for months, I was sure I would be fine with an H and even put one on hold. Unfortunately, in store the color bugged me despite the stone's perfect cut, proportions, size, etc. and the effect was magnified when I saw a similar H stone in a F-G halo. Everyone was telling me I was crazy and that the stone looked white, but when I look down at the F I chose and see that brightness and crispness I'm glad I stayed in the colorless range. (I don't think it was a "mind clean" issue for me. I am completely happy with my stone's SI1 clarity since it's eyeclean. I only care about what I can see with the naked eye, and in my case color nuances jump out.)

Good luck. I can't wait to see photos!

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

Even dh loves the white cushion. He also likes that it is not pre-owned/estate. Fresh rings.
He wants me to have it and boy, so do I! But the old stone is so soft and pretty, but def can see tint next to the store's F/G
settings. They said I'd have to put it in, a setting w/ small pave stones /halo so it is not noticeable.

I guess finding the old stone prompted me to search further and then I happened upon this F. I wouldn't have considered F , always D &E. If it wasn't for finding this h, i wouldn't have found my cushion. So i guess it was meant to be.

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

These are the 2 stones. The round is $6,500 less than the cushion. How do you decide? I love them both.
The pics are too large?

 

[chrono]

It is totally your choice, of course, but I like the iciness of D/E/F in step cuts yet adore some warmth in old cut stones. For me, it's not settling but what I prefer.

 

[iluvdiamonds2]

Thanks!

I posted pics everybody in a new post . I hope you can see it. Wasn't sure everyone would look back at this older post.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I have decided that a F is probably my favorite. I found my G a bit "yellow" and my E (rated high E) to be too "white". LOL.

 

[kittybean]

I have an E (emerald-cut e-ring stone) and a J (superideal RB pendant stone), and I love them both for their own merits. I like having the step cut in a "higher" color because it produces a lot of white flashes of color, and I don't think I would like seeing tint from the side, which is more likely with a step cut.

It's really difficult for me to believe my J is a J. The fire and scintillation of an ideal-cut RB make it difficult to discern any tint, and since it's in a bezel setting and on my neck, I only ever see it face-up. Face-up next to my E, it looks a teeny bit creamier, but that's about it.
---
After reading some of the responses, it sounds like you've made a decision. I think, given your circumstances and preferences, you should just go with the F. An H will be harder to pass off as a D or E to your coworkers.

 

[Imdanny]

To me, G is super-white. Seriously, G is my idea of a white diamond. I'm much more comfortable at L, M, N, and O.

If I was a D, E, F type of person, I would never get an H.

Also, even I would never set a lower colored diamond with E, F side stones.

Did you get this? Did I miss it?

 

[GreenBling]

I am color sensitive. My e-ring is F, studs E and G (long story). Anyways, I don't mind warmer color for pendant / earrings but would prefer E/F for rings. I don't think i would pay premium for a D, but I would probably settle for G in exchange for excellent cut and size.

 

[Gypsy]

Being able to differentiate diamond colors relative to one another while unset and side by side doesn't mean you are color sensitive. Sensitive is a judgement. Seeing colors is just sight. I've done the unset stone color exercise it too at BGD with unset BGD signature hearts and arrows where the differences were only attributable to color (all other things being equal, size, shape, precision cut). It was fun.

Your eyes can see something, but it is your mind that decides whether it bothers you.

What the exercise at BGD showed me is that the experts are right that diamonds look completely different when set, standing alone on someone's hand. Because while I could unerringly tell the difference between an E and G when unset and side by side when set I have seen MANY MANY stones that I was shocked to find out were graded around I color on someone's hand because they were so white and because in settings I couldn't see much, if any of the side.

You won't be wearing the Old Cut Round next to an DEF on your hand. You will wear it alone. So the question is ... will it be mindclean for you? And everyone is different. Only you can decide if the slight tint is going to bug you, but from your thread title-- I would venture a guess that it would.



My question is... who graded the Old Cut? What lab? And who graded the cushion?

And do you have pics of each stone as well, it might help to hear our opinions. It might not all be color. You are looking at different shapes as well.

 

[Gypsy]

Darn it, I didn't realize this was an old thread. Apparently I've answered this question twice now.

 

[cookies]

Even dh loves the white cushion. He also likes that it is not pre-owned/estate. Fresh rings.

I know this is an old thread, but still want to raise this question --

How can you be sure it was never owned by anyone else before, except the diamond dealers?
I mean, many jewelers/vendors have a trade-in policy.
For the traded-in diamonds, do they just polish and re-sell them as new?

 

[Gypsy]

Even dh loves the white cushion. He also likes that it is not pre-owned/estate. Fresh rings.

I know this is an old thread, but still want to raise this question --

How can you be sure it was never owned by anyone else before, except the diamond dealers?
I mean, many jewelers/vendors have a trade-in policy.
For the traded-in diamonds, do they just polish and re-sell them as new?

Yes. Re-cert and then sell as new. There are some small boutique houses like Infinity who can guarantee you a new diamond but for most diamonds you have no idea what the history was... so why let it bother you?