Diamond choices- please weigh in!

[Heidi2101]

Hi all,
I am feeling overwhelmed with choosing a diamond. I've spent a lot of time reading the resources here and have attempted to narrow down to 2 diamonds. Would you please give me your expert advice. Links included.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...ls/0.506-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104091555028

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...ls/0.537-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104060717011

A couple things....
-I will make this into a gold DBTY pendant with very thin bezel via Brian Gavin, who did my engagement and wedding bands. I'd like to stick to BGD as I was very happy with his work but would not be opposed to another jeweller.
-I'm not terribly stuck on colour or clarity but I would like maximum sparkle
- I've run both through the HCA tool I found here and they came up "excellent" in all factors except spread, which was Very good

Thank you for taking the time to help me on this.

 

[Sparkly2017]

Hi @Heidi2101 . You can't really go wrong with BG stones so really this is splitting hairs.

Having almost picked that IVS2 myself for some studs (DH wouldn't allow me to go below an F), think it is a great stone but if you are happy with the Black Inclusion at the 9-10 o'clock region on the H stone and are confident it won't bother you going forward then I would go with the HSI1 as you ideally want to pair: Crown Angle 34 with Pavilion Angle 41, 34.5 with 40.8-40.8 and 35 with 40.6 according to some of the advice on there so that might be marginally better esp as it's larger and higher color for the same money.

I am a fan of dropping clarity for color though so am biased!

 

[WinkHPD]

I will not comment on either stone as a Jeweler in the trade, but I will comment that Garry Holloway's HCA tool is NOT a selection tool, but rather a rejection tool. Also Garry prefers somewhat shallow stones that will spread larger for the weight, provided that the diamonds are not too shallow.

Assuming that both diamonds are less than 2, which knowing BGD I am sure they are, then you must make an informed decision based on other factors than the less than excellent grade for spread on the HCA, which will often happen with incredibly well cut diamonds that are not the shallow model that Garry prefers.

Since his tool will tell you that these are worthy candidates, for you to further judge them on the basis of this tool is not in keeping with the design of the tool. Now you must go to other tools such as images from the Ideal-scope (sold by Garry) and the ASET scope (a hand held version is also sold by Garry), the AGS reports and the ultimate decision tool, your eyes.

Talk with the experts at BGD and ask their opinion. They will tell you honestly what they think, and you can also rely on many of the good people here to chime in with their opinions.

Just my thoughts,

Wink

 

[Heidi2101]

Hi @Heidi2101 . You can't really go wrong with BG stones so really this is splitting hairs.

Having almost picked that IVS2 myself for some studs (DH wouldn't allow me to go below an F), think it is a great stone but if you are happy with the Black Inclusion at the 9-10 o'clock region on the H stone and are confident it won't bother you going forward then I would go with the HSI1 as you ideally want to pair: Crown Angle 34 with Pavilion Angle 41, 34.5 with 40.8-40.8 and 35 with 40.6 according to some of the advice on there so that might be marginally better esp as it's larger and higher color for the same money.

I am a fan of dropping clarity for color though so am biased!

Hi @Heidi2101 . You can't really go wrong with BG stones so really this is splitting hairs.

Having almost picked that IVS2 myself for some studs (DH wouldn't allow me to go below an F), think it is a great stone but if you are happy with the Black Inclusion at the 9-10 o'clock region on the H stone and are confident it won't bother you going forward then I would go with the HSI1 as you ideally want to pair: Crown Angle 34 with Pavilion Angle 41, 34.5 with 40.8-40.8 and 35 with 40.6 according to some of the advice on there so that might be marginally better esp as it's larger and higher color for the same money.

I am a fan of dropping clarity for color though so am biased!

Thank you for th reply....in fact that inclusion on the H stone escaped me. My eyes are terrible and I had to look for several minutes to find it. Thank you for calling it out!

 

[ringo865]

The good news is if your eyes are terrible, you probably won't be bothered by the inclusion on the H

 

[ratatat]

I think both would be beautiful but I would probably pick the I because of the black spot on the H mentioned above. If your eyesight isn't so good it probably won't make a difference and in perspective it would be quite small!! I am a bit short sighted though so I would worry that I would find it and that it would bug me