Diamond Selection - Help needed between EGL vs GIA!

[es09]

I have searched for a couple of weeks now and narrowed down my choices to three stones. I need some expert opinion on which one to select.

1. 0.73 H VS1 for $1540 Con: Fluorescence Moderate Link here
2. 0.71 H VS2 for $1421 Link Here
3. 0.69 I VS2 for $1497 Link here

The first two are EGL Israel certified and I am wondering if I should take the H/VS1 ratings with a grain of salt. I am tempted to go to #1 because I am getting extra carats for almost the same price. Will a 0.69 and a 0.73 look visibly different in size? Is moderate flourescence a no-no? Some people say that the fluorescence actually helps in color!

Thanks in advance

 

[stone-cold11]

Fluor is ok, MB is un-noticeable in most situation.

The numbers look good, definitely expect a lower color and clarity from EGL and get it independently appraised.

 

[FB.]

The difference between a typical 0.69 and 0.73 is almost impossible to tell. But some stones are cut wide-and-shallow, while others are cut narrow-and-deep. The cutting style has much more impact than a few hundredths of a carat.

I would expect the GIA stone to be much more strictly graded than the EGL stones. Some people like to have a piece of paper that says their stone is a particular colour, but that's only kidding themselves if the stone is graded H by a lesser lab and is actually J when the stricter labs grade it. But if the cut is good, it might still be worth going for a stone from a lesser lab.

Fluorescence of none, faint/slight or medium is not generally going to cause a problem, although a few (not the majority) of strong-very strong stones can have strange and undesirable appearances in UV-rich light.

 

[es09]

So the fluorescence is not of much concern. That leaves me with the choice between 0.73 H VS1 EGL certified stone with a 0.69 I VS2 GIA certified stone. Both have very similar depth and table percentages are the Ideal cut from UD so I doubt if cut can be compared.

When people say the color/clarity of EGL stone to be actually lower, how much lower are we talking about? Would a H really be J? Or I? And will VS1 be a VS2 or even SI1? I am still tempted to go for the larger stone given that both of these are the same price but hesitant to take this risk.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Date: 10/5/2009 6:07:12 PM
Author:es09
The first two are EGL Israel certified and I am wondering if I should take the H/VS1 ratings with a grain of salt

Yes.

 

[stone-cold11]

Probably 2 grades off for each if graded reliably by AGS/GIA, as EGL-Israel is well known for that, or you maybe in luck and get it as stated. Won''t know until you get it independently appraised or have it send to GIA/AGS.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/5/2009 6:07:12 PM
Author:es09
I have searched for a couple of weeks now and narrowed down my choices to three stones. I need some expert opinion on which one to select.

1. 0.73 H VS1 for $1540 Con: Fluorescence Moderate Link here
2. 0.71 H VS2 for $1421 Link Here
3. 0.69 I VS2 for $1497 Link here

The first two are EGL Israel certified and I am wondering if I should take the H/VS1 ratings with a grain of salt. I am tempted to go to #1 because I am getting extra carats for almost the same price. Will a 0.69 and a 0.73 look visibly different in size? Is moderate flourescence a no-no? Some people say that the fluorescence actually helps in color!

Thanks in advance

Hi es09

An independant appraisal is a must should you choose an EGL graded diamond and particularly EGL Israel, I seem to remember some cases where the grading was actually 3 grades off or so as the result of an appraisal, here is a tool you can use to find an appraiser in your area.