Diamond Size Help! 1.02 carat Vs. 1.21 carat!!

[sam01205]

Hi,

I have shortlisted two absolutely beautiful stones both of which rank 1A on the AGA (also GIA Excellent; HCA scores <1.5). I am struggling to decide if I should go for the higher carat vs. higher color. Here are the two stones:


STONE 1:

Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.42 x 6.45 x 3.96
Carat Weight: 1.02
Color: D
Clarity: SI1
Cut / Polish / Symmetry: Excellent



STONE 2

Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.78 x 6.81 x 4.21
Carat Weight: 1.21
Color: G
Clarity: SI1
Cut / Polish / Symmetry: Excellent


My question is can you "tell" the difference between 1.02 carat Vs. 1.21 carat stones? Forgive me for my silly question but is the "visible" difference between 1.02 and 1.21 carats 20%? Also, I saw tons of smaller stones around 0.85 carats, or so (which are considerably cheaper), and was wondering when do you start noticing the size difference between 0.85 Vs. 1.02 Vs. 1.21?

Thanks,

Sam

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would absolutely rather have the 1.2 G if both were equally well cut and completely eyeclean. However, I'd never choose based on numbers alone. Do you have magnified images of the stones and idealscope images?

 

[Sakuracherry]

There's no 20% visual difference between the two stones you posted.

0.322 x 0.322 x 3.14 = 0.326 cm2

0.34 x 0.34 x 3.14 = 0.353 cm2

The 1.2 faces up about 8% bigger.

I think it's not hard to notice the difference between a well cut 1.0 and a well cut 1.2 assuming the table and the depth are similar.

 

[redroze]

I've seen comparable diamonds 1 and 1.2 and trust me, she will feel and see a difference. 8% seems so slight but when we are talking about a tiny diamond, it does make a difference. Women will never say this (well some won't) but most prefer size over colour when given a choice - especially when the colour difference is so slight.

Good luck.

 

[Andelain]

You're going to notice the size difference, no doubt. But I'm on the other side of the fence from most here, I'd choose the D if all other factors are equal. I just have a thing for icy white stones and can readily tell a D from a G. A lot of people can't, especially once it's set.

 

[Ashleigh]

If you're just looking at size and not performance, **edited by moderator, no affiliate linked websites please**.com should give you an idea. However, diamond performance is more important.

 

[insured]

Preferences for color vs. size are personal and cultural - certainly it's true that in parts of the US size is generally preferred but it's not true that all women prefer size and there are lots of places in the world and many individuals who prefer higher color and smaller sizes. I am also in that camp with Andelain. If it were me, I would compromise a bit to bring the clarity up to VS1/2 keeping color in the D-F range.

You will see a visible difference in .2 ct - remember there are values to be had just below size cutoffs like 1 ct where price per ct jumps.