EMERGENCY! Deciding between a 1.207 H SI1 & 1.22 H VS2!

[alpackie]

So the 1.22 H VS2 arrived a month ago from JA (here's that thread). I took it into my local jeweler today for an appraisal and she says it's a low H and a low VS2. I understand that since she isn't 3rd party and she sells diamonds, her opinion may be biased. Here are some things she said about it:

Color: It's a low H--she compared my stone to a master diamond of comparable cut and I saw with my own eyes that it was lower.
Clarity: Although my stone has a single black inclusion, the "line of inclusions" that I saw in the i-scope and H&A viewer is that inclusion being reflected across diagonally.

She had been holding a 1.207 H SI1 for us, but (1) she doesn't do reflector images and I don't trust my own eyes in jewelry store lighting (2) I assumed it was GIA cert, so no ASET, (3) the BF's eyes are sharp so SI was concerning. Thinking all that, I go in today and she says the inclusions of the 1.207 were all white crystals, and my VS2's black inclusion is way more conspicuous. She just mailed it back yesterday, but it's on hold again and she can get it back in, but we'd basically have to commit to it before we see it, since it's been mailed here and shipped back again.

Here's the 1.207's cert and specs:

ETA cert PDF:
HCA: 1.8

Here's the size comparison between the 1.207 and 1.22 (3% difference):


Price information:
1.22 H VS2: $8800
1.207 H SI1: $8250 (did a PS search and the only other comparable stone is from JA, 9k+)

I'm so torn! What should I do?

 

[John P]

...we'd basically have to commit to it before we see it...

Just my 2 cents...

* You've been allowed to have the 1.22 for a month, with all money promised back.
* The jeweler is doing the opposite - asking for a commitment before you see it.

If an internet seller asked someone to do this they'd get blasted on the forum.

With that said, you have to decide what's important to you. Both diamonds have nice ASET but you've been able to enjoy the 1.22 in all of your usual illumination scenarios so (if you've kept it clean) you know how it performs. You're told the white inclusions in the SI1 are more loupe-friendly than the pique in the VS2. How much - away from the IS and H&A viewer - that bothers you (if it proves as-promised about the SI1) is up to you. In simple trade-terms with all else equal: VS2 > SI1.

If you're out of time with the 1.22 you could contact the seller and request a few more days. Explain the situation; be frank... But with that said, please see my first two asterisked comments: The way I read it, the seller of the 1.22 has been affording you great opportunity already.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[ame]

In this situation I'd see what else you can find through JA, and skip this local person. You don't sound in love enough with either stone to commit.

 

[alpackie]

Thank you John and Ame! After reading your advice and speaking with the BF, we've decided that the $550 difference is worth the hassle to see if we can compare them side by side in person before committing. Since the local vendor said that she would most likely purchase the stone herself (for the store) if she were to have it sent back, that means one of two things: (1) she is confident that her stone will compare well against my own, or (2) she is confident she will be able to sell it even if we do not decide to go with it.

If she asks us to commit before seeing the stone in person, we will just go with our current 1.22 H VS2 (even if it is on the lower end for color and clarity).

If she asks for at least a deposit, we will have to reconsider our options.

I'm just waiting to hear back from her now! Thank you again! I'll post any updates as they come up.

ETA: We are on the 19th day of our 60-day return policy with JA.