Experts needed: Please narrow down and/or confirm options!

[mns12]

Hi All!
I apologize in advance for the long post

I was engaged in 2003 with 1.5 ct MRB solitaire. Neither myself nor my husband knew much about diamonds and we did not look together prior. I only told him, 1.5 ct round would be nice and to make sure he buys the stone separately (not already in a setting). My ring always received many compliments and looked beautiful relative to what we were used to seeing. I loved it.

In 2013 the head of my solitaire broke off. I had a 15 pt diamond eternity wedding band and I had no idea the eternity was rubbing against the ER prongs and slowing eating away at it. This is when I discovered Pricescope!! After debating on another solitaire or halo, and after months of obsessing and reading PS, I decided on VC Emilya for my re-set. It was beautiful and did so much for my center stone I thought. Unfortunately I did not get to enjoy it for very long as my engagement ring and eternity band went missing late last year Luckily I had the ER appraised again after the VC re-set.

It took me a few months to come to terms with this and I finally set out to find an ideal cut diamond. I learned that my original ER was graded by AGA 2B, ranging from 1B to 2B. So lots of reading up again on PS the last month or so (this site is so addicting, my hubby thinks I’m a bit crazy)! The appraisal value for ER is $17,500 but since it is our 10 year I think we are willing to add a few thousand for diamond and setting. I have decided, since I really never expected an “upgrade”, to put most of the money towards the best stone I can get and go back to a simple/elegant solitaire…for now. I can always upgrade the setting a few years down the road if I start longing for a halo again (but I’m thinking not if I have a bigger, ideal cut diamond)!

SO, this is where I could really use the help of the incredible experts on this site. Your knowledge and help is truly appreciated!!! My goal is largest stone with super ideal/ideal performance and near perfect or perfect H&A (not as important but is nice to have). I previously had a GIA H/SI2 very good cut. The H color never bothered me…I never really tried to compare it to others though. I have been looking at bumping down to I color (hoping it wouldn’t be much of a difference from my H since this diamond will have a much better cut?) and I have been focusing on SI1s and a couple VS2s to try to get in that 1.9-2 ct range. I have also been sticking with AGS (mostly super ideal) as it is more difficult for me to weed through the GIAs for optimal performance.

In no particular order this is what I have on the list thus far. Note these are all from the top recommended PS vendors but I’m not going to list names since none are on hold as of now. Price range goes from high $18k to high $21k. On the higher end I would need to see if they are able to come down some (given I will most likely buy setting and eternity band from them as well).

Please let me know if there are any that I should definitely eliminate or any tips for narrowing down further. Thanks in advance for your time!

8.03-8.04X4.95 H VS2 (#1)
Depth: 61.7
Table: 57
Crown: 34.6
Pav:40.9
Crown %: 14.9
Star: 50
Lower Girdle: 78
Eye Clean: Yes

8.10-8.13X4.98 I SI1 (#2)
Depth: 61.4
Table: 57.3
Crown: 34.2
Pav: 40.9
Crown %: 14.5
Star: 49
Lower Girdle: 79
Eye Clean: Yes

8.05 x 8.09 x 4.92 I SI1 (#3)
Depth: 60.9
Table: 57.1
Crown: 34.7
Pav: 40.7
Crown %: 14.9
Star: 50
Lower Girdle: 78
Eye Clean: Yes

8.05 x 8.07 x 4.92 I VS2 (#4)
Depth: 61
Table: 57
Crown: 34.7
Pav: 40.7
Crown %: 14.8
Star: 52
Lower Girdle: 77
Eye Clean: Yes

8.12 x 8.08 x 4.96 I SI1 (#5)
Depth: 61.2
Table: 58
Crown: 33.6
Pav: 41
Crown %: 14
Star: 50
Lower Girdle: 80
Eye Clean: Yes

I also attached the Aset and IS images.

 

[KobiD]

Re: Experts needed: Please narrow down and/or confirm option

8.03-8.04X4.95 H VS2 (#1)
Depth: 61.7
Table: 57
Crown: 34.6
Pav:40.9
Crown %: 14.9
Star: 50
Lower Girdle: 78
Eye Clean: Yes

8.10-8.13X4.98 I SI1 (#2)
Depth: 61.4
Table: 57.3
Crown: 34.2
Pav: 40.9
Crown %: 14.5
Star: 49
Lower Girdle: 79
Eye Clean: Yes

8.05 x 8.09 x 4.92 I SI1 (#3)
Depth: 60.9
Table: 57.1
Crown: 34.7
Pav: 40.7
Crown %: 14.9
Star: 50
Lower Girdle: 78
Eye Clean: Yes

8.05 x 8.07 x 4.92 I VS2 (#4)
Depth: 61
Table: 57
Crown: 34.7
Pav: 40.7
Crown %: 14.8
Star: 52
Lower Girdle: 77
Eye Clean: Yes

8.12 x 8.08 x 4.96 I SI1 (#5)
Depth: 61.2
Table: 58
Crown: 33.6
Pav: 41
Crown %: 14
Star: 50
Lower Girdle: 80
Eye Clean: Yes

I also attached the Aset and IS images.

Note: I'm no expert, but I have put quite some time into understanding what I can about round cuts.

In my opinion you're splitting hairs. Looking at the images, I like 1,2,3 and I'd like to see imaging on numer 4. I'd drop 5 as the ASET isn't quite on par, and the cut is more towards BIC than TIC (you may like this, and added spread is a gain too)!

It boils down to price really at this point. I like the mental ellement of H VS2, but in reality probably wouldn't notice the I SI1. I probably wouldn't notice the difference in size either. I would notice the different in price. Performance in all of them is right up there and I doubt any would disappoint.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: Experts needed: Please narrow down and/or confirm option

I would opt for Option 1, due to the higher color.

H to I is a big difference. .1mm at this size is not as obvious of a difference. It would be unfortunate if you decided the I-colored stone had too much tint after you had already made the upgrade and got attached to the stone. If you go with the H now, you won't be left wondering 'what if.'

Option 1 has great images and the specs all check out.

I would go for this option!

 

[mns12]

Re: Experts needed: Please narrow down and/or confirm option

Thanks for the assurance KobiD. I feel like a did a decent amount of "homework" but I want to make sure I'm not missing something, hoping this will be my forever diamond (unless we hit the lotto).

Thanks RockyRaccon. I do like the factor of H VS1 but of course that is the most expensive option, $1200 more then the next expensive. So I need to decide if it is worth or not . And then I see this I colored BGD and if I could get something like this I would be over the moon!
I know it's not real life but that diamond looks stunning to me. Not sure if this I is an outlier or not?

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thank-you-brian-gavin-im-in-love.199562/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thank-you-brian-gavin-im-in-love.199562/[/URL]

My problem is I am so indecisive and always worried there is a better choice or value out there.

 

[KobiD]

Re: Experts needed: Please narrow down and/or confirm option

My problem is I am so indecisive and always worried there is a better choice or value out there.

A better choice no. A different choice. Yes!

Remember, someone will always have something bigger, or better, or they got it cheaper. Worrying about that won't help you in the slightest. The diamonds you have narrowed down will be great performers. How you define value is a totally personal choice - you'll need to be decisive.

In the link you posted, the colours coming from that I diamond appear to be reflected back out of the stone. The image from the side probably gives the best interpretation of colour, but is also dependant on your viewing device (phone, pc, screen, etc) so how it shows may not be how it is in reality (or to your eyes).

Any chance you can hit the stores and compare an I to H in person? Might help decide if the premium on the H is worth it to you. Also probably depends how you intend to set it.

 

[mns12]

Re: Experts needed: Please narrow down and/or confirm option

My problem is I am so indecisive and always worried there is a better choice or value out there.

A better choice no. A different choice. Yes!

Remember, someone will always have something bigger, or better, or they got it cheaper. Worrying about that won't help you in the slightest. The diamonds you have narrowed down will be great performers. How you define value is a totally personal choice - you'll need to be decisive.

In the link you posted, the colours coming from that I diamond appear to be reflected back out of the stone. The image from the side probably gives the best interpretation of colour, but is also dependent on your viewing device (phone, pc, screen, etc) so how it shows may not be how it is in reality (or to your eyes).

Any chance you can hit the stores and compare an I to H in person? Might help decide if the premium on the H is worth it to you. Also probably depends how you intend to set it.

This is true! I better try my best to stay off of PS for a little once I get the new ring
I have looked at many of GOG's videos on color and any other resource I could find online. But you are right, I should try to go see in person.

For settings I was looking at tiffany half round at BGD and Vatche U-113 or something similar to Vatche Felicity 1513. That can change though..

 

[mns12]

Re: Experts needed: Please narrow down and/or confirm option

[/quote]

Note: I'm no expert, but I have put quite some time into understanding what I can about round cuts.

In my opinion you're splitting hairs. Looking at the images, I like 1,2,3 and I'd like to see imaging on numer 4. I'd drop 5 as the ASET isn't quite on par, and the cut is more towards BIC than TIC (you may like this, and added spread is a gain too)!

It boils down to price really at this point. I like the mental ellement of H VS2, but in reality probably wouldn't notice the I SI1. I probably wouldn't notice the difference in size either. I would notice the different in price. Performance in all of them is right up there and I doubt any would disappoint.[/quote]

If still interested in the IS for image for #4 it is now in the attached. Still not Aset though...

I also have another question. I know the HCA is to be used as a rejection tool and not selection tool but can/should you use it for AGS0 stones (I thought I may of read somewhere no)? When I punch in the #s for the AGS0s all are under 2 but some come back X, X, X while a couple were X, X, VG. Does this have any significance?

Thanks again!

 

[KobiD]

Re: Experts needed: Please narrow down and/or confirm option

Nothing wrong with number 4's IS image either.

I did some research back on the AGS vs HCA a while back. To summarise, the HCA only takes into account a certain number of facets in its calculations, where AGS light performance simulations are much more involved. Based of this you'd be more inclined to trust AGS results over HCA, but at the same time I question how many GIA diamonds are rejected based on HCA scores under 2, which potentially could still be nice performers if graded by AGS.

Realistically, if you have true IS and ASET images, they will tell more than AGS or HCA simulations.. and everything you've posted looks good. Doesn't make your choices any easier though! Diamond one does appear to have a few more hot spots around the base of the arrow shafts too, if you were going to get picky. If its in your budget, you'd be hard pressed not to like it. You know the H colour is to your standards, VS2 should be a nice balance of eye and mind clean. The performance will be ace! Its just a smidge smaller.