Final decision by friday. Comparing several stones. Wisdom and input needed!

[imprezive]

My overall goal is best bang for my buck (aka value). My original budget was $3600 for the stone. Staying in budget is important, but not the MOST important factor.

I would like the diamond to be eye clean. Ideally I'd like a G, VS2, .90ct, but haven't found any of those in my price range

Diamond #1 - $3870
.91ct, F, SI1, 1.7 on HCA.

As you can see it has numerous twinning wisps. I'm a little concerned about them only because I'm not real familiar with them. Jeweler reported it was "110% eyeclean"

 

[imprezive]

Diamond #1

 

[imprezive]

Diamond #1 ASET

 

[imprezive]

Diamond #1 idealscope

 

[Lorelei]

Diamond 1 has definite potential, have you checked it is eyeclean to your standards by asking the vendor?

 

[imprezive]

Diamond #2 - $3400 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1288907.asp

.91ct, H, SI2, 1 on HCA, lots of inclusions. Still waiting on idealscope and eye clean evaluation. (should arrive today or tomorrow)

 

[yssie]

I prefer #1 - with the shallow crown, #2 will lean toward brilliance (at the expense of fire, quite possibly) - #1 has more balanced proportions.

 

[Lorelei]

So far I prefer the first one too, but post the IS etc when you have it then we can go from there.

 

[imprezive]

Diamond #3 - $3800 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1284526.asp

.91ct, H, VS2, 1.8 on HCA, still waiting on idealscope and eye clean evaluation, but it should pass no problem. (should also arrive by today or tomorrow)

 

[imprezive]

Date: 4/14/2010 12:34:53 PM
Author: Lorelei
Diamond 1 has definite potential, have you checked it is eyeclean to your standards by asking the vendor?

To be honest, I don''t have "my standards". I''m pretty good at crunching numbers, but haven''t had enough experience to know for sure, but I trust this vendor''s opinion.

 

[imprezive]

Date: 4/14/2010 12:42:48 PM
Author: yssie
I prefer #1 - with the shallow crown, #2 will lean toward brilliance (at the expense of fire, quite possibly) - #1 has more balanced proportions.

I prefer fire, but according to the HCA they both rated EXCELLENT in fire.

You think you it is worth the extra $470?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/14/2010 12:49:08 PM
Author: imprezive
Diamond #3 - $3800 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1284526.asp

.91ct, H, VS2, 1.8 on HCA, still waiting on idealscope and eye clean evaluation, but it should pass no problem. (should also arrive by today or tomorrow.

This diamond also has potential, it is possible this stone might be more geared towards brilliance than fire with the slightly larger table and crown angle but one of the gemologists will be the best person to advise you concerning individual performance nuances.

With the SI diamond make sure you tell the vendor your expectations concerning '' eyecleanliness;, in other words if you don''t want to see any visible inclusions from any angle or distance, make sure the vendor understands that to avoid your disappointment. Some SI clarities will be completely eyeclean and others will not be so it is important to evaluate each individual diamond carefully in this respect.

 

[imprezive]

Diamond #3 idealscope

 

[Dreamer_D]

I prefer number 1, the clarity plot and images look good, and the numbers are more balanced. I like a smaller table.

 

[yssie]

ditto dreamer, though I don''t think any of the three will be duds..

 

[imprezive]

Well, I went ahead and purchased diamond #1 through www.idejewelryonline.com (If you mention you're a pricescope member they'll have you work with Yekutiel, who was AWESOME! He really knows his stuff and can/will get you diamonds from virtual listings from most of the main vendors. He also marked down the price quite a bit. If you give him your criteria he will also search around for ya. My experience working with him was fantastic)

I just wanted to thank everyone for their help. And pass along that diamond #2 and #3 are now available from jamesallen.com

Pics will come after mounting.

This is the ideascope for #3 and here is the jeweler's report in the email:

"Good afternoon, and thank you for your patience in receiving the Idealscope image for 1284526(.91ct H VS2).
This diamond is a fantastic color "G" if not an "F." The VS2 is incredibly small black cluster under the table. It is completely invisible to the naked eye. This diamond has great spread, incredibly brilliant and sparkly."

I almost feel like #3 may have been a better or at least equally good deal, but I refuse to get sucked into buyer's remorse.

 

[imprezive]

Date: 4/14/2010 5:58:52 PM
Author: imprezive
Diamond #3 idealscope

This one was supposed to be #2