First time poster - need help deciding btwn 2 diamonds

[Orchislily]

Clearly a diamond novice, I believe I've narrowed our search to the best of my ability down to these two stones. My priorities are carat > cut > clarity > color. I'm ok with lower colors as I plan on setting the stone in yellow gold, and I definitely want as big as we can afford as long as it is brilliant and fire-y and sparkly.

Diamond #1
GIA certified 1.58 ct K SI1
7.55 x 7.59 x 4.53mm
Table 59%
Depth 59.8%
Crown Angle 33.5
Pavilion Angle 40.8
Polish/Symmetry: Ex/Ex
Fluorescence: none
HCA 1.2
$6,903


I was provided this picture and told "The diamond faces up super white, is a borderline VS2, white inclusion off to the side, extremely bright."

Diamond #2
GIA certified 1.79 ct K SI2
7.81 x 7.85 x 4.75mm
Table 58%
Depth 60.7%
Crown Angle 35
Pavilion Angle 40.8
Polish/Symmetry: VG/Ex
Fluorescence: none
HCA 1.6
$7,249


Of this diamond, I was told "The diamond faces up exceptionally white, it does not look like a K color, extremely bright and an exceptional SI2, really more of an SI1."

To me, these diamonds seem pretty comparable and I'm trying to tell which is the better value or more beautiful stone. I'm not super-impressed with the pictures provided; they make the diamonds seem not as well cut/symmetric as the HCA might have suggested. Please help! Any advice would be appreciated ... even if we should keep looking?

 

[JulieN]

Did you see this one? http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/9433/

For the original two, ask for an Ideal Scope picture. HCA doesn't take symmetry into account, it assumes a symmetric diamond. And that second picture looks unreal.

 

[Orchislily]

I just emailed requesting idealscope images per your suggestion; only the second diamond is in-house so I'll see what they say? Why did the second image seem unreal? Is there something I'm missing about what's wrong with these diamonds--I'm not sure why the pictures provided don't look that great? Are my expectations too high of these normal photographs?

Also do you think the GOG diamond's inclusion near the table would be visible in person? It's clearly perfectly cut, but did the real life photo of it seem a little hazy too?

 

[Orchislily]

I was told idealscope images are not obtainable for these. I don't know what to do at this point because I'm not sure which is the best diamond. I need advice, help please!

 

[JulieN]

The first picture looks like its from a jeweler who doesn't really know how to take pictures.

The second picture looks like the photographer knows how to take pictures a little too well... It is bizarrely colorful.

In the case of these low colors and clarities, its really best to see them in person. can you not have them both shipped out to you or an appraiser to compare side by side?

 

[Statefan42]

Also do you think the GOG diamond's inclusion near the table would be visible in person? It's clearly perfectly cut, but did the real life photo of it seem a little hazy too?

I'd call them up or email them and ask if it is eye clean based on your expectations. I didn't end up buying from them but they were very helpful.