forum newbie: should I get a smaller E/F or a larger G/H??

[diamondkat]

Hi all you experienced forumites!
I have been lurking for a while and got engaged on the fourth of July.
My sweet fiance gave me a puzzle ring as a "place holder", because he wanted us to pick out the ring together.
We have been looking for a couple of weeks, learning the diamond ropes.

Here is my question -- mainly about COLOR.

Cut and clarity being equal:
Would you go for a well-cut, G-H (or even I) stone (VS1-2, maybe SI 1) significantly larger (2.50-3.00 karats)
OR
a smaller E-F stone (VS 1-2, maybe SI 1)???

We are lucky to live in Los Angeles and have access to beautifully cut stones.

Honestly, I can''t see much (if any) difference color-wise...this is confusing!
...and I have 20/20 vision, LOL!

We have looked at VS 1 and VS 2 mostly, only a couple of SI 1s -- but even with the SI 1s I wasn''t able to see anything without a loup.

Please weigh in!

Oh, we want an Asscher, and we like the thicker, steeper girdle/more antique look.

Thanks in advance!

diamondkat

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''d certainly go for a larger G or H. My old diamond is an F, but the new one is H VS1 and the H allowed me to go larger.

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I agree, I would go for the G-H in a bigger stone! My upgrade ring is an H VS1 Emerald Cut, and I love it!

 

[kenny]

that cut won't mask the inclusions and color like a well-cut round brilliant.

I put cut first, it must be the absolute best cut.
Next if it is for me I like E-F, VVS1 to VS1
I put size last.

I think I'm the only one.

Most put size first.

What dealer in LA have well-cut stones?

 

[snlee]

If you have looked at many diamonds to compare the color and can''t really tell a big difference, then I''d definitely go with the larger G, H, or I color.

 

[diamondfan]

Date: 7/29/2006 12:57:22 AM
Author: Diamond*Dana
I agree, I would go for the G-H in a bigger stone! My upgrade ring is an H VS1 Emerald Cut, and I love it!

I also agree, but it is based on each stone, so you just have to have patience!

Diana, what do you have? I have an E/C, love them...had one which was E VVS1, and upgraded and now have G-VS1, and it is stunning...I was a bit afraid to change after having such nice stone in my ring ( a three stone) but I am happy!

 

[diamondkat]

Thanks for your input, PSers.

Dana and Diamondfan -- it''s nice to hear your input about G and H ECs, because they''re so similar to Asschers/square ECs.

For anyone else reading...please chime in with your thoughts.

Can you see the difference in color between an E/F or G/H in a larger (2.50 -3.01) stone?

Thanks again,
diamondkat

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/29/2006 2:43:38 AM
Author: diamondkat
Thanks for your input, PSers.

Can you see the difference in color between an E/F or G/H in a larger (2.50 -3.01) stone?

Welcome to PS

In a large round most people could probably with direct comparison, in a step cut I would think more would be able to . Steps show colour more than rounds and the larger you go the more obvious this can be. However we are still talking even in large step cuts with a G or H are very white looking diamonds, so assuming the cut was great I would choose size in the G or H any day baby!!!!

 

[FacetFire]

Date: 7/29/2006 2:43:38 AM
Author: diamondkat
Thanks for your input, PSers.


Dana and Diamondfan -- it''s nice to hear your input about G and H ECs, because they''re so similar to Asschers/square ECs.


For anyone else reading...please chime in with your thoughts.


Can you see the difference in color between an E/F or G/H in a larger (2.50 -3.01) stone?


Thanks again,

diamondkat

I can definitely tell a difference in color in that size. But G''s are probably my absolute favorite color stone, so I''d probably go for a G VS2 or so for peace of mind if I was purchasing from a local vendor who didn''t have much information for me to go with. But cut really is the most important, so put your money into that first...

 

[firebirdgold]

If ya can't see it, why pay for it??

Ok I know it's a mind clean vs eye clean thing. I always thought I go for mind clean -high color high clarity-, but nothing could make me happier than my I SI1 engagement ring. It looks so bright and white, and if there is any hint of color it just adds to the stone's personality.

OTOH, my mother has remained thrilled for 43 years that my father bought her a 'perfect' diamond for a perfect love.


ETA: have you seen an H or an I in a diamond that big? I'd check and make sure the color isn't obvious.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Diamondfan''s emerald cut ring is several carats and it absolutely gorgeous. Maybe someone can locate a photo and post it here. Certainly a G is a good compromise color for those who really want colorless but could go a little larger by dropping to a G.

 

[diamondlove]

hi Diamondkat,

I''m not too familiar with Asscher cuts but from what I''ve read on here and elsewhere, color shows up a lot more on Asschers/ECs than in rounds. I''m assuming you''ve taken a look at several Asschers or at least a few and have compared color in those and not in rounds? I''d try to see many in person and do a personal comparison before making a decision.

Again, cut is the most important aspect so pay for the highest cut you can afford and then work from there. I''m not sure what you mean by ''well cut'' so hopefully it means the equivalent of an ideal cut, etc. bc I''d rather do that and sacrifice color/clarity rather than do ''pretty good cut'' and get a higher color/clarity.

just my .02 from a non Asscher expert point of view!

IF it was a round diamond-- to answer your question, I can see a difference in color between E/F vs. H but not a G vs. H in a larger size stone (2.5+).

Good luck with your search!

DL

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I met Tacori E-ring for lunch and shopping recently and saw her I color 1.7 ct. emerald cut in person. I was really surprised how white it looked as I expected more color in an EC I color. You probably can do a search on here and see some photos of her ring as well as diamonfan''s.

 

[FacetFire]

Oh, I missed that we were talking about an asscher. In an asscher, I wouldn''t go below VS2 or G. Even an H would show too much color for me in a step cut. If you are open to buying online, you could get a great very well-cut asscher for a wonderful price. I have to admit that after purchasing online, all my diamond purchases in the future will be from online trustworthy vendors, not local vendors.

 

[widget]

I think that CUT and eye-clarity are the most important things to consider when looking at ECs...well, for any shape diamonds for that matter! To me a wee touch of color can add charm to a stone...particularly one that is antique-ish.

This isn''t my ring, but I saved the picture long ago as an example of how truly lovely even a J colored EC can be if it''s well cut...

widget

 

[diamondkat]

Thanks again for weighing in, PSers. I''m going for CUT first and foremost, then COLOR, then clarity.

We''ve looked at a fair amount of Asschers so far, and we definitely want the antique, thicker, steeper girdle, in which case, a little bit of warmth may just add character, as one poster remarked.

I''m really not concerned about "mind clean" -- as my fiance says -- our love ISN''T perfect -- LOL -- why should our diamond be?

I just feel like I''ve seen so many stones at different vendors that it''s hard to keep them all straight.

Truth be told, they''re all beautiful.
I''m now IN LOVE with diamonds!

Cute anecdote: We were looking at loose stones in a vintage/antique jeweler in Beverly Hills, and my fiance took a stone, in tweezers, over to the front window to look at it in natural light. He then passed it to me to have a closer look. I held it up close to the glass, and as I was looking, an 8 or 9 year old girl came right up to the glass on the street and stared at the diamond.
My fiance laughed, saying "they start young, don''t they -- it''s a natural attraction!"

 

[Mara]

larger G/H. i had a G and then an H and now two J's and I didn't see one whit of diff in G/H at all...I loved it as a sweet spot...even though for a size whore like me I don't mind an I or J for max size. i know asschers show a little bit more color but i think you'd be okay with something like an AGS or GIA graded G/H.

 

[butterfly 17]

I would go for the larger G/H VS1/2 diamond.

 

[widget]

Author: diamondkat

We were looking at loose stones in a vintage/antique jeweler in Beverly Hills,

mmmmm....vintage jewelry shopping in Beverly Hills....lucky you! What store did you visit? Neil Lane? Frances Klein?

I bet you saw some yummies!!

widget

 

[diamondkat]

Hi Widget --
Frances Klein...such beautiful pieces!
The stones they''ve brought in for us are stunning. We were deciding between Asschers and cushions...we saw some beautiful cushions, too.
We are now set on an Asscher with a thicker girdle, more of an antique look.
Decisions, decisions!

Best,
diamondkat