General Diamond Question

[SB_Gary]

Hey everyone so I have a question in regards to what size diamond to buy. My girlfriend wants to get a ring that is in a halo setting and bezeled. She really wants something that is very colorless and does not have any flaws (visually).

Here are 2 ideas of diamonds I am thinking of trying to get.

Diamond 1: .50 carat, Color "G" Clarity "VS2", Cut "ideal" Cost: $1,100ish
Diamond 2: .70 carat, Color "H", Clarity "SI1" Cut "ideal" Cost: $1,535


So is dropping in color and clarity really going to be noticeable? Excel said that they will check and make sure that the SI1 diamond is "eye clean". Is it worth it to get the larger stone? I just want something that will shine and sparkle in the sunlight and make my girlfriend happy.

Please let me know what you guys think.

Thanks!!

 

[JulieN]

at this size, you won''t notice the difference between G and H at all. and in a halo setting?

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 4/24/2009 12:41:58 AM
Author:SB_Gary
Hey everyone so I have a question in regards to what size diamond to buy. My girlfriend wants to get a ring that is in a halo setting and bezeled. She really wants something that is very colorless and does not have any flaws (visually).

Here are 2 ideas of diamonds I am thinking of trying to get.

Diamond 1: .50 carat, Color ''G'' Clarity ''VS2'', Cut ''ideal'' Cost: $1,100ish

Diamond 2: .70 carat, Color ''H'', Clarity ''SI1'' Cut ''ideal'' Cost: $1,535

So is dropping in color and clarity really going to be noticeable? Excel said that they will check and make sure that the SI1 diamond is ''eye clean''. Is it worth it to get the larger stone? I just want something that will shine and sparkle in the sunlight and make my girlfriend happy.

What are the characteristics of the two diamonds? The carat weight, color and clarity are not enough information to make an informed decision as to which diamond to select unless size is your only concern. If visual performance is a concern, and I imagine that it is, then you need to know the total depth, table diameter, crown angle, pavilion angle, girdle thickness and finish, culet size, polish and symmetry grades in order to truly have insight into each diamond. Knowing the inclusion type, location and extent is also necessary...

Without this information, it is impossible to make an informed decision. I imagine that you wouldn''t purchase a car without popping the hood, obtaining this information is basically "popping the hood" on a diamond.

 

[SB_Gary]

Todd,

This is just a general question. Assume that all of the characteristics of "under the hood" are the same for both and that they don''t have any major flaws. I''m just trying to figure out if it is worth it to pay a little more for a bigger diamond but losing a little bit in quality.

Thanks,

Gary

 

[Lorelei]

Assuming the cuts are great on both and the SI eyeclean then that would be my choice.

 

[oldmancoyote]

Date: 4/24/2009 2:20:27 AM
Author: SB_Gary
Todd,

This is just a general question. Assume that all of the characteristics of 'under the hood' are the same for both and that they don't have any major flaws. I'm just trying to figure out if it is worth it to pay a little more for a bigger diamond but losing a little bit in quality.

Thanks,

Gary

Gary, I think the point Todd was trying to make is that if your priority is that of having something shiny and sparkly, colour and clarity become relatively irrelevant and cut (and size - in my view) dominates. Please don't fall into the trap of believing that higher colour and clarity necessarily are the same as higher visual quality.

 

[Rockit]

I agree, the information provided gives little indication that either one of these two diamonds represents better "quality" than the other.

Yes, the difference in color between G and H is very slight. However, if your GF wants "very colorless" is G/H high enough in color for her desires? Are you both clear in your communication regarding this point? If she is thinking D/E/F it is going to be a different animal than the two you''ve listed here (and, certainly, a smaller diamond for the same budget).

The good news is, because your GF prefers a halo, her ring should appear quite sizable with either of the two stones you''ve mentioned.

 

[DiamondFlame]

As long as it is eye clean, I''d even go down to SI2.
Btw, what kind of cut are you thinking? Rounds brilliants?

 

[Daisi2112]

If all things are equal (the cuts were the same and these are the two you are definitely picking from), I'd also go si1 and get the larger one. G/H will look plenty white!