I'm down to the final 2 in my Asscher hunt. Here's the deal: Diamond 1 is from the jeweler I'm buying the setting from (a local B&M). I actually purchased Diamond 2 from an online dealer, and have it in my possession . Please note that I have to make my decision on Thursday if I'm going to return Diamond 2.
From the GIA--
Diamond 1 (Daniel K): Diamond 2:
Oct. 2004 August 2006
1.33 1.24
G F
Vs2 VVS2
Ex/Ex Ex/Ex
Thick Girdle Sthk-Vthk
6.11x6.10x4.20 5.94x5.93x4.08
Depth: 68.9 Depth: 68.6
Table: 60 Table: 60
From the sarin: From the Sarin:
Crown angle: 33.5 41.5
Crown Height: 16.7% 17.5
Pavilion Angle: 39.1 36.0
Pavilion Height: 48.5% 46.8
Girdle: 3.8% 4.5
Pros/Cons:
Diamond 1-- Pros: Bigger, Local, convenience of having the same jeweler as setting, 90-day financing, $800 cheaper, upgrade policy, appraisal; CONS: Sales Tax ($500) or out-of-state shipping ($150 round trip, most likely), would have to go through return process for D-2, likely at another $200 cost, no idealscope image available
Diamond 2-- Pros: Got all the available images and workup, already have it/paid for it, higher quality (barely); Cons: slightly more expensive, no trade-up policy, must pay for appraisal (setter only does their own stones), out-of-town vendor
When it's all said and done, factoring things like taxes and shipping, the price difference would likely be a wash, though it's possible I could save roughly $500 by choosing D-1 (the actual prices are about $7700 for Diamond 1 and $8475 for Diamond 2). Both are beautiful, so the good news is that I can't lose, and both are reasonably-priced. I just want to know what others would do, because I'm stuck in the middle!
I'm not going to post the pics, because I don't have and for D-1, and because I've seen both in person and they're beautiful. Basically it comes down to local vs. non-local, same jeweler for ring/stone vs. two jewelers, upgrade vs. no-upgrade, and G/Vs2/1.33 vs. F/VVS2/1.24.
From the GIA--
Diamond 1 (Daniel K): Diamond 2:
Oct. 2004 August 2006
1.33 1.24
G F
Vs2 VVS2
Ex/Ex Ex/Ex
Thick Girdle Sthk-Vthk
6.11x6.10x4.20 5.94x5.93x4.08
Depth: 68.9 Depth: 68.6
Table: 60 Table: 60
From the sarin: From the Sarin:
Crown angle: 33.5 41.5
Crown Height: 16.7% 17.5
Pavilion Angle: 39.1 36.0
Pavilion Height: 48.5% 46.8
Girdle: 3.8% 4.5
Pros/Cons:
Diamond 1-- Pros: Bigger, Local, convenience of having the same jeweler as setting, 90-day financing, $800 cheaper, upgrade policy, appraisal; CONS: Sales Tax ($500) or out-of-state shipping ($150 round trip, most likely), would have to go through return process for D-2, likely at another $200 cost, no idealscope image available
Diamond 2-- Pros: Got all the available images and workup, already have it/paid for it, higher quality (barely); Cons: slightly more expensive, no trade-up policy, must pay for appraisal (setter only does their own stones), out-of-town vendor
When it's all said and done, factoring things like taxes and shipping, the price difference would likely be a wash, though it's possible I could save roughly $500 by choosing D-1 (the actual prices are about $7700 for Diamond 1 and $8475 for Diamond 2). Both are beautiful, so the good news is that I can't lose, and both are reasonably-priced. I just want to know what others would do, because I'm stuck in the middle!
I'm not going to post the pics, because I don't have and for D-1, and because I've seen both in person and they're beautiful. Basically it comes down to local vs. non-local, same jeweler for ring/stone vs. two jewelers, upgrade vs. no-upgrade, and G/Vs2/1.33 vs. F/VVS2/1.24.