Guidance on Color and Cut Variation for Purchase

[tnflagg]

I have a few questions about GIA certified diamonds. I am looking at purchasing a loose stone for engagement. Within the past year I purchased a 1.34 G, and am now considering upgrading that purchase to a larger stone. The one thing I know is that generally speaking an upgrade is not good (assuming inflation etc), but as the stones were purchased within a year of each other and both loose, I have to believe I won't be taking a huge hit on this. If I am wrong, please correct me. The primary concern I have is tied to Color J, as well as Surface graining on the 2.01 J. With this color J, I know it is at the tail end of the near colorless range. my thought is that because the cut is a round brilliant, it should not be extremely noticeable when worn according to the following:
http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/truth-about/diamond-color/

Also while looking, I came across this random Youtube video showing the color of various stones comparing G - J on a finger and it was surely difficult to tell the difference in video. Perhaps it will look different in person. I am seeking the advice from those of you in the business who have seen hundreds if not thousands of stones. What I am trying to gauge is how poorly J is received within the marketplace. Am I better off sticking with the 1.34-G-IF I already own, or can some value be obtained by upgrading to the 2.01-J-IF. The price difference between the two is approximately $5000.

Any recommendations will be appreciated. Details of both stones are below.

Within the last year I have purchased the following:
https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=1109535557&weight=1.34


Round Brilliant
Measurements: 7.00 - 7.05 x 4.42 mm
Carat Weight: 1.34 carat
Color Grade: G
Clarity Grade: Internally Flawless
Cut Grade: Excellent
Proportions:
Depth: 62.9%
Table: 56%
Crown Angle: 35.5°
Crown Height: 15.5%
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Star Length: 55%
Lower Half: 75%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted (3.5%)
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Medium Blue
Comments:
Minor details of polish are not shown.


And was considering upgrading to the following:
https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=2136145878&weight=2.01#

Round Brilliant
Measurements: 8.00 - 8.05 x 5.01 mm
Carat Weight: 2.01 carat
Color Grade: J
Clarity Grade: Internally Flawless
Cut Grade: Excellent
Proportions:
Depth: 62.4%
Table: 56%
Crown Angle: 34.5°
Crown Height: 15.0%
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Star Length: 50%
Lower Half: 75%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted (4.0%)
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Medium Blue
Comments:
Surface graining is not shown. Minor details of polish are not shown.

 

[John P]

Re: Guidance on Color Variation for Purchase

Having been around this forum for years I anticipate that some folks here might wonder whether you'd consider moving down to VS clarity (example) to get the 2ct size you wish at a color closer to the original G.

To your question: Color appearance is one of the most variable diamond categories. A host of things influence visible color in a diamond. Size, cut-quality, shape (not relevant here), fluorescence (if present) when in UV light, the chosen setting, the specific lighting environment you're in, etc.

Color grading is also done on a sliding-scale. Remember that J is not "a" color, it's a range of color variation between I and K. If your J diamond is closer to the K-side of the color masters it will show more body color in certain lighting. If it's closer to the I-side of the color masters it will show less. The width of a given grade increases as you descend, so the J grade encompasses a far wider range of diamonds than the D grade, and more than G. There is no way to know whether you have a high, mid or low J color without firsthand examination.

With that stuff said, many people have no problem with J at 2cts in a well-cut stone. I've seen plenty of J diamonds which face-up better than their letter grade indicates. This is because color grading is done with the diamond upside-down and viewed through the pavilion. With optimum cutting angles and consistency light will bounce in and out of the diamond's crown quickly and won't illuminate the stone's body color from above as it was seen from below...so a near-colorless diamond can "face up" with less color than the grade indicates when it's well cut. The basic numbers on the 2.01 J you linked are promising - it may be nicely cut. Again there is no way to know how much that effect is in-play without firsthand examination.

With regard to your pricing question; it depends on when you bought the original diamonds and how much was paid. Diamond prices jumped a crazy degree in 1H last year, then softened along with the Indian Rupee in Q3-4. Still, taken in total, 1ct diamond prices rose 19% in 2011 and 2ct rose 15%.

Hope this is helpful. It sounds like an exciting upgrade project - possibly with a lucky recipient waiting (?)

 

[tnflagg]

John,

Thanks for the response. I am considering giving up the IF for a better color, but I just wanted to get a feel for how much the color lessens the value if the other properties are extremely strong. I know all things being equal, D-F will always beat G-J. I have actually requested to get the stone shipped to me.

For your reference, the 2.01-IF-J is set at a price of approximately $21k. When I purchased the loose 1.34-G-IF, 9 months or so ago, I paid $15955 (thus the approximate $5k difference). As you mentioned, the prices of 2Ct jumped 15% and the prices of 1Ct jump about 10% at some point. I was curious to know if this is always the trend where by the larger stones will usually jump in value as a result of the Ct weight alone even if all other properties are not so great. I am hoping the stone shows well in person, otherwise I will stick with what I own today. What's most interesting is that the stone I own today shows both GIA excellent and AGS triple zero when run against a Sarin, but when I put the dimensions into the HCA it receives a score above 2.0

Factor Grade
Light Return Very Good
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Very Good
Spread
or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 2.0 - Very Good - Worth buying if the price is right

What's interesting is the comment "If the price is right"....As I am not in the business, I really don't know what constitutes "the right price". What I do know is it beats anything in the retail store at the time of purchase, but it may still not be the best in price.

The purchase was made through www.diamondsonweb.com.. I know their inventory seems to be the lowest markup I have seen by those selling online. I actually saw the stone I purchased on another site for upwards of 2 - 4 thousand more -- verified by confirming the actual GIA certificate through each seller.