H VS2 H&A Opinions

[DopplerShift]

What do y'all think of this rock?

My main concern is the red image, and how the arrows are not black.

Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 1.20ct
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
AGS Light Performance: Ideal
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Culet: None

In House: No
Width: 6.89mm
Length: 6.86mm
Depth: 4.25mm
Table Percentage: 57.00%
Depth Percentage: 61.90%
Crown ∠: 33.40°
Pavilion ∠: 41.40°






http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10450/

 

[04diamond<3]

It has way too much leakage in the center. I'd rather suggest these stones, both of which have better ideal scope images. Plus, JA offer PS members an additional discount:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.23-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-169027

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.21-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-73759 (this one also has a better aset image.

 

[DopplerShift]

Those are very nice but I need to be below $9000 and hopefully (crosses fingers) below $8500. I have 2 H&As (1.3+ H and I) on hold at GOG, but I'm hung up on their SI2 clarity. I can post links to those when I get on my laptop later.

I think I'm getting VS-istis

 

[04diamond<3]

The I VVS2 that I posted is $30 more than the GOG diamond you posted and that's before the discount that JA gives PS members...If you're interested in the vvs2 stone, I'd call JA put it on hold and ask them what discount they're giving on that stone.

 

[JulieN]

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.32-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-45107

 

[DopplerShift]

Im seeing it at $9170 1.23 Ivvs2 and $8839 1.2 Hvs2

 

[04diamond<3]

Im seeing it at $9170 1.23 Ivvs2 and $8839 1.2 Hvs2

The GOG stone was showing 9150 ish for me....either way, you can get something better at JA. The one Julie posted is nice. I'll look for some others.

 

[DopplerShift]

There's also this at White Flash that I was thinking about.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2777305.htm

I've pretty much been looking at signature diamonds.

 

[04diamond<3]

That stone is definitely better than the GOG stone, but still is showing some leakage in the center. The one that I showed you (the I VVS2) has a perfect or near perfect ideal scope with no leakage in the center. (oh, and PS - the "true hearts and arrows collection at JA can be considered their "signature" collection. They're almost all AGS graded stones...with a few of them being GIA).

 

[DopplerShift]

I should clarify, I mentioned signature diamonds above because I'm afraid I'm being seduced by the marketing, and maybe I should consider the non Sig stones.

I figured the hearts stones at JA were their signature series.

My head is starting to spin from all this.

 

[JulieN]

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.23-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-206019

Anyway, the first one you posted is probably fine. The scope is more sensitive than our eyes. Often times there is no visual difference between a stone that shows slight leakage and a stone that has strong red.

 

[Christina...]

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.23-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-206019

Anyway, the first one you posted is probably fine. The scope is more sensitive than our eyes. Often times there is no visual difference between a stone that shows slight leakage and a stone that has strong red.

I agree. We see things in stereo vision as opposed to the mono vision that idealscopes offer. This means that often times our eyes will cancel out leakage seen in an ideal scope image. You could always ask Jonathon his thoughts, he will also provide video if you ask.

 

[DopplerShift]

Here's 2 GOG ones I have reserved. The sales woman said the H 1.32 was the nicest of a number of stones in that price range, but an inclusion could be seen unaided by one of the gemologists but was not noticeable.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10670/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10582/

 

[mcosme]

I think it's personal preference, but a H&A isn't necessarily better performing than an Ideal cut stone, it's just got perfect optical symmetry.
Have you tried looking at whiteflash expert selection?
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2805427.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2777306.htm

maybe you could also get idealscopes for the jamesallen stones recommended above?

Could an expert shed some light about white arrows? Does it make a stone visually less attractive?

 

[DopplerShift]

OK, I pulled the trigger.

1.21 I VS2 BGS

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.211-I-VS2-Round-Diamond-AGS-104063998005

I also picked out matching .320 I VS2 sidestones to be put in a trellis 3 stone platinum or white gold setting.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.320-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-c-104062894109
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.320-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-c-104063276122
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/three-stone-trellis-platinum-5376p

I'm inclined to get plat, but my girl is a US immigrant and doesn't mentally value platinum over gold. I'll have to explain the maintenance drawback of white gold. Does anyone know how often plat needs to be polished? White gold is an annual rhodium re-plate, yes?

Also, thanks to everyone for their suggestions and comments. My decision was finally based on the reputation of BG sig diamonds, the quality and cost of settings, and price and quality of melee. Also Brian Gavin gives a decent PS discount, and I really wanted an elegant yet reasonably priced 3 stone setting.

Whew. What a relief. I was starting to get a little OBSESSED