Help!!! 1.21 F, VS1 for $6008 or 1.09 F, VS2 for $6928

[wetzwrestle]

I've been doing a lot of research lately and have realized that I really want a H&A cut diamond. However, I have on hold a diamond that has the following specs:

1.21ct, VS1, F in color, diameter: 6.82-6.87mm, depth: 4.14mm @ 60.5%, crown: 30.5 @ 11.7%, pav, 41.3 @ 43.7%, table 4.13mm @ 60.4, culet: .4%, girdle: 3.1%. This diamonds price is only $6008 but it is EGL and I've read a lot of negative things about that laboratory compared to AGS and GIA.

My second diamond is from a reputable dealer online. It is 1.09ct, VS2, F in color, diameter: 6.64-6.68mm, depth: 4.11mm, crown: 35 @ 16.1%, pav: 41 @ 43.2%, table: 54%. This is truly a Hearts and Arrows cut diamond. The price tag is reasonable at $6928 for a AGS diamond.

Like I said before, I really love H&A cuts but is the first diamond too good to pass up???

Thanks in advance for everyone's help!!!

 

[niceice]

The crown angle is pretty shallow on the 1.21 carat and the pavilion angle is kind of steep. What are the proportions on the 1.09 carat?

 

[Mara]

Okay here are my two cents. Keep in mind that I really do love my shallow stone.




The first stone scores a 2.8 on the HCA. That is not shocking, as it's a slightly shallow stone. However, the second stone scores a 2.3 on the HCA (used 61.8 as the depth..if that is correct?). That is not a great score for an H&A stone in my opinion...esp for what you are paying.




I would keep looking. Shallow stones are nice if you know what they look like, they do not look the same as H&A stones, so if you like H&A type stones, you won't be happy with a shallow stone...it will be more white brilliant than a good balance of fire and brilliance IMO.




The second stone...you are paying top dollar for that. Get one that scores under 2.0 on the HCA. Not that it may not be a lovely stone, but why even pay top dollar for a stone that MAY be questionable when you could find a H&A that scored under 2.0 for probably the same or less $$. Esp since you are already shopping online, continue to shop around. I almost wonder if this second stone is a REAL H&A as opposed to just being labeled H&A and not being true. You mention a reputable online dealer...I would ask their opinion of that stone and see if they can't find you a better one. The crown angle is a little steep at 35..look for one more around 34.5 and keep the pav around or under 41.




Lastly...and this is pure my two cents. Why are you looking at F VS? It seems like you'd like to get a slightly larger stone by the way you threw in the 1.21 shallower for less money. Try looking at a G VS2 or a G SI1...you will still get a really white stone and if the SI is eye clean (ask the vendor),..you should be fine! Then you can bump up the ctw to around 1.20c for the same $7k and get an excellent cut.

Good luck!

 

[Mara]

Lastly..use the Cut Quality search on the homepage here to find the really well cut stones (using HCA scores and angles)...I did a quick search and found a bunch...mostly from brokered stones at GOG (www.goodoldgold.com) there were a bunch around 1.09-1.15 or so for around or under $7k--all scored under 2.0 on the HCA and all are true H&A.




Good luck!

 

[wetzwrestle]

Thanks for your help!