Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics)??

[acurrey3]

I've spent a lot of time searching for a great 2.5 ct RB around the $27k price range. I've read hundreds of PS posts.

I'm not convinced that hearts and arrows is absolutely necessary compared to a regular AGS 000 diamond, but regardless it happens that both diamonds I have narrowed my choice down to are H&A, so all the more beneficial and rare. I am going to purchase one tonight... unless someone can persuade me I'm missing out on another stone. PLEASE help me ensure I make the right choice!

Diamond A: 2.45 CT I VS2



My thoughts: I'm concerned about the inclusion I see in the ASET. But I can't seem to pick it up in the photos (???) despite being told by the vendor that they can definitely see it in a loop but that it is "eye clean"? The stone is not branded, a little smaller though not much in l/w measurements, but same I color and a VS1! AND thousands cheaper



Diamond B: 2.60 CT I SI1





My thoughts: This is a branded stone - I'm inclined to trust this vendor more, larger stone but an SI1 (not a VS2) AND thousands more expensive than the VS2?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics

I want to know the diameter measurements of both stones, please. But I would expect a 2.6 ct stone to cost more than a 2.45 even though there is one grade difference in clarity.

 

[TitanCi]

Re: Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics

Either stone will look great I think. I don't think you should worry about the VS2 inclusion, yes you can see it in the ASET, but I couldn't find it on the live pic. Plus, they had to use a LOUPE to see the thing, so without it, IRL, you won't see it.

If the 2.60 is not that much larger than the 2.45 dimensions wise, then why spend the extra thousands for it? It looks like the weight is in the depth of the stone vs. the other one (although very SLIGHT, and plus you don't list the mm dimensions). I say go for the first one if it's not really smaller, it's VS2, and still an AGS 000 H&A. Save the few thousand for something else!

 

[acurrey3]

Re: Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics

Measurements

2.45: 8.55x8.60x5.29

2.60: 8.80x8.80x5.35

Looking at about .2mm more on length and width and a larger carat size. But a step down in clarity and a step up in price by a few thousand dollars. My question really is which stone looks better in terms of presence, ASET, etc. I'm aware that I would need to see both in person, but that's not a possibility. So I have to make a choice without.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics

The depths are close so I imagine there will be a visible difference in size. Plus, we may know that the second stone is H&A, but how is that proven for the first stone? Do you have hearts images?

Okay, now seeing the measurements. So yes, the 2.6 will absolutely appear larger! Depends on whether you value size over clarity.

 

[webdiva]

Re: Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics

#2 looks eye clean! Get the 2.6!

 

[TitanCi]

Re: Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics

Measurements

2.45: 8.55x8.60x5.29

2.60: 8.80x8.80x5.35

Looking at about .2mm more on length and width and a larger carat size. But a step down in clarity and a step up in price by a few thousand dollars. My question really is which stone looks better in terms of presence, ASET, etc. I'm aware that I would need to see both in person, but that's not a possibility. So I have to make a choice without.

Based on ASET, I'd say they both look great, but the BGD looks a little more defined, crisper details vs. the other one. I feel You're splittin hairs at this point based off that!


Is 0.2mm really worth the extra few thousand to you? 0.20mm/0.10mm additional on any side of the stone is very minimal IMO. Like Christina pointed out... do you think you'd be able to see the thin width of a sheet of paper wrapped around the 2.45 Ct stone? If so, then I'd say get the 2.60. The thin width of a sheet of paper is 0.10mm. Yes I actually measured it!

 

[yssie]

Re: Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics

Are you paying a premium for H&A stones?
If so post or link the hearts pics - esp. for the first one, BGD's H&A are very consistent.

 

[acurrey3]

Re: Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics

Maybe this will help with some informed feedback:

Stone A: http://www.eternitybyyoni.com/diamond_detail.php?id=653417&ref=pricescope

Stone B: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond_details/AGS-104057463034

So which would YOU go with?

 

[TitanCi]

Re: Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics

damn! huge $$ difference. I don't see anything wrong with stone 1 vs. stone 2... is there a particular reason you're hesitant with that stone? Is it solely because of the inclusion you see on ASET? Do you feel the BGD stone will be better than stone 1? Frankly, both ASETs look good (IMO).

What are you leaning towards?

 

[acurrey3]

Re: Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics

That is my exact question. There has to be a reason the BGD stone is priced at $5k+ more for a little larger stone but a drop in clarity? Can anyone shed some light on this?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics

#1, you are paying more for a larger stone. #2 There is no evidence whatsoever that the first stone is hearts and arrows.They should not make that claim without providing hearts images. You do pay a premium for the most perfectly cut stones. The second one is larger and it is at the top of the top as far as cut quality goes. The first one is nice and certainly appears to be ideal cut. But just because they wrote "hearts and arrows" on the listing doesn't make it so.

I'd want to know if that black inclusion on #1 can be seen from the sides, because it is possible. If it is 100% eyeclean, then I don't see any problem with the stone. I am sure it is nice. But if you want a true hearts and arrows stone that could be upgraded if the color eventually bothered her or something, then I'd for sure go with the BG stone. It is larger and if she desires a large diamond, then that would be the obvious choice. They might come down a little in price if you tell them what your other choice is. But still, the BG should cost more because of the size, cut quality, and trade-in policy.

 

[acurrey3]

Re: Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics

This is an interesting decision. Both appear to be very nice stones, so expert feedback would be appreciated.

According to the vendor, Stone A is completely "eye clean". It is also definitely Hearts & Arrows. I was sent the following:




Stone B, appears to be an amazing stone as well. Although, it may appear even more so than Stone A based on the quality of the photographs.

Stone A is definitely a considerable amount less. And is a VS2. Stone B is larger (.2mm on each side), comes with the brand name and noted upgrade policies, etc. But is a SI1 (although appears to be just as/if not more "eye clean" than Stone A) as opposed to a VS2.

So which one do I go with? Is the larger size and name worth the extra $$, despite the drop one level in clarity? If you were buying one of the two which would you go with?

 

[TitanCi]

Re: Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics

^It's 0.2mm larger in total DIAMETER (0.10mm total on each side) vs stone 1. 0.20mm larger on each side would make it 0.40 mm larger in diameter.


So to me, seeing how most things are equal (roughly) with the two stones, at this point...is 0.10mm on either side of the stone worth the $5-7k extra? It's marginally larger IRL. I highly highly doubt the human eye can detect a tenth of a millimeter difference on either side of the stone, so I would put the larger size last on my list considering everything else about the stones... I know that doesn't answer your question, but the size shouldn't be a factor at this point IMO.

 

[yssie]

Re: Help! Buying a RB AGS000 Stone Tonight - Which One (Pics

1. Turning a stone upside down and photographing through an IS does not a hearts photo make. Tell them to retake it - through a H&A scope this time.

2. As DS says, with the BGD you're paying for size, a cross over to the next significant size range - 2.5-3ct instead of 2-2.5ct, proven H&A, branding, generous policies that that branding affords you (upgrade/buyback/etc.)... whether or not those things are worth the substantial price increase is entirely up to you.

3. Also to consider: does one vendor have the setting you want? Better to keep it all in the family if possible - no hassle, no liability issues.