Help choosing between 3 RB stones!!!

[Crowned]

Ok, same song and dance. As you can see from my registration date, I am a long-time lurker. I suppose now would be a good time to emerge from the shadows.

What I'm trying to do is maintain the best size stone I can while maintaing color (I or better), clarity (eyeclean), and most importantly cut. I'm trying to do all this with a budget of around $10k.

As of right now, I have placed three stones on hold from James Allen pending idealscope images of each stone. The three stones I'm strongly considering are:

1) 1.39 H SI1 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1437542.asp

2) 1.34 H SI1 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1398082.asp

3) 1.51 H SI2 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1375809.asp

I've done a fair amount of research on diamonds and I believe the three options above are a fair mix what I'm looking for.

I plan to set the stone in a cushion-shaped halo from Victor Canera, Leon Mege, or Steven Kirsch. Also considering the JBEG Mimi halo.

I just need your help to determine if there is a concensus on which stone would be preferred. Right now, based on the picture and stats alone, I'm leaning toward stone 1, but I'm really drawn to stone 2 because of the AGS cert (not sure why!).

Am I at least on the right path here?

 

[farmer gal]

I like the first stone the best if it's eyeclean

 

[tyty333]

I like the first stone the best if it's eyeclean

+1

I would request ideal scope images for the 3.

 

[Crowned]

I requested the idealscope images earlier in the day. I'll be sure to post them here once I receive them. In the meantime, any other opinions or suggestions, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[yssie]

Reports on all three look fine, you'll want to decide what eyeclean means to you (clean from 6" faceup? 12"?) and have JA vet them to your specifications.

 

[Crowned]

Alright, so James Allen just sent me over the ideal scope images for the stones.


Stone 1) 1.39 H SI1

 

[Crowned]

2) 1.34 H SI1

 

[Crowned]

3) 1.51 H SI2

 

[Crowned]

Not exactly sure what I'm looking at, so any assistance would be much appreciated.

I'm in the process of defining eyeclean, but James Allen has suggested that both stones 1 and 2 are very similiar both size-wise and optically speaking. Their overall suggestion is stone 1.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Dancing Fire]

yes,#1

 

[Unknown]

Interesting! All three are excellent cut, but IS images are so different.
I vote for #1

 

[Crowned]

In terms of the cut (of stone #1, for example), would there be a tremendous visual difference between this stone and a branded super ideal?

I don't necessarily need hearts and arrows, but I am looking for a stone that will provide a top notch cut.