Help choosing between two princess cut diamonds

[DiamondObsessor]

I am looking at two princess cut diamonds, and I would really appreciate your advice on which one to get.

First option
0.76 carat
5.12 x 5.04 x 3.50 mm
69.4% / 72%
VS1
Clarity Characteristics ...... Knot (exact location unknown. Only GIA Dossier is provided)

Second option
0.74 carat
5.03 x 4.98 x 3.50 mm
70.4% / 69%
VVS2
Clarity Characteristics ...... Cloud, Pinpoint (also just a GIA Dossier)

Both are E clarity, excellent polish, and excellent symmetry.

If I go with the second option, I would be going down slightly in size, but I would have a higher clarity and also no knot. I read somewhere that this could reduce the durability of the stone. It is, however, already a VS1 stone.
The second option is slightly more expensive by $150.

Thoughts and recommendations?

 

[slg47]

do you have images?

 

[John P]

At VS1 and VVS2 - assuming strict grading - neither will have a clarity issue.

Without more information it's impossible to comment on cut quality which is - arguably - the most important factor in diamond beauty. Even a D Flawless diamond can be lifeless and dull away from jewelry showroom spotlights if it's not well cut.

Unfortunately most labs do not assess cut quality or performance in shapes other than round, so it's a guessing game for us here unless you have an ASET image (unlikely) or 3D scan of the diamond (even less likely). In cases where neither of those things is available it will be up to your eyes - or the eyes/experience of your chosen expert or advocate - to protect you in terms of cut.

 

[jstarfireb]

Ditto what John said. Cut quality is so important to the beauty of a diamond...it's what really makes a diamond sparkle, regardless of color and clarity. Cut is relatively easy to judge with round diamonds, as the proportions are down to an exact science. Princesses and any other fancy shape are much harder to evaluate. That's why a lot of us here on PS favor AGS-graded princess cuts rather than GIA. Both labs are roughly equivalent with color and clarity grading, but only AGS provides a cut grade for princesses. An AGS0 (ideal cut) princess is likely to be a very beautiful, sparkly stone (but there's still some variation even within that category). So we can't recommend one stone above the other without seeing photos, an ASET image, so some other way of assessing the cut quality. If you're open to buying online (which is really not all that scary), and you tell us your budget and size/color/clarity preferences, we could suggest some well-cut princesses for you.

Going by cut and size, but not knowing what colors you're looking for or what your budget is, here are a couple of options:
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/7997/
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/7995/
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-8680207
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104047876015
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104046177013
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104047236025
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104045927008
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/search.aspx - lots of good ones, too many to post, so do your own search!

 

[DiamondObsessor]

I should have mentioned something about cut at the beginning. Yes, I also understand that cut is the most important characteristic for brilliance. That said, the two that I am looking at are both from Blue Nile and listed as "Signature Ideal" cut diamonds. Regarding pictures, they offer for this cut grade pictures and "Optical Brilliance Analysis" - helpful, although not in high def. Below you can see them.

First option

Second option

This would tend to make me believe that they are of good cut quality. What makes me more concerned me are the inclusions and more specifically the knot inclusion in the slightly bigger stone.
My budget is somewhere around $ 5,000 for both the diamond and setting - all of which I manage to achieve with either of these diamonds and this channel set ring in platinum (http://www.bluenile.com/channel-diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_9918).

Thoughts? I very much value and appreciate you feedback!