Help comparing two diamonds for e-ring please (PICS)

[plg_cp]

Hi, I''ve been lurking and learning for my upcoming diamond purchase for an e-ring.
I am trying to compare a BlueNile Sig. Collection diamond with one from a PS vendor.

I want to maximize visual performance of the stone (of course) but the technical images available to compare vary so I''d like some help with this if possible!

I''ve attached idealscope and H&A images for the PS vendor stone and the Optical Brilliance Analysis, Optical Symmetry Analysis and Photomicrograph from the GCAL report for the BlueNile stone.

Is it reasonable to use the photomicrograph image from BN to compare to the hearts image for the second stone to judge the quality? Does anyone have an opinion about which stone is better and/or whether both look like winners/losers? They are both about 0.45ct and the BN stone is a bit cheaper (due to clarity difference perhaps).

Thanks!
Mark

Specs:

Blue Nile stone:
AGS0 SI1/G, HCA = 0.9 (ex/ex/ex/vg)
Depth 61.1, Table 55, Crown 34.1, Pav 40.7, Culet 2.0

PS vendor stone:
AGS0 VS2/G, HCA = 0.6 (ex/ex/ex/vg)
Depth 60.4, Table 56, Crown 34.2, Pav 40.6, pointed culet
Also it has "H&A" engraved, not sure if this means brand name or not.


Stone 1 (BlueNile) pics:

<--white light return

<--symmetry

<--photo

Stone 2 pics:

 

[joycer]

Go for the PS vendor. The symmetry is far superior (hearts and arrows much better) and PS vendors here know they have some of the toughest customers to please (and they do all the time) due to the knowledge they receive here. The angles and % look great on the PS stone also. If I were in your position, I''d check what return policy the PS vendor has. I''d make a purchase and bring it to my local HOF dealer or equivalent H&A and have them do a quick steam clean then compare diamonds. If you''re not happy with the PS diamond then send it back. That way you''ll be able to judge for yourself how well it performs, cause in the end, that''s the only way you can be completely sure you like your diamond, with your own eyes.

The reason I said have them steam clean it is they can do so in a matter of seconds and that way the diamonds being compared are on a level playing field to sparkle.

-joycer

 

[plg_cp]

Thanks Joycer.

Looking at the IdealScope image for Stone 2 above, is there any cause for concern with the paler table area or does it look like good light return?
Basically I''m wondering if you all would recommend I keep looking based on the posted IS and H&A images, or if Stone 2 is probably about the best I''ll find?

Mark

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

he ideal-scope is as good as it gets

 

[Regular Guy]

Of course, I''m a sucker for Pricescope vendors, too, but Mark''s done a particularly nice job bringing in comparative images...maybe even parallel technologies, from another outfit. I''d like to hear comparative comments, as well.

 

[plg_cp]

Thanks for the feedback!

I''ll be going to a B&M to look at real stones

next week for the first time. So far I''ve been looking purely online based on the #s. The salesperson is sort of a family acquiantance so I have more trust than I would in a complete stranger. He said he normally recommends AGS1 or 2 cut to his clients. I told him that I''m especially interested in cut quality and am looking at AGS0.

He said that I wouldn''t be able to tell the difference but I believe he''s going to get some AGS 0 and 1/2 in for me to compare anyway. I''m looking forward to seeing the difference but I''m pretty sure that everyone here would tell me that for sure the performance difference is visible, correct? Does it make a difference that I''m looking at +-0.45cts only (ie. does the cut quality have less impact at a smaller size?

Assuming I will want to go with AGS0, I assume he won''t be able to touch the prices from PS vendors. Does anyone have an opinion on whether he would probably still be willing to set the stone for me if I go online? (I''d buy setting from him). Any suggestions on what approach to take when going to see him to let him know he''s competing with online but not alienate him?

Thanks
Mark

 

[Maxine]

He will very likely be willing to set the stone for you, and to help you with routine cleanings, inspections etc. But don''t discount his ability to sell you the stone if he has something you want...He might be willing and able to price match the stone price to that on the web, or very close to it....see what he says...he''ll probably understand if he can''t match the price and you decide to buy elsewhere....The one difference might be whether you pay sales tax by shopping at locally...........

 

[plg_cp]

haha, yeah don''t get me started about sales tax...I''m in Canada so to buy online (from the US needless to say) I not only pay my full local tax rate on the import, but I pay 10% duty plus tax on the duty too! Then there''s the additional shipping cost. I estimate that about 37% of the entire out of pocket cost will be for shipping/tax/duty, which is disgusting to me...so the B&M has all that leeway as well to be able to match the price...maybe it can be done.

Mark

 

[Maxine]

WOW! That''s something to consider......!!!!!!

 

[plg_cp]

yeah...it would actually be cheaper for me to travel to a PS vendor with a store in say NY, pick it up and go home. Assuming I avoid the duty/taxes that way...is that correct or do I still have to pay them - anyone know?

M

 

[Maxine]

Date: 3/18/2005 3:24:14 PM
Author: plg_cp
yeah...it would actually be cheaper for me to travel to a PS vendor with a store in say NY, pick it up and go home. Assuming I avoid the duty/taxes that way...is that correct or do I still have to pay them - anyone know?

M

You might sant to start a separate thread to ask that question.......