Help deciding between two diamonds.

[sparklz]

Hi Everyone, I am a long time lurker, first time poster. My boyfriend and I are getting serious about a purchase and need help deciding. We currently have two stones on reserve and need to decide what we are going to do soon. I would like everyone’s opinions on these two stones. One is smaller than the other, but probably a better cut. I have a tendency to want the bigger stone, but I also know that cut is king and if the bigger stone isn’t cut as well it won’t look as big. Please let me know what you think.

Also, a little about me: I have a size 7 finger and want something that will look substantial. I am not color sensitive (looking for I’s or J’s) and I don’t need a ‘mind-clean’ stone, just an eye-clean stone. We are trying to stay under $13,000 for the stone and this will be our only stone (no upgrading). The stone will be set in a solitaire and eventually worn with a diamond wedding band. The style of solitaire’s I am looking at are Leon’s classic solitaire, Mark Morrell’s BT_Wedding_set (without the matching band), and the Vatche Caroline setting.

Thanks for your help!

Diamond #1 – GOG
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/4829/
Shape: Round H&A
Carat Weight: 1.72
Color: J
Clarity: VS2
AGS Cut Grade: Ideal
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Florescence: None
Culet: None
Lab Report: AGS 8732902
Width: 7.73mm
Length: 7.74mm
Depth: 4.76mm
Table Percent: 55.7%
Depth Percent: 61.5%
Crown Angle: 34
Crown Depth: 15%
Pavilion Angle: 41
Pavilion Depth: 43.4%
HCA: 1.3
Price $12,687

Diamond #2 –James Allen
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?find=1&cid=130&item=1176622
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 2.08
Color: J
Clarity: SI1
Cut: AGS Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: 1.2% - 4.0%
Florescence: None
Culet: None
Lab Report: AGS 9587303
Width: 8.21mm
Length: 8.17mm
Depth: 5.07mm
Table Percent: 56%
Depth Percent: 61.9%
Crown Angle: 35
Pavilion Angle: 40.9
HCA: 1.9
Price $12,800 w/Pricescope Discount
I am waiting on the Idealscope image and the stone is eye-clean

 

[stone-cold11]

Both are excellent cut, stone 2 loose out with a less than ideal girdle and probably no H&A pattern which is what GOG stone 1 has and of course the clarity.

 

[sparklz]

Thanks Stone-cold!

When I asked JA about the girdle, they said it shouldn''t be a problem. Does anyone here see a problem with the girdle on diamond #2?

Since diamond #1 has a H&A pattern, will it significantly out perform diamond #2, which is not classified as a H&A? Of course, I want the biggest stone possible on our budget, but I also want the stone to perform well. Is the H&A pattern of diamond #1 worth the carat drop from 2.08 to 1.72?

 

[stone-cold11]

The thicker girdle only means more hidden weight than optimum, probably not much effect on the overall light performance. It is more like it being the traditional grading convention used on RB cut stone.

Not sure about the H&A performance but GIA did a blind test on the H&A and did not find a noticeable preference for it and thus refuse to grade the H&A pattern, should be able to find his infomation out in the advance tutorial on H&A pattern. So, IMHO it comes down to the wow factor of a H&A and presonal preference.

 

[sparklz]

Thanks again Stone-cold.

Anyone else have an opinion on the two stones? The price on stone #2 is pretty low...almost makes me think there is something wrong with it. Does anyone see any red flags? I will post the ideal-scope when I get it.

 

[sparklz]

Finally received the ideal-scope image and it is posted below (hopefully!). Any other comments on diamond #2 the 2.08 stone? We would like to make a decision today.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Lorelei]

The 2.08 is a lovely diamond, check it is eyeclean to your standards. Another factor to consider is if you ever change your minds and decide an upgrade might ever be a possibility, the terms of each vendors' policies vary, so you might want to read up on that and factor it into your decision. They are both gorgeous stones, so it depends on whether you want to hit the 2 ct mark if that diamond is eyeclean, or go for the smaller one - either will be excellent performers.

 

[stone-cold11]

Ditto to wat lorelei said.