Help evaluate the price and quality of 4 diamond selections

[vidvath]

I am getting a three stone ring with a round center diamond (ring size:4.5). It would be great if folks in the forum can evaluate the pricing and the quality of the diamond itself and help me make a selection. Also, if you think there are other diamond sources out there which have these specs but are lower prices, please let me know.

Here are the specs of the diamonds I am interested in:
1) Selection 1 (Priced at $3080)
Carat Weight 0.70 carat
Cut IDEAL
Color F
Clarity VS2
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry VERY GOOD
Fluorescence NONE
Measurements 5.63-5.69 x 3.55mm
Table 55%
Depth 62.8%
Crown angle 36.0
Pavilion angle 40.6
Girdle thin - medium (faceted) 3.5%
Clarity Characteristics Feather, Crystal

2) Selection 2 (Priced at $3522)
Carat Weight 0.74 carat
Cut IDEAL
Color G
Clarity VS1
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT
Fluorescence NONE
Measurements 5.77-5.80 x 3.58mm
Table 58%
Depth 61.8%
Crown angle 36.0
Pavilion angle 40.6
Girdle thin - medium (faceted) 3.5%
Clarity Characteristics Crystal, Feather, Cloud

3) Selection 3 (Priced at $3120)
Carat Weight 0.76 carat
Cut IDEAL
Color G
Clarity VS2
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT
Fluorescence NONE
Measurements 5.92-5.94 x 3.56mm
Table 60%
Depth 60%
Crown angle 33
Pavilion angle 41
Girdle thin - medium to slightly thick (faceted) 3.5%
Clarity Characteristics Crystal, Twinning wisp

4) Selection 4 (Priced at $3513)
Carat Weight 0.78 carat
Cut IDEAL
Color G
Clarity VS2
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT
Fluorescence NONE
Measurements 5.85-5.87 x 3.66mm
Table 56%
Depth 62.4%
Crown angle 35.5
Pavilion angle 40.6
Girdle thin - medium to slightly thick (faceted) 4.0%
Clarity Characteristics Crystal, Cloud

Please let me know what you think my best decision would be for these options.

Thanks!!!

 

[kenny]

Re: Help evaluate the price and quality of 4 diamond selecti

Selecting a well-cut round is easy.

Step 1: plug all 4 into the HCA.
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca
Reject if it scores over 2.0.

Step 2: get an Idealscope image.
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/ideal-scope

Compare it to this chart.



If your vendor will not provide an Idealsope pic you can buy your own idealscope here, or find another vendor.
http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_order.asp

Long-time experts may find some well cut rounds that fail the above two steps but few of us are long-time experts, and there are plenty of rounds for sale that do pass the above two simple tests.

 

[kenny]

Re: Help evaluate the price and quality of 4 diamond selecti

Check out these vendors, which have many well-cut rounds, good prices and policies.
whiteflash
goodoldgold
brangavindiamonds
jamesallen

 

[GoSounders]

Re: Help evaluate the price and quality of 4 diamond selecti

I like #3 just based on stats. Largest spread, 2nd cheapest, and 1.4 on HCA.

Agreed on the need for ASET/Idealscope image to go beyond numbers.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Help evaluate the price and quality of 4 diamond selecti

Rule out #1 because it is too deep and makes the stones diameter too small. Need ideal scope images and magnified images of the other ones.

 

[vidvath]

Re: Help evaluate the price and quality of 4 diamond selecti

Thanks Kelly, GoSounders and diamondseeker2006. I did check the HCA scores and all of them have scores below 2. But I do not have idealscope images yet. I will ask the vendor for them. How important is it to take a look at them for the buying process? Also, I am a little skeptical about purchasing diamonds online. Do you think these online vendors you have suggested are reliable? How can I make sure that the diamonds I order based on the online specs will be equally good in person? Apart from the 2 steps you mentioned, should I be aware of any other steps to keep in mind while purchasing online from any of these vendors?

GoSounders, the #3 has the same depth and table (60), is that ok? Also, it says it has a twinning wisp. I have read that it can be detrimental to the diamond's integrity. Any thoughts?

I am leaning towards #4, any thoughts on that?