Help Me Choose One Diamond

[Lynnchee]

I have three diamonds total and I need to choose just one. I have 3 more days to make a final decision. (feels like an reality show). Above all, I love a diamond with fire.

It's been really overcast and raining all week so it was difficult to shoot videos with good sun. I tried!
It may be because my camera lens is dirty or just that I've been handling the diamonds too much

, but there are a lot of teeny specks all over each diamond. I'm not sure if these are inclusions because when I observe these diamonds through a loupe, these specks are not visible.

These diamonds are between SI1 and VS1.

I think, and I hope you don't mind, that I want to base this solely on appearances first. I don't want price or the place of purchase to sway anyone's decision just yet. I will disclose all details and source of each diamond towards the end to further help the decision making.

I think I am too close to these diamonds to be a real judge of which one is better.

All the pictures are taken with the diamonds in the same order and the videos are labled as Diamond 1, Diamond 2, and Diamond 3, moving left to right.
If you want me to take additional pictures a certain way, then I'd be happy to try again. I actually find this fun. I mean, how often do you get to play with diamonds?

I hope you enjoy this!

 

[Lynnchee]

Another Side pic

 

[Lynnchee]

Another, to see color difference.

 

[Lynnchee]

Faces

 

[DiamondExpert]

I find none of this info very helpful in distinguishing between these stones...the lighting is too strong and wrong...I'd rather see IS and ASET images.

 

[Lynnchee]

Okay. How do I do that? I''m going to an appraisal tomorrow.

 

[Lynnchee]

Well, I thought that the videos would capture the fire and sparkle with the sunlight. Apparently, I don''t know what I''m doing with these pictures I''m taking. Though I''ve seen other pictures on PS that compare stone colors similarly side by side like I have in the second picture. Still, if there isn''t a distinguishable difference between these diamonds for the plain eye to see, then I guess it doesn''t matter. I''ll just choose the best value. I''m still going to see Kathryn Kinev to professionally compare and appraise all three. Until then, I''ll just shut my mouth.. err..lock my fingers away.

 

[purrfectpear]

# 1 is slightly larger and has better color (GOG?)

#2 is the one I prefer based on the still pics (WF?).

#3 just seems blah, but it could very well be angles, and your video of it is the poorest.

None of them look like dogs.

We can''t see them in real life and you have them in hand. Don''t YOU have a clear favorite?

 

[Rhino]

In the pictures I can see color differences that appear to differentiate from colorless to near colorless. When you view them face up are you able to see those differences? From the video it was near impossible to differentiate anything but you get an "a" for effort.

Like Garry said ... ASET/IS imagery would give better data.

 

[DiamondExpert]

Sorry, I was referring to the videos...I guess I was typing as you put in the other pics.

The pav up''s show color difference, but that''s not of prime importance, since the stones won''t be seen that way.

Since you have the advantage of "eyes on", you really need to make the decision on what strikes your fancy...look at the stones in all kinds of indirect lighting...sun, single source, flood, halogen, fluor, incandescent, etc.

 

[Lynnchee]

Date: 6/1/2008 8:15:57 PM
Author: purrfectpear
# 1 is slightly larger and has better color (GOG?)

#2 is the one I prefer based on the still pics (WF?).

#3 just seems blah, but it could very well be angles, and your video of it is the poorest.

None of them look like dogs.

We can''t see them in real life and you have them in hand. Don''t YOU have a clear favorite?

I can hardly tell the difference. I mean.. I can see a slight difference, but It''s so minute. But, like I said, maybe it''s because I know what they are and i''m psyching myself into thinking one is better than the other. I don''t have a clear fav. at this moment.

Yes, the third video sucks. I was walking around the deck chasing the sun. I bet my neighbor thinks i''m strange. I guess it''s not a good way to judge anyway.

For the record, #1 is GOG, #2 is Shane Co, #3 is WF

But it''s such a surprise to us that Shane Co looks a teense better than WF that my guy swears I must have switched the diamond. I seriously seriously doubt that I did. However, they are both different carat weights and different grades of clarity. Their inclusions are mapped out on their respective certificates, so the appraiser can put his mind at ease - and assure him that I was being careful.

Monday we''re going to get personal professional help (heh heh). I am curious on what we''re going to do at the appraisal and see if I can get images there. Perhaps I will post them. Just for fun.

Thank you for your kind words and assistance!

 

[Miranda]

Oh, Lynchee...Just get the biggest one!

 

[Lynnchee]

Date: 6/2/2008 12:04:41 AM
Author: Miranda
Oh, Lynchee...Just get the biggest one!

I just might! Hee hee

 

[Miranda]

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 6/1/2008 8:16:21 PM
Author: Rhino
In the pictures I can see color differences that appear to differentiate from colorless to near colorless. When you view them face up are you able to see those differences? From the video it was near impossible to differentiate anything but you get an ''a'' for effort.

Like Garry said ... ASET/IS imagery would give better data.

yup, ditto - all 3 vids looked the same to me. You are really in the best position to judge - do any of them "speak to you" ? Or, as Miranda said just get the biggest one!

 

[Stephan]

Where are the videos?

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 6/2/2008 12:48:47 PM
Author: QueenMum
Where are the videos?

Moot. They were shot outside with the diamonds being held in white gloves. Between the shaky focus, the too strong lighting and the white gloves, each stone looked almost solid white.

 

[Stephan]

Date: 6/2/2008 1:00:05 PM
Author: purrfectpear

Date: 6/2/2008 12:48:47 PM
Author: QueenMum
Where are the videos?

Moot. They were shot outside with the diamonds being held in white gloves. Between the shaky focus, the too strong lighting and the white gloves, each stone looked almost solid white.

Sorry, where is the link to your videos?

 

[Lynnchee]

Sorry folks, moderators told me that youtube videos are unallowed and edited my posts to take the vids out. It doesn''t matter anyway because looking at the vids you can''t really tell any difference.

In the end, I went to an appraiser and saw them all under a microscope myself. Then compared them side by side in a diamond tray face up. In shadow, spot light, natural, and diffused.

I was there for hours! It was well worth an $85 appraisal of all three. Anway, all three diamonds were beautiful, but Shane co was $600 more and was more included.

Even though shane co was an excellent cut - just as good as WF ACA according to Kathryin Kinev. Still, it wasn''t enough to warrant such a large price increase.

I ended up picking GOG b/c it was bigger (slightly) , better color, and cheaper.

Thanks everyone for your support!

 

[Stephan]

You certainly had a very interesting day at the appraiser.
Congrats with your new diamond!
I hope you will post handshots, as videos are forbidden?
I didn''t see that in the rules, and I remember other members posting youtube videos here on the forum.
Can an administrator explain why this decision?
And is it forbidden to post links to GOG interesting videos?
Sorry to hijack your thread!

 

[Lynnchee]

Date: 6/5/2008 1:22:15 PM
Author: QueenMum
You certainly had a very interesting day at the appraiser.
Congrats with your new diamond!
I hope you will post handshots, as videos are forbidden?
I didn''t see that in the rules, and I remember other members posting youtube videos here on the forum.
Can an administrator explain why this decision?
And is it forbidden to post links to GOG interesting videos?
Sorry to hijack your thread!

I don''t know! Ali told me that only links to personal videos, such as Youtube were forbidden. I guess I should study the forum rules a bit better because I broke 2 rules already about posting stuff I''m not supposed to.

Anyway, I will be posting pics as soon as I get the E-ring. My FI won''t tell me when it''s coming in. I''m getting antsy!