Help me decide between these two

[shmez]

My original budget was always $15K. I have bought both stones and now I need to return one. Tell me which to return please cause this is killing me:

Stone 1 ($15,239)
GIA
Shape: Square modified Brilliant (Princess)
measurements: 7.36x7.16x5.26
Weight: 2.22
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very good
Flor: None
Table: 75
Depth: 73.5
Girdle: Very thin to Thick


Stone 2 ($10,200)
GIA
Shape: Square modified Brilliant (Princess)
measurements: 7.45x7.36x4.68
Weight: 2.02
Color: J
Clarity: VS1
Polish: Very good
Symmetry: good
Flor: None
Table: 69
Depth: 63.6
Girdle: Thin - Medium

Comments: Both stones look amazing to the eye and I cannot really tell them apart.
The J stone is surprisingly colorless even when held up to the H stone.
So my questions are:
1) Which is the better value?
2) Is there a way (maybe using the latest RAPAPORT) someone can tell me the adjusted value of each?
3) Which of these has the more desirable table and depth values? I think I know but would love for the experts to chime in.
4) I am not ever gonna resell either of these, I'm giving one of them to my future wife so I really don't care about resale. If the color cannot be discerned by the naked eye between the two (maybe I have a bad H or a great J ) should I just go with the cheaper stone and call it a day? Maybe spend a bit more on the setting to make up the diff?

 

[yssie]

1. We really can't tell you much with just those numbers - post GIA report numbers as well, and photos if you can take some closeups if you want more thoughts. #1 is quite out-of-square, and I'd want professional confirmation that the vthn part of girdle poses no concerns re. durability in setting/daily wear

2. Rap is really not a good way to judge value as we're talking about it here - it does not consider things like patterning, proportions details, branding, vendor and policies... all of which *do* of course make a difference in pricing. As for "better value" - the only answer is whichever one you like better, and feel better about buying! Especially if you aren't interested in resale. Those prices seem low even for non-branded stones...?

3. Did you compare them in a variety of lighting types? Spotlights of course, but also in the diffuse white office lights, in the shade by a window with white/grey walls/curtains, in the dimness under a table... I ask because different stones with different types of facet patterns and proportions will return light differently in different lights, and you want to be sure you're choosing the one you find more pleasing across a variety of lighting types. Wear a white shirt, too.

4. #2 above is also important because colour differences become more obvious in some types of lights. Be sure to spend a little time in each room - you might find that after ten minutes or so your eyes pick up nuances they didn't note right away

5. Just because your budget is 15k doesn't mean you're obligated to spend the entirety of it! If you are happier with the J and her dream setting is another 1k there's nothing wrong with pocketing the remainder - put it toward the wedding, or honeymoon!

 

[TristanC]

put them side by side (1 inch apart), show them to people who you can show them to, and just ask randomly which they prefer.

Ask them why. Doesn't need to be a good reason.

if you see consistency, then you have a more desirable stone. From the figures above, there are too many variables to be able to judge online like this. You have the stones on hand, it would be nice to get visual opinions

 

[shmez]

That is great advice! Thank you! I'll do that tomorrow.
Those were all the info on both GIA reports btw. There's literally no other numbers that I know to share with you.
On the face of it it would seem (using the washinton diamond calculator) that stone 1 is a slightly better deal.
I don't want to mention any names, but stone 1 is from a major online retailer and stone 2 is from a friend of a friend who is in the business. The guy basically trashed stone 1 obviously to make the sale. But the both have given me 30 days to return either one.
I have them each in a temporary setting.

I do have to share this however now that you mentioned lighting. If I use my high powered LED flashlight, and shine directly into stone 2, I don't like the reflection that I see (See attached drawing). I almost gives me back 4 distinct black areas while stone 1 doesn't. But then how often is there going to be an LED flashlight shown directly into it from above? I'll try the other lighting ideas.

 

[shmez]

put them side by side (1 inch apart), show them to people who you can show them to, and just ask randomly which they prefer.

Ask them why. Doesn't need to be a good reason.

if you see consistency, then you have a more desirable stone. From the figures above, there are too many variables to be able to judge online like this. You have the stones on hand, it would be nice to get visual opinions

This is also great advice. The two people I have shown them both to couldn't tell them apart really. And I really don't wanna let the cat out of the bag just yet so I have only a limited supply of people I can ask. Thanks

If going based only on dimensions which would be the better choice would you say? If everything else was the same:

Stone 1
measurements: 7.36x7.16x5.26
Table: 75
Depth: 73.5
Girdle: Very thin to Thick


Stone 2
measurements: 7.45x7.36x4.68
Table: 69
Depth: 63.6
Girdle: Thin - Medium

 

[yssie]

That is great advice! Thank you! I'll do that tomorrow.
Those were all the info on both GIA reports btw. There's literally no other numbers that I know to share with you.

On the face of it it would seem (using the washinton diamond calculator) that stone 1 is a slightly better deal.
I don't want to mention any names, but stone 1 is from a major online retailer and stone 2 is from a friend of a friend who is in the business. The guy basically trashed stone 1 obviously to make the sale. But the both have given me 30 days to return either one.
I have them each in a temporary setting.

I do have to share this however now that you mentioned lighting. If I use my high powered LED flashlight, and shine directly into stone 2, I don't like the reflection that I see (See attached drawing). I almost gives me back 4 distinct black areas while stone 1 doesn't. But then how often is there going to be an LED flashlight shown directly into it from above? I'll try the other lighting ideas.

I want the date report was issued and plot diagrams
If you want to just copy and paste that info and pics that's fine too
That's a common type of obstruction pattern - but, again, we can't tell you anything with any certainty without closeups.

 

[shmez]

Okay here are the reports.

 

[shmez]

And here is a close up

 

[shmez]

some photos

 

[shmez]

and more photos, one more coming

 

[shmez]

one last one

 

[yssie]

Okay, they're of similar type and the reports are recent enough not to be of concern

I'm wondering if the natural(s?) is the reason for the vthn area of girdle? The corner of a princess is especially delicate so you'll want a professional's review of whether that vthn region is an undue durability risk

It looks like you spent some more time playing with them today, what do you think (of the stones and settings, if you're going to keep them as-is)?

 

[shmez]

Okay, they're of similar type and the reports are recent enough not to be of concern

I'm wondering if the natural(s?) is the reason for the vthn area of girdle? The corner of a princess is especially delicate so you'll want a professional's review of whether that vthn region is an undue durability risk

It looks like you spent some more time playing with them today, what do you think (of the stones and settings, if you're going to keep them as-is)?

Okay, I can't tell the color difference per se. But, I do like stone 1 better. Even though it's technically not the better cut (Girdle, and depth wise), it looks very organized when you look at it head on, while stone 2 looks like a bit of a mess. I just don't know if that's worth the extra $5k or not.
Everything I read and do seems to make stone 1 a slightly better deal than stone 2 but either way, neither one is a rip off.

 

[yssie]

Okay, they're of similar type and the reports are recent enough not to be of concern

I'm wondering if the natural(s?) is the reason for the vthn area of girdle? The corner of a princess is especially delicate so you'll want a professional's review of whether that vthn region is an undue durability risk

It looks like you spent some more time playing with them today, what do you think (of the stones and settings, if you're going to keep them as-is)?

Okay, I can't tell the color difference per se. But, I do like stone 1 better. Even though it's technically not the better cut (Girdle, and depth wise), it looks very organized when you look at it head on, while stone 2 looks like a bit of a mess. I just don't know if that's worth the extra $5k or not.
Everything I read and do seems to make stone 1 a slightly better deal than stone 2 but either way, neither one is a rip off.

Of course I don't know how you feel, but I know that if I settle knowingly I usually regret it. 5k is a lot, though! Do get a professional opinion on the girdle - you want to be making as educated a decision as possible.

True!

 

[shmez]

Okay. Thanks for making me go out and do this.
I took it to a great local Jeweler her. Super super nice couple.
The looked at it for me and basically said that stone was in a very bad VS2 (which I knew because with my loop I can see all kinds of stuff inside).
They also assured me that stone 2 is a relatively better stone and has more fire and they would rather have that for 10k than stone 1 for 15k.
The color is different to be sure, but in a setting, in regular light, I bet 90% the people couldn't tell which is which.

Thanks a lot for your help. I'm going to start the return process on stone one asap.

Thanks