Help me pick a RHR diamond

[Kaycee2018]

Happy hump-day, PSers! I purchased two diamonds for a right hand ring project and I need to pick one. I am leaning towards a three stone design similar this:



I will be taking some time to view them together in various lighting, but so far in my office lighting they both perform great. So my question is, taking price out of the equation (cost is about the same), which of these two would you chose?

(see diamond info and pics in following two posts)

 

[Kaycee2018]

DIAMOND 1 (blue dot):
.96ct H VVS2
Table: 57%
Depth: 61.1%
Measurements: 6.37 x 6.33 x 3.88 mm
Crown: 34°/14.5%
Pavilion: 40.8°/43%
Girdle: Medium - Slightly Thick/3.5%
Inclusions: Pinpoint, Feather, Cloud
HCA: .9
AGA/NAJA Cut Class: 1A
DIAMOND 1 IMAGES:

 

[Kaycee2018]

DIAMOND 2 (red dot):
1.01ct G VS2
Table: 56%
Depth: 62.1%
Measurements: 6.43 x 6.40 x 3.99 mm
Crown: 36°/16%
Pavilion: 40.6°/43%
Girdle: Thin – Medium/3.5%
Inclusions: Crystal
HCA: 1.7
AGA/NAJA Cut Class: 1B
Note for Diamond 2: No ASET/IS images were provided.
DIAMOND 2 IMAGES:

 

[lovedogs]

I think I lean towards #1 because of the ASET looking good and overall it looking more symmetrical.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

I think the H. It looks a bit more symmetrical to me cut wise and I like that it’s 1A cut class! Do you see much difference in size?

 

[elizat]

I normally cannot see a difference in modern rounds- I know there is, but I usually can't see it!- but the first option is much more symmetrical and pleasing to the eye for me.

 

[Kaycee2018]

I think the H. It looks a bit more symmetrical to me cut wise and I like that it’s 1A cut class! Do you see much difference in size?

Honestly, I cannot detect a size difference even when they are side by side. I examined them before I identified them by inscription with a loupe and sometimes I was certain one was the .96 (based on size and cut differences), other times I was unsure. Hopefully viewing under different lighting will help, but right now they perform and appear very similarly was I move them throughout my office.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Honestly, I cannot detect a size difference even when they are side by side. I examined them before I identified them by inscription with a loupe and sometimes I was certain one was the .96 (based on size and cut differences), other times I was unsure. Hopefully viewing under different lighting will help, but right now they perform and appear very similarly was I move them throughout my office.

That’s great to know as I’m hoping to get near the 1ct size myself and I know just under can cost quite a bit less that just over.

 

[lovedogs]

That’s great to know as I’m hoping to get near the 1ct size myself and I know just under can cost quite a bit less that just over.

Most people don't notice size differences below .2, but obviously smaller differences look bigger with smaller stones (e.g. 4.5 vs 4.7mm). But definitely consider .95+ stones bc you'll save a lot and they will mostly look the same (just check mm spread)

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Most people don't notice size differences below .2, but obviously smaller differences look bigger with smaller stones (e.g. 4.5 vs 4.7mm). But definitely consider .95+ stones bc you'll save a lot and they will mostly look the same (just check mm spread)

Thanks @lovedogs! I will.

 

[Kaycee2018]

That’s great to know as I’m hoping to get near the 1ct size myself and I know just under can cost quite a bit less that just over.

For sure go for just under the 1ct mark! Here is a comparison pic of my .92ct earring, my old (and not-so-well cut) 1.01ct "steep deep" earring, the .96ct diamond above, and the 1.01ct diamond above.

Left to right:
.92ct earring= 6.21 x 6.23
1.01ct earring (steep/deep) = 6.28 x 6.32
.96ct Daimond 1 = 6.37 x 6.33
1.01ct Diamond 2 = 6.43 x 6.40


Sorry for my terrible photography skills. The earrings are probably not very clean and it is like herding cats trying to get them all lined up, etc. HTH!

 

[mwilliamanderson]

For sure go for just under the 1ct mark! Here is a comparison pic of my .92ct earring, my old (and not-so-well cut) 1.01ct "steep deep" earring, the .96ct diamond above, and the 1.01ct diamond above.

Left to right:
.92ct earring= 6.21 x 6.23
1.01ct earring (steep/deep) = 6.28 x 6.32
.96ct Daimond 1 = 6.37 x 6.33
1.01ct Diamond 2 = 6.43 x 6.40


Sorry for my terrible photography skills. The earrings are probably not very clean and it is like herding cats trying to get them all lined up, etc. HTH!

Thanks for the picture Kaycee. You and lovedogs have convinced me that it’s a great option!

 

[Kaycee2018]

Thanks for all the input. This is such a great forum for information and ideas and I have taken your input into consideration over the past several days while I’ve inspected the diamonds like a crazy person. Contacts in, contacts out, glasses on, glasses off, indoors under various light sources, outdoors in direct sunlight, diffused sunlight, clouds, overcast, rain, morning, afternoon & evening. Under a loupe, close up, arms length, several feet away, etc. I know I’m supposed to prefer the .96ct better based on the cleaner H&A and advanced image, but for the life of me I have not been able to identity a preference in the actual performance between them. I even removed the colored markings from the prongs and unsuccessfully tried pick a winner. If could say with any sort of certainty that the .96ct diamond is the better performer, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick it over the 1.01ct diamond, but since I can’t I’ll be keeping the 1.01ct for my three stone ring project since I see no reason to give up the higher color and larger diameter/carat size (even if it’s not visible). BUT...since the .96ct diamond is just as beautiful, I may also keep it for a pendant project I’ve also been considering My poor DH...he has no interest in jewelry and I’m pretty sure I’m making him crazy Here’s another sorry attempt at a pic comparing them. I’m working with a rather old iPhone since I have little interest in keeping up with the latest in technology (helps with the bling budget), but I just ordered the 11 Pro, so hopefully I’ll be able to take better pics in the future. Thanks again!

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Seeing these pictures side by side I really love the bottom one. I prefer it’s smaller table reflection and it looks much brighter in the center. Which one is that?

 

[Kaycee2018]

Seeing these pictures side by side I really love the bottom one. I prefer it’s smaller table reflection and it looks much brighter in the center. Which one is that?

Thanks, @mwilliamanderson . That is Diamond 2, the 1.01ct!

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Thanks, @mwilliamanderson . That is Diamond 2, the 1.01ct!

Just goes to show that buying diamonds by the numbers works but seeing them is even better!