I''m at the end of a very long diamond shopping experience. After looking at hundreds of diamonds online and in person, I think I have it down to two eye clean SI2''s that I compared today in person: a 1.77 D (which I currently own) and a 2.19 I. I realize it basically comes down to whether I want to trade down five colors and pay an extra $2000 to increase the diameter by about 0.7 mm. My fiancee is fine with the 1.77 D (which I already proposed with -- it''s a long story), but in subsequent shopping she made it clear that she would trade off some of the high color for extra size. She also mentioned that a larger diamond now might preempt the need to upgrade later. Personally, I would like to go with the diamond that has the most fire and sparkle.
A. 1.77 D SI2 AGS 000, HCA = 1.0, $12,510
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255514.asp
7.76 x 7.83 x 4.79 mm
61.4% depth
55% table
34.6 crown angle
40.7 pavilion angle
girdle - faceted 1% to 2.2%
no fluorescence
I love the 1.77 D, and I have preferred its bling/sparkle over every other diamond (except one that had more fire but also a big black inclusion on the table). The proportions are very close to the Tolkowsky ideal. I also really like the icy white color.
B. 2.19 I SI2 GIA EX/EX/EX, HCA = 0.8, $14,510
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1201734.asp
8.47 x 8.50 x 5.10 mm
60.1% depth
56% table
34.0 crown angle
40.8 pavilion angle
girdle - faceted thin
no fluorescence
I''m no expert, but I thought the 2.19 I faced up pretty white for an I. It also has an incredible spread (i.e., a very large diameter for its carat weight). This is basically the largest face-up diamond anywhere near our budget. It''s got a great cut and sparkle, though I think the 1.77 D sparkles a little more. The 2.19 I would put me $2000 over budget, but I guess I can afford it.
Fyi, my 33-yr old petite fiancee is 5'' 2" and works in business at a large bank in Manhattan. (My frugal and socially conscious sisters and mother in Indiana have diamonds in the 0.9 to 1.25 carat range. I admit I''m a little concerned that my family might frown on my dropping lots of cash on a big rock when I probably should be saving more for a house, the wedding, children, etc. But anyway...)
I would love to hear any thoughts about which diamond should have better fire/scintillation/light performance.
A. 1.77 D SI2 AGS 000, HCA = 1.0, $12,510
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255514.asp
7.76 x 7.83 x 4.79 mm
61.4% depth
55% table
34.6 crown angle
40.7 pavilion angle
girdle - faceted 1% to 2.2%
no fluorescence
I love the 1.77 D, and I have preferred its bling/sparkle over every other diamond (except one that had more fire but also a big black inclusion on the table). The proportions are very close to the Tolkowsky ideal. I also really like the icy white color.
B. 2.19 I SI2 GIA EX/EX/EX, HCA = 0.8, $14,510
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1201734.asp
8.47 x 8.50 x 5.10 mm
60.1% depth
56% table
34.0 crown angle
40.8 pavilion angle
girdle - faceted thin
no fluorescence
I''m no expert, but I thought the 2.19 I faced up pretty white for an I. It also has an incredible spread (i.e., a very large diameter for its carat weight). This is basically the largest face-up diamond anywhere near our budget. It''s got a great cut and sparkle, though I think the 1.77 D sparkles a little more. The 2.19 I would put me $2000 over budget, but I guess I can afford it.
Fyi, my 33-yr old petite fiancee is 5'' 2" and works in business at a large bank in Manhattan. (My frugal and socially conscious sisters and mother in Indiana have diamonds in the 0.9 to 1.25 carat range. I admit I''m a little concerned that my family might frown on my dropping lots of cash on a big rock when I probably should be saving more for a house, the wedding, children, etc. But anyway...)
I would love to hear any thoughts about which diamond should have better fire/scintillation/light performance.
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