HELP!! Need help deciding between 2 bigger stones!

[Mechealle]

My boyfriend and I met with a private jeweler and we are stuck on the following two stones. Both brilliant oval cut however SO stuck on deciding.

Option 1
- carat: 2.51
- color: D color
- cut: excellent
- clarity: S12 (eye clean, even under the loop it looks SO good, the jeweler said this is a scenario where they were screwed in the GIA grading process as it should have gotten a better grade in clarity)
- L/W ratio: 1.52 (a little slimmer than I'd like, especially when compared next to a thicker/more "football" like Oval but I think it'll be okay and I heard once it's set it won't look as thin?)
- polish: excellent
- florescent: none
- price: $25,400

Option 2
- carat: 3.03
- cut: excellent
- color: I (as in Indigo)
- clarity: S12 (eye clean, under the loop you definitely see the inclusions... crazy compared to think that Option 1 and this stone are both SI2's bc Option 1 looked so clean in the loop per I mentioned above)
- L/W ratio: perfect for my liking
- polish: excellent
- florescent: none
- price: $26,430

Ideally, I would like a 3 carat however not if I feel I am compromising on multiple fronts. I am scared the I COLOR is too yellow but is this just because I am comparing it next to a D (the jeweler said it's unfair to compare really anything next to a D)? Also, in order to be in our budget ($30k for the stone) I feel like we have to be in the SI2 range (which is fine) but after comparing Option 1's clarity, and it being super clean even in the loop then looking at Option 2 in the loop and clearly seeing the inclusion I feel like I am now compromising on the clarity in addition to the color. or should I just stop thinking that way bc we are talking about stuff under magnification that no one will see?

I understand this ultimately is my decision and it really comes down to if I want the bigger stone and taking a hit on the color OR go with the smaller one with the best color and even a "cleaner" SI2. Again, we are still below our budget but read that if I remain in the 3-carat range and go up in color we are going to go up thousands of more $ and at that point, I don't think it is worth it.

Based on this info would I be a fool to take Option 2? Like is Option 1 a MUCH better deal?

 

[tyty333]

Have you looked at the "I" under different lighting conditions?

Make sure you would be happy with it in all lighting. The D will never have a tint (in my experience) but the "I" will show some
tint in some lighting conditions especially in such a large stone.

They both look to be nice stones. I would look at them one at a time. I think its going to be hard to figure out whether the
size over the color is a good tradeoff (and yes, you are the only one that can decide).

Dont know if this will help you (it helps me). I flip a coin to decide which one. Then depending on how I feel about the coin
flip tells me which one I really want to go with. Kind of forces your true feelings out. If I feel bummed that the D is the winner
then I know I really want the size the "I" has to offer. If I feel really insecure about the "I" being the winner then I Know the color
may be bothering me too much and in the long run the D would be a better option.

Good luck!

 

[xxxxxx]

I find the D color wise more attractive. As Ovals tend to show more color you should really think about what color you prefer.

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

I too, prefer the D color. Plus the characteristics are less obvious which is great. Ultimately it's your decision, but since you have reservations about the I color, I would advise against it.

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

Oops...I just looked at the reports. I'm not sure about etch channels. Can someone more knowledgeable about them weigh in? Could it compromise the stone?

 

[Big Fat Facets]

of the 2 options, taking into account the images and specifications provided,

I would go with the d color 2.51 carat oval. I understand ovals, pears and marquise can concentrate color unevenly. I cannot stress enough, Color is EXTREMELY PERSONAL. What's truly most important is what you are comfortable with. Some love a warmth while others want that brightness.

Have you considered if the setting will be white metal or yellow or rose gold?? Will that help you select the best color diamond for you?

I have my own particular subset of bias. I will, typically, compomise on size for color & clarity in certain cuts of a diamond.

 

[flyingpig]

Unusually clean looking SI2 with "Clouds are not shown"

This mean the diamond might be milky and cloudy. Proceed with caution.
Assess the diamond under various lighting conditions, particularly under strong direct light, and check for transparency.

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

Unusually clean looking SI2 with "Clouds are not shown"

This mean the diamond might be milky and cloudy. Proceed with caution.
Assess the diamond under various lighting conditions, particularly under strong direct light, and check for transparency.

I agree, but it looks great in the pic. What about the etch channel? I'm thinking that's a big part of the reason for the grade. Thoughts?

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Of course the D is a beautiful icy white, but to me personally I wouldn’t want to sacrifice the extra size, so I would go for the I. Size trumps color for me, always. I’m not color sensitive enough to be bothered by the slight tint of the I.

But this isnt about me, so really, the only person who can make that decision is you! What I consider a little hint may be more than just slight to you, or it may be that you just need/love the icy white so much you don’t need the extra size. It could also be that you agree with me. I like @tyty333’s advice, I think it’s very sound. Only you can know if the tint is something you can live with.

 

[Mamajemmy]

I’d do the D for sure. I have an I and see warmth in it in some lights but not in pictures. That oval I appears to have some good warmth— though it’s still beautiful!

 

[Big Fat Facets]

I’d do the D for sure. I have an I and see warmth in it in some lights but not in pictures. That oval I appears to have some good warmth— though it’s still beautiful!

That's a particularly good point. The I color oval appears lower on the color scale of I, probably closer to a j color.

 

[Gussie]

The clarity on the 3 ct stone has twinning wisps on the table and surface graining. I just traded in my stone because of these type if inclusions, the transparency was definitely affected.

Like @flyingpig, I would be very careful about any SI2 stone with clouds. There is a reason why it's SI2. Do not listen to a sales pitch that someone at GIA had a bad day. Just mho.

 

[Mechealle]

Oops...I just looked at the reports. I'm not sure about etch channels. Can someone more knowledgeable about them weigh in? Could it compromise the stone?

Thanks so much for your thoughts on this! Would you mind informing me of what "etch channels" are?

 

[Mechealle]

of the 2 options, taking into account the images and specifications provided,

I would go with the d color 2.51 carat oval. I understand ovals, pears and marquise can concentrate color unevenly. I cannot stress enough, Color is EXTREMELY PERSONAL. What's truly most important is what you are comfortable with. Some love a warmth while others want that brightness.

Have you considered if the setting will be white metal or yellow or rose gold?? Will that help you select the best color diamond for you?

I have my own particular subset of bias. I will, typically, compomise on size for color & clarity in certain cuts of a diamond.

Thanks so much for this!!! I am planning on going with a thin, yellow gold band with a white gold setting with under halo (like the photo attached). With the yellow gold band do you think that will make it more warmth or show contrast?

 

[Mechealle]

The clarity on the 3 ct stone has twinning wisps on the table and surface graining. I just traded in my stone because of these type if inclusions, the transparency was definitely affected.

Like @flyingpig, I would be very careful about any SI2 stone with clouds. There is a reason why it's SI2. Do not listen to a sales pitch that someone at GIA had a bad day. Just mho.

Thanks so much for this.. would you mind telling me what "twinning wisps" are? It obviously isn't a good thing. I know you noticed it on the 3-carat, do you see as well on the 2.51?

 

[Mechealle]

Have you looked at the "I" under different lighting conditions?

Make sure you would be happy with it in all lighting. The D will never have a tint (in my experience) but the "I" will show some
tint in some lighting conditions especially in such a large stone.

They both look to be nice stones. I would look at them one at a time. I think its going to be hard to figure out whether the
size over the color is a good tradeoff (and yes, you are the only one that can decide).

Dont know if this will help you (it helps me). I flip a coin to decide which one. Then depending on how I feel about the coin
flip tells me which one I really want to go with. Kind of forces your true feelings out. If I feel bummed that the D is the winner
then I know I really want the size the "I" has to offer. If I feel really insecure about the "I" being the winner then I Know the color
may be bothering me too much and in the long run the D would be a better option.

Good luck!

Thanks a ton for this! We originally saw the stones outside, enclosed, and also walked into direct sunlight. It's been a few days and think I am going to go see them again, separately... starting with the 3.03/I first to see if I can notice the warmth without starting at the 2.51/D beforehand.

My issue is I feel like if I go with the 3-carat, I am getting the super-luxury car but with a shit ton of miles vs getting the smaller car, still nice (that seems to be a better deal?) but less flashy/not as big. It's probably an awful way to look at it this way but I don't want to have a bigger ring if it's shitty.

 

[Big Fat Facets]

@Mechealle

I understand your dream carat weight is 3 carats. I can completely understand and relate.

Are you purchasing from a vendor that offers a trade up program?? That is a component to consider. Can make things alot easier if you are not at you "ideal" carat weight. In the future, for a significant or milestone anniversary trade up to achieve your ideal carat weight.

i love the tasteful setting you've selected!

by the way, you've got a duplicate thread on the same subject

 

[cflutist]

Why don't you wait longer to find a F-G, VS2-SI1?
I personally wouldn't settle for either stone.

 

[Gussie]

This explains twinning wisps much better than I can.

Twinning Wisp Inclusions In Diamonds | Are They Good Or Bad?

If the clarity characteristic "Twinning Wisps" appears on a diamond grading report, it indicates included inter-growth within the diamond crystal structure.

niceice.com

And surface graining

Understanding Diamond Graining: Insights & Impacts on Clarity

Graining is a common diamond characteristic that is sometimes noted on a laboratory report and may affect its clarity grade. Learn about types and impacts of diamond graining here.

www.whiteflash.com

The 2.5 D stone does not have these type of inclusions but it has clouds. I am always leary of clouds in a SI stone. Transparency is very important to me. I learned that recently!

 

[Mechealle]

Why don't you wait longer to find a F-G, VS2-SI1?
I personally wouldn't settle for either stone.

Is that doable within a 30k price range? I am in no rush.

 

[Mechealle]

@Mechealle

I understand your dream carat weight is 3 carats. I can completely understand and relate.

Are you purchasing from a vendor that offers a trade up program?? That is a component to consider. Can make things alot easier if you are not at you "ideal" carat weight. In the future, for a significant or milestone anniversary trade up to achieve your ideal carat weight.

i love the tasteful setting you've selected!

by the way, you've got a duplicate thread on the same subject

Thanks for asking, this was a crucial question we had to ask the jeweler and the answer was yes... great idea for a milestone anniversary as if I got 3 carats, I'm not sure if I'd want to even go bigger. Thx

 

[Mamajemmy]

Thanks so much for this!!! I am planning on going with a thin, yellow gold band with a white gold setting with under halo (like the photo attached). With the yellow gold band do you think that will make it more warmth or show contrast?

I have the same type of setting and I love it. I had my 2.3 I previously set in white metal and love the yellow gold more!

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

Thanks so much for your thoughts on this! Would you mind informing me of what "etch channels" are?

From my understanding, an etch channel is like a little tunnel in the diamond. My concern would be if it would compromise the diamond and make it more prone to damage. Also, since they are surface breaching, I'd be worried about dirt getting in.

 

[Texas Leaguer]

An etched channel is a rather rare inclusion type that results from partial dissolution of the diamond at some point in its long growth process. It is generally open to the surface.

While feathers are generally open to the surface as well, the opening is so small that nothing can really enter it during normal wear. But an etched channel, like a cavity, is big enough to trap dirt and grime.

Because this feature is listed third on Keys to Plot, it is not the grade setting inclusion so it probably does not present a significant durability risk.

 

[Gemly]

My boyfriend and I met with a private jeweler and we are stuck on the following two stones. Both brilliant oval cut however SO stuck on deciding.

Option 1
- carat: 2.51
- color: D color
- cut: excellent
- clarity: S12 (eye clean, even under the loop it looks SO good, the jeweler said this is a scenario where they were screwed in the GIA grading process as it should have gotten a better grade in clarity)
- L/W ratio: 1.52 (a little slimmer than I'd like, especially when compared next to a thicker/more "football" like Oval but I think it'll be okay and I heard once it's set it won't look as thin?)
- polish: excellent
- florescent: none
- price: $25,400

Option 2
- carat: 3.03
- cut: excellent
- color: I (as in Indigo)
- clarity: S12 (eye clean, under the loop you definitely see the inclusions... crazy compared to think that Option 1 and this stone are both SI2's bc Option 1 looked so clean in the loop per I mentioned above)
- L/W ratio: perfect for my liking
- polish: excellent
- florescent: none
- price: $26,430

Ideally, I would like a 3 carat however not if I feel I am compromising on multiple fronts. I am scared the I COLOR is too yellow but is this just because I am comparing it next to a D (the jeweler said it's unfair to compare really anything next to a D)? Also, in order to be in our budget ($30k for the stone) I feel like we have to be in the SI2 range (which is fine) but after comparing Option 1's clarity, and it being super clean even in the loop then looking at Option 2 in the loop and clearly seeing the inclusion I feel like I am now compromising on the clarity in addition to the color. or should I just stop thinking that way bc we are talking about stuff under magnification that no one will see?

I understand this ultimately is my decision and it really comes down to if I want the bigger stone and taking a hit on the color OR go with the smaller one with the best color and even a "cleaner" SI2. Again, we are still below our budget but read that if I remain in the 3-carat range and go up in color we are going to go up thousands of more $ and at that point, I don't think it is worth it.

Based on this info would I be a fool to take Option 2? Like is Option 1 a MUCH better deal?

I personally prefer the 3 ct. stone based on the photos. Granted, you’d need to assess the inclusions in various lighting environments, but to me it is the more beautiful stone. I feel that the color gives it an antique vibe and would be beautiful in a setting that emphasizes this style. Good luck with your decision!!