Help! Nervous first time buyer!

[a-r-243]

Hi,

Wondered if you guys could help me assess the diamond I'm about to buy for my girlfriend to propose? I've found your forum incredibly helpful and have done SO much reading to help me narrow down my choices. It's such a lot of money for me to spend though and I'm very nervous about it so would love for your advice on the two options below. Option 1 is a little more expensive, despite being 1.3 carat, but I wasn't sure if this was because it's colour F instead of G. I was slightly worried about the HCA scores, but I've read on your forum not to get too stressed out about this provided the score is below 2, and the general proportions are right.

Hoping to make the purchase today or tomorrow once I've got your expert thoughts.
Thanks so much in advance!

OPTION 1
GIA Excellent
1.3 carat, F, VS2
dimensions - 7.09 - 7.11 x 4.31 mm
depth - 60.7%
table - 56%
crown angle - 34.5 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.8 degrees
girdle - thin to medium, faceted 2.5%
polish and symmetry - excellent
HCA score - 1.1 (appears 'bigger'. HCA says "Should sparkle beautifully and looks bigger than usual for it's carat weight. Low HCA scores and bigger sized diamonds can appear dark when viewed close up; but these stones can be great for earrings and pendants." Should I be worried about this? I don't want it to appear dark, but I don't really think its a bigger sized diamond is it?)

OPTION 2
GIA Excellent
1.4 carat, G, VS2
dimensions - 7.15 - 7.19 x 4.42 mm
depth - 61.7%
table - 55%
crown angle - 34.5 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6 degrees
girdle - medium to slightly thick, faceted 3.5%
polish and symmetry - excellent
HCA score - 0.8 (appears 'big')

 

[tyty333]

Do you have links with pictures and videos? If so, put them on hold and provide the links. The numbers look good.

 

[a-r-243]

Do you have links with pictures and videos? If so, put them on hold and provide the links. The numbers look good.

Thanks for getting back to me. Sorry the images aren't very hi-res but have attached the two options with the specs listed above. I think Option 1 looks sparkly but difficult to compare the pictures, and am worried about Option 1 being too shallow give the 1.1 HCA 'appears bigger' score? Have also included a 3rd option with image attached, here are the specs.

OPTION 1

OPTION 1
GIA Excellent
1.3 carat, F, VS2
dimensions - 7.09 - 7.11 x 4.31 mm
depth - 60.7%
table - 56%
crown angle - 34.5 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.8 degrees
girdle - thin to medium, faceted 2.5%
polish and symmetry - excellent
HCA score - 1.1 (appears 'bigger'. HCA says "Should sparkle beautifully and looks bigger than usual for it's carat weight. Low HCA scores and bigger sized diamonds can appear dark when viewed close up; but these stones can be great for earrings and pendants." Should I be worried about this? I don't want it to appear dark, but I don't really think its a bigger sized diamond is it?)

OPTION 2

OPTION 2
GIA Excellent
1.4 carat, G, VS2
dimensions - 7.15 - 7.19 x 4.42 mm
depth - 61.7%
table - 55%
crown angle - 34.5 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6 degrees
girdle - medium to slightly thick, faceted 3.5%
polish and symmetry - excellent
HCA score - 0.8 (appears 'big')

OPTION 3


OPTION 3
GIA Excellent
1.4 carat, G, VS2
dimensions - 7.11 - 7.15 x 4.46 mm
depth - 62.5%
table - 55%
crown angle - 34.5 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6 degrees
girdle - medium to slightly thick, faceted 4%
polish and symmetry - excellent
HCA score - 0.9 (appears 'big')

 

[Kaycee2018]

Based on the info provided, I am leaning toward Option 2. That said, the crown and pavilion percentages would be helpful and copies of the reports with the inclusions listed and plotted would be helpful. For the most part, GIA graded VS2 clarity is fine, but there are exceptions.

 

[a-r-243]

Thanks so much for getting back to me! Option 1 has the least inclusions, images below. Option 1 is the most expensive and option 3 is the least expensive although there's only about £800 between them so not a big issue. Can I ask what is making you steer towards option 2?

OPTION 1
Crown height - 15%
Pavilion depth - 43%


OPTION 2
Crown height - 15.5%
Pavilion depth - 42.5%


OPTION 3
Crown height - 16%
Pavilion depth - 42.5%

 

[a-r-243]

Based on the info provided, I am leaning toward Option 2. That said, the crown and pavilion percentages would be helpful and copies of the reports with the inclusions listed and plotted would be helpful. For the most part, GIA graded VS2 clarity is fine, but there are exceptions.

Reply above! thanks so much.

 

[AprilBaby]

I’m drawn to number 2.

 

[a-r-243]

I’m drawn to number 2.

Thanks AprilBaby! Any particular reason why?

 

[Kaycee2018]

Still leaning towards Option 2. Do any of the reports have a note saying “additional coulda not shown” or “clarity grade based on clouds not shown”?

ETA: Really need to see the inclusion lists to see what they are and the order they are listed.

 

[free-user]

Option 2 looks better imo. It could be angles too but inlike broad fat arrows

 

[a-r-243]

Still leaning towards Option 2. Do any of the reports have a note saying “additional coulda not shown” or “clarity grade based on clouds not shown”?

ETA: Really need to see the inclusion lists to see what they are and the order they are listed.

Ah sorry! Have copied more info over this time, hopefully helps. Thank you!

OPTION 1


OPTION 2


OPTION 3


Really intrigued that you're all drawn to Option 2! For me Option 1 looks the more perfect stone, but then again I am a total novice, so what do I know! Thanks again for all your help.

 

[a-r-243]

Option 2 looks better imo. It could be angles too but inlike broad fat arrows

Hey! Thanks for your reply. What do you mean "it could be angles too but inlike broad fat arrows"? Sorry, completely novice here - so very much still learning!

 

[free-user]

Hey! Thanks for your reply. What do you mean "it could be angles too but inlike broad fat arrows"? Sorry, completely novice here - so very much still learning!

What i meant is the arrows are chunky. Gives broad flashes vs smaller arrows. I prefer chunky ones

 

[Kaycee2018]

Thanks so much for getting back to me! Option 1 has the least inclusions, images below. Option 1 is the most expensive and option 3 is the least expensive although there's only about £800 between them so not a big issue. Can I ask what is making you steer towards option 2?

OPTION 1
Crown height - 15%
Pavilion depth - 43%


OPTION 2
Crown height - 15.5%
Pavilion depth - 42.5%


OPTION 3
Crown height - 16%
Pavilion depth - 42.5%

The cavity in Option 2 takes it off the table for me. Option 1 looks more promising IMO

 

[a-r-243]

Throwing a 4th and final one into the mix... sorry! This one is VS1 so less inclusions than the other 3 which are all VS2. Let's see if this one beats Option 2 for you all!

Thank you so much!

OPTION 4
GIA Excellent
1.4 carat, G, VS1
dimensions - 7.11 - 7.16 x 4.41 mm
depth - 61.8%
table - 57%
crown angle - 34.5 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6 degrees
Crown height - 15%
Pavilion depth - 42.5%
girdle - slightly thick, faceted 4%
polish and symmetry - excellent
HCA score - 0.9

 

[a-r-243]

The cavity in Option 2 takes it off the table for me. Option 1 looks more promising IMO

Thanks Kaycee2018! Good spot on the cavity! I've included one more option above in the thread to see if you prefer it. It's VS1 so no cavity issues. Really appreciate your help.