Help - Please, trade offs between cut/clarity

[cav492]

I have been looking at two stones in and am having difficulty trying to decide which criteria make for the better overall diamond. I have viewed both in person and both look very nice. (I am also someone new to this).

Stone 1:

2.23 Ct. GIA, Color E, Clarity SI1, Cut VG, Symmetry EX, Polish VG, Flour - Strong. I have asked for the details again, but has 59 table. It rates all EX and a 1.1 on the Holloway. I have looked closely and see no haziness in the stone because of the flourecence.

Stone 2:

2.27 Ct. GIA, Color G, Clarity VS1, Cut EX, Symmetry EX, Polish Ex, Flour - None. 61.9 Depth, 57 table, 35.5 crown angle, 40.8 pavillion angle. Rates all VGs and a 2.6 on the Holloway.

Few questions/ thoughts -- how is it that the GIA EX stone has higher Holloway scores than the VG?

Obviously there are more inclusions in the SI1, but when placed in various settings they mostly disappear. The VS1 is clean.

I like the color of the E better of course, and can tell the difference between the two on the tray.

It seems like I can move up to exceptional color for a less clear stone, or have a stone that rates highly across the board. The price on Stone 2 is a little higher, but both are in the same ballpark and I expect to be able to move both down when I go to actually buy.

Anyone have thoughts on which way i should lean? Again, they both look great.

 

[yssie]

I have been looking at two stones in and am having difficulty trying to decide which criteria make for the better overall diamond. I have viewed both in person and both look very nice. (I am also someone new to this).

Stone 1:

2.23 Ct. GIA, Color E, Clarity SI1, Cut VG, Symmetry EX, Polish VG, Flour - Strong. I have asked for the details again, but has 59 table. It rates all EX and a 1.1 on the Holloway. I have looked closely and see no haziness in the stone because of the flourecence.

Stone 2:

2.27 Ct. GIA, Color G, Clarity VS1, Cut EX, Symmetry EX, Polish Ex, Flour - None. 61.9 Depth, 57 table, 35.5 crown angle, 40.8 pavillion angle. Rates all VGs and a 2.6 on the Holloway.

Few questions/ thoughts -- how is it that the GIA EX stone has higher Holloway scores than the VG?
The labs - GIA, AGS,.. and HCA are independent entities/tools. Their specifications for the various cut grades differ - there is overlap, but not complete

Obviously there are more inclusions in the SI1, but when placed in various settings they mostly disappear. The VS1 is clean.

I like the color of the E better of course, and can tell the difference between the two on the tray.

It seems like I can move up to exceptional color for a less clear stone, or have a stone that rates highly across the board. The price on Stone 2 is a little higher, but both are in the same ballpark and I expect to be able to move both down when I go to actually buy.

Anyone have thoughts on which way i should lean? Again, they both look great.

Numbers on the first stone? The second's are fine - esp. since you'll be looking at the stone with two eyes, even better if long lgf (say 80+)... I like fluor so I would choose the first, but that is a matter of preference. Either way, just keep in mind that lab grades and HCA scores don't necessarily correlate - they aren't designed to.

 

[Amys Bling]

personally I would go for the better cut. That is just me though.

 

[Gypsy]

The G in this case. Better cut.

 

[jstarfireb]

I would also go for the better cut, but I disagree as to which stone that is. How are you all determining that the G has better cut? Is it because it's a GIA Ex and the E is a VG? I usually weed out anything about 2 on HCA, and the G is 2.6, whereas the E is 1.1. Personally I'm more apt to trust the HCA score than the GIA cut grading. So to ME personally, the E has both better cut and better color, but it's only SI1 clarity. If it's eye-clean, I'd get it. If it's not eye-clean, I'd look elsewhere.

 

[bigterpsfan]

My personal suggestions:

Cut/Sym/Pol - Excellent
Color E/F
Clarity VS1 or VS2
Crown Height 15-15.5
Depth - 60.5 - 61.5
Crown Angle - 34-35
Pavilion Depth ~43
Pavilion Angle ~40.8
Table 53-59
Girdle - medium

You will have a bright icy white diamond with lots of fire....I would go smaller in carat weight if need be....

 

[Anon-E-Mouse]

They both sound like great diamonds. I would lean toward the better cut. However, an E color with strong fluor may perform differently than a G with none. Since you saw both in the tray together, you'd be the best judge of that. Did you view them in different lighting scenarios? Numbers aside, which one appeals to you the most with naked eye and under the loupe? If it's a coin toss, then toss it. I don't think you'd lose either way.

 

[Ella]

Trade members please remember no recommending stones for purchase.

 

[Anon-E-Mouse]

Trade members please remember no recommending stones for purchase.

Aren't trade members clearly marked on this board?

 

[jstarfireb]

Trade members please remember no recommending stones for purchase.

Aren't trade members clearly marked on this board?

I think there was a post by a trade member earlier - must have been deleted.

 

[purplesilk]

G/VS1 because I can't stand visible inclusions...I remember a woman apologizing to everybody all the times for her diamond was dirty...it wasn't dirty, it "only" had visible flaws.