Help requested in deciding on a diamond!

[mj62]

Hello everyone. I have been reading on here for a while trying to learn as much as I can before jumping in to buy an e-ring for my girlfriend and I think that day has finally come. My girlfriend and I have shopped at most of the local places looking for settings (as it is much more important for her than the diamond itself) but she has never managed to find something that jumps out at her. We looked all over online but the one setting that she keeps coming back to is at bluenile here: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_8119

Considering that setting is the only one she really has liked, I think that leaves me with purchasing the diamond from bluenile as well. Obviously this is not ideal since they do not provide Idealscope images and it is why I want to make sure I am not looking at buying something stupid. As she is not at all concerned with the diamond (I care much more than her), I am looking at stones in this range:

Carat Weight: Between .5 and .65 (Is the size difference in this range even that noticable?)
Cut: Ideal / Excellent
Color: F or G
Clarity: VS1 or VS2

Here are a couple diamonds that I found. I would appreciate some feedback on why you would or would not recommend them based on the

Link: http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01515655
AGS Certificate: http://img.bluenile.com/is/image/certs/?src={/1997/AGS1040369390051_zoom.jpeg}&fmt=pdf
Carat: 0.53 carat
Cut: Ideal
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
Depth: 61.8%
Table: 55%
Crown Angle: 34.5°
Crown Height: 15.6%
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Symmetry: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to Medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
HCA Score: 1.3 - Excellent within TIC range
Light Return: Excellent
Fire: Excellent
Scintillation: Excellent
Spread: Very Good
Price: $1,482

Link: http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-signature-ideal-cut-f-color-vs2-clarity_LD01376166
GIA Certificate: http://img.bluenile.com/is/image/certs/?src={/2049/GIA1107367372_zoom.jpeg}&fmt=pdf
GCAL: http://img.bluenile.com/is/image/certs/?src={/2049/GCAL191970106_zoom.jpeg}&fmt=pdf
Carat: 0.56 carat
Cut: Excellent
Color: F
Clarity: VS2
Depth: 61.0%
Table: 56%
Crown Angle: 34.0°
Crown Height: 15.0%
Pavilion Angle: 41.0°
Pavilion Depth: 43.5%
Symmetry: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted 3.0%
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
HCA Score: 1.3 - Excellent within TIC range
Light Return: Excellent
Fire: Excellent
Scintillation: Very Good
Spread: Very Good
Price: $1,921

I think that is all I can think of for now. Thank you in advance for any help and opinions!

 

[stone-cold11]

Both look promising from the numbers.

 

[Lorelei]

Hi mj

From what can be told without images such as Idealscope and ASET ( BN do not provide them), both diamonds show definite potential however I personally would lean towards the first.

 

[mj62]

Thanks for the replies. Even though she does not really care about the diamond, I still want to make sure she gets something that does not end up looking dull like some of the crappy diamonds we saw at some of the local jewelers. I was leaning towards the first one as well since I can''t imagine most people would be able to distinguish the size (.53 vs .56) or color difference (F vs G).

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/12/2009 1:43:52 PM
Author: mj62
Thanks for the replies. Even though she does not really care about the diamond, I still want to make sure she gets something that does not end up looking dull like some of the crappy diamonds we saw at some of the local jewelers. I was leaning towards the first one as well since I can''t imagine most people would be able to distinguish the size (.53 vs .56) or color difference (F vs G).

You are most welcome! You have obviously done some homework and will end up with a well cut diamond from what I can tell, much better than the mediocre commercial cuts on offer.

 

[DavR]

I am not sure on your budget, but one of the settings that I am currently considering looks very much like the BN setting although it is somewhat pricy:
http://www.markschneiderdesign.com/detail.asp?recid=8&ringname=Exquisite

If you end up goning this direction you may be able to move away from BN to a company that discloses a lot more information like JA.

.54 - HCA .8 all ex
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1241666.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

.52 HCA .9 ex on first 3, vg on spread
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1241686.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

.55 HCA 1.4 ex on first 3, vg on spread
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1261627.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131