Help! Torn between 2 choice

[Phil_14]

I have been shopping around for an engagement ring for my GF. After some search, I have narrowed down 2 diamonds. Both of them cost the same. And I cannot make up my mind which one to choose.

Both of them are Round Brilliant/1ct/Color E/VVS2/Excellent Cut. The key differences as follow:

Diamond 1
Depth: 62.6%
Table: 56%
Girdle: Medium to slight thick
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: Faint

Diamond 2
Depth: 60.7%
Table: 59%
Girdle: Medium
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Medium Blue

My preference is skewed toward 1 because of fluorescence but not sure about the symmetry & depth. Appreciate some kind advice.
Anything that I should look out for when I physically view the diamond.

Thanks.

Regards,
Phil

 

[Dancing Fire]

Are they GIA or AGS graded stones?

 

[Phil_14]

They are GIA graded.

 

[Dancing Fire]

They are GIA graded.

Can you post the GIA report # ?

 

[Gypsy]

Need more information. You need to post their GIA report numbers.

Also you are wasting a TON of money on E and VVS2. You would not be able to tell the difference between that and an eyeclean F VS2. And When set you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between that and a G VS2 that is eyeclean.

I would advise you drop your color and clarity and either go up in carat size or save the money.

 

[Phil_14]

Thanks for advice. GIA report are 2156638581 & 1179218337.

Maybe a newbie question. How do you consider a diamond eye clean? Is there some parameters that I can link to?

 

[Gypsy]

Vendors have their own definitions usually posted and you could look them up. You could define it yourself (completely clean from any distance with the naked eye) and ask them to tell the gemologist if a stone matches that. Most VS2s that do not have dark crystals will be eyeclean. So really all you need to do is work with a vendor that has images posted and look for black inclusions at the inclusion plot to confirm.

Pretty easy and saves you a bunch of money.

Here is some additional information for you:

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough.
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. 2 and under is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score under 2 is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. Brian Gavin, Good Old Gold, James Allen and WF and High Performance Diamonds do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.

Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.

 

[Gypsy]

Here are some gorgeous stones for you consideration. All of them are exceptional. Brian Gavin is one our best vendors.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.064-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104070945016
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.117-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104070945012
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.215-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104069928021
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.016-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104067973020

These are from BGD's two top lines. The Signature line that does not have Fluorescence. And the Blue line which does, but all the stones are have been individually screened to make sure there is no negative effects. And since you are wary of Fluorescence I stuck to Medium or less for you. So you won't notice it at all.

Here's some additional reading for you on Fluorescence. A lot of our trade members have posted about it in this thread, and it makes good reading: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/calling-all-florescence-experts.198989/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/calling-all-florescence-experts.198989/[/URL]

I've personally purchased from BGD twice. My pieces have always appraised well from the toughest appraisers out there (you don't want inflated appraisals, but fair appraisals that are very detailed about quality, branding, and performance). The manufacturing quality of the their settings is exceptional, and their stones are easily one of the best on the market.

 

[Phil_14]

Thanks for the info.