Help!! Which diamond is a better buy

[SuB1iMe211]

Both diamonds are identical in price. The first is 3 levels higher in clarity (VVS1 vs VS2) & slightly higher in carat (1.08 vs 1.02) but the second is 1 level higher in color (F) & better symmetry and polish (excellent vs very good). The first diamond GIA report # is 6137470672 (carat 1.0 and the second is 2131471225 (carat 1.02). Which would you recommend?

 

[nfowife]

both score above 2 on the HCA, so not ideal in terms of performance. The F/VS2 in particular scored over 5. That's not good.

I would look for a better performing diamond. What is your budget?

 

[Christina...]

both score above 2 on the HCA, so not ideal in terms of performance. The F/VS2 in particular scored over 5. That's not good.

I would look for a better performing diamond. What is your budget?

ditto, I think that you can find something that will perform better as well. According to the HCA you should pass on at least the VS2.

 

[SuB1iMe211]

I am looking at a 10-11K budget, but that includes everything (platinum setting with 10 diamonds totaling .3-.4 carat on the side). Is the VS-2 F a decent buy for that?

 

[nfowife]

What we are saying is the diamonds you have posted above are not going to sparkle as well as they could if they were cut better. What setting are you looking for?
Let's say you are spending $3K on a setting...you still have $7-8K on a stone and for that amount you can get a nicer diamond than you have posted above if you want a 1 ct.
Like these:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2632203.htm
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/8468/
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=BLAGS-104050981002
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104047963004
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=BLAGS-104050981015
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104050449010

All the above are the top of the top of well-cut diamonds. They will have a sparkle and brilliance your poorly cut stone will not have. Clarity and color do not affect the stones sparkle- cut does. You have a very nice budget for a 1 carat ring with setting. You should not have to buy a poorly cut stone.

 

[yssie]

Numbers on the G VVS could work - want more info. Cut grade reduced b/c of good polish - it's easy to find better (VG/EX) w/ RBs, but that's not a dealbreaker if the price is right and you are looking for good value for money rather than a 'super duper louper'.

Pass on the F VS2.


Some options from JA - slightly lower pricepoints than the other usual PS go-tos but less generous upgrade policies if that is important to you, and fewer options re. custom/semi-custom setting design

1.01 F SI1 $7100 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1379296.asp
request IS, confirm eyeclean to your specifications, whatever they are - clean from 6" face-up? from 15"? and ask about vthn girdle - is it just one tiny portion of the girdle perhaps where the natural inclusion are? Is it in the gemologist's opinion a durability risk re. setting and wearing?

1.10 G SI1 TrueHearts $7300 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1255553.asp
confirm clean to your specifications

1.01 H VS2 $7300 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1388930.asp
request IS