Help! Which of the two 2.5ct RBs would you pick?

[caspermak]

Hi all,

I have benefited a lot from reading PS and honestly found everyone's advice to be very helpful. Now I would like to post a question to you all.

As these list for around the same price (around $45K), which of these two 2.5ct RB would you go for and why?

Diamond 1):
2.5ct G VS2:
Depth %: 61.5
Table %: 57.0
Crown Angle: 34.9
Pavilion Angle: 40.9
Crown %: 15.0
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
HCA of 1.9 ex (vg vg vg vg)

Diamond 2):
2.6 E VS2:
Depth %: 60.6
Table %: 58.0
Crown Angle: 34.0
Pavilion Angle: 40.6
Crown %: 14.0
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick Faceted
HCA of 0.7 ex (ex ex ex vg)

What are the pros and cons of each? I have attached the photos to this post as well

In my understanding, diamond 1 seems to have better optical symmetry but HCA is barely an excellent (I don't understand why it still gets an overall score of excellent if all the individual components are just "vg"); diamond 2 has two color grades higher and "better" HCA scores.

How do you think about their actual photos, ideal scope images, ASET images? Lastly, diamond 2 seems to be of a shallow/shallow combo, does that make it darker when viewed close-up? At the same time, should I be concerned with the 1.9 high HCA score of diamond 1 (getting vg's across the board).

I guess ultimately I want it to look nice. Is blowing up the images to this huge size meaningful when most of the time one will be looking at the actual sized diamond (don't intend to loupe it everyday, so how different will the H&As be on both diamonds in the naked eye). My final question is how do the two compare on a day-to-day basis/usage in terms of light return, sparkle, fire, color, bling, brag rights etc i.e. balancing the budget and 4Cs and beyond?

Thank you so much all and hope it will be educational for others who face similar dilemma

 

[caspermak]

Alternative photo with Diamond 2's IS/ASET/Hearts image photo brightness increased by 20% to match the images of Diamond 1 more.

 

[caspermak]

Appreciate your advice, PSers

 

[lxAsTrOxl]

Diamond 2 might have a lower hca score but hands down I pick diamond one, the cut is way better and I hate how low the crown is on diamond 2.

 

[msop04]

Diamond 1 appeals to me more... it looks crisper.

 

[msop04]

What are the diameters on the two stones?

 

[diaya]

I would pick diamond 1, the CA/PA angle measurements look like a Brian Gavin signature! It is probably from either Brian Gavin or Whiteflash. I think you pointed it out yourself that there is more optical symmetry in the H&A images in diamond 1. From what I gathered, most people use HCA as a tool ruling out suboptimal diamonds, but not as a stringent number that you go by to pick out a diamond.

However, as most people pointed out in other postings, numbers/images would only take you so far, the best test is to compare the two side-by-side and see which one appeals to you the most. Good luck!

 

[caspermak]

Thanks! The diameters are very close (diamond 1 is 8.80mm and diamond 2 is 8.86mm with slightly lower height). How much value would you assign to the higher color E in diamond 2 compared to color G in diamond 1 (given their prices are very close as well)?

Should one consider this Diamond 3 as well (similar priced at around $45k as well) with larger carat size, but lower color H, higher clarity VS1, with medium blue:

Diamond 3)
3.0ct H VS1:
Depth %: 62.2
Table %: 55.0
Crown Angle: 34.5
Pavilion Angle: 40.6
Crown %: 15.5
Fluorescence: MEDIUM BLUE
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick Faceted
HCA of 0.8 ex (ex ex ex vg)
Diameter 9.24mm

 

[JDDN]

I vote for diamond #1 out of the 3 you posted. I think it has the best cut and I suspect that's reflected in the price compared to diamond #2. Either would be just lovely, but since you asked, my vote is #1.

Only you and the wearer of the diamond can say if the color difference between an E and a G will be noticeable. Personally, if it's a strong G (and not a G that's closer to an H) I think it will be plenty white. Color matters to me and if this were my stone, I would choose the first one because the cut looks superior.

Good luck!

 

[pyramid]

If no 2 is a GIA E, it would be thousands of dollars more than diamond 1, probably at least fifteen thousand more. Which lab graded them?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I also do not understand the pricing on #2. I do not like the third diamond at all, so I would eliminate it. #1 is clearly the best cut, and I think it is looks like a Whiteflash ACA.

Always include the diameter measurements which are very important.

 

[caspermak]

Thank you all for the quick replies.

Diamond 1 was graded by AGS, while Diamond 2 and 3 were graded by GIA. Does this change the analysis?

Also, I have not asked her what her color she wanted, but I have been to the brand name stores a couple of times. The first time I thought an H and a D had noticeable difference (3 ct GIAs), but that doesn't say much. Next time I went to another brand name store and tried to compare >2 ct F, G, H GIAs and tried to order them without looking at the tags, and I could consistently picked out the H diamond, but both times got the F and G in the wrong order (it could be very likely be the G was a high G, and the F was a low F). The third time I went to yet another brand name store and compared near 2 ct F, G, H GIAs, I consistently picked them in the right order both times (maybe lucky). The first time was done by just holding the ering in the air, while the second and third time was done by comparing against a white paper background with more diffused lighting (learned to look at diamonds in diffused lighting after reading more in PS). I honestly think my knowledge of diamonds has surpassed my girlfriend. We're from Asia btw. I also think more knowledgeable prosumers prefer cut (especially super ideal H&As) over color superiority. But for less than prosumer, would it still make a big difference in the appearance in ACTUAL SIZE with a super ideal H&A's superiority in cut (like Diamond 1) compared to color's superiority (like Diamond 2), or size's superiority (like Diamond 3), as they are very similar size. Also I have never owned a diamond ring or given a diamond ring before. So to the experienced PSers out there, what does one care most when (i) the lady receives the proposal/ring; vs (ii) after the proposal trip when she tells her friends and parents about the proposal (and the RING of course), vs (iii) having worn the ring for 1 year; vs (iv) 3 or more years later (after getting married). How should one pick between these 3 diamonds given these different preferences that may arise due to different times? Thanks a heap

 

[JDDN]

It would be impossible for us to answer those questions because they are highly dependent on your soon to be fiancé and what she deems important and how she will feel in the future. Wouldn't it be nice to have a crystal ball? Some women care most about size over color or clarity. Some prefer cut over all else. It runs the gamut so only she can tell you.

I will say a really well cut stone will look larger than a poorly cut stone. It can also face up whiter than a poorly cut stone of higher color.

Does she care about a large stone? Or does she care how much it sparkles and shines? A recent OP came on PS looking for a new diamond for his wife because her original larger diamond didn't perform well. He bought the largest stone he could afford thinking that that was important. So the second time around he chose an ACA by Whiteflash that was smaller than the original but sparkled and looked brilliant. She is extremely happy with the new smaller stone b/c performance was more important to her than size. That's just one example.

If you are unsure what will be important as time goes on, buy the stone from a vendor who has an exceptional trade-up and/or buy back policy. I know WF does. Not sure where the other options are from.

Has she indicated that she cares most about?

 

[ccuheartnurse]

I like #1 as well. I get lost reading about high this colour or low this colour. I just take what is written on the report.

A G to me is plenty white (& in fact is my personal sweet spot colour). You will need to find yours though. And unless you have experience viewing a lot of stones, I don't think you would notice. It might come down to a mind clean versus eye clean kind of thing. You said stone #2 was more expensive, in that case, I would stick with #1 & put the difference in the ring & wedding band. I wouldnt say to choose #1 because it was less expensive, I advise it because it looks to be the nicest. It's a bonus its cheaper. LOL

 

[caspermak]

Thanks! The price on these three diamonds are actually quite similar just to clarify

 

[caspermak]

At the moment, it seems more PSers favor diamond 1. For those who have voted for diamond 2, would also love to hear your thoughts why that one would be your pick. Thanks

 

[emmebee]

DS can you comment on why you don't like #3? For my education

 

[diamondseeker2006]

DS can you comment on why you don't like #3? For my education

Oh, it is still a nice stone. It is just third in cut compared to the other two. You can see the clefts in the hearts images. That diamond is exactly 3.0, so the cutter did what he had to do to make it to the 3 ct mark. However, it is a nice stone in the overall scheme of things.

To the original poster:

As far as the color versus cut quality goes, that really is only something you can answer. G-H colors are fine with me, and I had to get an I color in the diamond in my avatar because that was the highest color available in that particular diamond above 2 cts. But I know some cultures value D-F, so I understand that, too. If I could see all three stones in person, I might be more open to the second or third one. But from these images, I can tell that #1 is best cut, so it is just a safer purchase for me. I have superideal cut diamonds like that for my diamond stud earrings. The great other factor is that if at anytime I want larger or a different color, I can easily upgrade them (and I have done so!).

 

[caspermak]

DS: can you please elaborate what you meant when you said you don't understand the pricing on diamond 2?

Pyramid: can you please let me know what you think about the GIA graded color and pricing?

Also could PSers/experts comment on whether diamond 2 has any obstruction judging from the images (given the 34.0/40.6 CA/PA combo)?

 

[pyramid]

Hi there. A colourless diamond would be priced at a premium so I would not have expected it to be the same price but more, unless the cut is letting it down. I just thought that color was far more expensive than an excellent or an Ideal cut. Being graded by GIA is proof enough that it is an E, unlike if it had been a grading from a lesser lab. I was reading this post again last night and wondering this and thought about asking some of the professional sellers here on Pricescope. Are the vendors here allowed by pricescope rules to answer this? There again if the other cut is going to outweigh it by beauty that one may be best, just wondering from a point of view of not wanting you to miss out if something should have been priced more, as I said I thought it would have been thousands more but I can't answer you for sure as I don't know enough about pricing structures which I believe are affected by whom and when the dealer got the diamond from.

 

[caspermak]

Thanks a lot Pyramid

DS: would be great to hear from you why you said you don't understand the pricing on diamond 2?

 

[luv2sparkle]

I like diamond #1 the best too. The symmetry looks better to me and I would rather have a diamond that is graded for cut by AGS. They have stricter parameters for cut, I believe than GIA. The fact that a E is comparable in price to the G would be a flag as well to me. It also looks like an ACA to me too, which would add bonus points to picking that stone for me. Diamond #3 isn't bad, but none of them are bad, I do like the photos of #1 but if you could look at each you might like what you see with your eyes better than what you see on paper.