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Hung up on color

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Qualitymeetscarat

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 12, 2017
Messages
7
I found what I think is a great diamond. Hearts and Arrow Si1 Color I HCA 1.6 (56, 62.4, 35, 40.8). For some reason I can't get past the I color. The diamond is eye clean and I compared it to a G and could not tell the difference. I could get into the F color but I would be reducing the size significantly. I think at F it is easy to see the color difference compared to I, but price wise not sure it makes sense.

Diamond will be set in a Platinum setting. Is the smaller table helping disguise the I color vs. G? What would you do here?

a. 2.6 I
b. 2.2 G
c. 2 F
 
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I would be more concerned about the cut quality of the diamonds. Are they graded by GIA or AGS? Color can be influenced by cut but the table size of 56 alone should not influence the color of the stone. Is it the color of the I that bothers you or the fact that is an I?
 
The fact that it is an "I" is more troubling I guess since I could not notice a difference compared to the G color. By the way, all are GIA certified with No Fluorescents. All are EEE as far as cut goes.
 
I would get the I and forget about the F but I'm not too colour sensitive.
What probably matters more though is what is the intended wearer's expectation and colour sensitivity? Who graded each diamond? ie are you comparing gradings by the same labs?
Is the platinum setting a halo or a solitaire?
Are you able to buy the diamond and get it into natural light settings to see if the colour is something you notice before you set it especially if you're wanting to set it in a solitaire - you'll want to check the view from the side to see if you notice any sort of tint. Be aware of your surroundings and what you're wearing as well as the light source when you do this - don't ding the diamond for picking up yellow if you're in a yellow room for example!
Also you mention a G in your post - would that be a good compromise? Assuming it gets an HCA<2
 
Is the platinum setting a halo or a solitaire? Solitaire

Are you able to buy the diamond and get it into natural light settings to see if the colour is something you notice before you set it especially if you're wanting to set it in a solitaire - you'll want to check the view from the side to see if you notice any sort of tint. The Jeweler I am dealing with is very upfront, he has had all the diamonds in natural light and side by side. I didn't compare the I to a F but that would not be a issue. But that is a significant reduction in size and I am having a hard time seeing the color difference. She of course would prefer the size.


Also you mention a G in your post - would that be a good compromise? Assuming it gets an HCA<2. The G was HCA of 1.8 I think. Also a very nice diamond, but not Hearts and Arrows.
 
Qualitymeetscarat said:
But that is a significant reduction in size and I am having a hard time seeing the color difference. She of course would prefer the size.
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This is the bit that jumps out to me - you don't see a colour difference, SHE wants bigger, the I has a lovely HCA score and is Hearts and Arrows so get her what she wants and get the I.
I isn't inherently bad - it's simply an objective letter that represents a tiny degree of tint. If you don't see a difference between the G and the I, it might be a high I that on another day or a different grader would have been graded a G.
Buy it, make your intended happy, enjoy the sparkle :)
 
Also if you think it would be negatively commented on, tell anyone nosy enough to ask that it's a G. They'll never ask to look at the grading cert and if they do, they're being rude.
 
foxinsox said:
Also if you think it would be negatively commented on, tell anyone nosy enough to ask that it's a G. They'll never ask to look at the grading cert and if they do, they're being rude.
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+1 to this @foxinsox!
 
I used to be very color focused. My first diamond was a 0.8 F and I wanted a D or E. I scoffed at G and H!

But then I wanted a larger diamond and knew I need to compromise somewhere. I went to a hearts on fire store and asked them to show me F, G, H, I, J diamonds. I looked at them from every angle and couldn't tell the difference between F, G, H. I could only tell on I or J when I looked at them from a side angle against a white background.

I ended up with a 1.84 and am very happy with my choice. It is super ideal cut and looks very white and I get tons of compliments
 
I apologize in advance to the OP, this is not a commentary on your diamond selection, it is just a comment about all the comments about color...

I deal with mostly color grade D-E stones in terms of my personal collection. That is strictly because I purchase investment grade stones. I am not buying for cost effectiveness in terms of buying the lowest color grade people will notice a difference in under most settings, but they are AMAZING stones, and I can readily tell the difference visually from an I. So my situation is a bit different than somebody trying to get the biggest or least expensive stone they can by going down on the color/clarity to the lowest level that people think is visually noticeable.

If I was just looking for the most cost effective stone, I would just buy a fake diamond. Spend a fraction of the money for something that most people would not be able to distinguish from a high grade diamond.

I am not saying this to trigger any sort of backlash, but if I had a tight budget and was looking at lower color grades and stones with inclusions, etc...I would rather spend a fraction of the price and get a fake diamond that looks much closer in appearance to a flawless diamond.

But I understand, in our culture it is a "real diamond" people want, so they will spend whatever money they can to get the best "real diamond" they can even if they have to cut down on some of the C's.

Does a D look the same as I? Does F look the same as G? You will get all sorts of answers. I can see the difference, other people might not be able to see the difference, your cousin maybe can see the difference, a random guy at 7/11 might not. Some people could stick an M&M in their setting and be happy at how big and shiny their "stone" is. Whatever you decide, if you are forking over thousands of dollars for a clump of carbon atoms you need to be comfortable with the investment you made...even if the difference is just on paper.
 
lolov said:
I apologize in advance to the OP, this is not a commentary on your diamond selection, it is just a comment about all the comments about color...

I deal with mostly color grade D-E stones in terms of my personal collection. That is strictly because I purchase investment grade stones. I am not buying for cost effectiveness in terms of buying the lowest color grade people will notice a difference in under most settings, but they are AMAZING stones, and I can readily tell the difference visually from an I. So my situation is a bit different than somebody trying to get the biggest or least expensive stone they can by going down on the color/clarity to the lowest level that people think is visually noticeable.

If I was just looking for the most cost effective stone, I would just buy a fake diamond. Spend a fraction of the money for something that most people would not be able to distinguish from a high grade diamond.

I am not saying this to trigger any sort of backlash, but if I had a tight budget and was looking at lower color grades and stones with inclusions, etc...I would rather spend a fraction of the price and get a fake diamond that looks much closer in appearance to a flawless diamond.

But I understand, in our culture it is a "real diamond" people want, so they will spend whatever money they can to get the best "real diamond" they can even if they have to cut down on some of the C's.

Does a D look the same as I? Does F look the same as G? You will get all sorts of answers. I can see the difference, other people might not be able to see the difference, your cousin maybe can see the difference, a random guy at 7/11 might not. Some people could stick an M&M in their setting and be happy at how big and shiny their "stone" is. Whatever you decide, if you are forking over thousands of dollars for a clump of carbon atoms you need to be comfortable with the investment you made...even if the difference is just on paper.
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Huh?
 
Um.. it is great that everyone has their own color tolerances and some choose to stick to colorless D-E, but for most diamonds specs are some sort of a compromise. OP cannot see color difference between G & I, his fiancé-to-be wants the biggest possible.. seems like a pretty straight-forward decision to me. Who cares what a "cousin", or friend will think, the diamond is not theirs to judge and honestly at over 2ct, people will have their opinions either way. The point is that "other's opinions" do NOT matter.

OP, I would pick the best cut possible and I would (if possible) consult with your significant other. The other thing I would do is buy the diamond from a vendor with great upgrade policy that will allow you to one day upgrade the color should you choose to go with the "I".
 
If you saw these in a jewelry store, it's no wonder you couldn't see the difference. If both stones are very well cut, it will be hard to see the difference in some lighting. But there's a difference between G and I. Most here would take a larger I color over a smaller G color. It all depends on personal preference. It sounds like her preference is for the larger stone. There is also the option of going up to H, which would be a little safer and still allow a nice size. What's the price on the 2.6 I SI1?
 
Color starts to bother me as stones get larger. When I was shopping for my upgrade, I saw stones (including super ideals) ranging from F-I and I just couldn't tolerate an I in a MRB in most lighting conditions. I agree with DS in maybe trying to find an H color stone instead? I would encourage to view the stones in all different types of light. Otherwise, I'd probably choose the G. I wouldn't waste $ or sacrifice size going with an F (and for your reference, I went from an 1.81 E to a 3.24 G with no issues). My studs though are H and I color (.80 each) and the color doesn't bother me...
 
Can you give us the sizes (mm) on the G and I? We have a tool we can use to show you the size difference between the G and I. Are the stones from the
same vendor? Does the vendor have a good trade up policy? I am not color sensitive so the "I" would probably work for me*. However, I do agree with
Diamondseeker that the tint from the side will show in some lighting situations. If your setting (gallery) area is mostly covered that will help with seeing
the tint from the side.

Cut being equal (and excellent), the G would be the safe call.

Give us the size of the stones and we can post a visual that will show the size difference...of course you have seen these in person but this may help be
a reminder.
 
SimoneDi said:
Um.. it is great that everyone has their own color tolerances and some choose to stick to colorless D-E, but for most diamonds specs are some sort of a compromise. OP cannot see color difference between G & I, his fiancé-to-be wants the biggest possible.. seems like a pretty straight-forward decision to me. Who cares what a "cousin", or friend will think, the diamond is not theirs to judge and honestly at over 2ct, people will have their opinions either way. The point is that "other's opinions" do NOT matter.

OP, I would pick the best cut possible and I would (if possible) consult with your significant other. The other thing I would do is buy the diamond from a vendor with great upgrade policy that will allow you to one day upgrade the color should you choose to go with the "I".
Click to expand...

I agree with this 100% -- get the larger I color. I upgraded to a 3.33 ct I color (faces up like a 3.5 ct @ 9.8 mm) a solitaire setting, and it is white (it seems to be a "high" I). In a well cut stone, all people will notice is a big whopping sparkly diamond! :D:love:
 
To OP, do you feel as if you are giving an inferior engagement ring if it has I color diamond? Is that what's making you hesitate even though you personally can't see the difference between G and I?

I would get your gf's input on color vs size. Btw, unless she cleans it often, no one will be able to tell the color.
 
baby monster said:
To OP, do you feel as if you are giving an inferior engagement ring if it has I color diamond? Is that what's making you hesitate even though you personally can't see the difference between G and I?

I would get your gf's input on color vs size. Btw, unless she cleans it often, no one will be able to tell the color.
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Huh? :eh:

Did you mean to say that if she keeps it clean, no one will know the color?
 
msop04 said:
Huh? :eh:

Did you mean to say that if she keeps it clean, no one will know the color?
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Edited.

Unless she keeps it clean, it will be dirty and no one will be able to tell color of dirty stone.
 
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baby monster said:
What's the difference between "keeps it clean" and " cleans it often"? Same meaning
Click to expand...


I think it's the word "unless" that is confusing. Lol.
 
Stats on the 2.6 (8.76-8.80 X 5.48mm). My all in budget with Platinum setting is 25K. This current set up is coming in around 22K
 
Qualitymeetscarat said:
Stats on the 2.6 (8.76-8.80 X 5.48mm). My all in budget with Platinum setting is 25K. This current set up is coming in around 22K
Click to expand...
Can you share the report numbers for all?
 
I love and prize my colorless stones. I have a family ring that is a D (pls see avatar) that I just stare at sometimes in awe of its whiteness. My fiancé just purchased a 2.26 I VS2 ACA MRB (a good I per the appraiser, I will say) and I am totally in love with it. It was hard for me to believe at first how much I'm okay with the I. So much so that I will obsess and find myself from time to time trying to find the color that just *has* to be there. Now, it IS there with very careful examination, but it is really minimal. I think I'm one of the few people who would notice and it's because I have that D right hand ring and have always harped on about high color. Now I find myself thinking if someone handed me a pile of money tomorrow and said go get another diamond, I'd get a bigger one in this color. I'm converted.:)

Caveat, I do have mine set in rose gold with a white head. And I did once have an I many years back (must have been a low I) that I traded in for a higher color. I'd ask your jeweler if this is a high-mid-low I. (meaning closer to H or closer to J)

Good luck! I think she'll be blown away with any of those choices!!!

Ed: clarity due to tired:)
 
I'm very color sensitive, and I prioritized that in the selection of my H&A diamond. For most people, buying a diamond is a matter of compromise due to budget, and in this instance I compromised on clarity, selecting a 2.1 ct D SI1. If your girlfriend has expressed a desire for size, I'd make that a priority, select the I diamond and be confident in your decision. Good luck, I'm sure she'll love it!
 
The new stone scores HCA = 4.0, so that's a no go.
 
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