Idealscope Image Help

[shimmer]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first time here! I am very excited as I have been a lurker for quite some time. I am not yet engaged but soon will be and have been researching diamonds for about 2 years (yes, I have been waiting a lot longer than that even!).

I found this diamond on James Allen http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=53&item=936509

It has an HCA of 0.9. However, the imagescope looks a little on the ''pale'' side, compared to this one

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=53&item=1036530

Does the lighting conditions or user have an impact on the imagescope result? Would the ''paler'' diamond be as beautiful as the other?

Finally, which would you choose and why, based on the imagescope and cut? The second has an HCA of 0.8 I think.

I appreciate your response,

Thank you

 

[peridot83]

I''m not an expert on idealscopes, but I''d say the difference in red is probably due to the quality of the image, and not the quality of the light return. To me, both look like excellent idealscopes.

 

[kcoursolle]

Both stones are lovely and both IS''s are excellent! You can''t really compare the tone of the red color across diamonds. Focus more on the contrast between red, white, and black. Lighting and set up conditions can influence the tone of the red color.

Of the two stones, both are excellent and both have nice cut parameters. The first is cheaper, but also faces up a bit smaller. The second faces up a bit bigger, but it''s also a little more expensive and VS2 isn''t as much of a "value" as SI.

If budget isn''t an issue, I''d get the second one since it will look a little larger. Also, you might want to consider asking Jim Schultz''s opinion on the two stones and which one he prefers.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I don''t see anything wrong with either idealscope. But I far rather have the second stone. It is larger, and VS2 instead of SI2. I''d be concerned about the inclusions on the edge of the first one. A .82 is just a very nice size. I wouldn''t go any smaller if this stone is in your budget.

 

[Regular Guy]

Based on the somewhat significant cost differential, either is reasonable, but I agree with the others...that with most SI 2s being not eye clean (not known in the case of this one, until asked), and with AGS0 coming with the second, the second is certainly safer (with AGS0, you can relax reviewing HCA scores...as AGS0 has reviewed the details on that for you).

 

[shimmer]

Thank you so much for the advice. I will forward this on to my bf and hopefully soon will be showing off my bling on Show Me the Ring!

Also, would you buy either without a Gemex report? I want the sparkliest diamond possible and am a little uncertain about the HCA/Gemex correlation (I''m not sure there is one). Good old gold has some beauties, but none for this price.

Keep the wisdom coming, I really appreciate all of your input. Thanks!