If you had to chose one . . .

[johnny5]

I am in the middle of choosing the right diamond right now like many of you that I am sure are reading this. First, here are two that I am looking at currently. Both are about the limit of my spending for the diamond. It will be set in a Ritani 4 prong pave setting. My question is first is if anything seems to pop out at you about these diamonds, and second, which one would you choose and why.

1.648 J SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-799498.htm#

1.220 H VS1
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=1210023#

Thanks a lot, I have enjoyed reading the forums for the past month, and finally got around to posting something.

 

[phawk]

Always go for the bigger diamond!

 

[jennalyns]

I personally would take the smaller one... the idealscope picture looks better, to my inexperienced eyes! plus I really like the H color better than J. good luck!

 

[bronwen]

I am going through that exact same situation. I went ahead and ordered the J to have a good look at it. I''m hoping bigger is better even with the J. If not I''m looking at that same H you are. Of course by then I''m sure there will be other H color stones in that size. I''ll let you know what I think of the J diamond when it comes.

 

[elepri]

Between the two, i''d choose the smaller H, I don''t like J colored diamonds at all. However, if it''s an option, maybe you could look for an H SI1 and go up in size somewhat? That''s what I''d do.

 

[dani13]

I would agree with elepri.... with a J colored diamond, you are going to see a noticeable color difference when compared with an H. If it were me, and I had to choose between the 2, I would go with the smaller, whiter diamond. But, I think if you look at some diamonds that are H, with S11/2 clarities, you should still be able to stay within your price range, and have a sizeable sized diamond that still looks beautiful, without paying the premium for a VS1. Imo, if the diamond is eye clean when it comes to clarity, that''s all I need. But, a J-colored diamond would be too yellow for me. Good luck!

 

[aljdewey]

How about splitting the difference in color and considering these:

1.53, I, SI2 for $8000
1,54, I, SI1 for $8282

I'd talk to Brian about the inclusions and confirm with him that they are eyeclean.

Also, this J stone has faint fluor, which usually helps warmer stones face up a bit whiter:
1.65, J, VS2 with faint fluor for $8350

Honestly, though, if you want to choose just between the two stones you listed, I'd go with the J. People here have a mental thing about J stones and a pre-conceived notion that they are "yellow"....that's bunk.

Mara just bought a 1.60 J, SI2 stone from Whiteflash......there are a bazillion pictures here, and I think you'll find that the stone doesn't REMOTELY look "yellow" or even colored. Here's where you can see it: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/its-done-a-1-60-j-si2-has-found-a-new-home.26190/

Also, her J stone is next to a bunch of F/G colored melee. Not a noticeable difference.

Someone above commented that you'd see the color diff if you put the H next to the J. Probably true......but are you planning on mounting the J stone RIGHT NEXT to an H stone? Of course not. When it's mounted and viewed alone, it will look just like the H face up, and likely all around. Don't let the color freaks scare you away from what looks to be a BEAUTIFUL stone.

Mara notes that the only time she sees a *slight*, sliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight tint is looking at the side profile. Face up - WHITE. She's not the only one, either. PQ has a J colored ACA stone, and also says the same thing - faces beautifully white.

The great thing about Whiteflash is that they have a 10-day return policy. If you ordered the stone and you weren't happy for any reason, you could return it and get the H. Hard to go wrong there. I'd gamble on the larger stone....I'm sure it will be GORGEOUS.

Good luck, whatever you choose.

 

[Hest88]

Go for the larger one. If it''s too yellow for you there''s always the return policy.

 

[noobie]

No on here can tell you if a J color stone of that size is acceptable to and and your SO. You need to see it and be comfortable with it. You heard both sides here, some are perfectly fine with it some aren''t. Some like Stephan, like L and M color stones. I personally prefer colors H and higher, but that doesn''t mean anything. You need to decide what''s more important to you.

Couple of options:

Go to a few stores and look at the stones in different lighting conditions.

If you have enough credit, have them send you two stones of your choice, lokk at them both for a couple days and send one back.

Have a couple of stones sent to an appraiser on approval. Look at them there is differnet lighting and decid ewhat you like.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Yes, definetly look at stones in real lighting conditions before deciding.

Personally, I''d choose the H stone because I would prefer a slightly colorless smaller stone over a warmer larger stone. Plus, as already mentioned, the ideal scope image for the H looks better.

 

[Regular Guy]

Johnny,

Not sure, if you're in a rush.

But I can see you're considering options wide apart in size & color. If you'd want an "A Cut Above," I see as you do there's no I VS2 (edited to say...make that SI 1), but they get I'm guessing pretty high turnover of goods, and if that would optimize for you around the same price point, I'd consider making a call, describing that as what you're closer to looking for, somewhere in that 1.5 carat size range...and they may get it for you on spec..

Not sure, of course, but worth checking out.

 

[sevens one]

I''d go for the bigger stone.
I have no problem with J colored stones- especially when they are ideal cut H&A''s from WF.
I bet it will be lovely.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 3/25/2005 4:14:55 PM
Author: sevens one
I''d go for the bigger stone.

I have no problem with J colored stones- especially when they are ideal cut H&A''s from WF.

I bet it will be lovely.

ditto for me, i''m actually going down in color just to get a BIGGER stone...

 

[fire&ice]

Date: 3/25/2005 12

5:29 PM
Author: aljdewey
Honestly, though, if you want to choose just between the two stones you listed, I''d go with the J. People here have a mental thing about J stones and a pre-conceived notion that they are ''yellow''....that''s bunk.

And, not to mention that diamonds are graded face down. The face up color can be quite different, especially in a well cut stone.

Truth be, I have an F, G, & I. Can''t see a lick of difference between the three. Which one do I like best? The biggest one - the I. Setting has much to do with face up ''color'' as well. The I is set low w/ near colorless baguettes. The white bounces around.

 

[jelyjelo]

Date: 3/25/2005 2:42:15 AM
Author: jennalyns
I personally would take the smaller one... the idealscope picture looks better, to my inexperienced eyes! plus I really like the H color better than J. good luck!

I agree with Jennalyns. What size to choose is a personal preference and you can set your own priority (size vs color).
However, if you care about the cutting quality - light return, I think the smaller one has much better fire and may be Scintillation too.

Of course, you better get our PS experts check it out for you first. I am not an expert myself.

 

[fire&ice]

I think seeing the two side by side would be a big plus. Both are nicely cut stones.

42 points is quite a bigger visual. How important is that to your to be? I''d be inclined to take the larger one.

 

[elepri]

I agree with Aljdewey, there''s definitely a mental factor in considering color, just as there''s a mental factor in considering size, cut, clarity, etc. It all comes down to what''s important to you and J definitely won''t look yellow, just not as white as a higher color. To some getting the biggest size is important, others feel they compromise too much by getting larger but lower quality stone. I could''ve gotten a larger stone had I been willing to go down to J, i wasn''t. Some won''t go below an E. Also, although it''s partly a mental thing, at some point the difference in color becomes noticeable even face up. To me J is not white enough even on its own, to you it might be. And by the way, comparing stones side by side is really not that uncommon, I''ve had mine put next to every friend''s stone and have been asked about its color much more often than I''d expected i would be. Personally, i feel a lot more comfortable with my stone being smaller rather than lower in color compared to someone else''s but again, that''s just my preference.