Is a G color worth $10K + more than I color?

[azbuyer]

Honestly, would you spend 10-15K money to get to grades better color or is there really no difference??

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You''d have to give us more information than that. There may be other variables involved than just the color. What size stones are they? What grading labs graded the stones? etc.

 

[marchswallowbird]

I certainly wouldn''t spend that much just to upgrade the color. I''ve been told by experts that if the cut of the stone is good, many (most?) people wont'' notice the difference between a G and I stone. If you''re also upgrading the cut and other factors, that''s a different story.

 

[azbuyer]

Date: 6/26/2008 8:21:42 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
You''d have to give us more information than that. There may be other variables involved than just the color. What size stones are they? What grading labs graded the stones? etc.

both are GIA and 3.0x carat total. both are well cut according to some of the recommended jewelers on this site.

one is more square (1:1 l/w ratio) and the other (the G color) is 1.18 l/w ratio.

both are 8-faceted / chunky style cushions.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

I used to think that I would never go below F color, but I have bought an H and an I color in order to get bigger stones, and I was delighted both times.

 

[meffaman]

Date: 6/26/2008 8:16:59 PM
Author:azbuyer
Honestly, would you spend 10-15K money to get to grades better color or is there really no difference??

All things being equal, I wouldn''t spend that kind of money to go from G to I. Spend it on the setting or go to Hawaii.

 

[smithy617]

I would get the I color and use the $15k on a new car...IMO

 

[elle_chris]

Date: 6/26/2008 8:16:59 PM
Author:azbuyer
Honestly, would you spend 10-15K money to get to grades better color or is there really no difference??

Color is a personal thing. Some people can see it, others can''t. some like it, others don''t. You need to see a G and I in person then decide.

(in answer to your question, i would and did).

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 6/26/2008 10:50:25 PM
Author: elle_chris

Date: 6/26/2008 8:16:59 PM
Author:azbuyer
Honestly, would you spend 10-15K money to get to grades better color or is there really no difference??

Color is a personal thing. Some people can see it, others can''t. some like it, others don''t. You need to see a G and I in person then decide.

(in answer to your question, i would and did).

I agree with this. I have had both I and G''s. I think you need to look for yourself in order to decide. I personally would save the 10-15k.

 

[Dreamer_D]

All else being totally equal (which is a big assumtion) I would take the "I" in a second. I can''t see a big enough difference between G and I to warrant that price. Your milage may vary, however.

 

[azbuyer]

I mean they are 2 different stone in terms of length and width. The I is more square and the G is more rectangular (1.18 l/w ratio). All else is basically the same. Both have great light performance.

when you put one side by side, you can tell one has a tint. the question is whether alone one would notice.

do girls really put their rings next to other to compare? i wouldnt want mine to look yellower. the difference is about 13K all in and its a lot of money but I can afford it. i just like to save where possible.

 

[risingsun]

I would have an independent appraiser look at both diamonds. I think there may be more going on than the color grading for there to be such a large price differential.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

I color stones should not look yellow. What lab graded the stones?

 

[blondie]

My engagement stone is an I (ideal cut GIA) and I find it to face-up incredibly white.....I have a 5-stone ring with G coloured stones and there is no obvious colour difference.

 

[Lorelei]

We are talking about cushions in this case, yes?

 

[bee*]

I''d get the I and I''d save the rest of the money. An I shouldn''t face up yellow. I have one and it faces up very white.

 

[azbuyer]

Date: 6/27/2008 12:13:41 AM
Author: risingsun
I would have an independent appraiser look at both diamonds. I think there may be more going on than the color grading for there to be such a large price differential.

The G color specs are:
9.43x7.98 (1.18 l/w)
67.9% depth
57% table
Ex Pol
G Sym
No Fluor
3.01 ct
VS2

The I color specs:
8.70x8.63 (1.01 lw)
65% depth
63% table
Ex Pol
Ex Sym
No Fluor
3.04 Ct

Both had very good light performance and yet the I color is about 13K more. I think the only visbile difference to me is the shape. The G color has slightly more surface area face up, if that makes any difference.

 

[Lorelei]

Have you seen pics of these diamonds from Mark?

 

[elle_chris]

he said that when you put them side by side you can see a tint in the I so i''m guessing he saw them?

does the tint bother you? If not save the 13k.

as far as girls putting their rings next to eachothers to compare.. lol.. usually not. i do have a few close friends who would though

 

[girlie-girl]

I think I'm one of those color sensitive people. Seems I was able to easily distinguish between the different color grades when I was looking. Personally I wouldn't want a stone with any 'tint' to it. If I did, I'd buy a fancy light yellow. I don't know how well cushions show color, but there was a humongous noticeable difference to me in radiants of E and H color (yes I realize there is a bigger gap between that example and the stones you're looking at).

With such a huge jump in price I think you should look at both stones to see if one 'speaks' to you. The warm tint of the I stone (if there is a warm tint) may be very appealing to your eyes, or you could be like me and say 'put it back it's too yellow' before they even get the tweezers set on it. lolol

So, the I colored stone is the more expensive one or was that a typo in your last post? Also, what is the clarity on the I stone?

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Still not enough info to tell us why the I color is so much more than the G color. Also, your post is confusing. Your title says, "Is a G color worth $10K + more than I color?" and a later post says, "yet the I color is about 13K more". Which one is more?!?

Personally, I prefer enlongated cushions. However, at this point, you need to start looking at the diamonds and get the vendor to advise you. Are these at ERD? If you like the lower price range, have the vendor pull more diamnds for you in that range so you can compare apples to apples.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

What do you think your girlfriend would want? Is she color sensitive? Is she happy to get a larger stone even if there is a bit of tint to it?

If it were me personally, I would not spend an extra $10K (or $13K) for a G color, but I would definitely go down in size. I''d take a 2.5 carat G over a 3 carat I, but that is because I prefer no warmth over size.

I bought my mom an I-color AGS0 diamond for a pendant and it is absolutely beautiful and faces up much whiter than I thought it would. That said, I can still see a tint and if I were wearing it on my hand every day it would probably drive me bonkers. I think this just comes down to what she likes.

 

[azbuyer]

Date: 6/27/2008 8:49:22 AM
Author: girlie-girl
I think I''m one of those color sensitive people. Seems I was able to easily distinguish between the different color grades when I was looking. Personally I wouldn''t want a stone with any ''tint'' to it. If I did, I''d buy a fancy light yellow. I don''t know how well cushions show color, but there was a humongous noticeable difference to me in radiants of E and H color (yes I realize there is a bigger gap between that example and the stones you''re looking at).

With such a huge jump in price I think you should look at both stones to see if one ''speaks'' to you. The warm tint of the I stone (if there is a warm tint) may be very appealing to your eyes, or you could be like me and say ''put it back it''s too yellow'' before they even get the tweezers set on it. lolol

So, the I colored stone is the more expensive one or was that a typo in your last post? Also, what is the clarity on the I stone?

SORRY! I meant the G was 13k more than the I. It really is between those 2 stones.

Thanks

 

[purrfectpear]

Unless my FI was so wealthy that an extra $10K was the equivalent of a weeks salary, I''d think he was a dodo for spending the extra money. It''s all relative. If money was NO object, spend away. If the $10K represents "real" money, then save it and spend it on the honeymoon, or pearls or diamond studs for a wedding gift.

I''m not sure where people got the idea that diamonds were supposed to be white anyway? Most older cuts were at least G-H and up. No one went around screaming "OMG, it''s tinted" then

Why spend thousands to satisfy some marketing hype?

 

[azbuyer]

well 10k isnt a week''s salary for me but its also not a big part of my savings. that said, i am someone who likes to buy wisely and i guess from an investment point of view, it would seem that a G may retain value better?

 

[Fly Girl]

I own a 1.5 ct F diamond, and I love it how colorless it is. After owning it, I would not go down to an I color. If a trade up might be a possibility in the future, I''d get the G now. Diamonds are only going to get more expensive.

 

[elle_chris]

I wouldn''t worry about retaining it''s value since you''re never going to even get half of what you pay.

Get what''s more pleasing to your/her eyes.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Date: 6/27/2008 10:23:52 AM
Author: azbuyer
well 10k isnt a week''s salary for me but its also not a big part of my savings. that said, i am someone who likes to buy wisely and i guess from an investment point of view, it would seem that a G may retain value better?

Engagement rings are definitely not an investment. If somebody told you to invest in a fund that would lose 50% of its value once bought, you''d think it was crazy. If you do want to upgrade in the future, then just purchase a ring that has a lifetime guarantee and then the color of what you bought won''t matter at all, just the dollars spent.

While this is a very personal decision, I think that unless she is color sensitive, you''d be safe with the I, even if there is a little warmth. Cushion cuts are vintage cuts and many prefer the warmth.

 

[angeline]

Date: 6/27/2008 9:37:01 AM
Author: purrfectpear
Unless my FI was so wealthy that an extra $10K was the equivalent of a weeks salary, I''d think he was a dodo for spending the extra money. It''s all relative. If money was NO object, spend away. If the $10K represents ''real'' money, then save it and spend it on the honeymoon, or pearls or diamond studs for a wedding gift.


I''m not sure where people got the idea that diamonds were supposed to be white anyway? Most older cuts were at least G-H and up. No one went around screaming ''OMG, it''s tinted'' then

Why spend thousands to satisfy some marketing hype?

Apparently the whiter stones are more rare. So therefore more expensive, so people seem to think they are more desirable.

For me personally, I don''t associate any greater intrinsic quality with the higher colors.

Anyway sorry for the slight threadjack.

To the OP, I wouldn''t be thinking about the diamond as an investment. Diamonds are very bad investments, I wouldn''t be buying thinking about if I had to sell it down the road. This is an engagement ring right?

 

[scarlet16]

I really think it depends on the stone. I saw several H colored cushions that I saw a tint in. Eventually I got a E colored cushion with not a touch of color. Then again, I also saw Crookedrock''s AMAZING 4+ ct. J color stone and there is NO color to be found. So if it is stunning I, then there is no way that I''d pay and extra $10,000 for the G. But if the I does have some tint, then I''d consider it. However, I''d have to guess there are other stones out there that are G''s and NOT $10,000 more.

Have you asked the vendor to look for other stones that are closer to the I''s price range?