Looking for Feedback - 2.53 F vs 2.37 D

[Big_money_mike]

Hi all-
I've been shopping around for round brilliant (for engagement ring) for the better part of a month and have narrowed my search to a couple stones, both of which I have seen in person via a local dealer here in town. I'm comfortable with the dealer but am really looking for some independent feedback relative to price, quality, red flags, etc. given the substantial $ I'll be spending. Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

Stone #1: 2.53 / F / VS2
$35k (tax included)
HCA score = 1.8




Stone #2: 2.37 / D/ SI1
$30k (tax included)
HCA score = 0.8

 

[lovedogs]

IMHO the first one is too deep, and I don't like the 36 crown. The 2nd one has much safer proportions. Could you see any of the inclusions in the 2nd stone when you saw it in person?

 

[tyty333]

I would want to see an ASET image for both of them.

Could you drop down to a G? You can get a Super Ideal Branded stone...

Diamond | 2.520 ct G SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4222767

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.520 carat G color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4222767

www.whiteflash.com

 

[Big_money_mike]

IMHO the first one is too deep, and I don't like the 36 crown. The 2nd one has much safer proportions. Could you see any of the inclusions in the 2nd stone when you saw it in person?

I couldn't see inclusions with my naked eye. But with a loupe, yes.

 

[Big_money_mike]

I would want to see an ASET image for both of them.

Could you drop down to a G? You can get a Super Ideal Branded stone...

Diamond | 2.520 ct G SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4222767

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.520 carat G color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4222767

www.whiteflash.com

Yes, I would be willing to drop down to a G

 

[Big_money_mike]

Not sure if this helps but here is an image of the 2.53

 

[AV_]

The D.

If a D or E SI1 with GIA 'Medium' fluorescence is available, it would be interesting too, assuming good HCA & a symmetrical contrast pattern face up (arrows); I am not taking into account GIA's cut grades, unless there is a 'Good' on polish or symmetry to discuss...

 

[Big_money_mike]

And here’s the image I have of the D / SI1

 

[Matthews1127]

I would want to see an ASET image for both of them.

Could you drop down to a G? You can get a Super Ideal Branded stone...

Diamond | 2.520 ct G SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4222767

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.520 carat G color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4222767

www.whiteflash.com

^—— This.
100%

 

[Big_money_mike]

I would want to see an ASET image for both of them.

Could you drop down to a G? You can get a Super Ideal Branded stone...

Diamond | 2.520 ct G SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4222767

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.520 carat G color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4222767

www.whiteflash.com

Unfortunately, don't have that. Are you able to glean anything of significance from either of the images I posted?

 

[Big_money_mike]

The D.

If a D or E SI1 with GIA 'Medium' fluorescence is available, it would be interesting too, assuming good HCA & a symmetrical contrast pattern face up (arrows); I am not taking into account GIA's cut grades, unless there is a 'Good' on polish or symmetry to discuss...

Appreciate the feedback. What concerns you about the 2.53 / F?

 

[Dancing Fire]

Here is a beautiful 2.22ct E VS1 GIA H&A stone!..

Distinctive Gem | The Synergy of Science & Beauty

Known for our August Vintage cut, DG is a family owned & operated online diamond business built on customer service. While we accommodate almost all jewelry requests and custom work, we specialize in ideal cut vintage and modern diamonds that are comprised of the highest optical performance you...

www.distinctivegem.com

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd worry a little bit about all the twining wisps in the second one. It also has a low crown which makes it look more flat topped from the profile view. Some would choose a stone like this for a pendant more than for a ring. I wouldn't buy it because i'd want better cut and clarity, and I'd be willing to go to F or G color to do that.

On the first one (2.53), the depth costs you a slight amount of diameter, but not a lot. The problem with that stone is shown in the HCA score. The final number is not the only thing to look at. This stone gets very good on light return, scintillation, and spread. Ideal cuts generally get excellent on everything but spread. I always choose stones that get excellent on the first three. So this stone would be a no for me. Is it a bad stone? No. Is it better than many of the stones out there? Yes. But if I was spending a generous $35k on a diamond, would I personally buy this one? No.

Light Return:	Very Good
Fire:	Excellent
Scintillation:	Very Good
Spread:	Very Good
HCA Score :	1.8 - Excellent - within FIC range

 

[AV_]

Not much. I tend to like the kind of brighteness that the low HCA score promisses (the score allows distinct types, but no exagerations - I do not expect the admitted proportions with most fire to be obviously less bright - like Old Mine Brilliant cuts are, nor the most bright to be less fiery - like a mirror cut), & twinning whisps, so this stone sounds good. The inclusions of the F are not terribly distracting - I would wish to think through the ones placed just on the girdle, but such details take experience I do not have (I would think that these things have withstood several rounds of polishing already, but no cleaving shock - maybe), if not a type I appreciate finding with a loupe like the twinning fronts.

Then, passing the 2.5 mark does not mean much to me, passing two carats is good enough, not least because the two are even more similar in size than they are in weight.

The 'D' does something best (colorlessness) - which is fun. I would hope to see some blue fluorescence at least in the best conditions - indirect or dappled sunlight (so the spectrum is ringt, but brilliance is mellow enough to let the subtle blue wash show - even GIA 'Very Strong' is a subtle enough effect, you need to know what you are looking for.)

All in all, I would agree to roll the dice between these two.

 

[Matthews1127]

I'd worry a little bit about all the twining wisps in the second one. It also has a low crown which makes it look more flat topped from the profile view. Some would choose a stone like this for a pendant more than for a ring. I wouldn't buy it because i'd want better cut and clarity, and I'd be willing to go to F or G color to do that.

On the first one (2.53), the depth costs you a slight amount of diameter, but not a lot. The problem with that stone is shown in the HCA score. The final number is not the only thing to look at. This stone gets very good on light return, scintillation, and spread. Ideal cuts generally get excellent on everything but spread. I always choose stones that get excellent on the first three. So this stone would be a no for me. Is it a bad stone? No. Is it better than many of the stones out there? Yes. But if I was spending a generous $35k on a diamond, would I personally buy this one? No.

Light Return:	Very Good
Fire:	Excellent
Scintillation:	Very Good
Spread:	Very Good
HCA Score :	1.8 - Excellent - within FIC range

This raises a question for me.
If Super Ideals don’t score “excellent” in spread, why do they face up large (typically) due to their superior cut?
Shouldn’t they score “Excellent” or “Ideal” in all categories?