Making myself crazy

[Serendipitous]

Okay, started out neurotic, now moving to full-blown insanity. I''ve decided on the Vatche Platinum X-Prong Solitaire. Now I want to decide on 1 of 3 diamonds. All from the same on-line vendor (which I''ll leave nameless for the time-being). All look to be good prices based on Pricescope. All fall within my goal of $7000 for setting ($1045) and stone. I think I''m splitting microscopic hairs here, but I have to decide one way or another. So besides directing me to the padded room, what do you think?

All have AGS certs:
All are H
All are SI1 (but I can''t really tell from the AGS what they are or where; waiting for tomorrow to see if they''re in hand for someone to tell me whether they''re eye-clean)
All are Ideal polish, symmetry and proportions
All are Round Brilliant

1.172 Carats:
Measurement: 6.78 - 6.83 x 4.19
Table: 55%
Depth: 61.6%
Crown: 34.7
Pavillion: 40.7
Girdle: 1.0-1.9% faceted
Fluor: Negligible
Comments: Additional clouds are not shown
HCA: 1.1 (very good spread, excellent others)
$5220

1.208 Carats:
Measurement: 6.81 - 6.86 x 4.21
Table: 57%
Depth: 61.5%
Crown: 34.7
Pavillion: 40.8
Girdle: 1.5-2.6% faceted
Fluor: Negligible
Comments: Pinpoints are not shown
HCA: 1.5 (very good spread, excellent others)
$5492

1.214 Carats:
Measurement: 6.83 - 6.86 x 4.24
Table: 56%
Depth: 61.9%
Crown: 34.7
Pavillion: 41.0
Girdle: 1.2-1.9% faceted
Fluor: Negligible
Comments: Additional clouds are not shown
HCA: 2 (Excellent light return, very good on others)
$5537

I think they all graded 1A on AGA with 2A for girdle.

Thanks

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

I would Pick this one:




1.172 Carats:
Measurement: 6.78 - 6.83 x 4.19
Table: 55%
Depth: 61.6%
Crown: 34.7
Pavillion: 40.7
Girdle: 1.0-1.9% faceted
Fluor: Negligible
Comments: Additional clouds are not shown
HCA: 1.1 (very good spread, excellent others)
$5220




Ideal table..Smaller tables tend to display more fire...




Just my 2-cents....

 

[Rhino]

If I couldn't get pics my next questions would be ...




a. What are the variances?


b. What are the

• lower girdle facet lengths?
  
• star facet length?
  
• upper girdle angles?

Rhino

 

[Mara]

Splitting hairs indeed! Padded room right this way sir...




That said with the info you have given us...I too like the 1.17....because a) its cheaper and b) it has the best HCA score. I would definitely rule out the last one from these particular 3, the pav angle is a little steep compared to the others and that is why the HCA is most likely giving it the grade it is. If you were comparing that last stone to a stone that scored something like a 3..I'd say sure go for this one. But all these stones seem SO similar...I'd go for the one that has the closest to what an 'ideal' crown/pav would be. Plus HCA score and cheaper doesn't hurt.

How did you find 3 such similar stones! From same vendor no less!




Without all the info...that's my rationale.

 

[Fancy]

I prefer # 2 ... an I like a larger table and more brilliance than fire. The HCA score is still great on stone #2 and the price difference of $200 is negligible in the scheme of things. Just my .02c!

 

[Caratz]

I'd go for the first one because of (1) small table and (2) price.

I did not think there is any meaningful difference between a HCA score of 1.1, 1.5 or 2.0. If I understand the tutorial on the HCA correctly, anything under 2 is worth considering -- and the ideal HCA score is a matter of personal taste (some people like the looks of a 1.9 score better than a 0.4 score, for example, though anyone in his right mind would choose an HCA score of 2.0 over 6.0).

 

[Giangi]

I like #1...

Do you have an idealscope image?

 

[Mikesgirl]

I'd go for number 1 also. Best HCA, best price, negligible difference in size. This is assuming it is eye clean, and the "additional clouds not shown" are also not seen. Have the vendor pull it and take a gander with a 10x loupe.
Then, tell us who the vendor is - looks like good stones for good prices.

 

[fire&ice]

Number 1 *seems* like the best value. That said, I would go w/ the one that is most eye clean.

 

[pqcollectibles]

ASSuming 100% eye clean, and Rhino's variances point made that tolerances are close,.... #1 or #2.

Personally, I am phobic about clouds and would lean toward #2. If the clouds are not visible and do not impact performance, #1 looks better on the data provided.

You'll know better once you get input from the Vendor as to exactly how the inclusions look.

 

[aljdewey]

It's really a toss-up for me between 1 and 2, so I guess I'd go with #1.




Having said that, can the vendor email ideal-scope images to you? That might be the deciding factor.

 

[hoorray]

Not knowing what the clarity will look like in person, I'd pick #1. Good price, and smaller table. You might want to see if you can look locally at some similar diamonds with different table sizes to see if you have a preference in looks. It's a personal thing.

 

[magna2]

Of the three listed, it would come down to the first two. Which of the two? That is all personal choices. I suspect the first one will be much more fiery than the second but the second would be more brilliant. So what do you prefer - brilliance or fire???

I personally prefer brilliance so would choose the second one (1.208 ct).

 

[canadiangrrl]

I'd pick #1. I like a smaller table. But both #1 or #2 would be fine.

 

[Kay]

----------------
On 11/5/2003 11:29:55 AM canadiangrrl wrote:

I'd pick #1. I like a smaller table. But both #1 or #2 would be fine.

----------------

I agree. I like a smaller table for more fire. Plus #1 has a slightly better HCA, lower price, and negligible size difference. But, if you prefer more briliance rather than more fire, #2 also looks like a fine stone.

 

[Serendipitous]

Thank you all for the info, suggestions & comments. All three are from WhiteFlash. After asking for info on a particular diamond that was no longer available, Denise found these for me (they also now show up on the Pricescope search). Got the AGS reports from her, just waiting to hear back on whether she has them there and can give me an opinion on eye-clean-ness.

I really need to get this done, so I can get back to doing some work. I've been somewhat obsessed. Then, of course, I'll go crazy waiting for it to get here.

My fiancee knows I've been doing "something" about the ring and alternates daily between "There's really no rush" and "I'd like it yesterday"

 

[canadiangrrl]

Ha ha, your fiancee sounds like yours truly.

Props to you for taking the proverbial bull by his proverbial horns.