March Madness-The Final Three-Step inside please :)

[PlatinumStatus]

Hello Everyone,

Thanks to everyone that has provided me with their opinions in my first thread. Bastetcat recommended that I do a Diamond Throw Down so here we go.

1. Why did you select that diamond?
2. Do you think the size difference between the J's and the H would be noticeable if all three were side-by-side?
3. How would you recommend the diamond be set (low, medium, or high) in this setting below?
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/Platinum-Six-Prong-Knife-Edged-Ring.html

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1436438.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
http://www.jamesallen.com/DiamPics/B409456PIC.JPG
AGS certified
HCA-0.8
AGA/NAJA Cut Class-1A
Fluorescence: Neglgible
Measurements: 6.72*6.76*4.08

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VVS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1451047.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/DiamPics/SK7178200pic.jpg
GIA certified
HCA-1.6
AGA/NAJA Cut Class-1A
Fluorescence: Strong
Measurements: 6.78*6.76*4.19

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1463311.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/DiamPics/IDP639-10pic.jpg
GIA Certified
HCA-1.3
AGA/NAJA Cut Class-1A
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.54*6.59*4.00

Thanks again

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The J VVS1 is the largest and will possibly be helped by the strong blue fluorescence. I answered the setting question on another thread, but I like medium height.

 

[bunnycat]

I can't seem to get the poll to work o I'll come back to it if you can gt it activated.

In the mean time- I still vote for the H, pending the IS image review...

All the stones look like they are going to be pretty good (in my rather humble and limited opinion), and I'm curious when I looked at the numbers that every stone you picked has lower girdle facet lengths towards the bottom end (chunkier flash). Did you do that on purpose or just lucky choosing?

But here's why I still pick the H...two diamonds that were under consideration for my e-ring, a J AVR and and H Modern stone. I often feel I am looking through "haze" or something when color starts to come in to play, and it kind of "interrupts" my viewing of of the stone, or something. (I actually think F-G is where I want to be, but the budget says no...better stay in H....) And if you are planning on having accent stones instead of a straight up solitaire, that may be something you want to consider.

Also- one of these stones is .23mm smaller than the other and they are both under a carat, in case you wonder how physical size may come in to play on your stones. I think the change in size is going to be harder to see over a carat (as in, you'd maybe have to increase more substantially than .1 carat to see a visual increase at the size you are looking- or more simply, they will probably visually appear very similar next to each other).

 

[PlatinumStatus]

I can't seem to get the poll to work o I'll come back to it if you can gt it activated.

In the mean time- I still vote for the H, pending the IS image review...

All the stones look like they are going to be pretty good (in my rather humble and limited opinion), and I'm curious when I looked at the numbers that every stone you picked has lower girdle facet lengths towards the bottom end (chunkier flash). Did you do that on purpose or just lucky choosing?

But here's why I still pick the H...two diamonds that were under consideration for my e-ring, a J AVR and and H Modern stone. I often feel I am looking through "haze" or something when color starts to come in to play, and it kind of "interrupts" my viewing of of the stone, or something. (I actually think F-G is where I want to be, but the budget says no...better stay in H....) And if you are planning on having accent stones instead of a straight up solitaire, that may be something you want to consider.

Also- one of these stones is .23mm smaller than the other and they are both under a carat, in case you wonder how physical size may come in to play on your stones. I think the change in size is going to be harder to see over a carat (as in, you'd maybe have to increase more substantially than .1 carat to see a visual increase at the size you are looking- or more simply, they will probably visually appear very similar next to each other).

I compared tons of diamonds using the hca and aga/naja tools. I can't even tell the difference between those two diamonds, thanks for the comparison pics. I plan on having this set in a plain solitaire then later purchasing a half eternity diamond wedding band.

With the J VVS1 having strong blue fluorescence and the H not having any, how do you think the two would compare if they were both outside in sunlight? Also, in normal lighting conditions face up?

 

[bunnycat]

I compared tons of diamonds using the hca and aga/naja tools. I can't even tell the difference between those two diamonds, thanks for the comparison pics. I plan on having this set in a plain solitaire then later purchasing a half eternity diamond wedding band.

With the J VVS1 having strong blue fluorescence and the H not having any, how do you think the two would compare if they were both outside in sunlight? Also, in normal lighting conditions face up?

Hey Platinum- that's kind of why I wanted to show the pics to you, at least for size comparison. If you also aren't sensitive to the color, then that's ok too, just remember your girl MAY be (I had no idea I was, until we got stones in to look at)...Can y'all go looking at rings somewhere where they have "live" diamonds in rings, like Tiffanys, to see how she feels about color?

I couldn't tell you a thing about fluorescence and how it affects a diamond visual. I think fluor is cool, but always hear mixed reviews on its effects on stones. I have a feeling it may be a case by case basis thing.

I still think the best way to figure out the color issue is to get both in for viewing, if budget allows for it, knowing that one of them will go back. It certainly saved on the online agonizing for me to see a few different ones in person, in regular at home lighting. (We did the Tiffany's thing too, and I could easily see the difference between an E and H from the case while fi could see E and F from close up.)

 

[yssie]

I compared tons of diamonds using the hca and aga/naja tools. I can't even tell the difference between those two diamonds, thanks for the comparison pics. I plan on having this set in a plain solitaire then later purchasing a half eternity diamond wedding band.

With the J VVS1 having strong blue fluorescence and the H not having any, how do you think the two would compare if they were both outside in sunlight? Also, in normal lighting conditions face up?

Hey Platinum- that's kind of why I wanted to show the pics to you, at least for size comparison. If you also aren't sensitive to the color, then that's ok too, just remember your girl MAY be (I had no idea I was, until we got stones in to look at)...Can y'all go looking at rings somewhere where they have "live" diamonds in rings, like Tiffanys, to see how she feels about color?

I couldn't tell you a thing about fluorescence and how it affects a diamond visual. I think fluor is cool, but always hear mixed reviews on its effects on stones. I have a feeling it may be a case by case basis thing.

I still think the best way to figure out the color issue is to get both in for viewing, if budget allows for it, knowing that one of them will go back. It certainly saved on the online agonizing for me to see a few different ones in person, in regular at home lighting. (We did the Tiffany's thing too, and I could easily see the difference between an E and H from the case while fi could see E and F from close up.)

Fluor will have no effect when in light without strong LWUV - clubs, bars, direct sunlight. In non-UV lighting the body colour of the stone will be just as visible as if the stone had neg fluor. I do think in this size the colour difference between a J and an H will be visible on close inspection/comparing two rings side by side unless she has particularly poor eyes for colour. That said, just how often will she actually compare her stone to higher or lower colours side by side after the ring is on her finger? And if she does compare sees a body colour difference, will she care about it?

Decide what eyeclean means to you - clean from 5"? from 12" good enough? from all angles or face-up? in most types of lights w/ 20/20 vision - and have JA vet the stones to your specifications. Keep in mind though that the gemologist who looks at it doesn't have *your* eyes - you may see something that he/she does not..

All else equal, if it's clean to your requirements, if you were my friend and you were buying a ring for your girlfriend and we didn't know anything about her colour preferences/tolerances in diamonds specifically, I'd say get the H. One of those just better safe than sorry things, since you have a perfectly good option to do so and you don't in fact know how she feels (this is coming from a happy J owner).

 

[PlatinumStatus]

Thank you all, looks like the H it is

I just received the following response from JA

I'm happy to say that our gemologist determined that diamond H SI has excellent fire and brilliance and faces brighter than your other option. Its inclusions blend very well with the faceting and the diamond will face perfectly eye clean to the unaided eye. It is white in color, has an excellent cut, and looks beautiful in person. Diamond J VVS1 has a faint yellow tint to its color and its fluorescence causes it to appear visibly cloudy. This diamond has average light performance due to the impact from the fluorescence. I strongly recommend diamond H SI1 for your purchase and believe you'll find it stunning in person.


Please let me know your thoughts on the idealscope images below.

H SI1


J VVS1

 

[MissGotRocks]

Wow - the H definitely looks and sounds like the better candidate - nice find!

 

[bunnycat]

Sounds like the gemologist gave you all the info you need! The H sounds fab! (And co-incidentally, I do like its IS image better too, but those things can vary depending on who did the photography and editing).

 

[PlatinumStatus]

Thank you all for your honest feedback, I appreciate it.

This H does look good and I like the fact that it's eye clean.

 

[Gypsy]

H is a no brainer.

 

[0-0-0]

Easy choice considering JA says that the J VVS1 looks cloudy due to the fluorescence. The H looks great!