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Need Advice - 3.00+ D, SI1 or H, VS2

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falcon55

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 25, 2009
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After about a month I've narrowed my search down to two similarly priced, but totally different stones. What stone should I learn towards? Thanks in advance for the help.

Stone #1
3.01 ct
H Color
VS2 (center clean, small hideable inclusions on the sides)
Pav: 40.75
Crown: 34
Depth: 61.5%
Table: 56%
Girdle: 2%

Stone #2
3.08 ct
D color
SI1 (center clean, noticeable inclusions around edges but 1 out of the 3 white inclusions is hideable w/ prong)
Pav: 40.6
Crown: 34.5
Depth: 60.8%
Table: 56%
Girdle: 3.5%

Both are GIA certified, but stone #1 (ex/ex/ex) was run through measurement machine and is a true AGS 000. color is also extremly light for an H. Stone #2 has good inclusions for an SI1, only has only a VG polish but is a true D color (also a russian stone, whatever thats worth). Cost of the stones are within 10% of each other, with Stone #2 being slightly more expensive.

What would be your choice?

Thanks,
Scott
 
It is a personal choice. Some people prefer higher color grades while others want the best clarity. To me, color is more important than clarity. In this case, it is a no brainer for me. I would pick the D color SI1 any day for a small premium of only 10% (assuming that optical performance is the same). Note that you are talking about jumping color grades by four steps from an "H" to a "D", at the expense of only one grade lower in clarity. I assume that the D SI1 is "eye-clean", and that the inclusions are all white.

One last point for D SI1 is that D color is very, very rare, and is most sought after. Grab it before it gets away.
 
Wow, what a tough choice you have
3.gif
...Personally I would go for the H because I would not want any visible flaws
(the one that is prongable blows it for me
7.gif
). I guess its more a mind clean thing for me. Do you have any idea
what your girlfriend would be bothered by the most? A lower color that is still considered very white or knowing
that there is an inclusion hidden under a prong? Its all a matter of personal taste.


Edit - Is the D eyeclean??? I'm not sure with your answer...because if it is eye-clean that totally changes my choice
to the D (all other things being the same).
 
Date: 7/25/2009 7:05:56 PM
Author:falcon55
After about a month I've narrowed my search down to two similarly priced, but totally different stones. What stone should I learn towards? Thanks in advance for the help.

Stone #1
3.01 ct
H Color
VS2 (center clean, small hideable inclusions on the sides)
Pav: 40.75
Crown: 34
Depth: 61.5%
Table: 56%
Girdle: 2%

Stone #2
3.08 ct
D color
SI1 (center clean, noticeable inclusions around edges but 1 out of the 3 white inclusions is hideable w/ prong)
Pav: 40.6
Crown: 34.5
Depth: 60.8%
Table: 56%
Girdle: 3.5%

Both are GIA certified, but stone #1 (ex/ex/ex) was run through measurement machine and is a true AGS 000. color is also extremly light for an H. Stone #2 has good inclusions for an SI1, only has only a VG polish but is a true D color (also a russian stone, whatever thats worth). Cost of the stones are within 10% of each other, with Stone #2 being slightly more expensive.

What would be your choice?

Thanks,
Scott
Assuming that the H is eyeclean, and the D is not:

Okay, self proclaimed color nazi over here. I have a D and love it... and I'd take the H out of the two you listed above. The inclusions would drive me up the wall in very, very short order. 'Sides the AGS 000 would be worth more to me than the D color.

ETA: Do you have the option of seeing them in person? Or, if that's not an option, can you hunt down a D and an H at a local store to see if you can even tell the color difference? Might help with the decision making process.
 
Some people are very sensitive to clarity, but in reality how many people are going to notice SI flaws, even eye-visible ones, in your diamond? Many a gemologist and diamond dealer will tell you that color is the more important factor because it affects the entire body of the stone. A flaw here and there does not affect the overall look, especially if it is a white flaw, or one that can be hidden by a prong. Actually, the most important C is cutting because a badly cut stone will look bad no matter what the color or clarity. Make sure you can get the best cut and color for your $$$ in anything with SI clarity. Having SI clarity will help you save substantial money on something that is not noticable to the rest of the world.

ETA: D color isn't necessarily BETTER than H color, as some people like warmth to their diamonds, but it is considered more valuable, so I think a D-SI stone is a good value if the SI clarity can help bring down the price a bit. However, if it's a badly cut D stone and a superior or H&A cut H stone, believe it or not, the H stone will look better if everything else is equal. It's remarkable how much fine cutting can affect the overall appearance of a diamond.
 
I''d go for the higher colour.
 
Both look very nice, if you could post the diameter measurements, star and lower girdle facet percentages that would be useful, although these are not the deciding factor like the rest of the proportions, they are good to know.

It comes down to personal preference really. An H will still be very white but of course not as white as the D. Check the SI1 out carefully away from any store lights as inclusions can pop out in some lights more than others.
 
Date: 7/25/2009 9:36:55 PM
Author: geckodani

Date: 7/25/2009 7:05:56 PM
Author:falcon55
After about a month I''ve narrowed my search down to two similarly priced, but totally different stones. What stone should I learn towards? Thanks in advance for the help.

Stone #1
3.01 ct
H Color
VS2 (center clean, small hideable inclusions on the sides)
Pav: 40.75
Crown: 34
Depth: 61.5%
Table: 56%
Girdle: 2%

Stone #2
3.08 ct
D color
SI1 (center clean, noticeable inclusions around edges but 1 out of the 3 white inclusions is hideable w/ prong)
Pav: 40.6
Crown: 34.5
Depth: 60.8%
Table: 56%
Girdle: 3.5%

Both are GIA certified, but stone #1 (ex/ex/ex) was run through measurement machine and is a true AGS 000. color is also extremly light for an H. Stone #2 has good inclusions for an SI1, only has only a VG polish but is a true D color (also a russian stone, whatever thats worth). Cost of the stones are within 10% of each other, with Stone #2 being slightly more expensive.

What would be your choice?

Thanks,
Scott
Assuming that the H is eyeclean, and the D is not:

Okay, self proclaimed color nazi over here. I have a D and love it... and I''d take the H out of the two you listed above. The inclusions would drive me up the wall in very, very short order. ''Sides the AGS 000 would be worth more to me than the D color.

ETA: Do you have the option of seeing them in person? Or, if that''s not an option, can you hunt down a D and an H at a local store to see if you can even tell the color difference? Might help with the decision making process.
The H is an unbelievable candidate for what it is, the VS2 is completely eye clean and extremely tough to spot the inclusions even when staring at the GIA cert with a loupe. In addition, the H has been ideal-scoped and is a perfect H&A. The cut is just perfect. That being said, the depth on the D worries me (60.8% with a 3.5% girdle and 50% star facet - the dimensions at 9.38 by 9.30, which is a bit "flatter" than most 3.08s ive seen). While its hard to tell in store spot lighting, I dont think the cut is as good as the H (even though it is GIA Ex). However, the D color and very good inclusions (two are eye noticable when louped first) are tough to let go. Does that help with the decision at all? To be honest, the most important thing to my girlfriend is "the sparkle" but both do a pretty good job.
 
Ok, so the D is not eye clean so for me I would be getting the H.
 
Date: 7/26/2009 11:35:34 AM
Author: falcon55


Date: 7/25/2009 9:36:55 PM
The H is an unbelievable candidate for what it is, the VS2 is completely eye clean and extremely tough to spot the inclusions even when staring at the GIA cert with a loupe. In addition, the H has been ideal-scoped and is a perfect H&A. The cut is just perfect. That being said, the depth on the D worries me (60.8% with a 3.5% girdle and 50% star facet - the dimensions at 9.38 by 9.30, which is a bit 'flatter' than most 3.08s ive seen). While its hard to tell in store spot lighting, I dont think the cut is as good as the H (even though it is GIA Ex). However, the D color and very good inclusions (two are eye noticable when louped first) are tough to let go. Does that help with the decision at all? To be honest, the most important thing to my girlfriend is 'the sparkle' but both do a pretty good job.
No need to worry about the depth, it is in great range. As to whether the H is a " true" h&a then really images are needed for us to tell, because a diamond shows h&a does not mean it necessarily meets the standards as decreed by experts of this cutting style. The H might look a tad brighter than the D due to the crown angle however you might not notice any real difference between them.

As you have seen both though go with the one you are most comfortable with, and also ask if you can check each diamond out away from the store lights to see how they look in more normal lighting.
 
I would take the H in a heartbeat. Eye-visible inclusions are a deal-breaker for me. I''m also not very color-sensitive, so the H would not be a problem at all. And from what you said it sounds like the H is a "high" H, perhaps close to G, so that''s also a plus.
 
Date: 7/26/2009 4:31:30 PM
Author: jstarfireb
I would take the H in a heartbeat. Eye-visible inclusions are a deal-breaker for me. I''m also not very color-sensitive, so the H would not be a problem at all. And from what you said it sounds like the H is a ''high'' H, perhaps close to G, so that''s also a plus.
Agreed. While the D color is impressive, I dont mind the warmer feeling of the H color in addition to the cut and totally eye clean inclusions I think its going to be a winner. Also, over the last three years prices of even a D, SI1 have stayed flat while H, VS2s have increased in value almost 20%. Seems like there is just more demand for that stone than an SI1, even if it is completely colorless - which is nice if just from a peace of mind aspect. Thanks for everyones help - i hope she likes it!
 
Great, please post pictures once it''s on her finger!
 
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