need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamonds

[bryant619_]

Hi everyone,

After doing some research I decided to register here on the forums and post a topic with my concerns. I plan on purchasing an engagement ring for my girlfriend (soon to be fiance). I'm just a bit confused as what diamond I should go with? There is a $450 price difference between the two.

Diamond 1:


and

Diamond 2:


Hoping to make the purchase by this week! Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[ecf8503]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

The second one by far based only on HCA scores alone. You really need reflector images to help assess light performance, though. Can the vendor give you ASET or idealscope images?

Is that a 58% table on the first one? It only scores a 4.6 on the HCA (score of "good - only if price is your main concern")

The second one scores a 0.9 on the HCA (excellent)!

 

[tyty333]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

The angles on the first one are not very complementary. Do you have a link to the reserved stones?

Get ideal scope images so we can look at the light return.

 

[bryant619_]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

I've been looking at diamonds on blue nile, not sure if I would be able to get ideal scope images?

Did some research about HCA scores and such, I would much prefer to get her the diamond that would sparkle the best in light, so would diamond 2 be my best bet?

 

[JulieN]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

what is your budget, and who is your preferred vendor?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

Neither stone would be acceptable to me. If you are going for high color and clarity, you certainly should go for the best cut. Please only consider stones that have photos and idealscope images. It is never a good idea to buy something that costs thousands of dollars blind.

 

[bryant619_]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

what is your budget, and who is your preferred vendor?

for both the ring and setting I had set a budget of $5000-5500. The settings I've looked into are in the price range of 900-1000 which leaves me the rest of a diamond. Recently I've been looking online at jamesallen as well. Any other recommendations?

 

[ecf8503]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

JA is great. And ID Jewelry has done wonders for those on a budget as well. Maybe also check out Whiteflash, Brian Gavin, Good Old Gold... I'm sure I'm forgetting some...

 

[JulieN]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.93-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-243465

 

[mcosme]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

^ great stone and great price!

Hi, I would definitely go for one of the vendors listed above as they can get you idealscopes/compare the stone which blue nile can't do for you.

Here's a few suggestions within your budget
All with HCA <2

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.82-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-233120
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-204747
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.82-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-223803

 

[bryant619_]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.93-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-243465

that looks like a very nice diamond and fits within my budget. Looks like the HCA on it is good as well! I may just go with that one. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Colsha]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.93-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-243465

So what is the consensus on fluorescence? This stone is graded Strong Blue. I thought that this was less favorable but noticed Brian Gavin has a range of Strong Blue diamonds which he markets as 'Brian Gavin Blue' so now I'm not sure...

 

[ecf8503]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

Oh fluor questions again!

Less than 0.2% of all stones w/ fluor show any haziness or milkiness in direct sunlight, which seems in line with GIA's conclusions. JA will be honest with you about the effects of the fluor - if it shows any ill effects they will tell you.

Fluor is actively sought after around here in many cases simply because it is a very cool effect. If it has no deleterious effect on the stone, and if the uniqueness of it appeals to you, then why not? JA has a great return period, so you could always get it and see if it is something you like or not, or simply don't notice at all (the fluor will only be visible under UV light - direct sun or with a blacklight).

JA will work up 3 stones for you - pick this one (and put it on hold immediately so it doesn't get snatched out from under you by lurkers here), pick 2 more (we'll help you), and have them do idealscope images and a gemologist's review for you. That way you'll be assured you are getting a beautiful, superbly performing stone.

I have a D w/ SBF, and I love it - it makes it look very white, almost a pale baby blue in the sun, and I adore it!

 

[Colsha]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

Your right, the effect is pretty cool - the pictures on BGD look awesome. But I don't know how 'cool' my girlfriend would think it was!

Sorry to bring up what is obviously a well covered topic here on the forums!

 

[ecf8503]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

Your right, the effect is pretty cool - the pictures on BGD look awesome. But I don't know how 'cool' my girlfriend would think it was!

Sorry to bring up what is obviously a well covered topic here on the forums!

I love talking flour.

As far as your gf, only she can answer that. And remember it will only be noticeable in UV light (outside in direct sun and under a blacklight). If anything it will make the G color in the stone look just a tad whiter in the sun (but G is plenty white - I have several).

 

[bryant619_]

Re: need advice between .80 VG vs .81 Excellent Round Diamon

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.93-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-243465

Probably a really noob question, but I dont know much when it comes to jewelry. I'm assuming the imperfections can also be seen under a scope and this will otherwise be eye-clean?