Need Help Choosing Between Diamonds!

[panick]

I''m having decision paralysis - trying to choose between two diamonds:

#1
Carat: 1.30
Color: G
Clarity: SI1
Cut: GIA Excellent
HCA Score: 1.5 - Excellent

#2
Carat: 1.35
Color: G
Clarity: SI1
Cut: GIA Excellent
HCA Score: 1.9 - Excellent

So, here''s the rub:
#1 scores higher with HCA, has EX/EX polish & symmetry
#2 scores slightly lower with HCA, has VG/VG polish & symmetry - BUT costs $700 less

So, with the only key difference being polish & symmetry, any reason I should consider #1?

Thanks!

 

[strmrdr]

need more info.
crown and pavilion angles and table size and depth.
Then we need an ideal-scope image.

 

[Ellen]

Hi panick,

Can you give us the rest of the info, as in depth, table, crown and pavillion angles, polish and symmetry?

strm beat me

 

[panick]

#1
Carat: 1.30
Color: G
Clarity: SI1
Cut: GIA Excellent
HCA Score: 1.5 - Excellent
Culet: None
Fluor: None
Depth: 61.6%
Table: 55%
Crown: 35 deg
Pav: 40.8
Polish: EX
Symm: EX
Girdle: Thin - Med
7.01x7.05x4.33
Price: $8294
#2
Carat: 1.35
Color: G
Clarity: SI1
Cut: GIA Excellent
HCA Score: 1.9 - Excellent
Culet: None
Fluor: None
Depth: 61.5%
Table: 57%
Crown: 34.5 deg
Pav: 41 deg
Polish: VG
Symm: VG
Girdle: Thin - Slightly Thick
7.09x7.13x?
Price: $7965

 

[strmrdr]

both good combos.
Do you have ideal-scope images?

 

[Ellen]

#1 gets my vote.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/14/2007 3:30:50 PM
Author: strmrdr
both good combos.
Do you have ideal-scope images?

Let me add, my vote is 1 unless we see these.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 2/14/2007 3:18:41 PM
Author: Ellen

strm beat me

Did not!
Im not that type of guy

 

[diamondsRforever]

Date: 2/14/2007 3:32:36 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 2/14/2007 3:30:50 PM

Author: strmrdr

both good combos.

Do you have ideal-scope images?

Let me add, my vote is 1 unless we see these.

Ditto

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/14/2007 3:33:37 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 2/14/2007 3:18:41 PM
Author: Ellen

strm beat me

Did not!
Im not that type of guy

lol!

 

[panick]

Thanks for your quick replies!

I do not have an Ideal-Scope image for either. #1 is from BlueNile, #2 is from a local jeweler.

Ellen- You voted for #1 (pending Ideal-Scope), which aspects make you favor this one? It is slightly smaller, $700 more expensive, but has better polish,symm, and HCA score.

Thanks!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/14/2007 3:39:54 PM
Author: panick
Thanks for your quick replies!

I do not have an Ideal-Scope image for either. #1 is from BlueNile, #2 is from a local jeweler.

Ellen- You voted for #1 (pending Ideal-Scope), which aspects make you favor this one? It is slightly smaller, $700 more expensive, but has better polish,symm, and HCA score.

Thanks!

They''re both GIA, who rounds numbers for one, so the first stones numbers are "safer" to me. Secondly, the second has a PA of 41, which, if cut tightly could be just fine, but without knowing, it could be a bit leaky. Also, there''s a bigger variance in the girdle.

So, without pictures to tell the whole story, I just think #1 is safer.

 

[panick]

Okay, thanks. But, I still feel stuck for some reason.

I like the idea of saving an extra $700 and feel like I''m simply splitting hairs at this point.

If I want a nice, bright & sparkly stone - will I really see much difference between the two with my eyes only?

 

[Kaleigh]

My vote goes to #1 Same reasons as Ellen stated.

 

[Fly Girl]

Why not just order the Blue Nile stone and compare to the local one? Blue Nile gives you 30 days to look it over and return if you decide not to keep it.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/14/2007 4:06:17 PM
Author: panick
Okay, thanks. But, I still feel stuck for some reason.

I like the idea of saving an extra $700 and feel like I'm simply splitting hairs at this point.

If I want a nice, bright & sparkly stone - will I really see much difference between the two with my eyes only?

No one can say for sure.

Here's a thread with your exact crown and pavillion angles, and what Gary (creator of HCA) said.

 

[panick]

Which thread are you referring to?

 

[strmrdr]

From the limited info #1 is safer and likely the better cut diamond but it may not be $700 better and #2 may have equal or better performance.
Have you seen the second stone?
How does it look to you?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/14/2007 4:15:50 PM
Author: panick
Which thread are you referring to?

lol Sorry, multi-tasking and not too well.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gia-excellent-and-hca-need-help.57421/

 

[panick]

I have not seen either stone yet. I will look tomorrow at #2. I suspect that, to me, it will look fine. I understand that #1 may be safer, but am having trouble reconciling what difference I will actually be able to see for the extra $. Thanks!

BTW- $700 is the all-in savings by getting both setting & stone from the local guy. Otherwise, I would have to pay a little more to set with the Blue Nile stone.

 

[JulieN]

 

[panick]

Better yet - Since BlueNile doesn''t actually own most of the stones on its site, my local jeweler can actually get it himself to compare. Much better than buying and returning!