Need help deciding between two diamonds!

[jabber]

Hi all!

Long time lurker but it's now time for me to buy a diamond for the other half!

I am keen for a whiteflash ACA/expert selection or a bluenile equivalent as I am in Australia and want some peace of mind before I get this sent halfway around the world.

Just trying to decide whether these two diamonds are any good or not and thought someone in the know would be able to help:

#1 - 0.708ct ACA (whiteflash)

Category A CUT ABOVE®
Shape Round
Carat 0.708
Color H
Clarity SI1
Cut Ideal

Depth % 61.6
Table % 55.8
Crown Angle 34.9
Star 51.0
Pavilion Angle 40.8
Crown % 15.5
Lower Girdle % 76.0
Measurements 5.71x5.74x3.53
Culet Pointed
Fluorescence Negligible
Girdle Thin to Medium Faceted
$3161
HCA score is 1.5


#2 - 0.744 Expert Selection (whiteflash)

Category Expert Selection
Shape Round
Carat 0.744
Color G
Clarity SI1
Cut Ideal

Depth % 61.3
Table % 56.7
Crown Angle 34.7
Star 55.0
Pavilion Angle 40.9
Crown % 15.0
Lower Girdle % 77.0
Measurements 5.82x5.85x3.58
Culet Pointed
Fluorescence Negligible
Girdle Thin to Medium Faceted
$3440
HCA score is 1.6



I understand the low HCA scores are a good indicator, but any ideas why there is such a small price difference between a 0.744 and a 0.708 diamond? Would this just be the A Cut Above premium, or am I missing something here? Budget for the stone is around 3.5k and these seem to fit the bill. Just looking for something between 0.7 and 0.8ct and an ideal cut in an F-H colour and SI1 or above.

Other than these, would any of you have any other recommendations for stones? Looking to buy pretty soon.

Appreciate any help anyone can give. I love this community!

 

[ReasonableDoubt]

any ideas why there is such a small price difference between a 0.744 and a 0.708 diamond? Would this just be the A Cut Above premium, or am I missing something here?

The A Cut Above premium, the color difference, and possibly the inclusions.

 

[yssie]

I'd put it down to branding too.
You could always call in and ask, find out which they would recommend and why

 

[Amys Bling]

I'd ask... Also- do you know if they are eyeclean?

 

[jabber]

yep they are both considered eyeclean. I will contact them as soon as possible and find out the deal between the two. From my limited understanding, the stats on them seem pretty reasonable, but as you mention it could be the inclusions.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

A Cut Above commands the premium as it is supposed to be a top hearts and arrows cut. Usually the Expert Selection stones are ideal cut and come a little short of some requirement for perfect hearts and arrows. I wouldn't hesitate to buy an Expert Selection stone and would choose the G .74 as long as I was okay with the inclusions (eyeclean). It is a higher color and a little larger. Their premium select stones are a great buy, as many of them just miss ideal because they have excellent for polish. Believe me, that is not something you can see!

Both are ideal cut and you don't even use the HCA on AGS Ideal cut stones, by the way!

I just looked and there is a .70 G SI1 ACA about the same price as the .74 G SI1 ES. So why are you choosing between the .70 H and the .74 G? I'd choose between the two G stones.

 

[Amys Bling]

A Cut Above commands the premium as it is supposed to be a top hearts and arrows cut. Usually the Expert Selection stones are ideal cut and come a little short of some requirement for perfect hearts and arrows. I wouldn't hesitate to buy an Expert Selection stone and would choose the G .74 as long as I was okay with the inclusions (eyeclean). It is a higher color and a little larger. Their premium select stones are a great buy, as many of them just miss ideal because they have excellent for polish. Believe me, that is not something you can see!

Both are ideal cut and you don't even use the HCA on AGS Ideal cut stones, by the way!

I just looked and there is a .70 G SI1 ACA about the same price as the .74 G SI1 ES. So why are you choosing between the .70 H and the .74 G? I'd choose between the two G stones.

agreed. I would go for a G over an H, personally.

 

[jabber]

thanks for the clarification diamondseeker2006. I guess I was looking at the H diamond purely because of its cost and comparison to the 0.74 G. There seems to be a general consensus that a G is worth the extra few hundred $$ over a H, so I'll probably steer towards a G now!