Need Help Reading Idealscope--Thank you!

[jacobyoung08]

I'm trying to figure out how much I (or my girlfriend and her friends/family) will be able to tell the difference between these two diamonds re: cut (e.g. brilliance, fire, scintillation, etc.). I've done as much looking on the PS forums as I can, but can't seem to figure out how much a little extra leakage noticeably affects a stone's appearance. I've attached the Idealscope images and GIA certificates for each. FYI: Stone 1 is about $600 more expensive, but both are within the budget. Any advice on whether there will be a noticeable difference between the stones based on their cut is GREATLY appreciated.

P.S. Thank you all so much for the wonderful info on these forums--it's been a lifesaver.

Diamond 1:



Diamond 2:

 

[Karl_K]

Both of them pass the IS test.

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

These are good IS images. Either stone will perform well. As for whether you or anyone else can tell the difference in performance between the two would probably only matter if you had both to compare side-by-side. In a stand-alone setting I believe you have done your homework and it shows! Depending on the return policies of the vendor, if you want to compare them side-by-side you can likely do that. But if that is not possible - I suspect you will be happy with ether of these.

 

[metatrix]

They are close, but between the two I would go with stone 1. It has better spread due to the thin girdle. It also may have better sparkle scintillation since it has more hotspots around the arrow bases than stone 2 does. Stone 2 is missing most of those hotspots.

If you have a chance to examine both stones, I would also look for the overall beauty of the stone, which can be related to the transparency of the material or the contrast patterning and just the overall look of the stone.

 

[Lorelei]

These are good IS images. Either stone will perform well. As for whether you or anyone else can tell the difference in performance between the two would probably only matter if you had both to compare side-by-side. In a stand-alone setting I believe you have done your homework and it shows! Depending on the return policies of the vendor, if you want to compare them side-by-side you can likely do that. But if that is not possible - I suspect you will be happy with ether of these.

Hi Jacob,

As Karl and Hawk mention, both most definitely pass the IS test and either should perform well, when you get to this level it's not really possible to compare performance nuances without knowing what to look for with direct comparison. Both will look a similar size, nothing really to choose between them as you would not see any difference, your best bet might be to ask one of JA's gemologists to view both diamonds so they can discuss with you which would be the best choice, it might be a close call but they might be able to advise if one has more flair than the other.

 

[jacobyoung08]

Thanks for all the help, everyone! The JA gemologist said both diamonds performed wonderfully and there was no discernible difference between the two so it looks like I'll be in good shape either way. Thanks again for all the info!

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

your best bet might be to ask one of JA's gemologists to view both diamonds so they can discuss with you which would be the best choice, it might be a close call but they might be able to advise if one has more flair than the other

...and then...

The JA gemologist said both diamonds performed wonderfully and there was no discernible difference between the two so it looks like I'll be in good shape either way

is why PriceScope is so valuable - congratulations on a beautiful diamond!