Need help to decide between 2 loose stone

[yz88]

I'm stuck with below 2 stones and cannot decide which to buy. The price of the two stone are pretty much equal($200 difference). The HCA score for the first stone is 1.4 and 0.7 for the second one. I will buy it from Blue Nile so I cannot really view the stone or ask a specialist to have a look at it. So with all these figures, and without seeing the real stone, which one would you prefer? E/VVS2 or F/VVS1. I'm also a little concerned about the HCA socre 0.7, since I would read articles about HCA score below 1 might cause low contrast issue.

Any ideas and suggestions are welcome, or simply tell me your preference. Thanks in advance!!

#1
Measurements 6.47 - 6.49 x 3.98 mm
Carat Weight 1.02 carat
Color Grade F
Clarity Grade VVS1
Cut Grade Excellent
Depth 61.4 %
Table 57 %
Crown Angle 34.0°
Crown Height 14.5%
Pavilion Angle 41.0°
Pavilion Depth 43.5%
Star Length 50%
Lower Half 75%
Girdle Medium, Faceted, 3.5%
Culet None
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent
Fluorescence None
Clarity Characteristics Pinpoint

#2
Measurements 6.44 - 6.48 x 3.95 mm
Carat Weight 1.01 carat
Color Grade E
Clarity Grade VVS2
Cut Grade Excellent
Depth 61.1 %
Table 57 %
Crown Angle 34.0°
Crown Height 14.5%
Pavilion Angle 40.6°
Pavilion Depth 43.0%
Star Length 50%
Lower Half 75%
Girdle Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 3.5%
Culet None
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent
Fluorescence None
Clarity Characteristics Pinpoint, Feather, Cloud

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Is there some reason you have to buy from Blue Nile such as having a credit there? Because I wouldn't buy a diamond blind unless there was absolutely no choice. Numbers are helpful for initial screening of stones, but you need a magnified image of the stone and either an ASET or idealscope image to see if the stone has leakage.

Of those two, I would choose #1 because it has angles that are more complimentary than the other. I personally would include VS1 in my search, as it is extremely clean as well.

 

[yz88]

Thanks for your advice.

Actually, I do not have any specific reason that forces me to buy it from Blue Nile. The reason I choose Blue Nile is that they have a large selection of diamonds and settings, plus their price is fair compared to local shops and you pretty much get what you pay for. As you can see, I've set my standard pretty high, Color: E or F, Clarity: VVS2 or VVS1, cut is 3EX with a good HCA score. By doing so, I hope to eliminate poor performers and increase the chance of having a great diamond as high as possible because they don't provide image of the diamond.

 

[ecf8503]

High color and clarity ave nothing to do with the light performance of the stone - you can have a J SI2 that blows a D IF out of the water because it is cut better. With rounds you can rely a little more on "shopping by numbers" than you can with fancy shapes, but honestly if I'm looking for "the best", which it sounds like you are, I would absolutely want light performance images before committing to anything. Perhaps you could look for a AGS 000 ideal cut? That would at least confirm light performance is superb. Stick with the Signature stones too.

 

[ecf8503]

High color and clarity ave nothing to do with the light performance of the stone - you can have a J SI2 that blows a D IF out of the water because it is cut better. With rounds you can rely a little more on "shopping by numbers" than you can with fancy shapes, but honestly if I'm looking for "the best", which it sounds like you are, I would absolutely want light performance images before committing to anything. Perhaps you could look for a AGS 000 ideal cut? That would at least confirm light performance is superb. Stick with the Signature stones too.