Need Opinions on Stones

[fletch173]

I visited a family owned large retail jeweler yesterday as I''m personally more comfortable looking at the stone before making a purchase. They were able to show me several stones and are having a couple more shipped in for my review (from their other store). I''m looking for a round stone between 1.20 and 1.5 carats. Of the ones shown, I am giving preliminary consideration to the follownig two stones, which I thought looked good although they are very different:

Stone 1
GIA 02/12/2008
Carat: 1.20
6.84 - 6.87 X 4.18 mm
Color Grade: H
Clarity: SI1 -- we reviewed the stone and it was eye clean.
Cut Grade: Excellent
Depth: 61.0%
Table: 60.0%
Crown Angle: 34 degrees
Crown Height 13.5%
Pavillion Angle: 41.4 degrees
Pavillion Depth: 44%
Star Length 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly thick, faceted
Cutlet: None
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Price: $7,050

Stone 2
GIA: 02/14/2008
Carat: 1.56
7.40 - 7.43 X 4.61 mm
Color Grade: H
Clarity: SI2 -- we reviewed the stone and it appeared eye clean. There was an inclusion on the side, which they indicated could be covered with prong and there was a slight inclusion on the table that was visible with loupe.
Cut Grade: Excellent
Depth: 62.2%
Table: 58.0%
Crown Angle: 35 degrees
Crown Height 14.5%
Pavillion Angle: 41.2 degrees
Pavillion Depth: 43.5%
Star Length 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly thick, faceted
Cutlet: None
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Price $9,600

Here is what I''m looking for. Would most women be more impressed with the larger stone even if a slight degredation in quality, which frankly is difficult to notice with the naked eye (at least for me)? Also, any thoughts on the cuts based on the information outlined above? I am worried about purchasing a large stone with a SI2 grade. I initially started with G/VS2 in mind, but after reviewing the stones I''m more open to H/SI. They are having a 1.41, G, VS2 shipped in for review, which I want to take a look at as well, but it is in the $11K range (more expensive than the two stones above). The jeweler is large and reputable, so I think that I''m fine there. Thanks for any information and insight that you can provide.

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Fletch,

The first has a larger table but could be a nice looking diamond if you like the larger tabled look. The second is entering the steep deep danger zone, this means that the crown and pavilion angles may not be the best balance for each other, the diamond could show dark areas as leakage as a result. What I would do is to hold on until the other two diamonds arrive, then we can see which is the best once we have the numbers for those. If you want to consider either of the two above, check them out carefully away from the store lights to make sure they still appeal to you, but if you can wait until you get the info on the others.

 

[fletch173]

Thanks for the advice. I''ll wait until I see a few more stones and then decide. I was a little more comfortable with stone 1 (the smaller ring) because of the dimensions and better clarity score, not to mention it comes in under budget. However, I do need to see a few more stones. Thanks!

 

[dragonfly411]

I''d personally go for number two. Although the first one has a large table and can be pleasant to some, it would seem to me that it would be a bit too large. The second stone still gives you a large table as well as good overall measurements. I hope you find the one you fall in love with though!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/11/2008 10:01:59 AM
Author: fletch173
Thanks for the advice. I'll wait until I see a few more stones and then decide. I was a little more comfortable with stone 1 (the smaller ring) because of the dimensions and better clarity score, not to mention it comes in under budget. However, I do need to see a few more stones. Thanks!

You are most welcome! Definitely be cautious of the second diamond, the angle combo might not be the best, so wait if you can until we can get the info on the other two.

 

[agc]

Date: 9/11/2008 10:24:38 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 9/11/2008 10:01:59 AM
Author: fletch173
Thanks for the advice. I''ll wait until I see a few more stones and then decide. I was a little more comfortable with stone 1 (the smaller ring) because of the dimensions and better clarity score, not to mention it comes in under budget. However, I do need to see a few more stones. Thanks!

You are most welcome! Definitely be cautious of the second diamond, the angle combo might not be the best, so wait if you can until we can get the info on the other two.

I agree. The 35/41.2 combo typically has alot of leakage and I would probably skip that one. The first one with 34/41.4 combo and 60% table is borderline and I believe would be an AGS2.

You have to look at them closely and go with what you like.

 

[fletch173]

Appreciate all the advice, and will continue to search and look at stones, but I''m still a little confused. I ran an HCA report on each stone with the following results:

Stone 1: HCA = 5.4 (smaller stone)
Stone 2: HCA = 3.7 (larger stone)

How much value should I put into the HCA score? Both are graded excellent cuts by GIA, but neither do great on HCA and one is particularly bad. Thanks very much!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/11/2008 2:05:28 PM
Author: fletch173
Appreciate all the advice, and will continue to search and look at stones, but I'm still a little confused. I ran an HCA report on each stone with the following results:

Stone 1: HCA = 5.4 (smaller stone)
Stone 2: HCA = 3.7 (larger stone)

How much value should I put into the HCA score? Both are graded excellent cuts by GIA, but neither do great on HCA and one is particularly bad. Thanks very much!

GIA Excellent can allow for some less effective combos concerning proportions, so you need to evaluate each diamond carefully as you are doing. More here on GIA Excellent cut grade.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gia-ex-let-the-buyer-beware.41371/

 

[girlie-girl]

Date: 9/11/2008 8:44:50 AM
Author:fletch173
Here is what I''m looking for. Would most women be more impressed with the larger stone even if a slight degradation in quality, which frankly is difficult to notice with the naked eye (at least for me)?

I may be in the minority here, but I''d rather have a smaller ''cleaner'' stone than a larger one with inclusions that may be seen. I''m pretty sure I''d classify myself as one of the ''mind clean'' people. So for me, I would not be more impressed with a larger stone that had degraded quality.

Good luck finding the perfect stone for you!