Need to decide

[stevieg]

Hey everyone, I''ve been reading your posts and they''re excellent. Thanks so much for sharing all your information and experiences.

I''m down to two stones and need to make a decision already:

A. 1.42 Ct. H VS2 Ex/VG - $9800

B. 1.35 Ct. H VS1 Ex/Ex - $9100

Stone A is from a very reputable dealer that you all know and love and rave about on this forum. Stone B is from a dealer in the diamond district. I''ve seen both stones under the H&A scope, seen Gemex reports, seen GIA certs, and they''re both great.

Based on all the information I''ve seen and all the homework I''ve done, stone B is the slightly more perfect cut. Stone B gets a 0.9 on the HCA and stone A "only" gets a 1.3. They''re both perfect and amazing to the naked eye.

Anyone have an opinion?

 

[Ellen]

I vote 1.42.

 

[stevieg]

Just because of the size?

 

[kcoursolle]

I''d like to see more information before deciding. You can''t really say that a stone that gets a .9 is better than a 1.3. Under 2 is good...and from there you need to look at the specs, images, etc.

Can you post the cut specs on each of the stones, any images you have, and the diameter of the stones? Also, you can easily drop down to an SI1 and still find an eye-clean stone if you wanted to save money or go larger.

 

[stevieg]

Thanks for taking an interest. I definitely liked the way Stone B looked better under the scope, and they both were beautiful without scopes, although I saw them about a week apart so it's tough to compare. Here's the dimensions copies from the certs, with the 1.42 first in the two diagrams.

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 5/4/2007 6:56:51 PM
Author: stevieg

Thanks for taking an interest. I definitely liked the way Stone B looked better under the scope, and they both were beautiful without scopes, although I saw them about a week apart so it''s tough to compare. Here''s the dimensions copies from the certs, with the 1.42 first in the two diagrams.

Thanks for posting these. Can you also post the mm measurements of each stone? I''d like to see which one faces up larger.

Both of these stones have great cut specs, this is really a tough decision. At first glace, I''d say go for the 1.42 H/VS2 because it''s really a great value for the money. It will look like a 1.5, but cost substantially less and VS1 clarity is a bit overkill. However, you say you liked the 1.35 better, and in the end what you liked and what you thought looked better should help you decide.

Both should be very beautiful diamonds, and both have awesome specs...so the good news is that you can''t go wrong here.

 

[MWG]

Without seeing pictures and other measurements, I would consider the following:

1) Are you getting a bank wire discount from the Pricescope Vendor (5% likely) and no tax and possible lifetime upgrade.

2) You will have to pay taxes on the 2nd diamond. What is their upgrade policy like?

Good Luck
MWG

 

[stevieg]

Thanks for the replies!

The face up diameters are 7.22mm for the 1.42 and 7.07mm for the 1.35. I agree with your comments on the size. I feel like if you just hear a size, 1.42 seems more like a 1.5 while the 1.35 seems more like 1 and a quarter. It sounds silly, but my friend and I were cracking up talking about how 1.35 sounds like 1.25 which might as well round to 1 ct., but 1.42 is pretty much 1.5, which rounds up to 2. So it''s like getting a whole extra carat for just 0.07!

The thing that kind of bugs me is that the 1.35 is a grade better in clarity but I''d still be paying $700 less. The 1.42 vendor just absolutely refuses to budge on price because they know that with their reputation they can sell their diamond for that price. I think they''re used to being in situations where any other stone their customer is considering has an inferior cut. I''m not a big fan of haggling but I''ve seen the cut and just know I''d be getting more for the money on the 1.35.

I would be getting a lifetime upgrade on either diamond. I actually live in the same state as both vendors but will have the ring shipped to relatives out of state to avoid taxes with either. There is a bank wire discount but it doesn''t help me since I''m going to pay by credit card anyway.

I like the 1.42 vendor better and will probably end up going that way, but I''m still not sure. I just don''t want to look at the ring later and think of "the one that got away". All this diamond shopping has got me a little crazy.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Wow, do you know how long I looked for an H color diamond in the 1.4 to 1.49 range??? A long time (and I ended up going above 1.5 because I couldn''t find what I wanted)! Those are rare and a terrific deal since they are so close to a carat and a half. The specs on that stone are excellent. I sincerely hope you have it on hold if it is from a PS vendor because there are a LOT of lurkers on here! The 1.42 is the hands-down winner for me!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/5/2007 8:53:02 AM
Author: stevieg
Thanks for the replies!

The thing that kind of bugs me is that the 1.35 is a grade better in clarity but I''d still be paying $700 less. The 1.42 vendor just absolutely refuses to budge on price because they know that with their reputation they can sell their diamond for that price. I think they''re used to being in situations where any other stone their customer is considering has an inferior cut. I''m not a big fan of haggling but I''ve seen the cut and just know I''d be getting more for the money on the 1.35.


Thanks,
Steve

Most vendors don''t haggle.

If you feel so strongly about the 1.35, why not get it?

And ds is right about the 1.42, which is why I picked it. I was looking for the same thing when I got my upgade.

 

[phoenixgirl]

It did sound to me like the 1.35 is calling to you but the 1.42 seems better on paper. I don''t think going with either would be a mistake.

Is there any room to haggle on the 1.35? Maybe if there were even more of a price difference between the two, the decision would be easier.

 

[stevieg]

You folks are wonderful. I took your advice and snapped up the 1.42 - it''s bigger and comes from a seller I''m more comfortable dealing with, and the consensus seems to be that it''s more of a rare find. I''ll never miss the $700 a few years from now.

And if anyone''s looking for the most perfect 1.35 ct. H VS1 you can find, shoot me an email and I''ll tell you where to grab it quick.

Thanks!!!

Steve

P.S. I''ll try to post pix after I do the deed...

 

[Ellen]

Congrats!

I don''t think you''ll regret it.

And we definitely want pics!

 

[chrono]

Congrats on the 1.42 stone. It''s what I would have picked too based on the cut parameters, the colour & clarity combo, and the carat weight just being slightly under the 1.5ct mark but without the 1.5ct pricetag.

 

[kcoursolle]

Yay, the 1.42 is a great stone!! Yes, it''s slightly more expensive but the service and upgrade policies and peace of mind you are getting with it are well worth it. The extra size doesn''t hurt either. Do not worry about the clarity difference, VS2''s are still very clean.

I hope you post some pictures later on, we''d love to see it!