newbie help

[CT1988]

Hi, I'm very new here and am looking for some advice. I've been looking for about a month & a half now and have seen a dozen or so diamonds. My budget is about 15-17k and in terms of prices, it seems my best bet will be a

a) brilliant round, gia cert, 1.8 ct, excellent cut, h color, si2

or

b) brilliant round, gia cert 1.5 ct, excellent cut, f color, si1

in terms of size vs. clarity, what should I go for. I know my gf would prefer the bigger stone. Is there a huge difference between an eye clean si1 vs si2?

Thanks all.

 

[JulieN]

get what the lady wants.

 

[katrinab]

I am getting an eye clean SI2 but have also seen SI1s with visible inclusions. However, if you know that both stones are eye clean IMO do your gf a favour and get the bigger one If it's perfectly eye clean then no one will be able to tell the difference, apart from the size. (and maybe the colour if you're colour sensitive but I'd be very surprised if it was very obvious between an F and an H when set)

 

[CT1988]

Thanks for the feedback. I have seen a fair amount of si2's and i some are eye clean and some are not. I think I'm just a bit bothered by the inclusions when seen with the loop. I guess that's not that big of a deal if it's not noticeable.

 

[CT1988]

also, anyone recommend a different configuration within the budget?

 

[warheadwl]

also, anyone recommend a different configuration within the budget?

I purchased a 1.79 ct H SI1 (eye clean) round GIA XXX diamond about a month ago for under $15k.

So I think it's possible to get the size that you're looking for at the low end of your budget (or even under).

 

[mrssalvo]

Have you seen this one?
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/1-58-gia-xxx-g-vs1-and-vatche-tiffany-repro-setting-t178939.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/1-58-gia-xxx-g-vs1-and-vatche-tiffany-repro-setting-t178939.html[/URL]

A great price and right in budget!

 

[CT1988]

Thanks for the referral. I've read a lot on fluorescence. Is it generally an issue? I really had my sight set on something in the 1.8ct range, but VS1 is factor is hard to ignore. If the stone is "eye clean", do you guys typically prefer a larger stone w/ more inclusion, like si2 or a smaller stone w/ less inclusion, and in this case, 1.58ct vs1?