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Opinions on these 3 diamonds, please?

lalala

lalala

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Messages
587
I have these 3 currently on hold, please let me know your thoughts!

1.23 ct I VVS2 (waiting on IS image)

1.28 ct J VS2

1.31 ct J SI1

Is there a noticeable difference between 1.23 ct and 1.31 ct? What about 1.15 ct and 1.31 ct? There is another diamond that is 1.15 ct, I color, that I do not have on hold but it had the best IS image. Ultimately, I want the diamond to be noticeably larger than 1 ct.
 
I'd* eliminate the 1.31ct due to obvious inclusions against the table. The 2nd is AGS000, and Cut doesn't get any better than that. The spread on 1.28ct is very desirable, compared to the 1st (1.23ct). Both are lovely, but, VVS is far better than VS clarity. However, the VS is eye clean, and all of the inclusions are hidden around the perimeter of the stone, rather than against the table. They hide very well.
Diamond #1:
IMG_8089.PNG
Meets HCA Tool recommendations & standards. However, AGS000 is unbeatable.
It will be a toss up between these two diamonds, for me*. Myself, I'd go with #2 for these reasons: size is a priority, and the spread is great! You're not sacrificing Cut for size, here. The clarity is excellent because of the nature & location of the inclusions; it's eye clean, so you're not maxing budget for clarity, and size. Color isn't an issue; there isn't much noticeable difference between I & J stones, and choosing a setting that enhances or mutes the stone's color will be to your discretion.
I'm team 1.28ct J VS2. ;)2
 
lalala said:
@Matthews1127 perfect! Thank you!
Click to expand...

Happy to help. Others are sure to chime in. I tried to break this down as much as I could, and to be as detailed in my explanation as possible to convey my opinions and why. Everyone has their preferences. I expressed mine...lol!
I hope you get some more helpful info/opinions. Please keep us posted!!! Best of luck!! :mrgreen2:
 
This is super hard for me!

The 1.31 J is GIA graded which is good because GIA can be stricter on color grading. It's SI1, and I personally prefer VS2+. It's the largest.

The 1.28 J VS2 is almost the size of the 1.31. It has VS2 clarity, and it's ideal cut. I can't tell for sure without seeing them side by side, but there's a chance it may be more tinted than the GIA J. Nice stone overall if you are happy with J color.

The 1.23 I VVS looks beautiful, too. It's the smallest of the three, but not much smaller. Best color and clarity.

This would be a hard decision for me, other than I'd cut off my search at I VS2 in modern round brilliants, if this stone was for me. So probably, I would take the I VVS just because I like I or higher and VS2 or higher for clarity. Of course, I can't see the prices, so I suppose that could influence my decision. If I were setting the stone in a rose gold halo, I also might go with the 1.28 J. Darker skin tone also works well with lower colors.
 
Since your last post, have you see a GIA J in person? I think some concern was expressed if you would see and be bothered by the color coming from a GIA G to a J.

Of yours,
#2 > #1
Eliminate #3

#2 is AGS0, good angles and size. #1 has very similar angles, slightly smaller table but IGI graded making color suspect. Looks like a J or K to the extent one can tell from JA vidoes. If we assume 2 grades lower, does that change its interest for you? #3 has a larger table and has "additional clouds" that would need to be reviewed. Not a fan.

1 carat (6.48 mm) vs. #1

upload_2017-10-4_19-16-58.png


1 carat vs. #3
upload_2017-10-4_19-17-54.png
 
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@rockysalamander #1 is GIA not IGI. Yes, I have seen an I and J since my first post but I saw them in a store and while I tried to get them in natural light, I didn't have much success. I liked them in the store lighting though. So, yes, I'm still a little hesitant to go to a J but then I see pics of other J's in settings and I think they look lovely. :think: Thank you for the visuals and your feedback! I can see a difference in both... which makes this harder. I'll eliminate #3 though.

@diamondseeker2006 that was my drawback on the 1.28 J, love the cut but unsure of an AGS J. The one I saw in store was a GIA J. I'm also pale and this diamond will be an upgrade so I'm using my current setting which is a white gold solitaire with a pave shank. It is 4 prongs but JA said it can be modified to 6 prongs which I believe @rockysalamander suggested in another one of my threads to help hide the bottom. Plus, after stalking PS, I'm a huge fan of 6 prongs now.. lol. Thank you for your feedback!

@Matthews1127 I appreciate your detailed response, thank you! Now to decide between #1 and #2... or to keep looking?!
 
I think I'm becoming addicted to searching for diamonds. I've been checking daily to see when inventory and prices are updated... I may enjoy the hunt a little too much.
 
Looking at the two JA vids of the GIA J and AGS J, both look relatively comparable in colour on my iphone’s screen.

I prefer the angle combo of the AGS graded stone though, but that’s just me.

But given the <$100 difference, I think I’d still prefer the AGS J 1.28 instead. I’m a sucker for AGS graded stones. Hah.
 
bmfang said:
Looking at the two JA vids of the GIA J and AGS J, both look relatively comparable in colour on my iphone’s screen.

I prefer the angle combo of the AGS graded stone though, but that’s just me.

But given the <$100 difference, I think I’d still prefer the AGS J 1.28 instead. I’m a sucker for AGS graded stones. Hah.
Click to expand...

Thank you! Yup, I think it's between the 1.28 J and the 1.23 I... unless I can find an AGS I :think:

Looking to upgrade before our wedding in March so no rush really, but I'd like to get it before the holidays and engagement season when prices go up and supply goes down (Unless my thought process is incorrect).
 
 
Don't buy based on who graded it. One of the finest cut stones I ever had was first graded by GIA. When I was ready to sell it, it was regraded by AGS before going on consignment. It graded AGS 000 (and was superideal cut based on the ASET and hearts when I bought it) and a color grade higher. So while I do now have all AGS graded rounds (because AVRs and ACAs are graded by AGS), if I were looking through JA for a round brilliant for myself, I'd be looking at both GIA and AGS, because there will be top GIA XXX stones that would grade AGS Ideal if regraded.
 
diamondseeker2006 said:
Don't buy based on who graded it. One of the finest cut stones I ever had was first graded by GIA. When I was ready to sell it, it was regraded by AGS before going on consignment. It graded AGS 000 (and was superideal cut based on the ASET and hearts when I bought it) and a color grade higher. So while I do now have all AGS graded rounds (because AVRs and ACAs are graded by AGS), if I were looking through JA for a round brilliant for myself, I'd be looking at both GIA and AGS, because there will be top GIA XXX stones that would grade AGS Ideal if regraded.
Click to expand...

Wonderful insight... thank you again!
 
diamondseeker2006 said:
Don't buy based on who graded it. One of the finest cut stones I ever had was first graded by GIA. When I was ready to sell it, it was regraded by AGS before going on consignment. It graded AGS 000 (and was superideal cut based on the ASET and hearts when I bought it) and a color grade higher. So while I do now have all AGS graded rounds (because AVRs and ACAs are graded by AGS), if I were looking through JA for a round brilliant for myself, I'd be looking at both GIA and AGS, because there will be top GIA XXX stones that would grade AGS Ideal if regraded.
Click to expand...

Let me preface what I’m about to say with: GIA still remains a leading authority on grading all types of gems (including diamonds).

However, if I am given the choice between two stones that nominally have the same carat weight, same colour and clarity and they have similar prices, I am likely to choose the AGS graded stone over the GIA one principally due to the fact that an AGS report will give me accurate information about the physical proportions of the stone which I can then use with the tools and knowledge gained from PS to determine if it will be a good performer or not.

My beef with GIA grading reports is that they still do not contain accurate information about LGF percentages, crown angle degrees and star facet percentages. I would personally prefer to purchase from vendors that would go the next step and provide things like ASETs or Sarine scan results on GIA graded stones to me (so where I am here in Australia that would mean a vendor like Jogia Diamonds or online, with a vendor like GOG).
 
I don't know how I ended up on the wrong diamond cert. and video for #1. Huh. The cert even had similar numbers. So odd. Anyway, I looked again and I agree with PP that I like #2 and I'd eliminate #3. #1 would achieve an AGS Ideal according to the proportion cut chart provided the unrounded value is not less than 40.6. So, #1 and 2 are similar, #1 is an I and smaller, #2 is a J.

Your #4 is also nice. I will through less fire than #2, at least theoretically, but it is also smaller than #2 at 6.87 mm vs 6.95. So, the are trading down size for color.

How about these? I traded a bit on clarity and budget (maybe too much?), but these are all eye-clean to my eyes and beat #2 for size. IS are all similar. I am partial to the chubby arrows of the 6.99 mm below.

6.99mm G - https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-g-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3160815

This is the G
upload_2017-10-5_6-15-36.png

I on left, J on right below (but left is less well illuminated than the stone on the right). I would ask JA to show you these side by side, but since spread matter, I think you will prefer #2.

upload_2017-10-5_5-49-21.png
 

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I like the G, too. I'd just want them to examine it and be sure that feather is not surface reaching. Looks very clean otherwise, though.

@bmfang I definitely prefer having an ASET on any stone, too. In regard to AGS stones, I have to have verification that the stone would grade that color with GIA. I've had two GIA stones that were regraded by AGS as a color grade higher, so I want to be careful in the reverse situation, as well.
 
Here is the IS image of #1. I'm still learning how to read these... thoughts?

3366870.jpg
 
And for quick reference - here is #2

Screenshot 2017-10-05 12.22.43.jpg

And here is the G

Screenshot 2017-10-05 12.22.33.jpg

To my untrained eye, it looks like the I (#1 and previous post) has the best?
 
Also, I replied to the gemologist that sent the IS image and asked if I could see #1 and #2 side by side. Not sure what he'll say...
 
I'm still team 1.28JVS2.
 
Hmmm... I have to admit #2 is very good.

This one has a similar aset, a little bigger table. But, the spread is 7.05 mm as compared to 6.95 mm for #2. Beautiful clarity. Medium Flour, which can help with the J color. Just ask JA gemologist if it is causing any haziness. Rare but worth asking. Marginally less fire than #2, but you gain size.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2519529

#2 on left, diamond above right - size 6.5 finger
upload_2017-10-5_20-30-14.png

1 carat (left), diamond above (right)
upload_2017-10-5_20-30-56.png
 
Looking at the two IS images, there is a marked area of light white in the image for #1 at he 3 o’clock position. The IS for #2 has a more even saturation edge to edge. That’s to my eyes at least.
 
bmfang said:
Looking at the two IS images, there is a marked area of light white in the image for #1 at he 3 o’clock position. The IS for #2 has a more even saturation edge to edge. That’s to my eyes at least.
Click to expand...
I agree. I noticed the same differences in IS between the two. Light white areas can indiacate leakage or darkening of the stone. Even saturation is far better as it indicates even light absorbtion, and light return/disbursement. She (#2) should be an excellent performer! :mrgreen2:
 
rockysalamander said:
Hmmm... I have to admit #2 is very good.

This one has a similar aset, a little bigger table. But, the spread is 7.05 mm as compared to 6.95 mm for #2. Beautiful clarity. Medium Flour, which can help with the J color. Just ask JA gemologist if it is causing any haziness. Rare but worth asking. Marginally less fire than #2, but you gain size.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2519529

#2 on left, diamond above right - size 6.5 finger
upload_2017-10-5_20-30-14.png

1 carat (left), diamond above (right)
upload_2017-10-5_20-30-56.png
Click to expand...

I like 1.30JVS1, outside of the small pinpoint inclusion against the table. I* wouldn't be able to get past that. For me*, the few mm difference just wouldn't be worth it; I'd prefer a clear table. The difference in spread is so minimal, I* would choose the more eye clean diamond, for my own peace of mind. That's just me! The diamond is gorgeous, and a fine suggestion. You have to decide for yourself which is a priority, and what you prefer...
 
@bmfang @Matthews1127 thank you both! I'm still learning how to read IS images, I didn't even catch the lighter area at 3 o'clock!

So, now I need to decide if I can handle a J in real life...
 
Just wanted to update you ladies-- I may be going a different route and taking a little bit of a loss on my current diamond and changing to another vendor with super ideals. I'll keep you all updated!

Right now I'm focusing on the wedding ring! Hoping to upgrade the diamond before the wedding but I'm willing to wait if needed.

Thank you all for the help!
 
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