Pick one

[Gollum]

Hi,

I''m in the process of buying a diamond to be the center stone in the engagement ring I plan to offer my girlfriend soon and would appreciate advice from those who have experience in purchasing diamonds. I have an 18-K yellow gold bezel setting with micropave on the shank in mind. On an emotional level, the quality of the diamond is very important to me and I''d prefer to be on the higher end of the CCC scale while understanding that the setting I have in mind might make a factor like color less relevant.

Below are the GIA Diamond Grading Reports for the 3 Round Brilliant diamonds that I am currently picking between. I understand that evaluating these options depends to a large degree on personal preference, but to the extent that there are objective standards, which of the three do you think represents the best value/quality for the money and also in terms of the aesthetics?

Diamond 1 (offered at $8600)

Measurements: 6.78 - 6.83 x 4.26 mm

Carat Weight: 1.20 carat
Color Grade: G
Clarity Grade: VS2
Cut Grade: Excellent

Proportions:
Depth: 62.6%
Table: 55%
Crown Angle: 35.0°
Crown Height: 15.5%
Pavilion Angle: 41.2°
Pavilion Depth: 43.5%
Star length: 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted (3.5%)
Culet: None

Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Comments: Additional pinpoints are not shown.

Diamond 2 (offered at $7500)

Measurements: 6.88 - 6.90 x 4.19 mm

Carat Weight: 1.21 carat
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade: VS2
Cut Grade: Excellent

Proportions:
Depth: 60.8%
Table: 59%
Crown Angle: 33.5°
Crown Height: 13.5%
Pavilion Angle: 41.2°
Pavilion Depth: 43.5%
Star length: 50%
Lower Half: 75%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted (3.5%)
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None

Diamond 3 (offered at $7850)

Measurements: 6.90 - 6.97 x 4.15 mm

Carat Weight: 1.21 carat
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade: VS1
Cut Grade: Excellent

Proportions:
Depth: 59.8%
Table: 59%
Crown Angle: 34.0°
Crown Height: 13.5%
Pavilion Angle: 41.0°
Pavilion Depth: 43.5%
Star length: 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted (2.5%)
Culet: None

Finish:
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: Faint

 

[chrono]

Gollum,
Do you have any idealscope pictures?

 

[Gollum]

Unfortunately, I do not.

 

[tyty333]

FYI
1) HCA 3.6 vg,g,g,vg
2) HCA 2.9 vg,vg,vg,vg
3) HCA 1.7 x,vg,vg,x TIC

 

[Gollum]

Thanks a great deal for the commentary. I picked a stone different than these 3 that I''m happy with. It has lots of personaility, cost $6500 and stacks up pretty well on the idealscope at X, X, X, Vg. It''s a slightly smaller (1.03) GVS2 than the others with the following proportions:

Measurements: 6.50 - 6.54 x 3.96 mm
Cut Grade: Excellent
Depth: 60.7%
Table: 58%
Crown Angle: 33.5°
Crown Height: 13.5%
Pavilion Angle: 41.0°
Pavilion Depth: 43.5%
Star length: 55%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted (4.0%)
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None