Picking between four similar diamonds - need expert help!

[shp526]

Hi all,

I have four diamonds that I'm considering. I did a lot of research to get to these, but deciding between them is beyond me.

All are GIA Triple Ex, Hearts and Arrows, 2ct, I or J color and SI1. They're around the same price and I've confirmed that there's no milkiness or color tinge. I have pictures of all of them and believe they're eye clean, but I can't get Idealscope images.

I'm attaching the pictures and GIA certificates in a PDF.

I'm not sure how to choose between them, other than going with the lowest HCA score, which I know isn't the best way to decide.

Can anyone recommend one or two of these, or rule one or two out?

Thanks!

Diamond 1
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 2.03ct
Color: J
Clarity: SI1
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence:Faint
Culet: None
Girdle: Medium
Lab Report: GIA 2176238181
Width: 8.12mm
Length: 8.16mm
Depth: 4.99mm
Table Percentage: 57%
Depth Percentage: 61.3%
Crown ∠: 36.0°
Pavilion ∠: 40.6°
HCA: 1.8 (VG-EX-VG-VG)


Diamond 2
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 2.00ct
Color: J
Clarity: SI1
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence:None
Culet: None
Girdle: Medium-Slight thick 4.0%
Lab Report: GIA 11169756883
Width: 8.04mm
Length: 8.08mm
Depth: 5.04mm
Table Percentage: 56%
Depth Percentage: 62.5%
Crown ∠: 34.0°
Pavilion ∠: 41°
HCA: 1.5 (EX-EX-VG-VG)


Diamond 3
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 2.00ct
Color: J
Clarity: SI1
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence:None
Culet: None
Girdle: Medium-Slight thick 4.0%
Lab Report: GIA 12176168389
Width: 8.05mm
Length: 8.11mm
Depth: 5.00mm
Table Percentage: 55.0%
Depth Percentage: 61.9%
Crown ∠: 34.0°
Pavilion ∠: 40.6°
HCA: 0.7 (EX-EX-EX-VG)


Diamond 4
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 2.06ct
Color: I (the only one of the four that's not J)
Clarity: SI1
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence:Strong Blue
Culet: None
Girdle: Medium 3.5%
Lab Report: GIA 12176247605
Width: 8.16mm
Length: 8.19mm
Depth: 5.01mm
Table Percentage: 58%
Depth Percentage: 61.3%
Crown ∠: 34.5°
Pavilion ∠: 41.0°
HCA: 1.8 (VG-EX-VG-VG)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Picking between four similar diamonds - need expert help

This is very hard to do without an idealscope image for each stone.

1) Looks pretty good if they confirm it is eyeclean from top and sides.

2) The image of the stone makes me think it may have leakage. This is why you need idealscope images. It is on the deep side at 62.5. We usually look for 62.3 or less.

3) These images are not good enough to see anything. I can't see the facet pattern because there is no straight face up view. But it does have the best HCA in terms of Ex, Ex, Ex, VG.

4) This one wins on higher color and fluorescence. But the image looks like there might be leakage and the inclusions in the center might bug me. It also has the largest diameter.

I'd want to try for #4 because of the better color and size, but I'd need to see the stone to be sure it was eyeclean enough and get an idealscope image.

 

[hearts-arrows_girl]

Re: Picking between four similar diamonds - need expert help

At a quick glance. I like numbers 1 & 3. I like the tables and depth. Gook luck on your hunt for the perfect stone. 2ct is a very respectable size. Your girl would be thrilled with any of the stones you picked. Show them to her so that she can decide which one sings to her. Post pics when you get some.

 

[RandG]

Re: Picking between four similar diamonds - need expert help

Hi all,

I have four diamonds that I'm considering. I did a lot of research to get to these, but deciding between them is beyond me.

All are GIA Triple Ex, Hearts and Arrows, 2ct, I or J color and SI1. They're around the same price and I've confirmed that there's no milkiness or color tinge. I have pictures of all of them and believe they're eye clean, but I can't get Idealscope images.

I'm attaching the pictures and GIA certificates in a PDF.

I'm not sure how to choose between them, other than going with the lowest HCA score, which I know isn't the best way to decide.

Can anyone recommend one or two of these, or rule one or two out?

Thanks!

Diamond 1
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 2.03ct
Color: J
Clarity: SI1
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence:Faint
Culet: None
Girdle: Medium
Lab Report: GIA 2176238181
Width: 8.12mm
Length: 8.16mm
Depth: 4.99mm
Table Percentage: 57%
Depth Percentage: 61.3%
Crown ∠: 36.0°
Pavilion ∠: 40.6°
HCA: 1.8 (VG-EX-VG-VG)


Diamond 2
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 2.00ct
Color: J
Clarity: SI1
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence:None
Culet: None
Girdle: Medium-Slight thick 4.0%
Lab Report: GIA 11169756883
Width: 8.04mm
Length: 8.08mm
Depth: 5.04mm
Table Percentage: 56%
Depth Percentage: 62.5%
Crown ∠: 34.0°
Pavilion ∠: 41°
HCA: 1.5 (EX-EX-VG-VG)


Diamond 3
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 2.00ct
Color: J
Clarity: SI1
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence:None
Culet: None
Girdle: Medium-Slight thick 4.0%
Lab Report: GIA 12176168389
Width: 8.05mm
Length: 8.11mm
Depth: 5.00mm
Table Percentage: 55.0%
Depth Percentage: 61.9%
Crown ∠: 34.0°
Pavilion ∠: 40.6°
HCA: 0.7 (EX-EX-EX-VG)


Diamond 4
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 2.06ct
Color: I (the only one of the four that's not J)
Clarity: SI1
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence:Strong Blue
Culet: None
Girdle: Medium 3.5%
Lab Report: GIA 12176247605
Width: 8.16mm
Length: 8.19mm
Depth: 5.01mm
Table Percentage: 58%
Depth Percentage: 61.3%
Crown ∠: 34.5°
Pavilion ∠: 41.0°
HCA: 1.8 (VG-EX-VG-VG)

You have good choices so you did well! The differences on paper are negligible. Depending on pricing, I would go with #4 because I would want the best size/color/clarity I could get, plus you have the bonus of #4 having the best spread. That strong fluorescence is also likely to make this one look the whitest of the four. Diamond #1 would be my fall back position. Again, I like the spread and the faint fluorescence will again help the performance of the J color.

I really commend you on your choices. I suspect you wanted to get over 2 carats (which is super smart from an investment standpoint)so you played with color and clarity to get there. Going with an SI1 stone here is a really good strategy. So many times, the difference between a VS and SI1 are so minimal that you can find real value in buying. Same with color here. Good luck and congratulations!

 

[SelfPortrait]

Re: Picking between four similar diamonds - need expert help

That's quite a portfolio of diamonds to manage...Cheers

 

[shp526]

Re: Picking between four similar diamonds - need expert help

Thanks for all of your input!

 

[MarionC]

Re: Picking between four similar diamonds - need expert help

I like three and think it may turn out to have the most fire.