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Picking between two diamonds - is it worth the $$ to go with

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bgrins

Rough_Rock
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Jul 15, 2009
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First of all, I would like to thank all of the members of this forum and the site for providing all of the resources, knowledge, etc. A month ago I knew next to nothing about diamonds, and did a LOT of research and lurking on this site and now feel qualified to buy a diamond!! I don't know what I would have done without this site -- of course, I am the type of person who NEEDS to know as much as possible about a domain before I make any purchases so this is a great place for me.

I have decided that for my budget and weight requirements (>1ct and <5.5K); Ideal cut, SI1 clarity and H-J color will be great. Here are two WF diamonds I am considering:

I really like this one, partly b/c of price ($4K). It doesn't fit WF ACA standards b/c of depth, apparently, although it gets a 1.5 on HCA.
1.01ct J SI1 - http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1987240.htm

This next one is an I color, which seems like a "safer" bet (although I don't care the stone will look right next to other diamonds, more that it won't look yellowish). Also, it is ACA and gets a 1 on the HCA.
1.027ct I SI1 ACA - http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982315.htm

Of course money is an issue... So here are my questions: Is it worth an extra $1K extra to upgrade to the second diamond? Can you personally tell a difference between an I and J in general, and/or these two particular diamonds from their pictures? Also, is the second one better in some other ways, or would I be paying for the "ACA" qualification?

Thanks!!!
bgrins

Edit: Thanks To Lorelei, I added in the actual hyperlinks instead to the stones instead of just the URLs
 
Date: 7/15/2009 4:10:03 PM
Author:bgrins

First of all, I would like to thank all of the members of this forum and the site for providing all of the resources, knowledge, etc. A month ago I knew next to nothing about diamonds, and did a LOT of research and lurking on this site and now feel qualified to buy a diamond!! I don't know what I would have done without this site -- of course, I am the type of person who NEEDS to know as much as possible about a domain before I make any purchases so this is a great place for me.

I have decided that for my budget and weight requirements (>1ct and <5.5K); Ideal cut, SI1 clarity and H-J color will be great. Here are two WF diamonds I am considering:

I really like this one (it doesn't fit WF ACA standards b/c of depth, apparently, although it gets a 1.5 on HCA).
1.01ct J SI1 - http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1987240.htm

This next one is an I color, which seems like a 'safer' bet (although I don't care the stone will look right next to other diamonds, more that it won't look yellowish). Also, it is ACA and gets a 1 on the HCA.
1.027ct I SI1 ACA - http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982315.htm

Of course money is an issue... So here are my questions: Is it worth an extra $1K extra to upgrade to the second diamond? Can you personally tell a difference between an I and J in general, and/or these two particular diamonds from their pictures? Also, is the second one better in some other ways, or would I be paying for the 'ACA' qualification?

Thanks!!!
bgrins
Click to expand...




http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1987240.htm


http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982315.htm

The first one is a lovely diamond but it is a bit deep and is facing up a bit small for its size, looks like a beautiful diamond though. My choice would be the ACA, yes you will pay a premium for the brand so up to you whether it is worth it or not. You could always ask WF what else they have in that size range which might suit you? They might have some new diamonds in the pipeline. I and J, I can't see a difference between them colourwise.
 
Tough decision. The first is a little deeper than would be preferable for a near-Tolk, but falls nicely in range for a FIC (Fiery Ideal Cut), which may show a little more fire in certain lighting. The IS and ASET are also very nice. The trade off for a FIC is as Lorelei mentioned, added depth, which results in a slightly smaller face up size.

The second is very good, as are all ACA's, and a nicely balanced stone.

My personal choice would be the first--I like FIC's and they can be hard to find. The .1mm difference in size is too small to detect with the naked eye and the cost savings to boot kicks it over the top in my book.

The color difference between I and J is too close to be perceptible in my book. Both will show a little warmth.
 
Date: 7/15/2009 5:43:15 PM
Author: jet2ks
Tough decision. The first is a little deeper than would be preferable for a near-Tolk, but falls nicely in range for a FIC (Fiery Ideal Cut), which may show a little more fire in certain lighting. The IS and ASET are also very nice. The trade off for a FIC is as Lorelei mentioned, added depth, which results in a slightly smaller face up size.

The second is very good, as are all ACA's, and a nicely balanced stone.

My personal choice would be the first--I like FIC's and they can be hard to find. The .1mm difference in size is too small to detect with the naked eye and the cost savings to boot kicks it over the top in my book.

The color difference between I and J is too close to be perceptible in my book. Both will show a little warmth.
Click to expand...
Ditto Jet, I was about to add the first diamond falls within FIC range but was sidetracked, thanks Jet! I would still pick the second as every bit of size counts for me even mentally but either could be a stunning choice!
 
jet2ks, now I have some more research to do :). Thanks everybody for the input so far!

So as far as I understand it, when diamonds are too deep, they lose light out the bottom and are not very brilliant. Do you think that the first one falls into that category or is the main downside just going to be the smaller face up size?

. Depth %: 62.8
. Table %: 54.8
. Crown Angle: 35.6
. Crown %: 16.2
. Star : 51
. Pavilion Angle: 40.6
. Pavilion %: 42.8


Thanks!
 
The main thing is the size. Usually what happens in deeper diamonds is that they are cut with steep pavillions (>41 degrees) and that is what causes the light leakage. If it were leaking, you would see it in the IS and ASET images--the images for this diamond do not show leakage. The pavillion on this one is a very good 40.6, the extra depth in is the steeper crown. That crown angle and small table are what help refract the light into the spectral color, producing fire,hence the FIC terminology. You might trade a little brilliance for more fire, but overall it should be a bright, sparkly stone.
 
Date: 7/15/2009 6:17:56 PM
Author: bgrins
jet2ks, now I have some more research to do :). Thanks everybody for the input so far!

So as far as I understand it, when diamonds are too deep, they lose light out the bottom and are not very brilliant. Do you think that the first one falls into that category or is the main downside just going to be the smaller face up size?

. Depth %: 62.8
. Table %: 54.8
. Crown Angle: 35.6
. Crown %: 16.2
. Star : 51
. Pavilion Angle: 40.6
. Pavilion %: 42.8


Thanks!
Click to expand...
It can be a tradeoff with FIC types, along with the typical proportions such as extra depth, small table, steeper crown etc can mean such a stone can face up a bit smaller for the weight, these diamonds can still be excellent performers which is quite different to a badly cut stone which is bottom heavy and steep pavilioned, those won''t sparkle worth a light!
 
I consider myself a complete novice and am still learning as much as I can before I buy but I just wanted to say that I have not seen a better post in as few words that made so many things clear about depth, light leakage and pavilion angles. Thank you.

Also, FWIW, I like the first better than the second.
 
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