Please help compare two AGS 000 diamonds

[Chris_Long]

I did a lot of research to avoid getting ripped off, and ended up buying two I, VS2, AGS 000 stones online to compare. The first one was in the heart of the optimum ranges for all the measurements from what I've read (Tolkowsky cut, H&A, etc). The second one was slightly deeper than optimum, had a bit steeper of a crown angle, and the table was a little on the small size. However, the simulated ASET looked pretty comparable, so I took a chance and bought it. Here are the two certs:

http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104067957009-PGR.PDF

http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104066418028-PLDQR.PDF

I got them both and looked at them in different light conditions and with a small viewer the first diamond came with. I couldn't tell the difference between the two and was in a time crunch, so I went with the cheaper diamond and got it set in a simple solitaire. I then had an independent and well-qualified appraiser compare the two diamonds visually, and he thought the one I picked was slightly brighter and was slightly better on the color scale. The inclusion on the table was slightly more visible under magnification, but was still eye clean. I'm excited about saving $1,500 AND still getting what a diamond expert thought was the better stone. I got a great-looking H&A diamond, even though a few of the measurements were very slightly off what I'd read was the best. So my question to the experts here is whether the diamond appraiser and I both missed something important, or if small deviances from the super ideal cut ranges can still perform as well or better than diamonds in those ranges? Can you really tell the difference visually? Thanks in advance for any insight!

 

[SirGuy]

If you went with -009, I quite like that one. I prefer it to the other. The angles are more complementary to me. And if you like it in hand that's even better. Looks like you made an educated and informed decision and got a good stone!

 

[Chris_Long]

No, I went with the second one. It was cheaper and also looked slightly better according to the appraiser, even though the angles on the first one were closer to "ideal".

 

[SirGuy]

So you did! They're both good stones from the numbers. The computer-generated ASET on yours looks really good to me. It's all about diminishing returns. I think you got a stone that's just about as good as the first for a significant savings. I don't see anything particularly wrong with it that would make me think you made a mistake somehow! Congrats on your purchase.

Your eyes are the best evaluation tool. If they look the same in person that's the best way to decide. So great stuff!

 

[Lorelei]

I did a lot of research to avoid getting ripped off, and ended up buying two I, VS2, AGS 000 stones online to compare. The first one was in the heart of the optimum ranges for all the measurements from what I've read (Tolkowsky cut, H&A, etc). The second one was slightly deeper than optimum, had a bit steeper of a crown angle, and the table was a little on the small size. However, the simulated ASET looked pretty comparable, so I took a chance and bought it. Here are the two certs:

http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104067957009-PGR.PDF

http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104066418028-PLDQR.PDF

I got them both and looked at them in different light conditions and with a small viewer the first diamond came with. I couldn't tell the difference between the two and was in a time crunch, so I went with the cheaper diamond and got it set in a simple solitaire. I then had an independent and well-qualified appraiser compare the two diamonds visually, and he thought the one I picked was slightly brighter and was slightly better on the color scale. The inclusion on the table was slightly more visible under magnification, but was still eye clean. I'm excited about saving $1,500 AND still getting what a diamond expert thought was the better stone. I got a great-looking H&A diamond, even though a few of the measurements were very slightly off what I'd read was the best. So my question to the experts here is whether the diamond appraiser and I both missed something important, or if small deviances from the super ideal cut ranges can still perform as well or better than diamonds in those ranges? Can you really tell the difference visually? Thanks in advance for any insight!

Hi Chris,

It looks as if you made great use of your time and made an excellent, informed purchase, well done! Once you get to this level of cut, it's hard to tell as a novice differences in performance nuances, both should perform very well indeed and it comes down to budget and personal taste, as you have discovered. Concerning optical symmetry of hearts and arrows, images are needed in order to evaluate the footprint of both in order to determine which has the superior optical symmetry but you had your expert on hand who confirmed you made a great choice, congratulations!

 

[Chris_Long]

Thanks Sir Guy and Lorelei! The diamond I went with was $6,500 on Blue Nile. I stumbled across it in one of my late-night diamond searches. They don't carry very many AGS certified diamonds. I knew it was a little riskier getting a diamond without the ASET and Ideal scope images. But the light performance map on the cert looked as good or better than some of the ones on James Allen, BGD, etc. It shows slightly more green at the edge of the table, but the optical symmetry looked really good. Have you found the AGS computer-generated light performance images match up pretty well with what an actual ASET scope shows, or do software, scanning, or other uncertainties introduce too many variables for them to be very accurate?