Please help! Crystals better or feathers for comparison? Good buy?

[chiuey]

I have 2 stones I am deciding on and need a decision quickly. I previously posted but nobody replied so trying another thread. Please let me know which you think is the better stone or if either is any good? Both are priced around $6500, same color, about the same size, one has more crystals, the other has feathers. Thank you very much!

 

[EvaEvans]

I personally avoid feathers at any cost.
However, we should know the exact diamond characteristics to give you the best advise.
These means you to write us all sizes and angles of the diamond cut. If you have the lab certificate number, write it down.

 

[tyty333]

You really didnt give us enough information to give an opinion. How big is the feather...how big is the crystal? We need up close pictures and GIA/AGS
reports. You didnt even tell us the clarity (or am I missing it???)

 

[chiuey]

I have 2 stones I am deciding on and need a decision quickly. I previously posted but nobody replied so trying another thread. Please let me know which you think is the better stone or if either is any good? Both are priced around $6500, same color, about the same size, one has more crystals, the other has feathers. Thank you very much!

Weird I thought I attached the photos...here they are tho

 

[chiuey]

I will hopefully be getting the ASET images today and more pictures.

 

[igs]

I have 2 stones I am deciding on and need a decision quickly. I previously posted but nobody replied so trying another thread. Please let me know which you think is the better stone or if either is any good? Both are priced around $6500, same color, about the same size, one has more crystals, the other has feathers. Thank you very much!

 

[igs]

Hi Chiuey,

 

[igs]

Hi Chiuey,
I would go for crystals over feathers. Large feathers can cause strain and weaken the diamond, and are particularly undesirable if they break the surface. A crystal is contained within and usually will not cause any problems. If there are an enormous amount of crystals then they could block the passage of light and consequently cause the diamond to be duller. I would definitely take crystals over feathers.
Thanks Chiueuy and Good Luck.

 

[chiuey]

do you think it is a good buy for around $6500?

 

[tyty333]

How did the stones look to you? Are they both eye-clean?

 

[chiuey]

How did the stones look to you? Are they both eye-clean?

can't see them unfortunately but I am requesting for pictures. I will post them when I get them hopefully later today.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Hi chiuey,
Here's my take as a diamond vendor: don't get pushed into a deal where you're pressured to make up your mind.
Here's my take as a diamond grader with over 40 years experience:
It's pretty much a given that feathers in an SI1 GIA graded round brilliant cut diamond are not going to be a durability concern.
There's no way to compare the clarity grade of two diamonds using GIA plots or clarity characteristics. A stone with a scary looking plot might be totally eye clean. Conversely a plot that looks totally clean might have an obvious visual defect which is easy to spot with naked eye.
Same for trying to compare if feathers or crystals are "worse"
By the definition of the grade slightly imperfect is ......slightly. If there's crystals they're not going to be huge. Same for feathers. But placement and composition determine the visual impact.
For my money, when I'm buying SI diamonds how they look to the naked eye is the determining factor.
Meaning you need to see them for yourself.
A good vendor should be able to communicate the clarity differences in the stones based on their own inspection. If they actually have the diamonds.
Since you'll make sure to get a money back guarantee, you can verify once you take delivery.
It's possible the seller can't inspect the stones personally. I have no idea who the vendor is- just making a general statement about most internet diamond sellers.
For me, SI diamonds offer consumers value- but they are riskier to buy blind.

 

[diagem]

Hi chiuey,
Here's my take as a diamond vendor: don't get pushed into a deal where you're pressured to make up your mind.
Here's my take as a diamond grader with over 40 years experience:
It's pretty much a given that feathers in an SI1 GIA graded round brilliant cut diamond are not going to be a durability concern.
There's no way to compare the clarity grade of two diamonds using GIA plots or clarity characteristics. A stone with a scary looking plot might be totally eye clean. Conversely a plot that looks totally clean might have an obvious visual defect which is easy to spot with naked eye.
Same for trying to compare if feathers or crystals are "worse"
By the definition of the grade slightly imperfect is ......slightly. If there's crystals they're not going to be huge. Same for feathers. But placement and composition determine the visual impact.
For my money, when I'm buying SI diamonds how they look to the naked eye is the determining factor.
Meaning you need to see them for yourself.
A good vendor should be able to communicate the clarity differences in the stones based on their own inspection. If they actually have the diamonds.
Since you'll make sure to get a money back guarantee, you can verify once you take delivery.
It's possible the seller can't inspect the stones personally. I have no idea who the vendor is- just making a general statement about most internet diamond sellers.
For me, SI diamonds offer consumers value- but they are riskier to buy blind.

Wise words out of David,
Nicely written.
If the above plots truly represent their characteristics (which we are unable to verify) I would jump on the second one with the feathers. I always prefer subtle feathers over crystals, but that's me.
Btw, both have crystals and feathers, if the GIA grader plotted them correctly the first plot looks meaner to me

ETA, I also prefer the 13.5% CH (prefer them even higher).

 

[december-fire]

I have 2 stones I am deciding on and need a decision quickly. I previously posted but nobody replied so trying another thread. Please let me know which you think is the better stone or if either is any good? Both are priced around $6500, same color, about the same size, one has more crystals, the other has feathers. Thank you very much!

I've actually been reading about feathers lately and found a number of PS threads on the topic.

One of the threads contained a link to a 2010 PS article about feathers, with input from people in the profession, including Yoram who posted above. I think you might find the article interesting. Not sure if any of the contributing authors, or others in the profession, would have additional or contradictory comments to add at this date.

https://www.pricescope.com/journal/diamond_feather_inclusions_durability_risk

I didn't read your earlier email to see if you explain the need to decide quickly, however, if you're purchasing a diamond which you intend to have for many years, I hope you can take the time necessary to avoid regretting your purchase.

There are a number of well-respected vendors frequently mentioned on PS who have their own demanding criteria for selecting amazing diamonds which they then label with their brand; e.g., CBI by High Performance Diamonds, ACA by Whiteflash, Ascendancy by Good Old Gold. Purchasing one of these already-vetted diamonds can greatly reduce the time and stress factors.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[pyramid]

A crystal can be of a different mineral e.g. peridot rather than diamond so an impurity in the diamond.
Crystals can also be clear but due to shadow look dark. At least with a feather it is all diamond, that's how I think of it.

I have 2 stones I am deciding on and need a decision quickly. I previously posted but nobody replied so trying another thread. Please let me know which you think is the better stone or if either is any good? Both are priced around $6500, same color, about the same size, one has more crystals, the other has feathers. Thank you very much!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

My personal preference is for eyeclean crystals at the SI level. I don't mind feathers at the VS and higher level. But that one with crystals under the table may not be eyeclean. It's a lot easier when you use vendors that have the photos and/or videos on their site.