Please help decide between two diamond videos

[737liz]

My friend is getting engaged and needs help deciding between a 0.86 G VS2 and a 0.80 H VS1. The broker says that the VS1 is nearly a VS2. None are surface reaching inclusions but...

My concern is that I cannot tell cut quality on the videos, and that the larger G stone has an inclusion right near the surface under the table. Is this silly?

Diamonds aren't my area of obssession, so I'm kinda lost. Can anyone please help me out? I've been helping my friends but need backup! Thanks!

 

[737liz]

This is the 0.80 H

And this is the 0.86 G

 

[blueMA]

The video quality isn't good enough to tell, but I'd reject the H based on the proportions - it's too deep.
Could the seller provide the Idealscope images?
Is it the photo or why does the G look darker than the H side by side?

 

[lovedogs]

Agreed. Definitely not the H bc of proportions. Need more info about the G, but agree it looks darker than the H in pics.

 

[sledge]

A few thoughts:

1. In a stone this size, VS1 or VS2 probably doesn't matter. So I'd pick the better color, G.

2. The H stone is what we call a steep & deep. Steep 35.5 crown paired with steep 40.9 pavilion is not complimentary for the best light return. Additionally the stone is too deep at 62.8. Also, this stone is showing medium girdle, but 4.5% value. If you get an ASET or idealscope image, you will likely see leakage areas.

3. Proportions on the G stone actually look good: 56 table, 61.7 depth, 35 crown, 40.6 pavilion & 80 LGF. The medium sized table paired with a very complimentary steep crown & shallow pavilion will produce nice fire. The 80 LGF's will bring in some brilliance/white light return and help balance the stone.

4. Videos and pictures you posted don't give me warm fuzzies with either stone. Do you have any links to a site we can view them on?

5. Buying a stone is more than proportions, but the G looks most promising. IMO, you need an ASET or idealscope to make a decision. I'd also like to see a hearts image to check symmetry.

6. Is your friend locked into this broker? If not, provide a budget and odds are we can find something equally as good, if not better.

7. Where are you located? Guessing overseas somewhere. HRD certs aren't super popular in the US. I have no experience either way, but have heard both good & bad about them. There was a recent thread and my take away was that internationally they are more well known and respected, so I think some of the debate is not being familiar. In comparison GIA seems to be more widely accepted and trusted.

 

[gm89uk]

G would be my pick. The photo is dark because the photographer has over obstructed the G diamond (camera is more towards the G than the H). The H is also tilted slightly to the left so is not as obstructed from that regard.

 

[737liz]

Thanks everyone
@blueMA @lovedogs @gm89uk @sledge

They said that they would provide scope images if they liked either of them. The G gets a good HCA score and the H won't even churn out a number because of the girdle.
They haven't been seen in person, unfortunately. The stones are in Antwerp. The dealer in Switzerland, where we live. The dealer said their inventory was stricter than simply giaxxx, but that they didn't adhere to AGS ideal numbers either because there was too much variation in their parameters. I know, I know, I have taken my grain of salt.

I tried to get my friends to buy a WF stone and ring, or even a CBI but, they are insistent on using a local guy, even if the stones aren't local. You can lead a horse to water... Eitherway I'm happy they didn't just go out and buy a ring from a mall type store.

I really appreciate all your feedback thank you so much!

 

[blueMA]

I could understand why people would want to support the locals, especially when it comes to major $$$ purchases. The proportions look good for the G on paper, but with such combo, cut precision is important or it could suffer excessive obstruction issues, including a stone looking dark. The high crown/shallow pavilion cut is more geared for fire than brilliance.
I look at the video side by side and notice that G is indeed less tinted there, but what I'm noticing on the side by side photo isn't just due to the position of the stones, and obstruction is definitely at play as @gm89uk mentioned due to the cut difference.
ASET and Idealscope will definitely help. Also it may help for the dealer to find stones more towards 34.5/40.8 for a bit more brilliance for comparison, but many do love fiery cut so it really depends on the firends' taste. If possible, have the dealer provide video of contender stones side by side (frontal), and that should also help narrow down a decision.

 

[sledge]

To briefly expand on the concern with the symmetry and cut precision, see the examples below. You are hoping to get far left; however, it appears more towards the right to me.

https://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/diamond-education/diamond-photos-why-are-there.htm

Cut Precision:
Diamonds with premium optical symmetry show symmetrical pavilion mains and have balanced performance qualities when cut with great light return. Many commercial diamonds do not enjoy such precision. Diamonds with different levels of cut precision have different obstruction patterns. Predictably, this influences the consistency and character of the performance.

 

[sledge]

I know you said your friends are dead set on the local guy....just hate to see this get away from them. Great color, eye clean and awesome upgrade program.

0.828 E SI1 @ $4,391
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4027058.htm

54.3 table, 61.9 depth, 34.9 crown, 40.8 pavilion & 77 LGF. Total sparklebomb, and great bang for the buck!


If your friends are stuck using the local guy, will they bring in virtual inventory? If so, here are some potential contenders:

0.82 G VS1 @ $3,730
https://www.yadavjewelry.com/diamond/round-diamond-0.82-carat-g-vs1-yd4882257
https://www.fourmine.com/shop/diamo...ce=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=2018

56 table, 61.8 depth, 34.5 crown, 40.8 pavilion & 75 LGF

0.82 G VVS2 @ $4,600
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R82-2626524Z7?utm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc
https://www.yadavjewelry.com/diamond/round-diamond-0.82-carat-g-vvs2-yd2463836
https://www.fourmine.com/shop/diamond/73584103?utm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=2018

55 table, 62 depth, 34.5 crown, 40.8 pavilion & 75 LGF. Probably overkill on the clarity, especially for a stone this small but the proportions are just freaking amazing! Cert is dated 2011, so likely a trade-in. Make sure it has no chips, etc. Might ask for an updated inspection & certification.

0.81 F VS1 @ $4,240
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R81-798385909?utm_source=rarecarat&utm_medium=cpc

56 table, 61.6 depth, 34.5 crown, 40.8 pavilion & 75 LGF. Lovely proportions and bump to F color. Personally I'd rather have the color bump and VS1 clarity over G VVS2 and save $400.

0.81 E VVS2 @ $4,220
https://www.yadavjewelry.com/diamond/round-diamond-0.81-carat-e-vvs2-yd4837917

56 table, 62.1 depth, 34.5 crown, 40.8 pavilion & 75 LGF. I prefer to be less than 62 depth, but this seems very close. Get a bump to E color and VVS2 clarity for the same as the F VS1 above.

 

[737liz]

Thank you all, and @sledge some of those are amazing deals, but no, they have settled on the G pending aset images, that I will post next week.

@blueMA , the dealer I introduced them to is a really nice man, and my friends liked having a great face to face experience. She also learnt that she likes fire.

This is by far the best option they were comfortable with for their budget. I worry about the obstruction issue too but
they are diamonded out and I think I need to back off, unfortunately. I have been very bossy throughout their search (I mean, I full on forbade them from buying an H 'Si1' that was more like I2). They are far less picky than I am!