Please help me choose between these 2 diamonds

[KenS]

I''ve narrowed my search down to these 2 diamonds. What would you choose between the following 2 diamonds?

1. IVS1

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-906728.htm#
Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 1.716
. Depth %: 61.7
. Table %: 56
. Crown Angle: 34.8
. Crown %: 15.3
. Star : 52
. Pavilion Angle: 40.6
. Pavilion %: 42.8
. Lower Girdle %: 76
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 7.64-7.68X4.73
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

2. HVS1
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1166839.asp


Depth 61.8
Table 55.6
Crown Angle 34.2
Pavillion angle 40.8

The IVS1 is H&A cut and gets 0.8 HCA rating. The HVS1 is not H&A cut and gets 1.1 HCA rating. Would you go down in color and pay a little extra to get a slightly better cut or just to be able to call it H&A diamond?

Also what are your thoughts on Idealscope and ASET reports on IVS1? Thank you in advance for any input.

 

[SYC]

The idealscope and enlarged photo of the I VS1 looks like another ACA stunner.

I don''t know for sure, but something about one of the arrows (at 10:00) on the magnified image of the H VS1 looks a little off.

It sounds like you have a great budget -- personally, in your shoes, I would go for the I of the two you''ve listed. But I am pretty color sensitive, so would try to raise the color a bit, and go down to VS2 or down in carat size. But that is completely a personal preference. If it''s cut alone you''re focused on, the I VS1 looks beautiful.

 

[rcrosier]

Date: 7/16/2008 11:57:36 PM
Author: SYC
The idealscope and enlarged photo of the I VS1 looks like another ACA stunner.

I don't know for sure, but something about one of the arrows (at 10:00) on the magnified image of the H VS1 looks a little off.

It sounds like you have a great budget -- personally, in your shoes, I would go for the I of the two you've listed. But I am pretty color sensitive, so would try to raise the color a bit, and go down to VS2 or down in carat size. But that is completely a personal preference. If it's cut alone you're focused on, the I VS1 looks beautiful.

Good job, you are looking very closely. However, I don't that it is anything to worry about. I would say with confidence that the ACA by WF will be the best cut of the two diamonds. WF is VERY VERY selective and disregards many great stones from its ACA lineup. You can be worryfree about an ACA diamond. As far as the color goes, H to I will be almost impossible to notice without putting it next to another and viewing from the size. An ACA H&A cut will face up very white -- likely whiter that the Jamesallen that you are considering.

 

[Lorelei]

Both are lovely stones, it depends on what you value more - the pedigree of the ACA, or the higher colour etc of the other diamond. A point to consider...Both these vendors have upgrade policies, but you might want to read the terms of each carefully and factor that into your decision, should an upgrade ever be even a slight possibility in the future. Also I don't know if the ACA I colour will necessarily face up whiter than a well cut H, but it is safe to say that both diamonds are well cut and will display their colour grades to their best advantage.

 

[SYC]

Good job, you are looking very closely. However, I don''t that it is anything to worry about. I would say with confidence that the ACA by WF will be the best cut of the two diamonds. WF is VERY VERY selective and disregards many great stones from its ACA lineup. You can be worryfree about an ACA diamond. As far as the color goes, H to I will be almost impossible to notice without putting it next to another and viewing from the size. An ACA H&A cut will face up very white -- likely whiter that the Jamesallen that you are considering.

Thanks Rob!

Just adding to the advice here that you seem to have two great stones. Sorry if I wasn''t paying attention and missed it, but I didn''t see an IS image for the James Allen stone? Maybe you could ask for that and it will help you make a decision.

 

[KenS]

Thank you everyone for valuable inpu. So the majority says IVS1 is better. Then I have another dilemma for you guys, the IVS1 and with this ACA stone from WF

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1151318.htm

Let''s say the diffrence in cut is negligable (although the IVS1 scores better on HCA) What would you pick? Color or clarity. Thanks.

 

[SYC]

Date: 7/17/2008 7:16:03 PM
Author: KenS
Thank you everyone for valuable inpu. So the majority says IVS1 is better. Then I have another dilemma for you guys, the IVS1 and with this ACA stone from WF

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1151318.htm

Let''s say the diffrence in cut is negligable (although the IVS1 scores better on HCA) What would you pick? Color or clarity. Thanks.

Hi Ken,

These both look incredible. Have you spoken with someone at WF about these stones? I see the G is a new one, so they don''t have pics/IS images up yet.

First off though, the I VS1 doesn''t really score "better" than the G SI1 on the HCA -- once you''re below 2 on HCA, you''re in good shape. Many people actually think a score of 1 - 1.5 is ideal. In any event, there is no real difference between the two stones in terms of HCA scores.

Personally, I would call up WF and ask them for more info on these two. First, I would want to know what kind of inclusions the G SI1 has, where they''re located, and whether it is completely eye-clean. Then I''d want an Idealscope image of the G color stone, and also ask if it''s possible to get a picture of the two side by side. And definitely put a hold on these diamonds too while you''re at it, so noone else buys them while you''re considering them!!

If WF can confirm that the G is eyeclean, then it really comes down to your personal preference...... assuming the G is eyeclean, personally, I would go for the higher color -- just my personal preference though -- you really need to "see" these for yourself!!

Can''t wait to see what you pick!!

 

[jstarfireb]

Color vs. clarity in a large stone like that is a tough call for me, since I think both are fairly "visible" in a stone of that size. I''d make sure the SI1 is eye-clean from all angles at a close distance first; if not, then it''s out. All things considered, I''d probably go with the G/SI1 if it''s eye-clean, but ideally I''d look for something in the middle, like H/VS2.

 

[SYC]

actually yes -- the H/VS2 looks lovely... my personal pref would be something along those lines.... in a way though, you just can''t go wrong with the choices you have...