Please help me choose my upgrade!

[countrygirl28]

Like so many others, I''m a long time lurker (about 2 years) and a first time poster. First, I just want to say I love PS. I''ve spent a great deal of time here, mostly just drooling over all the amazing sparklies!! There is so much great info here, and the people are wonderful!

Now to the whole point of my post. Several months ago FI purchased a .55 H&A F VS2 from James Allen. We are now looking to upgrade before our wedding at the end of June. I''ve been in contact with JA and I am now trying to decide between 2 stones. One is a .80 D and the other is .92 H. Both are ideal-cut SI1s with inclusions that can likely be covered by my 6-prong setting. I absolutely love the idea of having a D stone, but at the same time, I would like to get the largest stone possible. I am somewhat concerned about the color in the .92, but since my current stone is an F and right smack dab in the middle of the two stones I''m considering, would I notice much of a difference either way? In addition, is the size difference between the .8 and .92 going to be that noticable? I would really appreciate any info you ladies (and gentlemen) could give me. What are your opinions? Which stone would you go with? Thanks in advance for your help from this very grateful long-time lurker!

Here is the info for the .80:

Item Number: 1135697
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 0.80
Cut: Ideal
Color: D
Clarity: SI1
Certificate: GIA

Depth: 61.9%
Table: 55.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.99*5.93*3.69

And the .92:

Item Number: 1136476
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 0.92
Cut: Ideal
Color: H
Clarity: SI1
Certificate: GIA

Depth: 61.6%
Table: 56.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.22*6.27*3.85

 

[Ellen]

Hi cgirl,

I was thinking the same thing, what you have now is right in the middle. The size difference will be noticable, therefore, I think if it were me, I''d go for the H and hope for the best. I honestly don''t know how much you''d notice, as I have no idea how color sensitive you might be.

Both stones look great so far. Do they come with Idealscope pictures?

 

[countrygirl28]

Since the stones are not H&A, they don''t have Idealscope images on the JA website. I think I might do just what you said Ellen, get the H and hope for the best. But, there is something in me that would really love to have that D! If the color bugs me too much in the first couple of weeks, I guess I can always return it and start over!

 

[countrygirl28]

Any other opinions? I''d really like to make the decision tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[purpleshirt]

well, when I first started buying diamonds, I just wanted the whitest one. Now I"m on my millionth diamond purchase, and my preference in order are

cut
carat
clarity
color (down to J)

I just bought an I color 1 1/4 rb and I''m in love with this thing! It is very white with just barely a warmth to the side if it''s in the right light. I''d gladly have cut & carat over color any day. I also have a fancy yellow princess diamond and love that too.... It''s very highly personal and It sounds like you might be sensitive to color and if it would bug you, then go for the D. Keep in mind a well cut lower grade diamond is likely to face up as white as a higher color too

 

[countrygirl28]

I managed to get IS images for the 2 diamonds I am considering.

The .80 carat

 

[countrygirl28]

And the .92 carat

Any comments on the 2 IS images?

 

[Ellen]

They are both fine!

 

[countrygirl28]

Thank you so much Ellen! I''m so excited!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/15/2008 5:06:50 PM
Author: countrygirl28
Thank you so much Ellen! I''m so excited!

Welcome!

Sooo, whatcha leaning towards??

 

[countrygirl28]

I think it''s gonna be the .92 H! I''d love a D, but I really would like to maximize the size of my stone.

 

[Ellen]

I think you''ll most likely be very pleased. That is a nice jump.

 

[lesco]

Date: 4/15/2008 5:44:16 PM
Author: Ellen
I think you''ll most likely be very pleased. That is a nice jump.

Yes, I will be a very nice size increase. I just went from a .28 (tiny) to a .82 and I cannot be any happier.
Sometimes I look at it and DSS sinks in. I found the perfect cure, though. I wear the .28 for a couple hours and lo and behold, the .82 looks huge again.

 

[countrygirl28]

Lesco, methinks you found a temporary cure for DSS! Too band I''m trading in my .55, or I would probably do the same thing!

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

I bought an H/SI1 Jubilee and I always thought I would never buy below a D or E color. Now I am in love with G-H color diamonds simply because I can have a larger one! My H/SI1 faces up very white and the cut is amazing. When you have a great cut diamond, color is secondary, at least in my opinion.

If I were you, I would get the .92 H/SI1 and never look back!

 

[countrygirl28]

NEU, my thinking was much like yours: originally I did not want to go below and F in color and a VS2 in clarity. But, I decided to stop being a color and clarity snob, and now I''ve officially pulled the trigger on my new .92 H/SI1. I sent my old ering off today, so I should have my new one in the next couple of weeks! Can''t wait!

 

[Cleo]

Date: 4/15/2008 5:37:00 PM
Author: countrygirl28
I think it''s gonna be the .92 H! I''d love a D, but I really would like to maximize the size of my stone.

Yayyy!! I think that''s a great choice

You''ll love the size difference going up to the 0.92 and I really think you will love the H, especially as it''s ideal cut.

I am a real colour fiend - but I recently bought a 0.33ct pear-cut off eBay reaaaally cheap (bit of a risk, but it was v v v cheap) and it''s J colour. I was truly prepared to hate it as my ering is an F (and I am colour sensitive). As I said in my other thread, I can see the hint of warmth in the stone, but it is still beautiful and the colour doesn''t bother me at all - which surprised me no end!

I am certainly going to go down to G or H when I upgrade my stone.. and to SI1 clarity too if I can find a lovely eye clean model.

Like you, I just want the size!!!

I think you''ll be so happy with your new diamond and I can''t wait to see photos!

x x x

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/17/2008 4:30:14 AM
Author: countrygirl28
NEU, my thinking was much like yours: originally I did not want to go below and F in color and a VS2 in clarity. But, I decided to stop being a color and clarity snob, and now I've officially pulled the trigger on my new .92 H/SI1. I sent my old ering off today, so I should have my new one in the next couple of weeks! Can't wait!

Please come back with pics of the finished product!

 

[countrygirl28]

I will gladly return with pics!