Please help me decide between 2 stones! 2.5 ct RB

[Dolphin22]

The 2.50ct. I SI1 with an overall HCA score of 0.8 ($23206)


The 2.50ct. I VS2 with an overall HCA score of 1.0 ($22035)



I have attached the GIA reports for both, thank you in advance for any help or advice!

 

[Diamond2014]

"Cut grade affected by brillianteering"

http://www.prosumerdiamonds.com/upper-girdle/

I always wanted to see one GIA that has that, finally able to see one!

 

[yssie]

The 2.50ct. I SI1 with an overall HCA score of 0.8 ($23206)


The 2.50ct. I VS2 with an overall HCA score of 1.0 ($22035)



I have attached the GIA reports for both, thank you in advance for any help or advice!

Neither.

Second* is overly shallow - it'll over-obstruct when you lean over it to admire it up close (obstruction = facets returning what is directly in front of them, in this case your face and hair - which will be black thanks to shadow)

First* - cut grade affected by brillianteering means we don't know what the stone looks like - report won't specify crown or pav painting or digging, but given the carat weight (2.50 exactly) and the fact that it isn't a specialty branded stone we can assume the cutter's priority was weight retention and not appearance or light return.
https://www.pricescope.com/journal/visible_effects_painting_digging_superideal_diamonds

*Edited - realised I switched them.

 

[pyramid]

Second is overly shallow.

 

[Dolphin22]

Thank you everyone for your responses!

These stones were from Martin, so I will contact him and ask him to look for better options. Thanks again.

 

[yssie]

Thank you everyone for your responses!

These stones were from Martin, so I will contact him and ask him to look for better options. Thanks again.

Which Martin? Or what vendor?

The one Martin I'm coming up with AFAIK hasn't been around for quite some time.
ETA: Super slow submission from my phone...

 

[Dolphin22]

USA Cert Diamonds

I thought they are recommended here on PS?

 

[yssie]

Website is dreadful, but I've seen nothing but positive reviews on here.

In this case you're looking for champagne on a beer budget - 23k is rock bottom for an reputably-graded well-cut 2.5ct I VS, so it's no surprise that the stones you do find (or that a third-party service is able to find for you) will all involve some sort of "sacrifice".

Does Martin have a clear idea of what your budget is and what your priorities are re. cut/carat/colour/clarity?

 

[Dolphin22]

Yes, I think we need to be more clear on our expectations. Based on all my research on PS, I think cut is the most important factor so I will reiterate that to Martin.

Also, I think going down to J, SI1 will allow us to keep the carat weight higher.