Please help me decide between these two Round GIA 3X stones

[CannonFire28]

Stone 1

GIA 2156262216
Round Brilliant
6.54 - 6.55 x 3.89 mm
1.01 ct/ J / VVS1
Ex/Ex/Ex
Faint fluorescense

Table% = 59
Depth% = 59.5 (Crown height 13.0%, Pavilion depth = 43.5%)
Crown Angle = 32.0
Pavilion angle = 41.0
Girdle medium/3.0%

HCA score = 1.2
Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Very Good
Spread Excellent

AGA advisor
Tab Percent: 1B
Crown Angle: 2B
Crown Height: 2A
Pavilion Depth: 1B
Girdle: 1A
Depth: 1A
Polish: 1A
Symmetry: 1A
TotalGrade: 2A


$4,750


Stone 2

GIA 2156257545
Round Brilliant
6.58 - 6.60 x 4.12 mm
1.10 ct / J / VVS2
Ex/Ex/Ex
Medium Blue Fluoresence

Crown% = 55
Depth% = 62.5 (Crown height% = 15.5, Pavilion depth% = 40.
Crown Angle = 34.5
Pavilion angle = 40.8
Girdle = medium-slightly thick/4.0%

HCA score = 1.4
Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread Very Good

AGA Advisor
Tab Percent: 1A
Crown Angle: 1A
Crown Height: 1A
Pavilion Depth: 1A
Girdle: 1A
Depth: 1B
Polish: 1A
Symmetry: 1A
TotalGrade: 1A


$5,150



Obviously stone 2 seems objectively better: slightly larger and better AGA score. But my question is, is it $400 better? Is it worth the extra price? Both are GIA3x stones so will there be a big difference? I am trying to get an engagement ring and while I've done a lot of research online I haven't really seen anything up close. I'd really appreciate any advice or diamcalc images if anyone has the software.

 

[Christina...]

Re: Please help me decide between these two Round GIA 3X sto

can you get idealscope images of these stones? I have a strong preference for stone 2, even though it's a tad deeper than I personally would consider. I find a small table and high crown and the light performance that provides to be more appealing, but maybe YOU don't. Assuming the actual images and IS images of the diamond looked good, I would happily pay the extra $400 for the second stone.

It's impossible though to make those sorts of judgments without having looked at a number of different stones in person to decide what YOU like. I think that you should start by shopping around locally for an afternoon and comparing a number of different stones side by side. I would then suggest that you work with an online vendor that can provide you with actual images or video of the diamond you are considering as well as idealscope or ASET images to give you an idea of how the stone will perform.

 

[CannonFire28]

Re: Please help me decide between these two Round GIA 3X sto

Unfortunately it's through Blue Nile and they don't provide IdealScope images. I guess I should go out and look at places in person, but what kind of jewelers have lots and lots of diamonds sitting around? I was under the impression that places usually only had a small stock of loose diamonds.

 

[Sakuracherry]

Re: Please help me decide between these two Round GIA 3X sto

Is there any reason you prefer such high clarity stones? As Christina said, it is better to buy from vendors that can provide you with actual diamond images. What's your budget?

 

[tweeter8177]

Re: Please help me decide between these two Round GIA 3X sto

I am not sure where you live, but a lot of jewelry stores should have loose diamonds for you to compare. Probably not a ton, but most likely more than a few in the 1 ct range. They won't have them out in display cases, you will need to ask. You could definitely go down to the VS range (even SI) and get an eye clean diamond and possibly better diamond within your price range.

The proportions aren't bad on the diamonds you have selected (I would prefer diamond #2 for the smaller table), but the pricing would make me a little nervous. It seemed low for the specs so I took a peak and it seems over $1K less then comparables. Either it is amazing deal (old pricing?) or it could be a dud (you get what you pay for?). I don't mean to freak you out, but something to consider. Other websites that show more info could be a safer route. In my research, James Allen seems to have competitive pricing and will provide images.

 

[tweeter8177]

Re: Please help me decide between these two Round GIA 3X sto

I should add that there are experts on here (more than me!) that hopefully can weigh in on the price...

 

[CannonFire28]

Re: Please help me decide between these two Round GIA 3X sto

Is there any reason you prefer such high clarity stones? As Christina said, it is better to buy from vendors that can provide you with actual diamond images. What's your budget?

I don't prefer high clarity stones, those just happened to be a good price. I'd like to stay under $5,000 and want something over 1 ct. I only care that the stone is eye-clean. I'm not really sure if J is a good enough color for a white gold setting.

 

[CannonFire28]

Re: Please help me decide between these two Round GIA 3X sto

The proportions aren't bad on the diamonds you have selected (I would prefer diamond #2 for the smaller table), but the pricing would make me a little nervous. It seemed low for the specs so I took a peak and it seems over $1K less then comparables. Either it is amazing deal (old pricing?) or it could be a dud (you get what you pay for?).

Yeah, that's why I was looking at Blue Nile. They sent me a picture of stone number 1 in face-up but i don't really know if it's useful. Here's a link http://i.imgur.com/CRFb34s.jpg

 

[tweeter8177]

Re: Please help me decide between these two Round GIA 3X sto

Sorry, let me clarify what I meant by comparables...if you search on Blue Nile for 1.0-1.1ct J VVS range, 200 plus diamonds show up and only a few fall <$5k. I would be nervous with those under $5k wondering why that are so much cheaper than the rest. I have heard good things about bn's return policy so I guess you can buy it and return it if necessary. I would just make sure you are familiar with what a great diamond should look like so you can compare and have your appraiser give you their thoughts.

 

[Christina...]

Re: Please help me decide between these two Round GIA 3X sto

Is your budget $5000 for the just the stone or the stone and setting?

Whiteflash says this one is eye clean, but if you are interested I would have them confirm. I would question the crystal under the table.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2978080.htm

this one is just under a carat, and only .2mm smaller in diameter than a full ct....that's basically the width of two sheets of copy paper. diamonds in this weight are often great deals because they don't include the price premium of diamonds that fall at or over the 1ct mark.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2953768.htm

 

[Christina...]

Re: Please help me decide between these two Round GIA 3X sto

The table on this stone is a bit larger than I personal prefer, but that is personal preference and many people wouldn't be able to tell the difference if they didn't spend lots of time viewing lots of diamonds. It has a nice ideal scope image, and it looks as though it's eye clean but JA will have to confirm that for you. It also has a nice face up size.



http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.92-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-204057


http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.04-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-121755

JA also offers a discount to PS members and an additional wire discount