Please help me decide between two diamonds -pics/info inside

[mavrik13]

Hello all,

I've been looking through this site religiously in my quest for the perfect diamond. My goal is to obtain a >1.2ct eye clean diamond, and am willing to sacrifice colour for size. I believe I have narrowed my options down to two below. According to the gemologist at James Allen, they recommend #2 slightly due to less light leakage under the table... though I noticed the idealscope image does not look as symmetric as #1. Both are eye clean. I was initially leaning towards #1 as it still looks eye clean and is slightly less expensive, but in the long run, if the prevailing wisdom is for #2 I would be more than happy with it. Does #2 look less 'hazy' to others? Any opinions would be appreciated! Thanks in advance.

#1 - http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-k-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-299498
$5020
1.31ct
Excellent cut
K colour
SI2
HCA 1.8




#2 - http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.27-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-320358
$5500
1.27ct
Excellent cut
K colour
VS2
HCA 2.0

 

[mavrik13]

Re: Please help me decide between two diamonds -pics/info in

Anyone have anything to add? I would really appreciate some input! Thanks.

 

[OoohShiny]

Re: Please help me decide between two diamonds -pics/info in

Now, I am no expert so take this with a pinch of salt...



... but JA are saying No2 has less leakage under the table?

It looks to me like it has more leakage under the table - see the light ring in the middle, compared to the ring of the first one that is more the same colour of the surrounding area? That is light leakage, as I understand it. (Although 'leakage' is apparently an incorrect, albeit historically applied term that has now stuck, as it's just the stone drawing light in from the pavilion, I think )

I think No1 looks more symmetrical, the faceting pattern looks simpler and less messy, it actually looks more eye-clean than No2, and if I understand it correctly, the smaller table (54%) will give better fire, while the slightly longer Lower Girdle Facets (82%, if my eyes are working properly?) should give more pin-fire flashes.

I would go for No1 I think, especially as it's cheaper and bigger!


As I say, though, I am no expert, so hopefully Gypsy or some of the cutting experts can chime in!


Have you asked JA for ASETscope images of each of them? They can provide up to 3 so as you are pretty fixed on choosing out of these two, now is a good time to ask

 

[mavrik13]

Re: Please help me decide between two diamonds -pics/info in

Thanks for the response - they definitely said #2 had more light leakage under the table, which I am not quite sure what to make of... as I thought the same thing with the Idealscope images. I appreciate your opinion. I have asked for ASETscope images of both diamonds, but in the interim I would appreciate any other thoughts.

 

[drk14]

Re: Please help me decide between two diamonds -pics/info in

In before the experts arrive...

My vote is for #1, too, because of the symmetry. And in my neophyte-and-possibly-misguided opinion, the second IS suggests the contrast will not be as good in #2.

 

[emmebee]

Re: Please help me decide between two diamonds -pics/info in

Easy vote for #1!