MetAGoodGirl
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2013
- Messages
- 1
Hello all! First time poster--thank you all very much for the time and effort you put into providing clarity to people like myself (who until recently knew virtually nothing about diamonds). I have learned a ton surfing this forum thanks to the collective effort of this community.
I am in the process of shopping for an engagement ring on a beautiful woman's finger, and think I have narrowed it down to the following two GIA-rated diamonds (though am constantly on the lookout):
1) 2.50 carat, Ideal Cut, H color, VS1, Depth 62.1%, Table 59%, Polish Excellent, Symmetry Excellent, Girdle Medium to Slightly Thick (3.5%), No Culet, Strong Fluorescence, Measurements 8.71 x 8.66 x 5.39 mm, 34.5 degrees, 41.4 degrees
The GIA diagram is very, very clear except for one small crystal on the face and a needle on the periphery. Comments: "A cloud is not shown. Pinpoints are not shown."
2) 2.51 carat, Ideal Cut, I color, VS1, Depth 61.0%, Table 58%, Polish Excellent, Symmetry Excellent, Girdle Medium (3.0%), No Culet, Medium Florescence, Measurements 8.79 x 8.77 x 5.36 mm, 34.5 degrees, 41.0 degrees
The GIA diagram is immaculate, only a single pinpoint on the surface, looks comparable to a VVS1. HOWEVER, Comment: "Clarity grade is based on internal graining that is not shown."
The price was roughly comparable, the H costs $1,169 more than the I.
From the research I have done, here is my rough take, and questions I have:
1) I versus H - I recently saw a friend's I color diamond that looked immaculate--absolutely beautiful, looked very white. Asked for her GIA report, the specs were fairly comparable (though it was smaller, 1.5 carat) but was VVS2, Ideal cut, No Fluorescence. So I am curious how much I really gain by going from H to I? Is it worth it?
2) Fluorescence - Have researched fluorescence here and elsewhere a ton and I am okay with it in general, unless it makes the stones hazy/oily/blurry in any way. As I am buying online, it is impossible for me to know for sure (granted there is a return policy). From most of the research I have read, Medium or Faint fluorescence is fine and virtually unseeable to the common eye, but Strong and Very Strong fluorescence can (though not always) cause a diamond to look noticeably hazy. I am not afraid of fluorescence in terms of the effect it has on the diamonds (in fact, I understand that in H- and I-color diamonds, it can be beneficial and make the diamond look whiter), except I am afraid of that hazy effect. Am I right in assuming there is a lot less risk of that going with the Medium fluorescent I-color diamond than the Strong fluorescent H-color diamond? Or will the step up from I to H coloring make that a wash?
3) Internal Graining - Obviously the fact that the diagram otherwise looks extremely clear and GIA denotes that that is what is causing the Clarity grade means that the Internal Graining present in the I-colored diamond is detrimental. But given that this is still a VS1, will this be noticeable/visible to the common eye? Have any of you seen this before, a virtually flawless stone with Internal Graining bringing clarity down to VS1? Is this potentially an idiosyncrasy in the way GIA grades that could make a diamond of otherwise very high clarity a steal since it's "technically" VS1?
4) Ratios - Seems to me that the I-colored diamond has better ratios/closer to "Excellent" and should thus reflect light better and have more fire and brilliance. It also seems like the Medium (I) girdle versus Medium to Slightly Thick girdle (H) means the I diamond is not hiding as much weight and may appear bigger (I notice is does in fact have wider measurements). That said, I am not a master of ratios, and I really am ignorant about the effect of angles. Any thoughts here from those of you who are experts?
So overall, these both seem like potentially great diamonds, I guess I am just looking for any possible advice with how to weigh a decision between an I-color diamond with (I think) better ratios, medium fluorescence, and Internal Graining that affects the grade, versus an H-color diamond with "worse" ratios (still not bad though, right?), strong fluorescence, and a few more inclusions.
Any help you can provide is MUCH appreciated. Thank you so much in advance!
I am in the process of shopping for an engagement ring on a beautiful woman's finger, and think I have narrowed it down to the following two GIA-rated diamonds (though am constantly on the lookout):
1) 2.50 carat, Ideal Cut, H color, VS1, Depth 62.1%, Table 59%, Polish Excellent, Symmetry Excellent, Girdle Medium to Slightly Thick (3.5%), No Culet, Strong Fluorescence, Measurements 8.71 x 8.66 x 5.39 mm, 34.5 degrees, 41.4 degrees
The GIA diagram is very, very clear except for one small crystal on the face and a needle on the periphery. Comments: "A cloud is not shown. Pinpoints are not shown."
2) 2.51 carat, Ideal Cut, I color, VS1, Depth 61.0%, Table 58%, Polish Excellent, Symmetry Excellent, Girdle Medium (3.0%), No Culet, Medium Florescence, Measurements 8.79 x 8.77 x 5.36 mm, 34.5 degrees, 41.0 degrees
The GIA diagram is immaculate, only a single pinpoint on the surface, looks comparable to a VVS1. HOWEVER, Comment: "Clarity grade is based on internal graining that is not shown."
The price was roughly comparable, the H costs $1,169 more than the I.
From the research I have done, here is my rough take, and questions I have:
1) I versus H - I recently saw a friend's I color diamond that looked immaculate--absolutely beautiful, looked very white. Asked for her GIA report, the specs were fairly comparable (though it was smaller, 1.5 carat) but was VVS2, Ideal cut, No Fluorescence. So I am curious how much I really gain by going from H to I? Is it worth it?
2) Fluorescence - Have researched fluorescence here and elsewhere a ton and I am okay with it in general, unless it makes the stones hazy/oily/blurry in any way. As I am buying online, it is impossible for me to know for sure (granted there is a return policy). From most of the research I have read, Medium or Faint fluorescence is fine and virtually unseeable to the common eye, but Strong and Very Strong fluorescence can (though not always) cause a diamond to look noticeably hazy. I am not afraid of fluorescence in terms of the effect it has on the diamonds (in fact, I understand that in H- and I-color diamonds, it can be beneficial and make the diamond look whiter), except I am afraid of that hazy effect. Am I right in assuming there is a lot less risk of that going with the Medium fluorescent I-color diamond than the Strong fluorescent H-color diamond? Or will the step up from I to H coloring make that a wash?
3) Internal Graining - Obviously the fact that the diagram otherwise looks extremely clear and GIA denotes that that is what is causing the Clarity grade means that the Internal Graining present in the I-colored diamond is detrimental. But given that this is still a VS1, will this be noticeable/visible to the common eye? Have any of you seen this before, a virtually flawless stone with Internal Graining bringing clarity down to VS1? Is this potentially an idiosyncrasy in the way GIA grades that could make a diamond of otherwise very high clarity a steal since it's "technically" VS1?
4) Ratios - Seems to me that the I-colored diamond has better ratios/closer to "Excellent" and should thus reflect light better and have more fire and brilliance. It also seems like the Medium (I) girdle versus Medium to Slightly Thick girdle (H) means the I diamond is not hiding as much weight and may appear bigger (I notice is does in fact have wider measurements). That said, I am not a master of ratios, and I really am ignorant about the effect of angles. Any thoughts here from those of you who are experts?
So overall, these both seem like potentially great diamonds, I guess I am just looking for any possible advice with how to weigh a decision between an I-color diamond with (I think) better ratios, medium fluorescence, and Internal Graining that affects the grade, versus an H-color diamond with "worse" ratios (still not bad though, right?), strong fluorescence, and a few more inclusions.
Any help you can provide is MUCH appreciated. Thank you so much in advance!
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