Pricing difference between Cut and Color

[johnnyr23]

I am currently shopping for an engagement ring for my girlfriend. I don''t know a lot about diamonds but I am pretty familiar with the 4 c''s. We went to look at diamonds and found a 1.05 carat round (Excellent cut, F color, SI2) and a 1.29 carat round (Ideal cut, D color, SI2). Side by side, the diamonds look very similar aside from the size difference. I couldn''t tell a huge difference in color. Both are SI2, but there were only minor inclusions noticed under the 10x magnification. However, the price difference between the two is $1,800! When looking at settings, we found one we both liked. The out the door prices for the 1.05 carat and setting was $5,000 and for the 1.29 it was $6,800. My girlfriend originally liked the 1.05 but the jeweler then came out with the larger 1.29 and that got her thinking about a larger diamond. She couldn''t decide between the two and thought they both looked the very similar, but she liked the bigger one, well, because it was just bigger. I thought the 1.05 carat was a beautiful diamond and sparkled more because of the better cut. I didn''t see a huge difference in the color since both diamonds are considered colorless.

My question is, for such similar diamonds, is the extra $1,800 really worth an extra .25 carat and a slightly higher color?? I''m trying to make her happy, but also trying to be realistic since the larger diamond is above my budget. Any advice on whether the larger diamond is worth it? I would like to take that extra $1,800 and use in on a honeymoon! Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[neatfreak]

There is a HUGE price increase for color, especially at that range.

Personally, I would NEVER decrease on the cut though. If you tell us the rest of the numbers from the certification, we can tell you whether the "ideal" and "excellent" cut ratings these diamonds received will really perform. THAT is the most important of the C''s, because a great cut is what gives the diamond real sparkle.

You can easily drop to a G in color without sacrificing anything in a round. Many people would even say you can go lower, which I agree with, but a G would allow you to get the ideal cut, and possibly a bigger size without sacrificing ANYTHING.

 

[pricescope]

Johnnyr23, welcome to the forum.

What grading reports these diamonds come with?

If you run price comparison for similar diamonds, you'll find the prices for 1.05 F SI2 GIA EX is about $4,900 and over $6,000 for 1.27ct + D SI2. So the market price difference is justified: not only color and weight difference but also 1.25ct range stones are more rear and bear extra premium.

Also, if 1.29ct has AGS grading report, it might cost even more. E.g. this 1.27 D SI2 AGS ideal from BlueNile cost $7,122.

If you don't need D color, there are plenty of 1.29ct - 1.33ct F SI2 GIA listed in the web for about $6,500

 

[MWG]

Hey Johnnyr23

You have the same name as my father.....*S*

Personally, I think I see that you want to maximize your money and in my mind this is smart. I see too many young couples get in debt too quick because they think they have to "have it all" right now. And I am assuming you are 23 years old by your screen name.

Why not pick a vendor, PS has several, who have a great LIFETIME UPGRADE POLICY and buy a WELL CUT stone that is within your budget and still have money left over for a great honeymoon. But, the key is to great a GREAT STONE within your budget!!! If you want a larger look, put some melees on each side or around the main diamond.

And when you have the extra money, you can trade up and get up the bigger rock for her. She will love the luxury and the fun of getting a bigger stone. What girl doesnt!!!!???

This is just my opinion........I could be wrong

MWG

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

I am going to tell you, it looks more to me like a difference in ct rather than cut or color. Also, you said that the F is an "excellent" cut and the D is an "ideal" cut. However, there is no way that an "ideal" cut should be considered less of a cut than an "excellent" cut, based on those titles alone--as "ideal" is the AGS term for the best cut rating possible, and "Excellent" is the GIA term for the best cut rating possible. Thus the only way to differentiate between the two cuts would be too look at them--but being that you are inexperienced and it is a jewelry store (there are a lot of factors that might have affected the beauty of them at any given moment) I would say along with visual comparison you should get all of the specific numbers. In particular get the crown angle, pavilion angle, total depth percentage, table percentage and culet--and everything else you can get. (Also, the AGS "ideal" rating,as mentioned in a previous post, is generally considered more meaningful and trustworthy than an "excellent" rating)

In the end though, I am wondering who "certified" or reported on your diamond. If for some reason you think that an ideal cut is less than an excellent cut I would guess that your guy is probably misleading you for some reason--otherwise I am sure he will be happy to give you all of and more than the information above to make a good decision, come back here and run it by the Price scope community, where people much more knowledgeable than me can help you make just the right decision.

 

[jstarfireb]

High color grades carry high prices. When I was searching for princesses, the only well-cut 1ct stones I could find in my budget were I color. Clarity, on the other hand, varied widely within my price range. I think I color can be an amazing bargain, especially in a well-cut round diamond that will face up white anyway. Look at these 2 stones, for example. The numbers look similar to me (experts, please correct me if I''m missing something), and the carat weights are similar, but the H color commands a >$900 increase!

1.078 I SI1
1.096 H SI1

Here are some 1ct rounds in the $5000 range that you might want to consider:
1.04 I SI1
1.18 I SI1
1.02 H SI1
1.01 G SI2 - Not sure why that''s so inexpensive for a G; can anyone weigh in?

 

[jstarfireb]

Also, not sure if you''re willing to go down to J, but this is a gorgeous stone that scores 1.4 on the HCA:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3288/

 

[kcoursolle]

I definitely don''t think an increase in price just for color is worth it. In fact, you could drop down to the G/H range and probably *barely* tell a difference from the side and still have a very white diamond. This could save you a bunch of money and get the bigger diamond for you gf since she is interested in a larger size.

Please don''t sacrifice on cut, this is what truly makes a diamond sparkle!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I also wouldn''t go above F and would strongly consider G color and go with a 1.2 ct. stone.