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radiant cut decision?

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Inverno

Rough_Rock
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Jan 3, 2009
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I''m searching around for a 1.5 or so carat radiant cut diamond and have it narrowed down to two from separate jewelers.

#1) 1.4 carats, GIA certfied, H color, SI1 clarity, very good cut, rectangular, I dont have the table and depth

#2) 1.55 carats, H color, SI2 clarity, rectangular, GIA certified, table% 73, depth% 66

The price difference is only about $400 more for #2. Is SI2 the reason for this?
 
Date: 1/3/2009 3:17:57 PM
Author:Inverno
I'm searching around for a 1.5 or so carat radiant cut diamond and have it narrowed down to two from separate jewelers.

#1) 1.4 carats, GIA certfied, H color, SI1 clarity, very good cut, rectangular, I dont have the table and depth

#2) 1.55 carats, H color, SI2 clarity, rectangular, GIA certified, table% 73, depth% 66

The price difference is only about $400 more for #2. Is SI2 the reason for this?
Welcome!

It is really difficult for us to advise without any images of the diamonds, radiants need to be seen to be judged, so if you have compared many and like these two in particular then that sounds promising. You can't tell much by numbers with these shapes also unfortunately, I would say though with the second diamond having the table larger than the depth, to look at some where the table is smaller - a large table can make the diamond look glassy and can often result in a lower crown height which is necessary for fire or coloured light. So if you want to consider this one, check it out carefully away from the store lights to see if it is a good all rounder or not. There are price jumps at magic weights such as 1.5 cts etc, but being a clarity grade lower could account for the pricing.

I would say if you haven't already done so, to compare as many radiants as you can in person, and when you find some you like, ask if you can check them out away from the store lights to see how they behave in everyday lighting as blazingly bright jeweller lights can be deceptive.

Also here is a chart you can use as a guide to help you, but don't automatically dismiss a diamond which doesn't quite match up to the numbers if you like it as the numbers cannot tell the whole story.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc2.asp
 
I have seen the 1.55 carat stone, but being a first-timer at buying an expensive diamond, I dont know what to look for. It just seems too good to be true, with the 1.55 carat being a comparable price. The first jeweler (of the 1.4 carat stone) told me that you should never go below H color and SI1 for an engagement diamond, is this true? I just dont want to overpay or buy something that is junk!
 
If a stone that is an SI2 makes you happier than an SI1, that is ok. SI2 is not junk.
 
Date: 1/3/2009 3:29:56 PM
Author: Inverno
I have seen the 1.55 carat stone, but being a first-timer at buying an expensive diamond, I dont know what to look for. It just seems too good to be true, with the 1.55 carat being a comparable price. The first jeweler (of the 1.4 carat stone) told me that you should never go below H color and SI1 for an engagement diamond, is this true? I just dont want to overpay or buy something that is junk!
Radiants can show more colour than rounds for example, this is the reason you see so many fancy colour diamonds cut into this shape - remember Jlo's pink radiant? Some make H their cutoff for this shape ( GIA graded) but it depends on personal preference, as to clarity you can consider SI2 certainly if the diamond is eyeclean to your standards. There are these ' guidelines' out there but go with what you prefer and can afford!

As to the all important cut quality, there are a couple of ways we can approach this as we can't go by numbers with these shapes. You could buy an ASET scope - http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_zoom_item.asp?Id=23&ShowAdd=Y and use it yourself with a little reading on how to interpret the images.

http://www.ideal-scope.com/using_reference_chart_ASET.asp

This would help you to choose a well cut radiant along with what your own eyes find beautiful, the ASET is very useful. Alternatively if you find a diamond you like, make the sale final on it checking out to your satisfaction in all areas with an independant appraisal, choose an appraiser who has some experience in evaluating cut. Here is a tool you can use to find an appraiser in your area.

https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx
 
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