Radiant - The Final Decision!

[ant27fee]

So its been 2 long months of procrastinating, thinking, saving and procrastinating some more, but I''m back here in pretty much the same place I was in July. I obviously wouldnt expect anyone to remember my last post but the gyst of it was that I had chosen a radiant cut diamond (listening to all the hints) and was wondering whether or not to buy one -

Well, now I''m choosing between 2 - and its a question of price AND quality. I like the more expensive one (better quality, obviously), and am leaning towards that - but I wanted to throw it out here to see if I could get some feedback.

1. the cheaper chicken

2.00 GIA rated Radiant (Cut-Cornered Rectangular Modified Brilliant) stone with the following specs:
Measurements: 7.89 x 6.63 x 4.49 mm
Weight: 2.00 carat
Depth: 67.7%
Table: 63%
Girdle: Extremely Thin to Medium
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Clarity Grade: SI2
Color Grade: H
$9,900.00 - with which I would get a platinum setting

2. the pricier veal

Measurements: 7.78 x 7.04 x 4.92 mm
Weight: 2.01 carat
Depth: 69.9%
Table: 78%
Girdle: Very thick, polished
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Clarity Grade: VS2
Color Grade: H
$12,060 - with which I would get a white gold setting.


Setting:

tapered rectangular saphirres (either 1 or 2 on each side with perhaps some pave chips to round out the band, but not exactly sure yet)

I love the 2d stone - the difference is really discernible to the eye because the table on the 2d one is incredibly larger. there is a small carbon spot that is visible with a loop, but the stone just looks better. as you can see, im leaning - but i wanted to know what you guys thought. its an extra $1500 ... at this point, i think im ok with spending it, but if i dont - then i can buy us tickets to argentina for an upcoming trip as a bday present ... soooo ... you can see, this is a big decision. please help!

 

[Lorelei]

With the first diamond, check with an expert if you want that one, that the extremely thin part of the girdle isn't a durability issue regarding chipping etc. The table on the second diamond looks very large, but as the experts say time and time again, you can't judge a Radiant by the numbers, you have seen the diamonds, love the second one, then that might be the one to strongly consider. Also with the first being a SI2, is it eyeclean? A Radiant of this size may show some inclusions possibly, so check it out in different lights as they can jump out more in some lights than others. I wouldn't want you to settle for the cheaper one so you can do the trip necessarily, an e-ring is a big purchase and you need to spend this large amount of money on a diamond you love and that you think your GF will love, there will be plenty of time for trips and vacations later. Or look some more to see what else is out there unless you really love one of these diamonds.

It is just my opinion that if it were me, I would rather put the extra money towards the second diamond that you love, rather than a trip, but you might feel differently?

 

[ant27fee]

Thank you so much for your input. I have since decided to scrap the $9900 diamond and have kept the other on hold. I have renewed my search for a vs2 1.8 carat ... I feel like the step down from 2.01 will certainly help my budget.

As far as the vacation is concerned ... I cant say I completely share your sentiment - but I do understand that this is a once-in-a-lifetime deal and I''m leaning towards spending more and being happier later with my purchase.

Question - how much do I discount the rating on the larger, more expensive rock where it was rated by the European Gemological Laboratory as opposed to GIA? big difference? am I scared of it just because of that?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/26/2007 9:34:29 AM
Author: ant27fee
Thank you so much for your input. I have since decided to scrap the $9900 diamond and have kept the other on hold. I have renewed my search for a vs2 1.8 carat ... I feel like the step down from 2.01 will certainly help my budget.

As far as the vacation is concerned ... I cant say I completely share your sentiment - but I do understand that this is a once-in-a-lifetime deal and I'm leaning towards spending more and being happier later with my purchase.

Question - how much do I discount the rating on the larger, more expensive rock where it was rated by the European Gemological Laboratory as opposed to GIA? big difference? am I scared of it just because of that?

You are welcome and you need to do what is best for you and your GF!! I didn't realize that the second diamond was EGL rated - it is hard to say how much of a difference is between the prices of similar diamonds which have been graded by EGL and GIA, one way to get an idea is to use the Pricescope your Diamond tool above to pull up similar, that way you can check the price differences between the lab grades that way, which EGL branch did the grading on the second rock, was it EGL USA, Antwerp, Europe, Israel etc? Very often the experts recommend you get an independant appraisal on an EGL graded diamond to make sure the colour and clarity check out.