Sacrifice 3 Cs for cut?

[151Proof]

I'm trying to decide between 2 radiant diamonds. I was set on diamond A, but after reading about how much people value the cut I'm thinking diamond B would be the better choice. Both are the same price. I wish I could find a diamond like B with H color, but I can't find any without a significant price jump. Please let me know which you would choose and why.

Diamond A
1.02
6.38x5.03x3.63mm
1.27 ratio
VVS2
G
Cut Premium
Depth 72.2%
Table 71%
Polish VG
Symmetry VG
Girdle Medium

Diamond B
0.94
6.63x5.11x3.44mm
1.30 ratio
VS1
i
Cut Ideal
Depth 67.3%
Table 66%
Polish EX
Symmetry EX
Girdle Thin

 

[JulieN]

Pictures? Price?

 

[gktops]

Which vendor is this? I've never heard of a "premium" cut..

 

[151Proof]

This is union diamond they show a cut scale of good, very good, premium, and ideal. I dont have pics, but both of those are in the 2.5k price range. I actually found one for 2.7k with these grades:

Diamond C
1.0
6.61x5.1x3.29mm
SI1
H
Cut Ideal
Depth 64.5%
Table 71%
Polish VG
Symmetry VG
Girdle slightly thick

 

[JulieN]

Are these EGL? Without pictures?

Let me know your budget, I will take a look for you.

 

[151Proof]

Ya these are EGL. Union diamond has a 30 day guarantee and I plan to have someone else look at it right away. I really can't afford paying a premium for GIA which is why I'm trying to decide between these 2-3. I mean if you can find something in the same price range I'd be more than happy to take a look .

 

[JulieN]

You're not paying a premium for GIA. You are getting an inflated color/clarity rating.

I don't know if you are interested in squarish radiants at all?

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/radiant-diamond-0-90-Carat-H-color-GIA-certified/D-VM3WSS?cvosrc=referral.pricecope.listing
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4211552-0.91-carat-Radiant-diamond-H-color-VS1-clarity.aspx

 

[RockyRacoon]

If you really want a great cut (and you do), you will have to sacrifice some size.

Here is a beautiful stone, under your budget, with AGS 0 - Ideal cut:

.61ct, I, VS1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11618/

 

[151Proof]

Okay so clearly no one likes any of the 3 stones I posted haha. If I was to pay a little more I think I'd go with something like this:

http://www.uniondiamond.com/control/showDiamondDetails?productId=AE0415065&rbStep=4

GIA Report: 1119604345
Carat Weight: 0.80 carat
MM: 6.16X4.48X3.20
Color: F
Clarity: SI1
Cut Select Ideal™
Depth: 71.4%
Table: 68%
Girdle:TK-Very TK
Culet: None
Polish: EX
Symmetry:VG
Fluorescence: None
Price: $2,808.00 / $2,893.00

Does everyone agree that is a huge improvement and well worth the extra price over ther other 3 stones?

 

[JulieN]

Pictures, you need pictures!

 

[treasurehunter]

Yes its better but without pictures or seeing the stone its hard for us to say that the 'ideal' cut given is descriptive of how it looks.

 

[arkieb1]

The problem you have is that EGL International is usually 2 to 3 colours incorrect in their grading and up to 5,6 and I once heard of one stone that was 7 colours out but that is uncommon and they are usually around 2 out in their clarity grading. EGL USA is stricter they are usually around 1 shade out in colour and around 1 to 2 out in clarity.

What this means is you are lulled into thinking you are getting a bargain, when really a EGL G VS2 is actually a GIA K/L and a Si2, so you see there are no bargains when it comes to diamonds. I think what we are attempting to explain here is buy a GIA stone and that way you know for certain what you are getting. You would be better to buy a GIA K than a mislabelled EGL H. And for the record EGL has a much softer grading when it comes to cuts as well so something they call an excellent or a hearts and arrows cut frequently is not by GIA standards.