seeking expert opinion on 2 stones

[ayudame]

great forum here. i''ve been on it all day long and have soaked up some good knowledge. my ideal situation is to spend <$10k on a nice diamond with a slight emphasis on quality vs. size (not incl. setting).

that said, what do folks think about these 2 that i found on GOG, a site that seems to be well-regarded around here:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3730/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2688/

do you think i could do better?

MUCH appreciation in advance...

 

[ayudame]

Bumping myself here . Here are the specs for both so folks don''t have to click to the website. Any guidance would be really appreciated. I know PS emphasizes cut, and I think both are good cuts. The tradeoff here is btw color and size. I''m in CA and these are in NY, so unfortunately I can''t see them in person.

Thanks!

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3730/
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 1.32ct
Color: I
Clarity: VVS2
AGS Cut Grade: Ideal
est GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
AGS Light Performance: Ideal
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Fluorescence: Negligible
Girdle: 2.02%
Culet: None
Lab Report: AGS
Width: 7.03mm
Length: 7.06mm
Depth: 4.35mm
Table Percentage: 56.96%
Depth Percentage: 61.69%
Crown Ú: 34.95‹
Crown Depth: 15.04%
Pavilion Ú: 40.81‹
Pavilion Depth: 43.07%
Upper Girdle Ú: 41.49‹
Lower Girdle Ú: 41.98‹

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2688/
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 1.232ct
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
AGS Cut Grade: Ideal
est GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
AGS Light Performance: Ideal
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Fluorescence: Negligible
Girdle: 1.89%
Culet: None
Lab Report: AGS
Width: 6.89mm
Length: 6.90mm
Depth: 4.22mm
Table Percentage: 57.88%
Depth Percentage: 61.25%
Crown Ú: 34.87‹
Crown Depth: 14.75%
Pavilion Ú: 40.83‹
Pavilion Depth: 43.07%
Upper Girdle Ú: 41.93‹
Lower Girdle Ú: 42.09‹

 

[strmrdr]

Id take this one over both of those if its eyeclean and pocket the savings.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4011/

 

[strmrdr]

or this one:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4206/

 

[Ellen]

I''d either go for the G VS2, or the second one strm picked. That other H is definitely facing up smaller than it could/should.

If it were me, I''d go with the second H. Great stone, still great color, and it''s saves you quite a bit. (assuming eyeclean)

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 4/2/2008 9:09:15 AM
Author: Ellen
I'd either go for the G VS2, or the second one strm picked. That other H is definitely facing up smaller than it could/should.

If it were me, I'd go with the second H. Great stone, still great color, and it's saves you quite a bit. (assuming eyeclean)

huh? all 4 stones are well with in the accepted limits for depth and spread....

It gets AGS1 for finish, 0 for proportions and light performance.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

How about these:

=81&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=81&src=loupe

=176&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=176&src=loupe

cheers--Sharon

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/2/2008 9:14:39 AM
Author: strmrdr
huh? all 4 stones are well with in the accepted limits for depth and spread....

It gets AGS1 for finish, 0 for proportions and light performance.

I'm only talking about the I. I just think it could face up a bit bigger. Not saying it's not wthin acceptable range. If you can split hairs (at times), why can't I?

 

[ImpatientOne]

Date: 4/2/2008 8:48:57 AM
Author: strmrdr
or this one:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4206/

This looks like a gorgeous stone!!!

 

[ayudame]

First of all, thanks for the responses--it''s amazing how quickly this whole process can be demystified by asking the right folks

!

Second, some questions/comments on the 4 suggested on this thread. My big takeaway is not to pay the premium for clarity if it is eye clean for my budget and desire for 1+ carat. I''m going to go to a physical store today to get my bearings on the clarity issue.

#1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3730/

* Like that it is Medium Fluorescence as I''ve read it helps bump up the perceived color
* Will have to ask to make sure it is eye clean

#2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3730/

* Seems like the best sparkle & size for the buck
* Again will ensure it is EC

#3
=81&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=81&src=loupe

* Good option if #2 isn''t eye clean

#4
=176&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=176&src=loupe

* was excited by this more expensive one b/c it was rated IF clarity but I can see inclusions and the AGS report says it is SI2--have emailed Infinity to clarify

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/2/2008 12:49:17 PM
Author: ayudame
First of all, thanks for the responses--it''s amazing how quickly this whole process can be demystified by asking the right folks

!


#3
=81&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=81&src=loupe

* Good option if #2 isn''t eye clean

#4
=176&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=176&src=loupe

* was excited by this more expensive one b/c it was rated IF clarity but I can see inclusions and the AGS report says it is SI2--have emailed Infinity to clarify

I don''t know if Paul (of Infinity) gives any kind of discount, though it surely wouldn''t be close to a thousand dollars. If your first pick isn''t eyeclean, you could consider this one also, for less, which is cut on par with Paul''s, who does cut a beautiful stone. They just seem to be pricier.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/3526/

And did you mean if #1 wasn''t eyeclean? (#2 is a VVS2, no way it wouldn''t be)


Let us know what you hear on that second one of his.

 

[ayudame]

whoops posted the wrong URLs for the GOG ones (darn copy/paste). corrected post below:

#1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4011/http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3730/
* Like that it is Medium Fluorescence as I''ve read it helps bump up the perceived color
* Will have to ask to make sure it is eye clean (SI1)
#2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4206/http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3730/
* Seems like the best sparkle & size for the buck
* Again will ensure it is EC (SI1)
#3
=81&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=81&src=loupe

* Good option if #2 isn''t eye clean (this one is VS2)

#4
=176&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=176&src=loupe
* was excited by this more expensive one b/c it was rated IF clarity but I can see inclusions and the AGS report says it is SI2--have emailed Infinity to clarify

 

[Dreamer_D]

If you go to an actual store to check your telerance for clarity, make sure you are looking at AGS or GIA graded stones. Other labs can be more liberal in their grading of clarity: another labs "VS2" may be and SI2 or worse at GIA or AGS...

I say go with VS2 ir SI1 (assuming eye-clean) and save the money for size. Unless you or your hal like looking at your stone with a loop. Then paying for more clarity *may* be worth it.

DD