size v. quality and setting

[LadyJane83]

What would you go with?

An eye-clean .75 carat round with F-G (possibly H) color and ideal cut, symmetry etc. in a petite micropave setting, like either of these rings which I think are gorgeous:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wanna-see-my-ring.100885/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-e-ring-from-blue-nile.118779/


Or a round stone that is closer to 1 carat (.85/.9 or above) with a slightly lower (H-I or even J) color and/or less than ideal cut in a solitaire setting. Again, stone just has to be eye-clean.


I am not very color sensitive, but was a little sensitive at the I color level at the jeweler. And psychologically it bothered me when she showed me the E versus the I against white paper. In terms of size, I am the type that would love a one carat, but anything over that would be impractical for everyday wear for me.

I''m not sure if the 1 carat would be possible with our budget, but was asked my preference just in case, and can''t decide. Please share what you think and why...

 

[FB.]

You might be able to increase the diamond size by sacrificing a little on clarity - which you haven''t mentioned.
You may get much better prices if you shop online.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I''d go with a stone of around G or H. Since I''m color sensitive, a J coloring would be obviously warm to me, but I do think that a colorless diamond is overkill. G/H is a good balance.

 

[Firestone]

I would take the .75 with higher ratings than .85 to approximately 1 caret. I don''t think cut should be sacrificed. An inferior cut will not sparkle as much. There is a big difference in color between a F/G and a H-I-J. When you look at a lower color grade stone in a jewelry stone, it tends to look better than it does in real life outside of the jeweler''s lights. There really isn''t that much of a difference in size between a .75 and a .85/1 caret. The .75 with the specs you stated will be a more beautiful stone than a stone with the lower specs.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/18/2010 1:10:25 PM
Author:LadyJane83
What would you go with?

An eye-clean .75 carat round with F-G (possibly H) color and ideal cut, symmetry etc. in a petite micropave setting, like either of these rings which I think are gorgeous:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wanna-see-my-ring.100885/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-e-ring-from-blue-nile.118779/


Or a round stone that is closer to 1 carat (.85/.9 or above) with a slightly lower (H-I or even J) color and/or less than ideal cut in a solitaire setting. Again, stone just has to be eye-clean.


I am not very color sensitive, but was a little sensitive at the I color level at the jeweler. And psychologically it bothered me when she showed me the E versus the I against white paper. In terms of size, I am the type that would love a one carat, but anything over that would be impractical for everyday wear for me.

I'm not sure if the 1 carat would be possible with our budget, but was asked my preference just in case, and can't decide. Please share what you think and why...

If the cut is great then you can definitely go to H I or J colour and SI clarity if the stone is eyeclean if you want to go larger. But if you can detect the colour difference in I colour then I would make H ( GIA or AGS graded) your cutoff. Also you don't necessarily have to have a top cut diamond to have a pretty stone, a diamond with effective angles can be an excellent choice even if not cut to top standards.

 

[LadyJane83]

Thanks for the quick replies! The .85 to 1 carat would only be feasible on the off-chance that we can get a good deal from someone a friend of a friend knows. I''m not willing to get a lousy cut or, now that I think if ur go below H or I for color. But it is hard to decide exactly how much to sacrifice. I guess we all just need to find that balance

For clarity I know I want it to be eye-clean, so I''m thinking SI1 or SI2 if possible. I guess you just really have to analyze the characteristics of each particular diamond. I also know that some diamonds look bigger than they are b/c of the cut and dimensions, and that would be something to consider with each diamond when comparing.

 

[luckyme502]

I went with a 1 ct J color VVS2 clarity, but the cut is awesome! It allows so much light to shine through and it sparkles so much!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Do not compromise on cut.

 

[Black Jade]

I don''t know if I would do matter so much here. You sound as if you want the E color.

 

[Black Jade]

Maybe go for F (icy white, but cheaper than E) color and look online?
You can go as low as SI1 clarity. I have an F SI1 and the price wasn''t terrible and you see no inclusions, and get that look, it''s like an ice cube, even from the side.
It has a superb cut (AGS0), do not sacrifice on cut.
Size, however-- IMO a .75 doesn''t look like a carat, but a .85 looks awfully close. Especially if its a really beautiful stone

 

[yssie]

me, I''d go with a bigger J with med/strong/vstrong fluor

you sound as if you really prefer the higher colour, so the smaller, higher colour stone is probably better suited.



what is your budget? If eyeclean faceup is your only requirement and you wouldn''t mind a prongable inclusion, a well-cut I1 in a high colour may also be an option - www.highperformancediamonds.com is the first vendor that comes to mind

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I would not compromise on cut.

For me, in a ring, it is:

cut
color
clarity

So I''d get the biggest ideal (e.g. brian gavin signature H&A or brian gavin expert collection) in a G/H, eyeclean SI1 or SI2.