Taste Test: which of these two diamonds do your eyes prefer?

[0-0-0]

Re: Taste Test: which of these two diamonds do your eyes pre

The difference as shown in the video is not big enough for me to have a clear preference, although I suspect it's probably a bit more pronounced in the person. Try sitting the stones in rooms with various lighting and walk around them. Which stone is more likely to catch your attention from a distance?

ETA: I do think that #1 looks marginally livelier as it is moved around.

 

[TxnBluDvl]

Re: Taste Test: which of these two diamonds do your eyes pre

webdiva -- haven't chosen yet. I'm as in the dark as you are!

FancyDiamond -- agree, I was moving too fast when I shot it. Way too much caffeine. I actually slowed the first part of the video down by 20% to get the speed right. Sorry about that!

Hi all -- thanks for all of the input especially after posting the stats. Very neat that everyone has been sticking to their original choices. As a guy, I struggle with this. Because what I see conflicts sometimes with how I feel when I see the stats. Sometimes, I feel like it's easier to rely on the stats to help me choose, but y'all have proven that, even if the stats say one thing, to vote with your eyes.

webdiva asked me which one would she prefer. Unfortunately, that's what I grapple with. I know what she generally wants, but in terms of the nuances in performance between these two diamonds, I'm not sure and I don't really think SHE even knows. She's very easygoing, and has just never paid that much attention to jewlery, let alone large center stones. But, over time and given the opportunity, I'm sure she'll develop a good sense of taste (like the fine people here on PS).

It's one of the reasons that I created this thread. For a group of cut nuts, I thought this would be an interesting way to judge diamonds in reserve of what most people do (which is post the stats and then work their way to the images).

I wanted to see what a group of well learned people would choose without the stats and see if, in the end (and out of curiosity), stats would make a difference in your decisions. Having been with her to the store, she's much more into choosing by look than stats.

Here's the last curveball I'll provide to the group. The VVS2 (Diamond #1) is roughly $1,600 less than the VS1 (Diamond #2). Does that change how anyone feels?

To provide background, I'm not particularly marginally price sensitive (I'm in the right budget ballpark). But, curious how the price difference makes people feel.

 

[Lotus99]

Re: Taste Test: which of these two diamonds do your eyes pre

Based on the feedback, I would have said "whichever is less expensive." If they both look fantastic, why not put the extra towards something else, like the wedding band, wedding or honeymoon?

 

[webdiva]

Re: Taste Test: which of these two diamonds do your eyes pre

The price difference is VERY interesting! I wonder if the vendor (not just JA, the wholesaler) thinks the diamond was graded too loosely on color? It definitely looks a color grade lower...

 

[slg47]

Re: Taste Test: which of these two diamonds do your eyes pre

I would get the less expensive stone and put $1600 towards the setting (or wedding band, or diamond studs, or just save it...)

 

[0-0-0]

Re: Taste Test: which of these two diamonds do your eyes pre

I would definitely take the $1600.

 

[FancyDiamond]

Re: Taste Test: which of these two diamonds do your eyes pre

"Because what I see conflicts sometimes with how I feel when I see the stats. Sometimes, I feel like it's easier to rely on the stats to help me choose, but y'all have proven that, even if the stats say one thing, to vote with your eyes.

It's one of the reasons that I created this thread. For a group of cut nuts, I thought this would be an interesting way to judge diamonds in reserve of what most people do (which is post the stats and then work their way to the images).

I wanted to see what a group of well learned people would choose without the stats and see if, in the end (and out of curiosity), stats would make a difference in your decisions. Having been with her to the store, she's much more into choosing by look than stats.

Here's the last curveball I'll provide to the group. The VVS2 (Diamond #1) is roughly $1,600 less than the VS1 (Diamond #2). Does that change how anyone feels?

To provide background, I'm not particularly marginally price sensitive (I'm in the right budget ballpark). But, curious how the price difference makes people feel."

I do not experience any conflicts. I use stats to screen diamonds (first step of diamond shopping). If I saw the stats before seeing the video, I would have chosen diamond #1 and not considered diamond #2 at all. The main reason is that I prefer fire, and diamond #1 has the right crown/pavillion combination whereas #2 has a crown a bit on the shallow side and the table a bit large for me. As proven here, the stats work for me as a screen. Moreover, the crisp appearance is something that must be seen in person, and that no stats or IS/ASET would show. Yes, the final decision to purchase is still based on visual inspection (second step of diamond shopping). Diamonds that do not look crisp are deal breakers for me.

$1600 (or 7%-10% less expensive) will definitely help my purchase decision on a diamond that has acceptable cut to begin with. On the other hand, if it is the other way around (that is, diamond #2 being less expensive), the savings would not matter.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Taste Test: which of these two diamonds do your eyes pre

Well, I think you get what you pay for, and the color is better on #2 and it is a little larger. $1600 is not that much in the overall scheme of things when you can get a whiter, brighter stone and it is 1.88 versus 1.80 on the other. I think the pricing is very telling, actually.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Taste Test: which of these two diamonds do your eyes pre

Well, I think you get what you pay for, and the color is better on #2 and it is a little larger. $1600 is not that much in the overall scheme of things when you can get a whiter, brighter stone and it is 1.88 versus 1.80 on the other. I think the pricing is very telling, actually.

Me too. Took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Re: Taste Test: which of these two diamonds do your eyes pre

Well, I think you get what you pay for, and the color is better on #2 and it is a little larger. $1600 is not that much in the overall scheme of things when you can get a whiter, brighter stone and it is 1.88 versus 1.80 on the other. I think the pricing is very telling, actually.

Me too. Took the words right out of my mouth.

+1. Totally agree with this.

 

[luvnlife]

Re: Taste Test: which of these two diamonds do your eyes pre

Great results!! I have to say that either diamond rocks!! I do think the second is brighter and larger, BUT you won't have both sitting side by side to compare so either one. The fact that you did this much homework is amazing. I would love either one because they are both BEAUTIFUL!!! You have to consider you are doing a critical analysis and no one would ever notice the things we have.

 

[stargurl78]

Re: Taste Test: which of these two diamonds do your eyes pre

I agree with DS, Gypsy, and MGS. I still like stone #2 better and in the grand scheme of things, if stone #2 is still within your budget I would spend the extra $1600 IF that's the one you prefer.