Thoughts on these stones? Narrowing it down....

[dumbo]

After the awesome HCA advice, I narrowed down my potential selection. Looking to spend $14,500 max on the stone.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6462578-2.20-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
this stone is 2.2ct, 8.43mm diameter, great HCA score of 1.7 (60.1 depth/60 table/33.5 crown/41 pavilion), VS2

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.06-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-370279
this stone is 2.06ct, 8.29 diameter, HCA score of 1 (59.8/59/33/41), SI1.

Thoughts on these 2? The stone at James Allen is smaller, more included, but the stone is eye-clean. It looks pretty white for a J stone as well; I compared it to a couple of I color stones on the site, looked much more like an I than most of the J stones on their site.

I have yet to see pics of the stone at B2C. But if it is also a nice whiteish J, why the price difference?

Will the larger 2.2ct stone look significantly larger? It is only .14mm larger in diameter: is light reflection and perception of diamond size more a function of overall carat weight, or more a function of the diameter of the stone?

Which would you choose, given the pricing being the same? Or would you pass on both?

 

[pfunk]

Did you request ideal scope images from the vendor? If you have those images post them up.

 

[JulieN]

2nd stone is not really the best of the best, and no pics for the first.

Was this one too expensive? Its 15292 after PS discount: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5063274-2.29-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=5063274&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

 

[dumbo]

2nd stone is not really the best of the best, and no pics for the first.

Was this one too expensive? Its 15292 after PS discount: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5063274-2.29-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=5063274&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

No, they said it was brownish in color.

what makes the other stone not the "best of the best"? What about it should I avoid?

B2C recommended this stone:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6462578-2.20-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

Here are images:

 

[dumbo]

Did you request ideal scope images from the vendor? If you have those images post them up.

Posted, at least for one of the stones that was recommended, thanks!

 

[JulieN]

That one is fine.

 

[dumbo]

That one is fine.

OK, thanks. What would I gain brilliance-wise by upgrading to an H&A quality cut? At this price point, I am losing around 4/10ths of a carat. Is the difference in brilliance minor, or pretty noticeable?

 

[JulieN]

? You are losing .4 cts where?

The one you're looking at is 60/60, which generally costs a little bit less than Tolkowsky style. If you drop the carat weight to get a Tolk style, you could theoretically gain some scintillation and fire, theoretically at the cost of some brilliance.

I don't think you can get an H&A on your budget.

 

[dumbo]

I guess what I meant was: I can get a similar stone for around $14k, but it would be .4 carats smaller if it were an ACA stone from whiteflash. Sorry, I didn't mean Hearts and Arrows specifically, just that type of top level symmetrical cut. Not sure how much more performance that would give me, being that I can't see them side by side.

 

[dumbo]

Here are the other 2 idealscopes for the James Allen diamonds; gemologist was said to favor the first 2.06 ct. The 2nd stone had a lot of twinning wisps.

First is a 2.06 J/SI1 59.8/59/33/41
2nd is a 2.12 J/SI2 59.8/59/33/41

 

[JulieN]

Its pretty similar to the ones we're looking at from B2C in terms of the cut.

 

[dumbo]

Its pretty similar to the ones we're looking at from B2C in terms of the cut.

Thank you. The other stone I was considering

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3227656.htm



Obviously a little smaller, but a cut with more scintillation and fire? Practically speaking, a better looking stone, or similar to the naked eye? I am a little wary of ordering a virtual diamond from overseas (India) in the case of B2C, in case it is not as advertised and gets sent back. A lot of effort down the drain.

 

[JulieN]

The WF stone is, of course, spectacularly cut.

Found one, I really think this is going to work for you. 2cts that your gf wants, and lower end of your budget.

Images look great! Make sure you tell B2C to put it ON HOLD for you if you need time to make inquiries.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6363308-2.00-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS2-clarity.aspx