Three IS Images: Which is the superior diamond?

[zomby woof]

Based on all the parameters (including HCA score) I have narrowed it down to these three stones. Jennifer at James Allen was kind enough to take these three IS images for me this morning. So I ask you... which is the superior diamond, and why?

#1

 

[zomby woof]

#2

 

[zomby woof]

#3

 

[Doomaise]

I''m also interested to hear what the experts say here.....

If I had to guess, I would pick #2, because it has the least amount of "white" which shows leakage, and therefore is reflecting/refracting more light....but I''m new to this game, so don''t take my word for it.....

 

[dmus]

I''m not an expert but based on what I''ve learned around here I''d say #1 looks the best to me. #2 looks to be a bit painted and may not have the contrast you want to show off the brilliance. Some white is good on the perimeter. This aids contrast.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/20/2008 12:05:39 PM
Author: Doomaise
I'm also interested to hear what the experts say here.....

If I had to guess, I would pick #2, because it has the least amount of 'white' which shows leakage, and therefore is reflecting/refracting more light....but I'm new to this game, so don't take my word for it.....

Actually these all look like good images, and the ' white' you see can be what is called ' controlled leakage' which can aid contrast and scintillation of the diamond. That can aid ' desirable visual properties' in some instances, so it is not necessarily a negative in a diamond. Also 'painting' is also not necessarily a negative in a diamond. See this thread for a basic explanation of painting/ brillianteering. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/diamond-painting-still-a-good-diamond.75554/



Do you have the rest of the info for these diamonds zomby, such as colour, clarity, carat and proportions, grading labs etc?

 

[zomby woof]

Okay, here are the stats for each diamond:

Diamond #1 (my favorite)
Carat weight: 2.04
Cut: Ideal
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 61.1%
Table: 56.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Thin
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 8.18*8.21*5.01
Crown: 34.5
Pavilion 40.8

Diamond #2:
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 2.51
Cut: Premium
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 59.2%
Table: 61.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 8.86*8.84*5.24
Crown:
Pavilion: 33.0
Crown: 40.8

Diamond #3:
Carat weight: 2.20
Cut: Ideal
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 62.4%
Table: 57.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 8.23*8.31*5.16
Crown: 36.0
Pavilion: 40.6

So here are my feelings... #2 is a big honker, a little more than I wanted to spend as well. It is also VS2, and I know it will look flawless to the eye, but I really want to go with VS1 or above. It has the least amount of white in the IS, which I guess is good. James Allen classifies this stone as Premium, which is one step below Ideal. The cut doesn''t quite make the cut This diamond, as well as the rest all score below 2 on the HCA.

#3 looks good, except the diameter is abnormally small for its carat weight. To me this is like spending more and getting less. Also, the IS image looks very asymmetrical to me. It scored an Excellent on the GIA report for symmetry, but something doesn''t look right to me.

Which brings us to #1. It seems like it has everything going for it. Good size for the weight, balanced look, good IS, low HCA, and meets the rest of my criteria. The only problem is that it''s slightly below my budget, and I wouldn''t mind spending a couple bucks more for a larger stone.

I know it sounds like I have made up my mind, but really I haven''t! I would really like to know what you all think of my logic, as well these diamonds

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

1 will have the most fire and brightness, 2 will be the brightest of all, and 3 will have fire with reduced brightness when dirty

 

[Ice Princess Cristy]

Date: 5/22/2008 6:18:20 PM
Author: zomby woof
Okay, here are the stats for each diamond:

Diamond #1 (my favorite)
Carat weight: 2.04
Cut: Ideal
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 61.1%
Table: 56.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Thin
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 8.18*8.21*5.01
Crown: 34.5
Pavilion 40.8

Diamond #2:
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 2.51
Cut: Premium
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 59.2%
Table: 61.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 8.86*8.84*5.24
Crown:
Pavilion: 33.0
Crown: 40.8

Diamond #3:
Carat weight: 2.20
Cut: Ideal
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 62.4%
Table: 57.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 8.23*8.31*5.16
Crown: 36.0
Pavilion: 40.6

So here are my feelings... #2 is a big honker, a little more than I wanted to spend as well. It is also VS2, and I know it will look flawless to the eye, but I really want to go with VS1 or above. It has the least amount of white in the IS, which I guess is good. James Allen classifies this stone as Premium, which is one step below Ideal. The cut doesn''t quite make the cut This diamond, as well as the rest all score below 2 on the HCA.

#3 looks good, except the diameter is abnormally small for its carat weight. To me this is like spending more and getting less. Also, the IS image looks very asymmetrical to me. It scored an Excellent on the GIA report for symmetry, but something doesn''t look right to me.

Which brings us to #1. It seems like it has everything going for it. Good size for the weight, balanced look, good IS, low HCA, and meets the rest of my criteria. The only problem is that it''s slightly below my budget, and I wouldn''t mind spending a couple bucks more for a larger stone.

I know it sounds like I have made up my mind, but really I haven''t! I would really like to know what you all think of my logic, as well these diamonds

I am confused as to how these are GIA certs with premium and ideal cuts as GIA only rates as high as excellent.....

Can someone clarify that?

 

[Deelight]

Ice princess

I think what the author is talking about in terms of premium, ideal etc is how James Allen classifies the cut on their site within their own categories

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 5/23/2008 12:51:34 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
1 will have the most fire and brightness, 2 will be the brightest of all, and 3 will have fire with reduced brightness when dirty

Wouldn''t all diamonds have reduced brightness when dirty?

 

[strmrdr]

Interesting comparison...
1: modern tolk
2: 60/60
3: fic or borderline fic.

1: balanced fire/white light
2: white light up, fire down.
3: fire up, white light down

3 different personalities and performance types.
For all around use for the widest selection of people 1 is the winner.

 

[Lorelei]

I would pick number 1.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/23/2008 6:32:57 AM
Author: Lorelei
I would pick number 1.

Ditto.

 

[zomby woof]

Thanks so much for your help! So would you all agree that #1 is an excellent diamond? I am about to pull the trigger and just need a little reassurance that this stone is going to be kick a$$

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 5/24/2008 12:17:02 PM
Author: zomby woof
Thanks so much for your help! So would you all agree that #1 is an excellent diamond? I am about to pull the trigger and just need a little reassurance that this stone is going to be kick a$$

If you don''t want it, I''ll take it.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/24/2008 12:20:18 PM
Author: gwendolyn

Date: 5/24/2008 12:17:02 PM
Author: zomby woof
Thanks so much for your help! So would you all agree that #1 is an excellent diamond? I am about to pull the trigger and just need a little reassurance that this stone is going to be kick a$$

If you don''t want it, I''ll take it.

I think that stone should be great!!!