Time for me to choose: want to help?

[less_confused]

A pair of 1.5 ct ttw diamond stud earrings.
All have HCA <1.6. Polish/Symmetry is at least VG or Excellent
All are GIA certified

I''d post the details for each stone but that may be too much detail....

Basically, I am stuck deciding whether to pay more in order to have better cut or to have better color.

In order of price:
Pair #1: J SI1s
Pair #2: J VS2s, ACA
Pair #3: F SI1s (one stone is a private sale)

Pair #2 and #3 are about the same price, and both are ~25% more than Pair #1.
These will not be considered investment or trade-up: too much attached sentimentality.

I''d love the ACAs, but I''m paying extra for the higher clarity levels that I don''t want/need.
Conversely, I like the idea of F colored earrings if borderline Excellent. But will the color difference between well cut J and well cut F stones be noticeable on earrings (she is fair skinned...).

How would you approach solving this dilemma?

 

[stone-cold11]

I will take the easy way out... Let her choose...

 

[Ellen]

Pair 2 gets my vote! I will always go for cut first.

 

[less_confused]

I can''t let her choose......

Ellen - can you tell me more why you favor J ACAs over an excellent cut F? Is it that the J vs. F color difference is not as noticeable in earrings? Is it because a well-cut ACA will add so much sparkle it overcomes the shortcomings of a J?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 9/9/2009 5:49:25 PM
Author: less_confused
I can''t let her choose......

Ellen - can you tell me more why you favor J ACAs over an excellent cut F? Is it that the J vs. F color difference is not as noticeable in earrings? Is it because a well-cut ACA will add so much sparkle it overcomes the shortcomings of a J?

Yep. And, even though the F''s are EX cut, that doesn''t really mean anything to me without IS pics. You can have a bad looking EX cut. A very well cut J will still face up nice and bright white.