Trying to Choose Between 2 Stones--Pls. Advise!

[bluedude]

Hi everyone, I''m hoping you can help me out.
I''ve narrowed my search for a round brilliant cut stone to two stones, but am having a hard time making up my mind. Stone #1 (GIA Ideal) is about $400 less than Stone #2 and I''m wondering if the premium for Stone #2 (Blue Nile Signature Ideal) is worth it given their very similar characteristics (see below). Specifically, I''m willing to pay the premium if there is likely to be a noticeable difference in the visual performance of the two stones, but I''m wondering if the premium is really a brand thing (ie I''d be paying for the description "signature ideal"). I''d really appreciate any feedback and would be curious to hear people''s views on the slight differences between the sarin report and the GIA report (the differences are enough to affect the HCA score quite a bit).

thanks,
bluedude

Stone #1:

Cut: Ideal
Color: E
Clarity: VS1
Carats: 0.63
Depth: 61.7 %(this is the sarin value whereas GIA report says 61.9)
Table: 57 %
Crown Angle: 34.0 (this is the sarin value, but GIA report says the same)
Pavilion Angle: 41.1 (this is the sarin value, but GIA report says 41.0)
Culet: 0.7 % (from sarin report, GIA report says none)
Girdle: 1.9 sl.thick – 2.9 sl.thick
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Report: GIA

Stone #2:

Cut: Blue Nile Signature Ideal
Color: E
Clarity: VS1
Carats: 0.63
Depth: 61.5%
Table: 55%
Crown Angle: 34.7
Pavilion Angle: 40.0
Culet: 0.5% (from GCAL report, GIA report says none)
Girdle: Medium 1.8%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Report: GIA/GCAL

 

[Ellen]

blue, are you sure you typed the correct pavillion angle on the second one? I''ll give my opinion after we know the answer.

 

[knuman]

Really tough choice.

I''d probably go for the first one - I can''t see how the difference between the two justifies a $400 gap.

 

[bluedude]

Date: 10/12/2006 7:18:38 PM
Author: Ellen
blue, are you sure you typed the correct pavillion angle on the second one? I''ll give my opinion after we know the answer.

Yes, sorry, the pavillion angle for the second one is actually 40.8.

Thanks,
bluedude

 

[bluedude]

While we''re at it, the Signature Ideal stone has an "H&A" inscription on it. What does this indicate?

Thanks again,
bluedude

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/12/2006 7:38:37 PM
Author: bluedude

Date: 10/12/2006 7:18:38 PM
Author: Ellen
blue, are you sure you typed the correct pavillion angle on the second one? I''ll give my opinion after we know the answer.

Yes, sorry, the pavillion angle for the second one is actually 40.8.

Thanks,
bluedude

No problem, it happens.

OK, they would both be nice diamonds, in my opinion. Now, some people would not care for the angles on the first, just cuz they''re not "premo, spot on". However, I happen to own a 34/41 stone, and I think it''s stunning, and get many compliments on it. It''s very bright, but very firey too. Honestly, you couldn''t get me to trade it.

So, that''s one small opinion. One thing I noticed that we don''t have is the diameter measurements, those will tell us how big they face up. Can you add those to your first post?

 

[bluedude]

Date: 10/12/2006 7:48:22 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 10/12/2006 7:38:37 PM

Author: bluedude

Date: 10/12/2006 7:18:38 PM

Author: Ellen

blue, are you sure you typed the correct pavillion angle on the second one? I''ll give my opinion after we know the answer.

Yes, sorry, the pavillion angle for the second one is actually 40.8.


Thanks,

bluedude

No problem, it happens.

OK, they would both be nice diamonds, in my opinion. Now, some people would not care for the angles on the first, just cuz they''re not ''premo, spot on''. However, I happen to own a 34/41 stone, and I think it''s stunning, and get many compliments on it. It''s very bright, but very firey too. Honestly, you couldn''t get me to trade it.


So, that''s one small opinion. One thing I noticed that we don''t have is the diameter measurements, those will tell us how big they face up. Can you add those to your first post?

Thanks for the feedback. The face dimensions are as follows:

Stone #1 (Ideal): w: 5.52 mm l: 5.5 mm

Stone #2 (Signature Ideal): w: 5.55 mm l: 5.5 mm

I''m curious, does anyone have any experience with the GCAL reports that blue nile provides for it''s signature stones? They''re kind of nice b/c they include some information about visual performance that''s not included in the GIA or AGSL reports, but I''d be curious to hear what any of you think.

Thanks again,
bluedude

 

[Ellen]

Ok, they''re very close in size. As for BN''s certs, no, I''m not familiar. I personally would stick with GIA, or AGS, that was my next comment.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, here's my opinion. The "Signature Ideal" means nothing. Ideal cut stones are ideal cut stones (certified by AGS or GIA). In my excessive experience searching the diamond inventories of these vendors, I find that Blue Nile is consistently higher priced. It might be worth it if you cannot locate a stone elsewhere with the specs that you want. Vendors like Good Old Gold and WhiteFlash have more extra info on the diamonds in their inventory than Blue Nile does. Most of BN's inventory is virtual., meaning they do not really have possession of the stones. In addition, some of the other vendors have better trade-in or buy-back policies in the event you later decided to upgrade her diamond for a future anniversary or something. I know most guys just getting engaged wouldn't be thinking of such things, but 10 or 20 years down the road, it would be nice to have the option. I think the GOG search mainly has diamonds that they have in stock, and on the WF site, you search under A Cut Above to see their best cut diamonds that are in-house. James Allen carries some in-house, too, so only look at his stones that have a picture and cert included. All three of these vendors have excellent stones with better prices. Winfield's has a smaller inventory, but he carries some great diamonds, too.

ETA: The second diamond has slightly more appealing numbers, but whether it would be in any way more visually appealing, I don't know. Does the first one have a return policy if you ordered it and decided to return it?

 

[Ellen]

blue, could you get an IS for that first one?

 

[bluedude]

Date: 10/12/2006 8:22:22 PM
Author: Ellen
blue, could you get an IS for that first one?

I''m sorry Ellen, what is an IS?

blue

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 10/12/2006 9:15:58 PM
Author: bluedude

Date: 10/12/2006 8:22:22 PM
Author: Ellen
blue, could you get an IS for that first one?

I''m sorry Ellen, what is an IS?

blue

I''m not Ellen but IS= Idealscope Image

 

[Ellen]

Thanks Kaleigh!

blue, some vendors will give you one, to show light leakage/return on a diamond. They''re very helpful. If you can get one it will tell a lot about that diamond, and let you know whether to take a closer look.

 

[bluedude]

Date: 10/13/2006 9:01:44 AM
Author: Ellen
Thanks Kaleigh!


blue, some vendors will give you one, to show light leakage/return on a diamond. They''re very helpful. If you can get one it will tell a lot about that diamond, and let you know whether to take a closer look.

Thanks to both of you! I''m working on the idealscope image (waiting for a call back).

 

[Ellen]

Great! And you''re welcome!

Now, I''m leaving for out of town in just a bit. You might be better off to make another thread once you get it, and ask peoples opinions, since I''ll be gone, and Kaleigh just got a stunning oval she''ll probably be distracted with, and ds just got her rings.

Just make sure the title tells what you want, an opinion on an IS. Hopefully you''ll get lots of advice. And I''ll certainly look for it when I get back Sunday. Good luck!