Trying to decide between 2 diamonds. 1.17-1.27

[Duffmanrc]

I have been lurking on PS for the last few weeks trying to absorb as much information as possible for an engagement ring. I have read so much, I think I am starting to dream about diamonds.

After a little bit of detective work I have decided to go with this setting:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-...er-twist-shank-engagement-ring-platinum_35341

I have narrowed my search down to 2 different diamonds and could use some advice as to which direction to go. I am mostly concerned with the J diamond looking yellow in the setting. If the consensus is that we will most likely not be able to notice the difference in that setting then I will go with the J.

The first option is the one I was leaning towards before I picked out the setting. Now I am a little worried that the J Color will not look right with the setting.
GIA report 6201152990
J VS1 1.27CT 6.98 x 7 x 4.28
Cut, polish, and symmetry are all excellent
57% table
61.2% depth
34.5* crown
15% crown height
40.8* pavilion
43% pavilion depth
75% lower half
50% star
culet- none
thin-medium faceted girdle
$5,500

The second option is smaller and about $1,000 more expensive but has better color.
GIA report 5176995854
G VS2 1.17CT 6.76 x 6.79x 4.19MM
54% table
61.9% depth
34.5* crown
16% crown height
40.6* pavilion
43% pavilion depth
80% lower half
50% star
culet- none
medium-slightly thick faceted girdle
$6,500

Unfortunately I do not have any pictures to show but any advice you may be able to offer based on the numbers would be super helpful.

 

[pfunk]

If it were me I would go with the larger J color stone and save $1,000. I purchased a J color diamond for my fiance and she is thrilled with it. Admittedly, I was pretty worried about the color. When unset, the color didn't bother me too much but after setting it in white gold I could see the tint from the side and when the diamond was tilted. BUT, I think a large part of it was due to the surroundings. I looked at that ring SO much in our house which has tan colored walls and I really think that is what was bothering me more so than the diamond's body color. The diamond was also inside a ring box that was bright white which really made the color noticeable. Now that she is wearing the diamond, I don't notice the color NEAR as much. In daylight it is absolutely gorgeous and when you don't have the ring held up close to your eye against a white background the color is so much less noticeable. Her stone is a 2 carat which would show more color than the stone you are considering.

I knew she preferred size over color or clarity and I didn't compromise on cut. I went as large as possible while still maintaining ideal proportions (like you have done) and we are both totally thrilled with it. If you don't EVER want to notice a slight warmth, maybe a J isn't best. But, if you want to maximize size and are ok with a slight warmth under certain lights and in certain environments, then a J is a great option IMO.

 

[Texas Leaguer]

I have been lurking on PS for the last few weeks trying to absorb as much information as possible for an engagement ring. I have read so much, I think I am starting to dream about diamonds.

After a little bit of detective work I have decided to go with this setting:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-...er-twist-shank-engagement-ring-platinum_35341

I have narrowed my search down to 2 different diamonds and could use some advice as to which direction to go. I am mostly concerned with the J diamond looking yellow in the setting. If the consensus is that we will most likely not be able to notice the difference in that setting then I will go with the J.

The first option is the one I was leaning towards before I picked out the setting. Now I am a little worried that the J Color will not look right with the setting.
GIA report 6201152990
J VS1 1.27CT 6.98 x 7 x 4.28
Cut, polish, and symmetry are all excellent
57% table
61.2% depth
34.5* crown
15% crown height
40.8* pavilion
43% pavilion depth
75% lower half
50% star
culet- none
thin-medium faceted girdle
$5,500

The second option is smaller and about $1,000 more expensive but has better color.
GIA report 5176995854
G VS2 1.17CT 6.76 x 6.79x 4.19MM
54% table
61.9% depth
34.5* crown
16% crown height
40.6* pavilion
43% pavilion depth
80% lower half
50% star
culet- none
medium-slightly thick faceted girdle
$6,500

Unfortunately I do not have any pictures to show but any advice you may be able to offer based on the numbers would be super helpful.

There is a fairly significant difference in color between G and J. They are bookends of the near colorless range. You are likely to detect some color in the J from side view. If color is a concern and it is within your budget to do so, going with the G is probably a better bet.

 

[Duffmanrc]

If it were me I would go with the larger J color stone and save $1,000. I purchased a J color diamond for my fiance and she is thrilled with it. Admittedly, I was pretty worried about the color. When unset, the color didn't bother me too much but after setting it in white gold I could see the tint from the side and when the diamond was tilted. BUT, I think a large part of it was due to the surroundings. I looked at that ring SO much in our house which has tan colored walls and I really think that is what was bothering me more so than the diamond's body color. The diamond was also inside a ring box that was bright white which really made the color noticeable. Now that she is wearing the diamond, I don't notice the color NEAR as much. In daylight it is absolutely gorgeous and when you don't have the ring held up close to your eye against a white background the color is so much less noticeable. Her stone is a 2 carat which would show more color than the stone you are considering.

I knew she preferred size over color or clarity and I didn't compromise on cut. I went as large as possible while still maintaining ideal proportions (like you have done) and we are both totally thrilled with it. If you don't EVER want to notice a slight warmth, maybe a J isn't best. But, if you want to maximize size and are ok with a slight warmth under certain lights and in certain environments, then a J is a great option IMO.

Thank you for the advice. I had picked the setting because I had read that a bit of a bezel setting would help hide the warmth. But after reading what you said about being able to see the warmth even more after you put the stone in the setting, I am a little concerned about the J.

In all honesty, I don't any of our friends would notice the difference and I don't think she will have any issue with the warmth. I think I will be the one to notice it the most just like you.

 

[Duffmanrc]

I have been lurking on PS for the last few weeks trying to absorb as much information as possible for an engagement ring. I have read so much, I think I am starting to dream about diamonds.

After a little bit of detective work I have decided to go with this setting:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-...er-twist-shank-engagement-ring-platinum_35341

I have narrowed my search down to 2 different diamonds and could use some advice as to which direction to go. I am mostly concerned with the J diamond looking yellow in the setting. If the consensus is that we will most likely not be able to notice the difference in that setting then I will go with the J.

The first option is the one I was leaning towards before I picked out the setting. Now I am a little worried that the J Color will not look right with the setting.
GIA report 6201152990
J VS1 1.27CT 6.98 x 7 x 4.28
Cut, polish, and symmetry are all excellent
57% table
61.2% depth
34.5* crown
15% crown height
40.8* pavilion
43% pavilion depth
75% lower half
50% star
culet- none
thin-medium faceted girdle
$5,500

The second option is smaller and about $1,000 more expensive but has better color.
GIA report 5176995854
G VS2 1.17CT 6.76 x 6.79x 4.19MM
54% table
61.9% depth
34.5* crown
16% crown height
40.6* pavilion
43% pavilion depth
80% lower half
50% star
culet- none
medium-slightly thick faceted girdle
$6,500

Unfortunately I do not have any pictures to show but any advice you may be able to offer based on the numbers would be super helpful.

There is a fairly significant difference in color between G and J. They are bookends of the near colorless range. You are likely to detect some color in the J from side view. If color is a concern and it is within your budget to do so, going with the G is probably a better bet.

I wonder how much if the side view you would notice in that setting I linked though. I was trying to pick a halo that the diamond sat a little bit lower so the side view would be hidden a little bit. Also would the platinum setting help make the diamond look a little more white or would it tend to bring out the warmth of the diamond?

 

[Texas Leaguer]

I have been lurking on PS for the last few weeks trying to absorb as much information as possible for an engagement ring. I have read so much, I think I am starting to dream about diamonds.

After a little bit of detective work I have decided to go with this setting:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-...er-twist-shank-engagement-ring-platinum_35341

I have narrowed my search down to 2 different diamonds and could use some advice as to which direction to go. I am mostly concerned with the J diamond looking yellow in the setting. If the consensus is that we will most likely not be able to notice the difference in that setting then I will go with the J.

The first option is the one I was leaning towards before I picked out the setting. Now I am a little worried that the J Color will not look right with the setting.
GIA report 6201152990
J VS1 1.27CT 6.98 x 7 x 4.28
Cut, polish, and symmetry are all excellent
57% table
61.2% depth
34.5* crown
15% crown height
40.8* pavilion
43% pavilion depth
75% lower half
50% star
culet- none
thin-medium faceted girdle
$5,500

The second option is smaller and about $1,000 more expensive but has better color.
GIA report 5176995854
G VS2 1.17CT 6.76 x 6.79x 4.19MM
54% table
61.9% depth
34.5* crown
16% crown height
40.6* pavilion
43% pavilion depth
80% lower half
50% star
culet- none
medium-slightly thick faceted girdle
$6,500

Unfortunately I do not have any pictures to show but any advice you may be able to offer based on the numbers would be super helpful.

There is a fairly significant difference in color between G and J. They are bookends of the near colorless range. You are likely to detect some color in the J from side view. If color is a concern and it is within your budget to do so, going with the G is probably a better bet.

I wonder how much if the side view you would notice in that setting I linked though. I was trying to pick a halo that the diamond sat a little bit lower so the side view would be hidden a little bit. Also would the platinum setting help make the diamond look a little more white or would it tend to bring out the warmth of the diamond?

You're right that the setting style does not accentuate the side view. The platinum will contrast with the color and make it slightly more noticeable. If you were setting in yellow gold you would probably have no issue. Also the color of the diamonds in the halo will have an impact and if they are a few shades whiter it will make the body color of the center stand out a bit.
It is likely not to be obvious, but as you look at the ring more and more, you may start to notice it. If you think that will bother you, consider going with the whiter center stone.

 

[pfunk]

I have been lurking on PS for the last few weeks trying to absorb as much information as possible for an engagement ring. I have read so much, I think I am starting to dream about diamonds.

After a little bit of detective work I have decided to go with this setting:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-...er-twist-shank-engagement-ring-platinum_35341

I have narrowed my search down to 2 different diamonds and could use some advice as to which direction to go. I am mostly concerned with the J diamond looking yellow in the setting. If the consensus is that we will most likely not be able to notice the difference in that setting then I will go with the J.

The first option is the one I was leaning towards before I picked out the setting. Now I am a little worried that the J Color will not look right with the setting.
GIA report 6201152990
J VS1 1.27CT 6.98 x 7 x 4.28
Cut, polish, and symmetry are all excellent
57% table
61.2% depth
34.5* crown
15% crown height
40.8* pavilion
43% pavilion depth
75% lower half
50% star
culet- none
thin-medium faceted girdle
$5,500

The second option is smaller and about $1,000 more expensive but has better color.
GIA report 5176995854
G VS2 1.17CT 6.76 x 6.79x 4.19MM
54% table
61.9% depth
34.5* crown
16% crown height
40.6* pavilion
43% pavilion depth
80% lower half
50% star
culet- none
medium-slightly thick faceted girdle
$6,500

Unfortunately I do not have any pictures to show but any advice you may be able to offer based on the numbers would be super helpful.

There is a fairly significant difference in color between G and J. They are bookends of the near colorless range. You are likely to detect some color in the J from side view. If color is a concern and it is within your budget to do so, going with the G is probably a better bet.

I wonder how much if the side view you would notice in that setting I linked though. I was trying to pick a halo that the diamond sat a little bit lower so the side view would be hidden a little bit. Also would the platinum setting help make the diamond look a little more white or would it tend to bring out the warmth of the diamond?

I just read someone else's thread asking whether lower color stones are better off set in white or yellow gold and there are multiple opinions. Some say white metal makes a near colorless stone look more tinted because of the contrast, but others say yellow gold has accentuated the slight tint of their stones and made them look MORE yellow. For this reason, some people will set the diamond in white metal prongs even if the ring itself is yellow gold.

It is impossible for us to know what your color tolerance level is so we can't tell you what you will like. I know if I had to do it over I would pick the J color again because it gave me the ability to get the size she wanted. I was worried about color too but we went and looked in person at H, I, J stones side by side in sizes comparable to what we wanted and all with decent cuts. I could consistently pick the H but would mix the I and J stones up sometimes (when viewed table DOWN against a white background). When viewed face up I had a hard time telling which was which with any consistency. She couldn't tell the difference between H, I, and J so it would have been dumb to pay for a difference she isn't going to care about anyhow. I'd recommend you try to figure out where your tolerance level lies. I would recommend only looking at GIA graded stones and at stones with an excellent cut.

 

[JDDN]

Perhaps you could look at a G stone and a J stone in person at a jewelry store before making the purchase? There's a huuge difference between a G and a J!

And as mentioned, the diamond melee color may highlight the tint in the J diamond. Just something else to consider.

 

[Duffmanrc]

Perhaps you could look at a G stone and a J stone in person at a jewelry store before making the purchase? There's a huuge difference between a G and a J!

And as mentioned, the diamond melee color may highlight the tint in the J diamond. Just something else to consider.

That is what I am most worried about. If it was a solitaire I don't think I would notice, but when the melee diamonds are going to look whiter because they are smaller and then they are also H's already I am worried that that alone will make the J stand out.

 

[Duffmanrc]

I have been lurking on PS for the last few weeks trying to absorb as much information as possible for an engagement ring. I have read so much, I think I am starting to dream about diamonds.

After a little bit of detective work I have decided to go with this setting:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-...er-twist-shank-engagement-ring-platinum_35341

I have narrowed my search down to 2 different diamonds and could use some advice as to which direction to go. I am mostly concerned with the J diamond looking yellow in the setting. If the consensus is that we will most likely not be able to notice the difference in that setting then I will go with the J.

The first option is the one I was leaning towards before I picked out the setting. Now I am a little worried that the J Color will not look right with the setting.
GIA report 6201152990
J VS1 1.27CT 6.98 x 7 x 4.28
Cut, polish, and symmetry are all excellent
57% table
61.2% depth
34.5* crown
15% crown height
40.8* pavilion
43% pavilion depth
75% lower half
50% star
culet- none
thin-medium faceted girdle
$5,500

The second option is smaller and about $1,000 more expensive but has better color.
GIA report 5176995854
G VS2 1.17CT 6.76 x 6.79x 4.19MM
54% table
61.9% depth
34.5* crown
16% crown height
40.6* pavilion
43% pavilion depth
80% lower half
50% star
culet- none
medium-slightly thick faceted girdle
$6,500

Unfortunately I do not have any pictures to show but any advice you may be able to offer based on the numbers would be super helpful.

There is a fairly significant difference in color between G and J. They are bookends of the near colorless range. You are likely to detect some color in the J from side view. If color is a concern and it is within your budget to do so, going with the G is probably a better bet.

I wonder how much if the side view you would notice in that setting I linked though. I was trying to pick a halo that the diamond sat a little bit lower so the side view would be hidden a little bit. Also would the platinum setting help make the diamond look a little more white or would it tend to bring out the warmth of the diamond?

I just read someone else's thread asking whether lower color stones are better off set in white or yellow gold and there are multiple opinions. Some say white metal makes a near colorless stone look more tinted because of the contrast, but others say yellow gold has accentuated the slight tint of their stones and made them look MORE yellow. For this reason, some people will set the diamond in white metal prongs even if the ring itself is yellow gold.

It is impossible for us to know what your color tolerance level is so we can't tell you what you will like. I know if I had to do it over I would pick the J color again because it gave me the ability to get the size she wanted. I was worried about color too but we went and looked in person at H, I, J stones side by side in sizes comparable to what we wanted and all with decent cuts. I could consistently pick the H but would mix the I and J stones up sometimes (when viewed table DOWN against a white background). When viewed face up I had a hard time telling which was which with any consistency. She couldn't tell the difference between H, I, and J so it would have been dumb to pay for a difference she isn't going to care about anyhow. I'd recommend you try to figure out where your tolerance level lies. I would recommend only looking at GIA graded stones and at stones with an excellent cut.

Just curious, what kind of setting did you put your diamond in?

 

[pfunk]

2.2 mm pavé cathedral band with g/h melee. 3 point melee stones and it looks fine. I dont notice a difference between them. I'll try to get photos up for you.

 

[Duffmanrc]

I think I found the right one. I did a little more searching and I found a stone basically the same size as the J listed above but not quite as expensive as the G.

GIA report 2166857290
H SI1 1.24CT 6.94 x 6.96x 4.23MM
57% table
60.9% depth
35* crown
15.5% crown height
40.6* pavilion
42.5% pavilion depth
80% lower half
50% star
culet- none
thin to medium faceted girdle
$6,100

B2C jewels was able to send me some pictures as well. They also said it is eye clean.

What do you think of this one?

 

[Texas Leaguer]

I think I found the right one. I did a little more searching and I found a stone basically the same size as the J listed above but not quite as expensive as the G.

GIA report 2166857290
H SI1 1.24CT 6.94 x 6.96x 4.23MM
57% table
60.9% depth
35* crown
15.5% crown height
40.6* pavilion
42.5% pavilion depth
80% lower half
50% star
culet- none
thin to medium faceted girdle
$6,100

B2C jewels was able to send me some pictures as well. They also said it is eye clean.

What do you think of this one?

By forum rules I cannot recommend a stone, but I can say that this one not only helps with your color concern, but also gives you back the size you would have sacrificed to go with the original G, which I think is what Pfunk was advocating for.

 

[pfunk]

Looks like a great stone that is a perfect compromise for you. Same size as the J but helps with your color concern and falls in between as far as price goes. If the extra $600 gives you a little more peace of mind as far as color goes then this is a great stone. I think it is a safer option for someone who is on the fence.

 

[telephone89]

I like the newest one! Great comprimise, and for $600 I think its worth it.

ETA - though if you go on the blue nile site, they show 'actual' photos of the setting. Alot of them are set wtih J's and don't look overly tinted.

 

[Duffmanrc]

Awesome, thank you all for your advice! I think I will go with the new H stone.