Turning to this fantastic community - please help!

[mbf365]

My partner and I have been searching for the perfect diamond for some time now. I recently posted a thread comparing two diamonds that we were seriously considering, however, at the end of the day we decided that neither diamond was "the one".

Fast forward to now and we have two new diamonds that we really love. We arrived at these stones after searching online for ones that had the very best cut and proportions, and that would fit our budget. We are definitely not diamond experts, so I would love if some of you would weigh in and let us know what you think. To us, the biggest noticeable difference between these two stones is the color. We're hesitant about the H color of the 1.16 but on the other hand, we get more carat size with the 1.16 and I've also been assured that H faces up very white. The 1.16 is also slightly more affordable.

Thoughts?

1.16: https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD08812228
6.75 x 6.72 x 4.13
H
VVS2

1.08: https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD06933785
6.66 x 6.64 x 4.03
G
IF

 

[Matthews1127]

I’m team 1.16HVVS2.
Greater spread for ct wt.
Will face up white; not much color difference between G & H on the spectrum. It’s Ideal Cut grade should actually give it better brightness for an H, and should help “conceal” its body color.
VVS2 is a great clarity; IF at 1+ ct is overkill.
As long as the table %, depth %, crown angle, and pavilion angle all meet their marks to get you an Excellent rating on the HCA tool, and this diamond fits your budget, there is no reason why this should not be your diamond.
I didn’t see if the stone has a GIA or AGS cert. If GIA, calculate the above stats. If AGS, there’s no need; AGS0 is the best cut, and does not require HCA.
Please let us know what you decide.

 

[the_mother_thing]

HCA on the 1.16ct is 1.8, and I agree with @Matthews1127 I’d go with the H; no sense in paying more for the IF, and you get a smidge more spread for a smidge less cost.

 

[rockysalamander]

The 1.16 is a 60/60 style diamond and will favor white light and brilliance over fire. These can be quite pretty, but not everyone prefers this compromise relative to fire. But, the CA/PA look well balanced. I don't love the skinny arrows (LGF 80%) in diamonds with a large table. To really know if a 60/60 will perform, you need and ASET or Idealscope image. BN does not provide them on rounds. But, you can buy the diamond unset and have it mailed to you and take your own images.

1.16


The 1.08 has nice, complimentary angles and I'd quibble with the 58% table (I prefer under 57.5) and the skinny arrows.
1.08


If you want a larger stone, here is an SI1 that looks eyeclean (you should confirm with BN). Chubby arrows, small table. This is really nice looking diamond and gains you size with a better balance of fire and brilliance. Strong blue flour needs to be reviewed for impact on the diamonds (although this is very rare).
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab

You have inquire about the "additional clouds", but this is another one with good proportions.
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab

A lot of little stuff going on but VS2. Spend time looking at the video, but to me this is eyeclean enough provided the clouds don't impact performance.
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab

Another nice choice.
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab

Have a look and see if something appeals. If you are open to other vendors, we can post others.

 

[rockysalamander]

These are measurements to help you stay in ideal cut territory with a GIA excellent cut stone.

table: 54-58 (I prefer under 57.5)
depth: 60-62.3 (I allow up to 62.5 with good balanced angles)
crown angle: 34-35.0 (up to 35.5 crown angle can sometimes work with a 40.6 pav angle)
pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0 if the crown angle is close to 34)

 

[mbf365]

Hi all! Thank you for your comments and suggestions

We found one more that looks pretty darn good (and is less $!). My only concern is the 35.5 crown angle. Does it work with the 40.6 pav in this case?
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD08322177

Although many of you loved the 1.16 .. we have decided to rule that one out. I'm just not sure I'll be a fan of the H color and I wouldn't want to have any regrets.

So right now, it's between the 1.08 and this new 1.12 that we've found. Any preferences?

 

[ac117]

Hi all! Thank you for your comments and suggestions

We found one more that looks pretty darn good (and is less $!). My only concern is the 35.5 crown angle. Does it work with the 40.6 pav in this case?
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD08322177

Although many of you loved the 1.16 .. we have decided to rule that one out. I'm just not sure I'll be a fan of the H color and I wouldn't want to have any regrets.

So right now, it's between the 1.08 and this new 1.12 that we've found. Any preferences?

Much prefer this new E VVS2! The slightly smaller table, the fatter arrows and slightly higher crown angle should make for a very beautiful and fiery stone

 

[SimoneDi]

Hi all! Thank you for your comments and suggestions

We found one more that looks pretty darn good (and is less $!). My only concern is the 35.5 crown angle. Does it work with the 40.6 pav in this case?
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD08322177

Although many of you loved the 1.16 .. we have decided to rule that one out. I'm just not sure I'll be a fan of the H color and I wouldn't want to have any regrets.

So right now, it's between the 1.08 and this new 1.12 that we've found. Any preferences?

The 35.5 works well with the 40.6 pavilion angle, it looks to be a beautiful, white diamond!

 

[Crazie4Cuts]

I hope it was you MBF who got this stone! Looks beautiful and now pending sale on BN site!!
-C4C

 

[mbf365]

I hope it was you MBF who got this stone! Looks beautiful and now pending sale on BN site!!
-C4C

I have it on hold!!

 

[Matthews1127]

Much prefer this new E VVS2! The slightly smaller table, the fatter arrows and slightly higher crown angle should make for a very beautiful and fiery stone

Ditto!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

[mbf365]

The 1.16 is a 60/60 style diamond and will favor white light and brilliance over fire. These can be quite pretty, but not everyone prefers this compromise relative to fire. But, the CA/PA look well balanced. I don't love the skinny arrows (LGF 80%) in diamonds with a large table. To really know if a 60/60 will perform, you need and ASET or Idealscope image. BN does not provide them on rounds. But, you can buy the diamond unset and have it mailed to you and take your own images.

1.16


The 1.08 has nice, complimentary angles and I'd quibble with the 58% table (I prefer under 57.5) and the skinny arrows.
1.08


If you want a larger stone, here is an SI1 that looks eyeclean (you should confirm with BN). Chubby arrows, small table. This is really nice looking diamond and gains you size with a better balance of fire and brilliance. Strong blue flour needs to be reviewed for impact on the diamonds (although this is very rare).
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab

You have inquire about the "additional clouds", but this is another one with good proportions.
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab

A lot of little stuff going on but VS2. Spend time looking at the video, but to me this is eyeclean enough provided the clouds don't impact performance.
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab

Another nice choice.
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond...MONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=sameTab

Have a look and see if something appeals. If you are open to other vendors, we can post others.

rockysalamander - you are very knowledgeable! What do you think of the new diamond I posted? The E VVS2?? I would love to get your opinion as you provided such fantastic feedback about the other two. Thanks in advance!

 

[mbf365]

Anyone else?

My partner read on the Internet today that a 35.5 crown and 40.6 pavilion are not ideal proportions so now we are concerned Is this true? Is a 34 and 41 combination better? Please help us, my anxiety over this purchase is through the roof and is seriously causing me to lose sleep. I'm so afraid of not picking a good option. Diamonds are so complex!

 

[SimoneDi]

Anyone else?

My partner read on the Internet today that a 35.5 crown and 40.6 pavilion are not ideal proportions so now we are concerned Is this true? Is a 34 and 41 combination better? Please help us, my anxiety over this purchase is through the roof and is seriously causing me to lose sleep. I'm so afraid of not picking a good option. Diamonds are so complex!

35.5 and 40.6 is a great combo! I personally would prefer it over 34 and 41, which is still a good combo. They are just different. 34 pairs well with 40.8-41 and 35-36 crown angle pairs well with 40.6 pavilion angle. That diamond is seriously gorgeous, please don’t have any worries about it!

@rockysalamander OP is calling you

 

[rockysalamander]

35.5 and 40.6 is a great combo! I personally would prefer it over 34 and 41, which is still a good combo. They are just different. 34 pairs well with 40.8-41 and 35-36 crown angle pairs well with 40.6 pavilion angle. That diamond is seriously gorgeous, please don’t have any worries about it!

@rockysalamander OP is calling you

Sorry! Busy being a mum.
I like this VVS quite a bit. Great angles and with VVS...Nothing to worry about relative to inclusions. I concur with @SimoneDi that the angles are very nice. It looks like a great choice.