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Upgrading from J color to G color

glimmer

glimmer

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 25, 2014
Messages
50
Hi everyone!
Briefly: I'm considering changing a 1.5ct J VVS2 to a 1.7ct G VS2 for a price difference of $3500.
Details on both diamonds are below and I have to make a decision shortly so I would really love to get opinions from you all whether you would go ahead or wait for a better stone/upgrade later down the road.

Current damond:
1.5 J VVS2, GIA XXX
Fluorescence: Medium Blue
Measurements: 7.41 x 7.44 x 4.46
Table: 58%
Depth: 60.1%
Crown Angle: 34.0 (14.0%)
Pavilion Angle: 40.6% (42.5%)
Girdle: thin to medium faceted (3%)
Lower Girdle Halve length: 80%
Star Facet Length: 50%
Culet: None


Would be new diamond:
1.71 G VS2, GIA XXX
Fluorescence: Strong Blue
Measurements: 7.70 x 7.68 x 4.68
Table: 58%
Depth: 60.9%
Crown Angle: 34.0 (14.0%)
Pavilion Angle: 40.6% (43%)
Girdle: medium to slightly thick faceted (4%)
Lower Girdle Halve length: 80%
Star Facet Length: 50%
Culet: None

Cost to upgrade: $3500


Some more info:
I don't really care about the size difference that much because I am happy with 1.5ct but basically I am asking, how much of a color difference will an average person see between a G and J with almost identical cuts? If it is only a subtle difference then I would not want to spend $3500 extra (which is a significant amount of money for us at this point) for an upgrade that I would not really appreciate. I've seen the GOG videos on diamond color but I'm mostly looking to see the difference between the cuts in just indoor environments like an office or a room with different lighting since that is where I would mostly be seeing the ring. Basically comparing both diamon colors in the most unfavorable lighting that would bring out the yellow the most. If anyone has any side by side shots of comparing equally cut G color vs J color I would really love to see that (I'm starting another thread in Show Me The Bling as I feel that would be a more appropriate place for that)

My last question is, is this a good enough deal to grab now and use my upgrade so early on or are there deals like this all the time in the diamond market? I'm just scared of waiting until later and not coming accross something similar, but maybe this is not an uncommon finding at all? Would I be better off waiting and upgrading for something whiter and maybe better cut (though I thought these cuts were pretty good? even though they are not really AGS0 Hearts and Arrows ideal cuts)

I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge on this site and want to say thanks in advance to anyone replying!!!
 
Most people can see the difference between a J and G stone at that size. The question is whether you mind the warmth of the J or prefer the white coolness of the G and whether you feel it is worth the additional $3.5K. To some, J is too yellow whilst others love it. Unfortunately, pictures are not necessarily accurate in showing colour. Go to a jewellery store if possible to see a similar comparison in person.
 
Thanks for your reply chrono!
I forgot to add that my diamond is currently set in a pave setting with H VS2 sidestones and my wedding band will be pave G VS1 but both are extremely delicate 2mm bands with total carat weight 0.22-0.25. So I don't know if it's really a difference I would notice. The metal would be Platinum or Palladium.

Can you tell me anything about the price difference? $3500 is a lot of money, but I thought it'd be more to upgrade to a G VS2, does this seem like a good deal to you? Is the strong fluorescence (I've been assured it does not cause a negative milky or oily effect) responsible for this discount? Is this something that will make the G whiter? I know in lower colors the fluorescence helps just not sure what the effect is for a G color stone.
 
Are you bothered by the color in the j?

When I was picking diamond, I ordered a G and a J to view in person. Both same price, but the j was a .69 and the g was a .55 . so I knew it would come down to size vs color.

Size by side, face up, I could never see a difference between the two stones in any lighting. I notice that indoor lighting makes the j appear slightly yellow, but it had the same effect on the g. In fact, I posted pics online with a poll to see if people could identify which was which, and most chose wrong. I'll see if I can post the links to those threads.

Granted, my stones are much smaller than the ones you are considering, so that may play a part.
 
Hi cherryice!
So glad you posted! I actually referenced your stones on my other tread in show me the bling, I was AMAZED at how nonexistent the color difference was in your diamonds, actually I thought the larger J looked WHITER! Your thread is one that is actually pushing me to keep my diamond! I only see the yellow color in a room with yellow walls or in bad lighting but Everywhere else my diamond is incredibly white, so I wondered if I upgraded to G if I would still see the yellow in bad lighting and it looks like I would based on your pictures but I do wonder if that would be the same effect in a larger stone. Thanks for your reply!! Good luck with your ring :-)
 
Wow! I saw that post and I guessed the wrong way round too! I love my J and it looks white to me. I wouldn't consider upgrading it for a higher colour.
 
Glad I can help. I know I probably looked at hundreds of pictures of h, I ,j prior to receiving my stones, wondering if I would like the j... I really think when you're expecting to see something, you're going to see it, so when you have a lower colored stone, you blame warmth on the stone vs the environment when really, it's the other way around.

I had a bit of a realization today while driving (can you tell I think about diamonds all the time now?) I was thinking about clarity grades and what the letters mean. Vvs very very slightly included vs very slightly included, si slightly included and how small a difference there is between those terms. Think about it. If I tell you I have two cookies, one is slightly sweet and the other is very slightly sweet, are you really going to care which cookie you get? And I think the grading of color is the same way, they have to be able to quantify stones somehow, but the differences are really minute.
 
Thanks zizzy for your response! I think I might be consciously looking for the tint in my J because I know its there, like cherryiice suggested. My main fear is that I'll use my upgrade and spend the money only to realize that I still see yellow tint in all the same scenarios and that it was not because I had a J but just because that was the environment. I know going to see some Js and Gs side by side in a jewelry is a good suggestion but the truth is I never see the color in my J in jewelery store lighting or even outside. I really only see it inside my house in certain lighting. Then again maybe if I get the G I won't see any tint at all even inside my house. Who knows! If only I could bring the jewelry store diamond selection to my house and test it out here :lol: :lol: :lol: , anyone know of any traveling jewelers :lol: :lol:
 
Not traveling jewelers, but jewelers with free shipping and free returns... My stones came from James Allen
 
Wondering what size you could upgrade to for $3500 if you stayed with a J?
 
I did a quick browse and with my vendor if I upgraded size only I would only be able to go up To 1.80 J, not a big difference from the 1.71 G . Also I feel perfectly happy with 1.5ct as a size (I have small fingers) but maybe DSS will kick in after spending a bit more time on pricescope haha.

&cherryiice I wouldn't be able purchase the two diamonds I'm comparing to be able to have them both in my possession to compare, unfortunately.
 
I recently upgraded from a 1.22 G with medium fluor to a 2.28 J no fluor. The G is a Brian Gavin AGS000 ideal cut and the J is an OEC. They are not really the same cut so I don't know how applicable my opinion would be on this matter. I am very color sensitive. I was worried the J would bother me greatly since it's not an "ideal" cut (that tends to hide color better) and it's a much bigger stone. So far I've had no issues with the color. I can see more tint in the J from the profile view. But from face up and most lightings I don't feel that one color "looks better" than the other. Knowing this I would probably not pay that much for a color upgrade, I would use it toward size upgrade. DSS do exist! I have relatively small fingers (ring size 4.25) and I'm already used to my new ring. If you asked me a few years ago I'd tell you I think my 1.22 is incredibly big haha.

If you want to see color comparisons I have some in my OEC thread.:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-jbg-2-28-ct-oec-in-a-solitaire-setting.212044/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-jbg-2-28-ct-oec-in-a-solitaire-setting.212044/[/URL]
 
OMG OCgirl, first off your rings are GORGEOUS!!!!! Both the Brian Gavin Blue and the OEC, I could look at them all day! My ring size is very similar to yours (4.75 but I use a size 5 because It's a little tight over the knuckle) and that 2+ ct ring looks absolutely amazing on you!!!!

Also the more I look at OECs the more I think I'd want one in an upgrade later on, they just look so romantic, truly beautiful! Thank you so much for linking me to your post, that G and J diamond side by side look IDENTICAL in color to me!! it's great that your G has fluorescence since the one I'm considering has SBF so this helps me picture it better as well.

Is the OEC better at hiding body color than the MRB in your opinion or the other way around? Lastly I'm wondering do you ever notice warmth in your G when you're in incandescent lighting or other dimly lit environments or light yellow walls? Thanks again OCgirl, love your rings!!!!
 
I have an I and while it's a gorgeous stone, I would upgrade to a G if given the opportunity. My stone looks very white in most circumstances, but there are times when I can see a hint of warmth and warmth bothers me a little bit.
 
Hi momhappy,
Thanks for your reply, I wonder if that warmth you're seeing in your I in certain environments would also be seen in a G because it's coming from the environment and not from the diamond. I think this is the "$3500" question for me :lol:
 
^The environment is not bringing out any warmth that is not already there…. Does that make sense? What I mean is that yes, certain environments can affect the color of a stone, but my stone already has a bit of warmth (thus the I color grading), so that warmth is more obvious in various circumstances.
 
I think typically a super ideal cut like a Brian Gavin signature or a whiteflash ACA will be really good when it comes to masking face up color. I am not sure any cuts will make much difference when it's viewed from the side (body color).
When it comes to OECs it's a totally different ball game. Fortunately when you buy an OEC you are attracted to the stone itself since every OEC is different. You really consider "the whole package" at this point. From what I see certain OECs show "less color" than others depending on the cut and facet pattern.

My two stones behave very differently since they are not really the same cut. My G is super white (almost icy) when it's under indirect sunlight. I love that look! But when it's indoors sometimes it picks up the color of the wall, yellow lighting... Etc. It seems to feed off the environment a lot. I've had my G for quite a few years so I was really worried about getting a J. But I can honestly tell you I have zero issues with the color. I even "tried" to be difficult by putting it next to higher color diamonds and I'm just... Completely happy with it! It's no G but in no way would I call it "very tinted." I don't have any "mind clean" issues when it comes to diamonds. It is what I see. If I can't see an inclusion then I'm totally fine with a SI2 stone. If I can't see any tint then I'm totally fine with a J stone. I got my Brian Gavin when I knew very little about diamonds. I was very lucky to get such a beautiful stone. But now I know better I would maximize my budget by going bigger and get an eye clean/near colorless stone (to my eyes) or save the money if I don't want to go bigger.

If you're attracted to OECs I would say save the money and get an OEC down the road!
 
OCgirl, I'm so glad you mentioned that you've seen tint in your G inside your house. I really love my J diamond right now, it is beautiful in MOST lighting situations and definitely I cannot see any tint when I'm outside, but I do see a tint in my J diamond in my bathroom (yellow lighting and yellow walls), in my office (yellow lighting and white walls), in my kitchen (white lighting yellow walls) and when I do see the color, I instantly think "it's because it's a J" and I think about whether that tint would be gone if it was a G. I never thing twice about my diamond I'm outside or by a window letting sunlight in, in those environments my diamond shows no color at all. But I am bothered by that yellow hue it takes in the aforementioned settings, but now I'm starting to think that's just a diamond thing and there's nothing I can do about it.
 
Btw OCgirl - just wondering if you would happen to have any pictures of your G in yellow lighting or around yellow walls? I was hoping to compare the tint visible in your G in those scenarios to what I'm seeing in my J. If you do have pictures in yellow surrounding, please do post them, I'd really love to see them!

Trying to determine the most tinted a G could look. Any shots where you see the most difference between your G and Jo's also really appreciated! :-) &thanks so much again OCgirl, you've been such a help!
 
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