What do you think of these 2 carat SI stones?

[slycatty]

1)http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/round-cut-diamond-2163497.htm
2)http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1274390.asp

Here's some more stones I found on BGD that might be a consideration.
3)http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040399230010
4)http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040399230013


I started looking at SI1 stones since it was such a challenge shopping for eyeclean SI2s. Can you give me your opinion on these stones? There's a big price difference. Stone #2 is actually a bit over my budget. Which would you choose? Thanks.
#4 is soo perfect but of course the most expensive and out of my reach. But do you think it would be that much better than #2 - the Whiteflash ES stone?
#3 is a good price but it's a J color. Would you choose a BGD Hearts and Arrows JSI1 or the #2 WF ES ISI1? Hmm H&A versus color.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/19/2010 4:37:32 PM
Author:slycatty
1)http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/round-cut-diamond-2163497.htm
2)http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1274390.asp

I started looking at SI1 stones since it was such a challenge shopping for eyeclean SI2s. Can you give me your opinion on these two stones? There''s a big price difference. Stone #2 is actually a bit over my budget. Which would you choose? Thanks.

Hi slycatty

The WF diamond has a much finer cut in this instance so that would be the one I would choose. The images are showing a very very slight amount of light leakage but I would think this would not be noticeable in reality, discuss this with your WF rep to make sure.

 

[Dreamer_D]

It is between the J from BGD and the I from WF to me. Have you seen 2ct J and I color stones in person?

 

[slycatty]

I just got off the phone with BGD and I think Brian will be giving me a call later to compare the diamonds.

I''ve seen I and J stones in person and think I can tell the difference between the two but those diamonds probably weren''t as well cut as these. I''m wondering if since the J is a BGD H&A it''ll really help make it more white looking compared to the WF ES I stone? But I read that WF ES stones are pretty good too, just not quite H&A.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/19/2010 6:04:44 PM
Author: slycatty
I just got off the phone with BGD and I think Brian will be giving me a call later to compare the diamonds.

I''ve seen I and J stones in person and think I can tell the difference between the two but those diamonds probably weren''t as well cut as these. I''m wondering if since the J is a BGD H&A it''ll really help make it more white looking compared to the WF ES I stone? But I read that WF ES stones are pretty good too, just not quite H&A.

I don''t think the cut will be different enough to make a difference to color perception. In fact, I and J are probably indistinguishable even unset and pavilion up next to one another! It may just be a "mind clean" thing to choose the I. On the other hand it is a mind clean thing to have a super-ideal H&A

I might lean towards the J...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/19/2010 6:04:44 PM
Author: slycatty
I just got off the phone with BGD and I think Brian will be giving me a call later to compare the diamonds.

I''ve seen I and J stones in person and think I can tell the difference between the two but those diamonds probably weren''t as well cut as these. I''m wondering if since the J is a BGD H&A it''ll really help make it more white looking compared to the WF ES I stone? But I read that WF ES stones are pretty good too, just not quite H&A.

I doubt you would notice any difference between them colourwise either sly....It just depends as ever on preference and whether you prefer the J h&a or the ES and one colour grade higher.

 

[slycatty]

Here''s the idealscope for the James Allen stone. Doesn''t look that great? But then it''s not a H&A stone and is the least expensive option

 

[yssie]

I think it''s a nice image

if you don''t mind that the stone isn''t H&A, it will perform nicely based on that image

 

[slycatty]

Do you think I''ll see a visible difference in the performance of these stones?

 

[yssie]

Date: 3/19/2010 8:12:39 PM
Author: slycatty
Do you think I''ll see a visible difference in the performance of these stones?

I personally prefer the JA. Knowing about the light leakage under the table in the WF ES would bother me more than knowing about the lack of precise symmetry.

IRL, to a non-expert, I don''t think either issue will be physically visible outside of magnified photos or have discernable effects on performance.

 

[slycatty]

Is the light leakage in the WF image seen by the color difference between the table and the rest of the diamond? I'm new to idealscope images and that's what I see compared to the idealscope reference charts. So you think that the JA stone might be more brilliant than the WF ES stone?

WF carries the same JA stone(stone #1) in their virtual inventory and I asked them about it. They said that the angles and depth were bad.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I''d get the J BGD (but then I''ve liked that one all along

) the WF has some light leakage, but more than that it doesn''t have the upgrade options that the BGD does (incase you change your mind down the road and/or upgrade again--don''t laugh

many people on this board become accidental serial upgraders

 

[yssie]

Date: 3/19/2010 9:00:20 PM
Author: slycatty
Is the light leakage in the WF image seen by the color difference between the table and the rest of the diamond? I'm new to idealscope images and that's what I see compared to the idealscope reference charts. So you think that the JA stone might be more brilliant than the WF ES stone?

WF carries the same JA stone(stone #1) in their virtual inventory and I asked them about it. They said that the angles and depth were bad.

1. I say light leakage - it's the slight white under the table, also black in the aset. To be extra safe you call WF and ask them about it - I'm thinking it may well not be an issue IRL though

2. The JA stone may/may not return more light than the wf - see above. if this is the JA stone:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1274390.asp
then the angles aren't bad, but it's not the traditional cherry crowd-pleasing combo - they do imply a diamond that tends toward white light return at the expense of some fire in some situations, but that's a preference thing - if you even notice the difference! So no, there's nothing wrong with this type of diamond or this particular diamond.

 

[kristie]

Also....if you ever think about upgrading down the road, BGD Signature stones are the only ones (out of the ones you listed) that are elgible for a 100% value on the upgrade......just something to think about

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/19/2010 9:20:39 PM
Author: yssie

Date: 3/19/2010 9:00:20 PM
Author: slycatty
Is the light leakage in the WF image seen by the color difference between the table and the rest of the diamond? I''m new to idealscope images and that''s what I see compared to the idealscope reference charts. So you think that the JA stone might be more brilliant than the WF ES stone?

WF carries the same JA stone(stone #1) in their virtual inventory and I asked them about it. They said that the angles and depth were bad.

1. I say light leakage - it''s the slight white under the table, also black in the aset. To be extra safe you call WF and ask them about it - I''m thinking it may well not be an issue IRL though

2. The JA stone may/may not return more light than the wf - see above. if this is the JA stone:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1274390.asp
then the angles aren''t bad, but it''s not the traditional cherry crowd-pleasing combo - they do imply a diamond that tends toward white light return at the expense of some fire in some situations, but that''s a preference thing - if you even notice the difference! So no, there''s nothing wrong with this type of diamond or this particular diamond.

Something to keep in mind is that we are talking about gradations in very well cut stones. The diamonds we are discussing would all fall into the top 5% or less of the market in terms of cut quality. A buying with a fine eye for cut differences will be able to tell the difference, but not the average consumer. They will all look big white and sparkly

. If you like knowing that your diamond is perfectly proportions then the H&A is the way to go. If you would rather save some money, then perhaps the JA diamond is the way to go for you.