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What would you do?

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honey22

Ideal_Rock
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Just looking for some advice. What would you do? I am torn - do I pull the trigger now on a E VS2 which is under my budget,or hang out for a D VS1 which is the top end of budget.

Some points to consider:

- stones are branded H&A, AGS 000,0 light perf, gorgeous numbers
- same size - 0.8ct
- I feel a bit like I am ''settling'' for the E VS2, when my aim was for a D VS
- I totally know the D is overkill - I can''t tell the difference but it''s a mind thing
- I am worried about inclusions being visible in the VS2
- the difference is about $500
- we have money set aside for the setting so I won''t have less for that
- SO is totally happy with me waiting and spending the extra money, even being aware of the above points
- I am clearly neurotic
20.gif


Thanks!
 
I''ve looked at colors ranginf from D-G and I can''t see a difference. I really wanted a D at first thinking in terms of quality not quantity. BUt as Harry Winston said... anything D-G is a good color.

Find out if your girlfriend prefers a larger stone that an .8 carat and decide based on that. You can get an amazing looking F. It''s still in the colorless region.

If you are set on a D however, I say wait until youn can get the D. Do what ultimately makes you feel like you made a good chaoice.
 
Maybe it''s because I''m male or I''m type of guy who likes to solve problems, but to me this one is easy:

1. You prefer the D VS1.
2. Your significant other is ok with the extra $500 it costs to get it.
3. Both diamonds are otherwise the same.

I would get the D VS1. You''ll feel better, your SO is ok with it, and it doesn''t break the bank. To me there really is no dilemma here?

Now let me try to be more understanding of why you may be asking :) Are any of these true?

1. You are asking because you believe your SO is saying he is ok with spending the extra $500 but you fear he really isn''t and is just being nice?
2. You are asking because many Pricescopers think a D color is overkill and you are worried that you are "crazy" or "not normal" for wanting an ideal color and clarity?

If any of those are true, I''d still recommend the D VS1. If your SO is really just being nice but may not share the same feelings you do about a D VS1 vs. an E VS2, maybe you can give him an analogy to something he likes. Example - I spent an additional 10% on our new condo to get a high floor with a view. My fiance would have spent that 10% on greater square footage instead. But to me the feeling of coming home to a naturally lit apartment with a scenic view is priceless, and I would rather have the view than room for an extra dressing table and couch. And if you are feeling "neurotic" for wanting a D VS1 - I returned a 1.5ct I VS1 stone for a 1.3ct G VS1 stone - the color of the loose stone was bothersome enough to my eyes when I saw it that sacrificing on size was preferable to sacrificing on color. I also wanted VS1 when buying over the Internet for that extra insurance that we wouldn''t spot flaws visibly with our eyes under close scrutiny. I was willing to pay more so that my fiance and I could have peace of mind.

So hope this helps. D VS1 all the way, it''ll look icy white and beautiful. And there''s nothing wrong with wanting the best :)
 
I''m neurotic too and am still trying to make a decision on a stone as well so I can relate to what you''re struggling with...

Personally, I would drop down on the color to something in the F or even G range, especially on an AGS graded stone. I just don''t think I would notice much, if any of a color difference.

As far as clarity is concerned, that''s a tougher call to me and it would depend on the clarity features (type of inclusions, locations, eye clean from other angles besides face up, etc.) of any given VS2. Depending on that, I might consider a VS1 if I wasn''t mind clean on the clarity of the VS2.

If this was my call, I would look long and hard at the E VS2 first and would probably go with that unless there were some other attributes I wasn''t happy with. But at the end of the day, if going D VS1 is what it is going to take to make you feel like you''re not "settling" and the money isn''t an issue, then do what you have to do to be mind clean which in this case sounds like the D VS1.
 
Honey -- Don''t feel neurotic! It''s seriously an emotional experience buying an engagement ring diamond!

I vote D VS1!

It''s what you want and if you already feel as though you are "settling" for anything less, then you will simply not be satisfied with anything less. This ring is for "YOU". You are fortunate to be able to get your "ideal" ring, therefore, DO it. There is no reason not to. D is only overkill if you think it is. You don''t so there is no issue.

Go for it! I can''t wait to see the icy white perfection that will be that D VS1 beauty!
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Date: 1/22/2008 8:21:41 PM
Author:honey22
Just looking for some advice. What would you do? I am torn - do I pull the trigger now on a E VS2 which is under my budget,or hang out for a D VS1 which is the top end of budget.

Some points to consider:

- stones are branded H&A, AGS 000,0 light perf, gorgeous numbers
- same size - 0.8ct
- I feel a bit like I am ''settling'' for the E VS2, when my aim was for a D VS
- I totally know the D is overkill - I can''t tell the difference but it''s a mind thing
- I am worried about inclusions being visible in the VS2
- the difference is about $500
- we have money set aside for the setting so I won''t have less for that
- SO is totally happy with me waiting and spending the extra money, even being aware of the above points
- I am clearly neurotic
20.gif


Thanks!
There''s your answer right there.
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Go with your heart; hold out for the D.
 
Sounds like you really want a D, so hold out for that. Nothing wrong in that. Please post pics when you get it.
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Date: 1/22/2008 8:21:41 PM
Author:honey22
Just looking for some advice. What would you do? I am torn - do I pull the trigger now on a E VS2 which is under my budget,or hang out for a D VS1 which is the top end of budget.

Some points to consider:

- stones are branded H&A, AGS 000,0 light perf, gorgeous numbers
- same size - 0.8ct
- I feel a bit like I am 'settling' for the E VS2, when my aim was for a D VS
- I totally know the D is overkill - I can't tell the difference but it's a mind thing
- I am worried about inclusions being visible in the VS2
- the difference is about $500
- we have money set aside for the setting so I won't have less for that
- SO is totally happy with me waiting and spending the extra money, even being aware of the above points
- I am clearly neurotic
20.gif


Thanks!
I feel like you should go with the D based on these two statements.

You shouldn't feel like you are settling.
You know that you are paying a premium for the higher color, and you know it likely won't be visible, but it satisfies *YOUR* mind-clean criteria.

These factors are completely valid in YOUR purchase considerations. If those were my purchase considerations as well, I'd pick the D in your shoes.
 
Thanks everyone for not flaming me! I must sound like such a spoilt brat! I know there are stunning E stones out there, and much lower colour grades, but for some reason I just want the D - maybe it''s the scientist in me wanting the icy purity of a D. I am glad that many of you think I should hold out. I will keep you updated on the saga that is honey''s ering!!
 
I love really white stones as well and I too like the idea of having a D color stoned. I can be a fairly technical person and suspect you are too which is why you are analyzing some of these details so closely. But realistically I think it''s such a minor detail that it''s only a technicality and nothing more. Either D or E is fantastic. Same deal with VS1 or VS2. Either of those stones should be eye clean by far and getting pretty darn hard to see anything with a loupe, and I''m suspecting you or your friends/family won''t be louping the stone.

So I''ll buck the crowd and say go with the E VS2 as long as YOU can live with that decision. Then I''d look for a bigger stone because I believe that is something you will actually see a difference of everyday vs. 1 bump in already great color and clarity. But again, it''s a decision you have to be okay with when it''s all said & done. And if you can''t live with settling for "less" than more power to you, as you win either way!

Best of luck!
 
I say wait for your D VS1. No point rushing this and then having regrets.

But I may be biased, as my D VS2 is coming sometimes this week
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Date: 1/23/2008 1:36:03 AM
Author: aljdewey

Date: 1/22/2008 8:21:41 PM
Author:honey22
Just looking for some advice. What would you do? I am torn - do I pull the trigger now on a E VS2 which is under my budget,or hang out for a D VS1 which is the top end of budget.

Some points to consider:

- stones are branded H&A, AGS 000,0 light perf, gorgeous numbers
- same size - 0.8ct
- I feel a bit like I am ''settling'' for the E VS2, when my aim was for a D VS
- I totally know the D is overkill - I can''t tell the difference but it''s a mind thing
- I am worried about inclusions being visible in the VS2
- the difference is about $500
- we have money set aside for the setting so I won''t have less for that
- SO is totally happy with me waiting and spending the extra money, even being aware of the above points
- I am clearly neurotic
20.gif


Thanks!
I feel like you should go with the D based on these two statements.

You shouldn''t feel like you are settling.
You know that you are paying a premium for the higher color, and you know it likely won''t be visible, but it satisfies *YOUR* mind-clean criteria.

These factors are completely valid in YOUR purchase considerations. If those were my purchase considerations as well, I''d pick the D in your shoes.
Ditto Alj, get the D if that is what will make you happy!
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