Whats wrong with this Marquise?

[cyberstoat]

Hi Guys,

After many months of pondering I am about to buy a diamond (to set in a tension platinum ring).

I had settled on a D VS1 1.06 ct http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Marquise-Diamond-1359487.asp




BUT, before I purchased I had a quick look at what else was available on JA (I want to buy from here as they have the setting I am after) and found this D VS1 1.00 ct http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS1-Very Good-Cut-Marquise-Diamond-1406634.asp

I have recently had some unexpected medical expenses so it helps that the diffence in the stones is a whopping $2,500!!! I actually prefer the ratio of the cheaper stone. Even so, I was still going to go with the more expensive option but requested ASET images and Gemologist report on them both and here is the gemologist verdict

I'm happy to share with you that diamond 1406634 (1.00 D VS1) is bright and has very nice light performance. Its bowtie is grayish in color and blends very well within the diamond. It faces completely eye clean, white, and has a slightly elongated shape.

Diamond 1359487 (1.06crt D VS1) is equally as bright as your other option and is also white and beautifully eye clean. Its bowtie is gray in color and slightly blends. While its bowtie is not offensive, it is a little more predominant when compared to diamond 1406634's bowtie.

Both of these diamonds are great options so you cannot go wrong with either one. However, our gemologist did find diamond 1406634 to be a little more attractive due to its shape and less noticeable bowtie.

So I ask you what is wrong with the cheaper option...? I can see that it does not quite make the 'Excellent' cut grade (although having compared them I am not that sure why?). The only concern I have is the 'Good' Symetry rating rather than v. good or excellent- do you think this will be a problem?

I have an ASET image of the cheaper stone too but am struggling to post it (will do later!).

What are your thoughts- is the 1.00ct option a bargain or is there something I am not seeing??

 

[Gypsy]

I'd like to see the ASET of the cheaper one. But I think it's a nice stone. HOWEVER, Since you are considering a tension setting I would ask why the girdle says "very thin" in spots and ask specifically: how many spots and where are they located. The good symmetry isn't a huge problem with marquise, I wouldn't even worry about it.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The lab report on the cheaper stone says "very thick to extremely thick" on the girdle, and the face-up size is a little smaller than the other one. You generally want girdles to be thin, medium, slightly thick. When they are very to extremely thick, you sometimes lose diameter because weight is hiding in the thick girdle. Plus, it is deeper.

So, the first stone is going to appear larger than the second. The first stone has very good for symmetry and the second has good.

I think the first stone is just better cut overall and will appear a little larger. I would either buy it, or if the budget doesn't allow that one, I'd go to an F VS1 and try to get a better cut than the second stone.

 

[cyberstoat]

Hi,

Thanks for the advise. Please see the ASET's of the cheaper stone.

Question... I read that colour was one of the most important aspects of a marquise- whats the general consensus here on how colourless you need to go?

Thanks again!

 

[Snicklefritz]

The first stone has a closer 2:1 ratio which is considered more desireable. *I* prefer the shape of the first stone, and the aset image also looks a little more balanced than that of the second stone. Also looks like there's more leakage near the points of the 2nd stone.

Regarding color, I'd say it's pretty safe to move into the E/F/G color range with all diamond cuts if you're looking to get a little more bang for you buck.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I also agree that the shape (dimensions) of the first stone is more pleasing. And I agree as well that D-G is an acceptable color range for any stone, and you can go lower color than that in other stones.