Which ACA would be the best for my ER?

[cakeeatingcat]

I'm hoping to finalize my ER this week! Based on our budget of $8000 USD, the center stone can be about $6300 as our setting will be ~$1700. Given this, I've worked out that the center stone can be H/I color, VS2/SI1 clarity, and <1ct. These are the ones I'm considering

Option 1: I, SI1, 0.916ct, HCA of 0.9 ($5613): https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4305823.htm
This is a candidate purely from a price perspective. I'm a bit worried about the SI1 though.

Option 2: I, VS2, 0.918ct, , HCA of 0.9 ($5625): https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4227295.htm
I'm not loving how the inclusions are in the center.

Option 3: H, VS2, 0.921ct, HCA of 0.7 ($6268 ): https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4222739.htm
Lots of types of inclusions but they seem to mostly be on the side which might be OK?

Option 4: H, VS2, 0.933ct, HCA of 0.9 ($6402): https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4227298.htm
This one is a bit out of our budget after the exchange rate but I'd go for this if it was the best one of all of the above.

I THINK these are all decent based on all the reading I've done on PS, but I'm open to other options as well if anyone has suggestions, including Expert or Premium Selection if there are any good ones. Thank you so much in advance

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I prefer the H VS2 stones (#3-4) and think they are both beautiful. I would ask Whiteflash to pull both stones and take pictures for you showing the color as well as examining them for the clarity. If both are fine in terms of clarity, then I'd choose the one that is the higher H color, if they differ. It may be a few hundred dollars more, but you hopefully will wear this diamond for a long time, so I'd go with the best color you can at the outset. They certainly are beautifully cut.

 

[Big Fat Facets]

i agree with @diamondseeker

i would select the higher h color diamond, eye clean higher h

 

[Kim N]

I'd pick the 0.933 H VS2 for the somewhat smaller table and slightly higher crown.

 

[cakeeatingcat]

I'd pick the 0.933 H VS2 for the somewhat smaller table and slightly higher crown.

Does the feathering near the girdle on this one concern you from a structural integrity perspective?

 

[Kim N]

Does the feathering near the girdle on this one concern you from a structural integrity perspective?

No, it doesn't concern me. But you can ask Whiteflash to take a look at the feather for you and tell you if there's any issue.

 

[cakeeatingcat]

I've reserved the 0.933ct and got some comparison shots from WF between #3 and #4.

@Kim N, @Big Fat Facets, @diamondseeker2006, do these photos sway your opinion?

Regarding the feather inclusion in the 0.933ct, the WF rep says, "It’s very small, light in color, along the edge of the stone. Feathers by definition are surface-reaching but it does not extend to the pavilion of the stone." I think it should be ok if positioned adjacent to a prong, as I've seen @Garry H (Cut Nut) recommend in all the PS threads I've searched up about feathers along the edges. Any further thoughts on this?

You guys rock by the way. I never imagined caring so much about diamonds until I fell into the rabbit hole that is the PS forum...

 

[Kim N]

They look pretty much identical to me. I might be able to convince myself that I see a little bit more tint in the 0.933, but that could just be my monitor. Since you said the 0.933 was a little out of budget anyway, the 0.921 would be just fine.

 

[cakeeatingcat]

They look pretty much identical to me. I might be able to convince myself that I see a little bit more tint in the 0.933, but that could just be my monitor. Since you said the 0.933 was a little out of budget anyway, the 0.921 would be just fine.

Thanks! They really are quite similar, aren't they? The WF Rep said the 0.933ct has a slight color advantage (a bit less tint). I didn't post that because I was curious what someone else might say upon seeing the tow side by side. To me, the 0.933ct is a bit clearer but the 0.921 almost looks somewhat bigger in the face up shot? It might just be the photography and lighting though. Ultimately they're both pretty so I don't think I can go wrong with either! Thanks!

 

[Kim N]

Thanks! They really are quite similar, aren't they? The WF Rep said the 0.933ct has a slight color advantage (a bit less tint). I didn't post that because I was curious what someone else might say upon seeing the tow side by side. To me, the 0.933ct is a bit clearer but the 0.921 almost looks somewhat bigger in the face up shot? It might just be the photography and lighting though. Ultimately they're both pretty so I don't think I can go wrong with either! Thanks!

No, you can't go wrong with either! At this point, picking based on budget is as good as any other reason.

 

[Big Fat Facets]

from the images,and rotating video clip ... we are really splitting filaments here...

in terms of cut, i prefer the .93 i like the thicker arrows. it appears more fiery, to me

 

[cakeeatingcat]

from the images,and rotating video clip ... we are really splitting filaments here...

in terms of cut, i prefer the .93 i like the thicker arrows. it appears more fiery, to me

I know right? I just get very neurotic over details, and I want my ER to be "mind-clean" so having all this feedback is very helpful. Thank you very much!

 

[MissGotRocks]

In the face down position, the .93 looks less tinted to me. I don't see a big difference in the arrows but I can see the smaller table on the .93. It is really a toss up though!

 

[CareBear]

Gosh, these two stones are so similar, but if I HAD to choose, I'd say the 0.93. I like the 34.5/40.7 combo slightly more and for diameter 6.26x6.29 is a 'tighter' range than 6.26x6.33.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The .93 does have slightly higher color, so I guess that would give it a tiny advantage. These stones would make a great pair of earrings because they are so similar!

 

[stonehunter20]

i'd be happy with either option 3 and 4. they are very similar, if not identical. just pick the bigger one!