Which of these two BGD diamonds?

[Verdy]

So BF and I are looking at two potential diamonds, we had chosen one already but saw another that seemed like a good choice. The first one that we had chosen was $696, scored 1.4 on the HCA with excellents in all categories except spread (normal), G color, VS2 clarity. The second one that we found is $624, also scored a 1.4 on the HCA except with a very good in scintillation, H color, VS2 clarity.

Here are the specs for each diamond:

Diamond 1
Table %:56.2
Depth %:61.6
Crown %:15.1
Crown Angle:34.8
Star %:54.0
Pav Angle: 40.8
Pavillion %:43.1



Diamond 2
Table %:54.8
Depth %:61.2
Crown %:15.2
Crown Angle:34.3
Star %:57.0
Pav Angle: 40.9
Pavillion %:43.1



Any advice/comments/etc. would be greatly appreciated!

 

[tyty333]

Either would be lovely...If its for an engagment ring *I* would probably pay for the G colored stone...but if its for something
else the H would be fine. H will still be pretty white.

 

[Verdy]

It actually is for an engagement ring, but I'm not very color sensitive, so either would be perfect for me, I'm just really trying to pick something that's great but affordable to him as well (I hate having him spend lots of $$$ on me). I'm just concerned about the small table on the H color diamond, I really like it and it seems like a great price to pay, but the table and scintillation on the HCA make me a bit hesitant. Are either of these things anything to be REALLY concerned about? Would it impact on the fire of the diamond?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Both diamonds will be amazing, you cannot realistically split hairs with this level of cut quality. In addition, you can't really use the HCA to determine the flavour of the diamond's appearance in the way you are, it is a rejection tool not a selection tool. Both of these stones are "do not reject" stones on the HCA. For selection you have to use other criteria.

In this carat weight you are lucky that color and clarity are less consequential. For me, since the price is minimal I would opt for the G VS2, since that is my own personal "sweet spot" in terms of mind cleanliness. But you can easily get an H Si1 if you want with little fear of seeing inclusions or tint! Like this: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104052884069

 

[Verdy]

Thanks for the quality explanation Dreamer, I feel a lot more secure in choosing the second diamond. I would go for a something like the diamond you suggested but he's set on having something in the .35-.36 ct area, as much as I keep on insisting that there won't be a noticeable difference. I'd be fine with a .30 ct, I just have to convince him that it's not as small as he thinks!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thanks for the quality explanation Dreamer, I feel a lot more secure in choosing the second diamond. I would go for a something like the diamond you suggested but he's set on having something in the .35-.36 ct area, as much as I keep on insisting that there won't be a noticeable difference. I'd be fine with a .30 ct, I just have to convince him that it's not as small as he thinks!

My earrings are .35 and my new baby ring has a .31. I can tell you 100% that you cannot see the difference in size! I also cannot really see the difference in color between the earrings and ring, and it is a J to G split.

It is a lovely size for an e-ring. I love my new semi-bezel with my 1/3 carat G VS2. I highly recommend a semi-bezel style as it really does give the stone a little "boost" in size. Or a delicate halo.

 

[Verdy]

Thanks for the quality explanation Dreamer, I feel a lot more secure in choosing the second diamond. I would go for a something like the diamond you suggested but he's set on having something in the .35-.36 ct area, as much as I keep on insisting that there won't be a noticeable difference. I'd be fine with a .30 ct, I just have to convince him that it's not as small as he thinks!

My earrings are .35 and my new baby ring has a .31. I can tell you 100% that you cannot see the difference in size! I also cannot really see the difference in color between the earrings and ring, and it is a J to G split.

It is a lovely size for an e-ring. I love my new semi-bezel with my 1/3 carat G VS2. I highly recommend a semi-bezel style as it really does give the stone a little "boost" in size. Or a delicate halo.

That's exactly what I want him to realize, that with smaller diamonds size difference isn't really noticeable, if at all! I'm very considerate of him and know that this isn't a small investment for either of us, as such, I want to provide him with options that are comfortable for him to work with. I'd be perfectly content with a .25 ct! I did see your .31 ct baby ring, it's quite gorgeous! Congrats on both by the way! I have small fingers (size 5 and fairly slim) so I'm not very particular on carat size, I've always told him that I prefer quality over quantity, so I will show him your post and let him know (once again!) that I'd be happy with something like that .33 ct!

Edit: Dreamer, would you mind if I asked what your ring size is? That way I can show him your .31ct ring post! Thanks again for all the help

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thanks for the quality explanation Dreamer, I feel a lot more secure in choosing the second diamond. I would go for a something like the diamond you suggested but he's set on having something in the .35-.36 ct area, as much as I keep on insisting that there won't be a noticeable difference. I'd be fine with a .30 ct, I just have to convince him that it's not as small as he thinks!

My earrings are .35 and my new baby ring has a .31. I can tell you 100% that you cannot see the difference in size! I also cannot really see the difference in color between the earrings and ring, and it is a J to G split.

It is a lovely size for an e-ring. I love my new semi-bezel with my 1/3 carat G VS2. I highly recommend a semi-bezel style as it really does give the stone a little "boost" in size. Or a delicate halo.

That's exactly what I want him to realize, that with smaller diamonds size difference isn't really noticeable, if at all! I'm very considerate of him and know that this isn't a small investment for either of us, as such, I want to provide him with options that are comfortable for him to work with. I'd be perfectly content with a .25 ct! I did see your .31 ct baby ring, it's quite gorgeous! Congrats on both by the way! I have small fingers (size 5 and fairly slim) so I'm not very particular on carat size, I've always told him that I prefer quality over quantity, so I will show him your post and let him know (once again!) that I'd be happy with something like that .33 ct!

Edit: Dreamer, would you mind if I asked what your ring size is? That way I can show him your .31ct ring post! Thanks again for all the help

Right now with post-baby weight I'd say a 7! Have you looked in the under 1 ct thread? I bet there are diamonds in the size you want on your size finger too.

Something to think about is that if he *wants* to spend a little more then perhaps let him? I totally undersand budgets, but a few hundred dollars, if it makes him feel better about his purchase, is not much amortized over the life of the ring!

Another thing to do is go to a local Tiffany or Hearts of Fire or Jareds (only their premier AGS0 line) and look at rings this size and look at different colors too. You could likely get a little larger, if that is what he wants, in a J color stone for your money. Sometimes it is worth spending a little bit more for the mental satisfaction of knowing you got something that is exactly what you wanted.

 

[Amys Bling]

personally they will both be stunning stones. I like higher colors- so even if the color difference is barely noticable to everyone else- I am very color sensitive and would prefer the G over the H.


Here is the "Under 1 ct thread" Dreamer was referrring to:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/under-1ct-diamonds.25028/

 

[Verdy]

Thanks to both of you, I have looked through the Under 1 Ct thread, and previously posted in the SMTB forum to get some more pictures of Octavia's e-ring, which we both loved. Eilonwy was also very helpful and we looked at KathyInJapan's ring as well. All of our inspiration came from those pictures that we saw. I tend to bump around a lot and be careless about where my hands are, and I would feel bad if I chipped or damaged the diamond in anyway, shape, or form. We both agreed that anything around .35 cts would be the way to go, since he's on a very tight budget (we might upgrade later if our finances allow us). We had previously looked at diamonds in the .40 ct area, but I personally didn't feel comfortable and he had an incident with his father's health, so from there is where we decided how big the ring would be. He's open to all of the ideas that I've provided to him, and left most of the details up to me, but I suppose you are right Dreamer, he feels a bit better buying a diamond that's .35 over .33, no matter how tiny and unnoticeable the difference is, the H color diamond is actually .36 cts, and the G color is .35 cts. I know he wants to give me something great, but me being the type of person that I am, I feel kind of bad making him spend so much on a ring, however silly that may seem!

 

[marcy]

Both would be very nice diamonds. I personally would go with the G VS2 but that's just my personal preference.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Verdy you will love and cherish this ring forever, it is worth the money you will spend You are being very thoughtful, I was the same with my husband when we got engaged with a buget similar to yours. I got a sapphire but wish I had gotten a diamond like you are doing.

My opinion is that with a diamond that size you want to really get a really bright stone, and more colorless stones do have a brighter appearance. So between those two I would opt for the G.

 

[Verdy]

Thank you for the input Marcy!

Dreamer - I really can't wait until it's done! I'm so anxious to open up the mailbox one day and see the little package in there! I know it's a small thing, but I appreciate that he's going out of his way to make sure I have the best that he can afford. I'd be happy if he proposed with a rock from our garden! I have noticed that smaller diamonds tend to be in the G, E, F, or even D area, but since I'm not very sensitive to color, I'll be happy with either. Like you said, I'm a very thoughtful person when it comes to people spending on me, especially with him and my parents. I asked him to choose whichever he likes the best, so we'll see what he chooses! Thank you once again for all the advice and input, I really appreciate it! And best of luck with your new son, he's quite the charmer!