Which one to choose?

[kls120]

Hi all - Newbie here. Just trying to finish up my research and pull the tigger. I am down to the below three diamonds. Which one would you choose and why? Would 0.1 carrat difference justify $2,000? Also, if there is any reason why I shy away from Brilliance, please let me know. I chose Brilliance over James Allen and Blue Niles because I would save about $1,000 for tax. Although money is not necessarily a huge issue, but trying to get the best value for my money. Thanks in advance.

1.64 Carat G VS2, Super Ideal
https://www.brilliance.com/loose-di...make-vs2-clarity-gia-certified-SKU-D110291537

1.70 Carat H, VS2, Super Ideal
https://www.brilliance.com/loose-di...-make-vs2-clarity-gia-certified-SKU-D19956535

1.60 H, VS1, Super Ideal
https://www.brilliance.com/loose-di...make-vs1-clarity-gia-certified-SKU-D110226907

 

[lydial]

I doubt the 1.64 is super ideal with a 60% table. Marketing does not necessarily mean a true beauty. Use caution.

 

[the_mother_thing]

Yea I’d ask them to explain who determined these diamonds were ‘super ideal’ (FYI it’s not GIA!) and what the exact criteria are to earn that designation, who advises the cut criteria for such, and how the vendor monitors/QCs cut with that ‘designation’.

This isn’t enough IMO to legitimize it. If they truly were ‘ideal’ at all, they should have an AGS report stating such.

 

[lovedogs]

It's idiotic for them to use "super ideal". Have you run these options through the HCA? For some reason the website won't let me see the Gia report

 

[lovedogs]

I would be hesitant of anywhere that looks like you can save 1k over trusted vendors. There are no magic deals in diamonds. My guess is that these aren't actually ideally cut stones.

 

[lovedogs]

Super ideal with $1 upgrade policy. https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4128813.htm

 

[kls120]

Thanks for the replies - 1.70 and 1.60 carats come with the GIA reports - they both have excellent cuts.

 

[lovedogs]

Thanks for the replies - 1.70 and 1.60 carats come with the GIA reports - they both have excellent cuts.

Right, but excellent cut doesn't actually mean much, unfortunately. Excellent cuts from gia can either be amazing or absolutely horrible. You need much more info than that.

 

[kls120]

Thanks - I am confused (forgive my ignorance), however. Do you mean that GIA cut grade is not a good/reliable indicator of diamonds? What kind of extra information would you need?

 

[flyingpig]

Alot of red flags. I would avoid this company

 

[lovedogs]

Thanks - I am confused (forgive my ignorance), however. Do you mean that GIA cut grade is not a good/reliable indicator of diamonds? What kind of extra information would you need?

Yes. Gia XXX is very broad. Some gia XXX are amazing, but others are horrible. You need info about table size, depth, crown and pavillion angles as well. Ags 000 is much narrower, so an AGS 000 stone is going to be great 99% of the time. We recommend only considering stones with the following specs (along with GIA XXX):
depth: 60-62.4
Table: 54-57 or sometimes 58
Crown: 34-35
Pavillion: 40.6-40.8

Once you find a stone that is both gia XXX AND falls into the above ranges, you should check it on the HCA calculator to make sure it falls under 2. That tells you that the angles are complementary.

If the above is too daunting, you can let us pick you a stone, or find a true super ideal from either Whiteflash (their ACA or ES collection), or from high performance diamonds, or from Brian Gavin (their signature or black or blue collections).

 

[daydreamer24]

Thanks - I am confused (forgive my ignorance), however. Do you mean that GIA cut grade is not a good/reliable indicator of diamonds? What kind of extra information would you need?

Hi there,

I am by no means an expert on this, but have done my fair share of research on diamonds for an engagement ring over the past few months. I’m sure the helpful experts here can chime in on this, but here is a video on YouTube that I found quite helpful in understanding why GIA excellent graded cuts do not mean super ideal / best performing diamonds. There are also plenty of other videos online as well as if you search for “GIA excellent vs super ideal cut”.

There are also plenty of threads in this forum that will help to explain cut proportions.

Good luck!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Thanks - I am confused (forgive my ignorance), however. Do you mean that GIA cut grade is not a good/reliable indicator of diamonds? What kind of extra information would you need?

H&A pics, ASET and I-scope pics.

 

[tyty333]

Those stones are by no means what we would consider "Super Ideal". We reserve the term Super Ideal for branded stones that have all the images
(Aset, Idealscope, H&A) to prove that they fall within strict standards. Usually graded AGS000 with Ideal light return.

The last stone is the only one worth a look. See if you can request an Idealscope or Aset image.

Super Ideal Branded stones
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4023503.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4128813.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4011141.htm