Which one would you choose?

[blah23]

Hello: From the specifications below, which diamond would you feel is better? At this point, i''m really not sure which way to go. Thanks!

Diamond 1:
2.02 Princess
FVS2
Table: 68
Depth: 73
Girdle: Thick to Very Thick
Polish: Ex
Symmetry: VG

Diamond 2 (this one is priced slightly higher):
2.03 Princess
FVS2
Table: 71
Depth: 73
Girdle: Slightly Thick
Polish: VG
Symmetry: G

I think the only item that''s throwing me off is the Girdle on diamond 1.
Will the thickness make a big impact on the overall appearance versus diamond 2?

Thanks!

- J

 

[belle]

hey blah

welcome to ps!

if you could post the measurements, that would help us give a better guesstimate of what we''re evaluating here.

 

[chrono]

These numbers do not provide me with enough cut information to make a good decision. Do you have any Idealscope pictures or ASET pictures? These will help me see the Princess pattern and light leakage of the stones.

 

[jaz464]

Yes, we need measurements. Also, which lab graded these?

 

[blah23]

hey everyone!

thanks for the quick response. these were both GIA graded.

here are the measurements for each diamond. for images, are you referring to the image on the actual report?
if so, i may be able to scan in the first diamond and i'll do my best to get a hold of the 2nd diamond image.

i failed to mention that both had no cutlets and no fluorescence

diamond 1: 6.90 x 6.85 x 5.05 mm.
the actual depth, to the decimal place, is 73.7%

for this one, the grading report had add'l notes i wrote down:
- internal graining not shown
- surface graining not shown

diamond 2: 6.88 x 6.86 x 5.05 mm.
the actual depth, to the decimal place, is 73.6%

for this one, the grading report had add'l notes i wrote down:
- Additional clouds are not shown.

also, this is the one that's priced higher

 

[JohnQuixote]

Hi blah,

F VS2 is a very nice color/clarity combo. As for cut, measurements are helpful but not enough to tell us anything decisively about a fancy shape. All we can deduce from the given info is that they face up nearly the same diameter, with different girdle thicknesses and table sizes. How a princess performs will depend on how all of its facets work together - and the differing crown & pavilion faceting styles influence appearance as well. Some proof of light performance, like an ideal-scope or ASET image, would be helpful (that's what was meant by images). Have you seen these in person?

Clarity characteristics listed as 'not shown' are non-issues. To plot them would have made them seem far more intense than they are, so the grader mentioned them for sake of thoroughness. This is common. Also, there is no visible difference between GIA VG and EX polish & symmetry, but G symmetry on #2 indicates craftsmanship which is not bad but less than optimal.

 

[blah23]

thanks for the information john.
yup, i have seen them in person, however, it''s tough since they are from diff jewelers so I can''t compare side by side.

are the ideal-scope or ASET images readily available from the jeweler? what i''m also having a tough time concluding is whether diamond 2 is worth the extra few hundred.

please let me know if there''s any add''l information that can help with this conclusion. im at a sticking point and really don''t know which one would be the better purchase.

i appreciate the help.

j

 

[chrono]

The jewellers most likely will not have an Idealscope or ASET. However, you have the best tools - your eyes. You have seen them in person. Which do you prefer? Have you checked them out under different lightings? Take them away from the jewellery lighting. Stand by the window for natural light. See if they will allow you to take it outside and also view it under fluorescent lighting. Which one stands out more in your mind?

If you don't trust your eyes, you can purchase an Idealscope or ASET from www.gemappraiser.com for somewhere $25. There's also a tutorial here on PS on how to use it.

 

[blah23]

thanks chrono. i''ll go take another look at the diamonds.

i was mainly curious to see if the numbers/specifications can help conclude/justify whether diamond 2 should cost more than diamond 1.

is there a way to calculate approx how much each diamond should/can be?

 

[chrono]

Date: 7/31/2007 2:44:37 PM
Author: blah23
thanks chrono. i''ll go take another look at the diamonds.

i was mainly curious to see if the numbers/specifications can help conclude/justify whether diamond 2 should cost more than diamond 1.

is there a way to calculate approx how much each diamond should/can be?

With only the info you have provided, not even the best cutter can guess. There are just too many variables.
1. Maybe the cut of 1 is much better than the other
2. Maybe one store has higher overhead, so needs a larger profit margin
3. Who knows?

 

[blah23]

thanks again chrono.

last questions: appreciate your help!

would a "thick to very thick" girdle cause a huge impact on a princess cut or does it affect other cuts more? that's mainly why i decided to look at diamond 2.
from my research, girdles don't the brilliance, but it just hides the weight. i just dont know if this affects the price big time.

-j

 

[chrono]

Correct. The girdle thickness does not impact the performance of the diamond, but hides weight. It should not affect the selling price in a big way.

 

[blah23]

thanks once again chrono!

opps, seems i had a small typo"girdles don't AFFECT the brilliance, but it just hides the weight."

have a great day.