Which Round Diamond?

[cyan20]

Hi PSers!

Please give me input on the 2 diamonds below. Which one is the most bang for the buck?

1. 1.6 G VS2 $16,024
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01394709?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

2. 1.54 G SI1 - $12,542
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-si1-clarity_LD01394314?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

Thanks for your insight!

 

[Lorelei]

They are both well cut stones, I would check firstly with BN whether the SI1 is eyeclean to your standards, be precise with them about your expectations, if you don''t want to see anything from any angle at close scrutiny, make sure they understand that. If it is verified eyeclean then it could be an excellent choice, unless you prefer VS. If it is not eyeclean, then you will know where to go from there.

 

[cyan20]

Can I please get your opinions on these 2 diamonds. Thanks Everyone.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/11/2008 12:24:25 AM
Author: cyan20
Can I please get your opinions on these 2 diamonds. Thanks Everyone.

Have you checked whether the SI1 is eyeclean yet Cyan?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/11/2008 3:32:58 AM
Author: Lorelei

Have you checked whether the SI1 is eyeclean yet Cyan?

Ditto.

Assuming you get a yes on that, I would go for the SI1. I just can''t see spending that much more money, for a size difference that won''t be noticeable once set.

 

[cyan20]

Thanks for your feed back Lorelei and Ellen. When you say eye clean, do you mean face up or also face down? Thanks again for your assistance.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/11/2008 11:26:30 AM
Author: cyan20
Thanks for your feed back Lorelei and Ellen. When you say eye clean, do you mean face up or also face down? Thanks again for your assistance.

This thread may be helpful Cyan concerning ' eyecleanliness' - Clarity definitions, eyeclean interpretations and taste . There is no trade definition as such regarding whether a diamond is eyeclean or not, although some vendors use similar to this as a guide - no inclusions visible face up in normal light with normal eyesight at arms length - or words to that effect. This basically means that if your preference is to see no inclusions whatsoever at close scrutiny or at any angle or view of the diamond, make sure you tell the vendor that so you are both on the same page. Some SI diamonds may be totally eyeclean and others may not, this clarity grade is not created equal. So be as clear as possible concerning your expectations.

And you are most welcome!

 

[stone_seeker]

30% price jump for a move from SI-1 to VS2 seems pretty steep for carat weights essentially identical. Unless its a "bad" SI I would say go with it. I usually stay with VS2''s and higher just for mind-cleanliness but I have looked at many SI''s and cant see anything with the naked eye and can barely notice inclusions even with a loupe. They are great bargains.

 

[rcrosier]

Date: 8/11/2008 11:47:52 AM
Author: stone_seeker
30% price jump for a move from SI-1 to VS2 seems pretty steep for carat weights essentially identical. Unless its a ''bad'' SI I would say go with it. I usually stay with VS2''s and higher just for mind-cleanliness but I have looked at many SI''s and cant see anything with the naked eye and can barely notice inclusions even with a loupe. They are great bargains.

I agree that the price jump is very high for such a small clarity upgrade. Honestly, I would try to do some more looking because I think that you could find another stone on BN or a PS vendor website that would give you the G/VS2/1.5ct/Ideal combo for somewhere around 13-14K$. That way it would be a mind clean stone without the huge price jump. But, if mind clean isn''t important to you, I would go with the SI-1 from your selection list.

NOTE: "Eye-clean" doesn''t usually mean that you can put the stone right up to your eye and not find pin-point inclusions. So, when you order it, keep that in mind. Don''t expect to get something that will require magnification to find the inclusions. Also, I would ask to see the lab report inclusion chart for an idea of where the inclusions are. I would suggest getting an SI-1 w/ twinning wisps, as they are invisible to the naked eye from any range and don''t usually affect light performance.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/11/2008 2:24:04 PM
Author: rcrosier

I agree that the price jump is very high for such a small clarity upgrade. Honestly, I would try to do some more looking because I think that you could find another stone on BN or a PS vendor website that would give you the G/VS2/1.5ct/Ideal combo for somewhere around 13-14K$. That way it would be a mind clean stone without the huge price jump. But, if mind clean isn''t important to you, I would go with the SI-1 from your selection list.

NOTE: ''Eye-clean'' doesn''t usually mean that you can put the stone right up to your eye and not find pin-point inclusions. So, when you order it, keep that in mind. Don''t expect to get something that will require magnification to find the inclusions. Also, I would ask to see the lab report inclusion chart for an idea of where the inclusions are. I would suggest getting an SI-1 w/ twinning wisps, as they are invisible to the naked eye from any range and don''t usually affect light performance.

But it can, and does many times. There are a few (or perhaps many) posters on here with SI1 and 2 stones that are completely eyeclean at any distance, from any angle. And while my SI1 stud is only .58, I have yet to find the SI1 inclusions with a loupe.

 

[cyan20]

I saw the G SI 1 stone today.....looks pretty "eye clean". I was only able to see the inclusions face up when it was under the loup. When I looked at it face down on the white tray I was able to see a little bit of carbon. The person told me that this stone is just an SI 1, he wouldn''t consider it a SI 1 + or SI 1 -. What do you guys think?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/11/2008 7:59:07 PM
Author: cyan20
I saw the G SI 1 stone today.....looks pretty 'eye clean'. I was only able to see the inclusions face up when it was under the loup. When I looked at it face down on the white tray I was able to see a little bit of carbon. The person told me that this stone is just an SI 1, he wouldn't consider it a SI 1 + or SI 1 -. What do you guys think?

I don't believe I've ever heard of "plus or minus", but it sounds like a nice, typical SI1. Aside from the clarity (would it bother you if you saw something from the side once it's set?), did you look at it in different lighting situations? for brightness, fire, and scintillation? I can't say much, as I haven't seen it, but what did you think?