First, price and the traditional color and clarity. In brackets is the price from the price statistics page for cut quality 1A. After each price is the ratio compared to the cheapest price per carat (number 2).1) E VS2 for $ 9877/carat 1.08 ($9230 1.19)
2) F SI1 for $ 9138/carat 1.00 ($7776 1.00)
3) F VS2 for $10283/carat 1.13 ($8979 1.16)Assuming (big assumption!) that H&A price trends match non-H&A, 3 seems to have about the right premium for the quality change and 1 some lower premium to counter the fact that it isn't H&A while the other two are. Nothing wonderfully revealing here.Looking for comparables in the search by visual appearance on this site for 3 I see a 1.798 F VS2 AGS0 H&A A Cut Above brand for $10025/carat ($18025) and a cut advisor score of 1.1 ex-ex-ex-vg based on crown angle and less reliable pavilion percentage. Also a 1.708 F VS2 AGS 0 H&A A Cut Above brand for $9930/carat ($1690) and cut advisor score of 1.1 ex-ex-ex-ex , again on the crown angle and less reliable pavilion percentage combination.With the reliable crown angle and pavilion angle data you have, 2 scores 1.1 ex-ex-vg-vg and 3 scores 0.5 ex-ex-ex-ex. 1 scores 0.4 ex-ex-ex-vg.So, where does that leave you? 3 has better spread than 2 and should look a bit bigger than just the size difference would imply and appears to have a reasonable price premium for the better clarity.How does whatever makes 2 an SI1 look? Can you see it? If you can't, 2 looks to be offering the best price/ size/ quality combination of the two, assuming you've no objection to SI1 just because it isn't a VS grade. If you or the intended recipient might think even a bit negatively about that, go for 3 over 3. The better spread and clarity of 3 seems to have a reasonable price premium... but that _is_ an extra $4,500 and that buys a fair bit of honeymoon or special occasion to give it on. The better spread rating seems to make your 3 a better choice than the A Cut Above 1.798 unless you like the idea of a brand. If you do, that ACA looks like a fair choice, though the cut advisor score suggests that you should be asking for a bit of a discount unless using the angle improces the score - and it's more likely to make it worse. Didn't find any comparables from other brands in the quick search I did but they probably have options as well. All in all, 3 seems to be a good quality choice for color, clarity and cut. A nice high end option.1 compares well on cut to 2 from the HCA scores so it looks good from that view, but the E color means ou're paying for color you may not value - and probably won't notice. Better cut score but more money for color you won't notice and no possible romance value from the H&A I'd suggest 2 rather than 1 and something else to spend the price difference on. Look at that 1.708 A Cut Above. Seems like a bettter compromise package than 1 - a bit more money, branded H&A but less good cut score, except we know ACA are well cut and a non-HA& of unknown brand is a bit riskier on whether it does match the predicted performance.So, 3 for quality, 2 for price... and I'll suggest 2 and spending the price difference on something else, like a nicer wedding band or a steam or ultrasonic cleaner for home to keep the jewels sparkling nicely.If you want to pick one with least chance of anything unexpected, go for 3. The predicted cut, the color and the clarity make a nice set. For even more certaintly, go for th ACA and trust ther quality control, which seems to be good. Or any other brand.Each of them looks to be a good choice, though seeing 1 and 2 before being fully sure of buying them seems like a good idea. 2 in case the SI1 is a problem, which seems unlikely, and 1 in case the facet angles don't produce performance as good as the averages suggest they will.If you really get stuck, use coin tosses. There are good arguments for choosing any of the three.
