which stone would you pick? need e-ring advice.

[shadysidepgh]

Hello all, I''m new to this so please excuse me if I sound naive, but I''ve tried to do as much self-education as possible.

I''m looking for a round brilliant diamond for an engagment ring. Initially I wanted a 1.25 ct, G-H VS2-SI1 Excellent (by GIA or Ideal by AGS) cut diamond, I narrowed my search down to the following stones at two different B&M stores near me. The prices for both are similar. Which of the following stones would you prefer and why?

Regarding the first stone, its GIA report was from 9/05, so the new GIA cut grade was not listed. I thought it was in Excellent proportions range, and it was billed as ''ideal cut'' by the retailer. However since the report was dated after jan 2005, I was able to go to the GIA report checker ( http://www.gia.edu/reportcheck/ ) and unfortunately found that the cut grade was Very Good. Had it been excellent, i would have jumped on it, b/c that retailer has a particular setting i like. Nonetheless, I checked the HCA score, which came out suprisingly nice at 0.9. In the artificial store lighting, I thought the stone looked nice.
Even though it''s grade is Very Good by GIA, do you think that the HCA score of 0.9 compensates for that?


Stone 1: GIA
Carat Weight: 1.23, Color Grade: G, Clarity Grade: SI1, Proportions: Depth: 62.2 % Table: 55 %,
Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted, Culet: None, Finish: Polish: Excellent, Symmetry: Excellent, Fluorescence: None
Crown Angle: 35°, Crown Height: 16 %, Pavilion Angle: 40.6°, Pavilion Depth: 42.5 %, Star length: 55 %, Lower Half: 85 %, Cut Grade: Very Good
HCA Score: 0.9
$7985 (this retailer has more bargaining room, and a setting I like)

Stone 2: GIA
Carat Weight: 1.26, Color Grade: H, Clarity Grade: VS2, Cut Grade: Excellent, Proportions: Depth: 60.8 %, Table: 57 %, Crown Angle: 35°, Crown Height: 15 %, Pavilion Angle: 40.8°, Pavilion Depth: 43 %, Star length: 60 %, Lower Half: 75 %, Girdle: Thin, Faceted, Culet: None, Finish: Polish: Excellent, Symmetry: Excellent, Fluorescence: None
HCA Score: 1.5
$7800 (i don''t like the settings at this store, and it''s possible the store lighting didn''t make me feel like jumping at this stone )

Thanks for your input!
-Jay

 

[strmrdr]

I''m not thrilled with either one with the limited info available.

The first stone has a long lower half at over 82.5% min. (the lowest that rounds to 85) which isn''t a great match for that crown and pavilion combo.
If you like that one then you probably like brightness over fire.
Something like a low 34 crown and a high 40 pavilion and 80% lgf% would be a better all around performer, 34.0 to 34.6 with a 40.8 or 40.9 pavilion maybe 41 with a 34.0 to 34.4 crown.

If your looking online a gog classic would likely rock your world. I have the same preference and bought one for my wifey2b.

The second diamond has a low lgf% and borderline angles.
Id rather see a 80% lgf% and a 34.8 crown on it.

 

[strmrdr]

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/619/
Something like that one........

or go for size with this one,,,,,,

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/2298/

 

[shadysidepgh]

Date: 7/23/2006 8:07:58 PM
Author: strmrdr
I''m not thrilled with either one with the limited info available.

The first stone has a long lower half at over 82.5% min. (the lowest that rounds to 85) which isn''t a great match for that crown and pavilion combo.
If you like that one then you probably like brightness over fire.
Something like a low 34 crown and a high 40 pavilion and 80% lgf% would be a better all around performer, 34.0 to 34.6 with a 40.8 or 40.9 pavilion maybe 41 with a 34.0 to 34.4 crown.

If your looking online a gog classic would likely rock your world. I have the same preference and bought one for my wifey2b.

The second diamond has a low lgf% and borderline angles.
Id rather see a 80% lgf% and a 34.8 crown on it.

I''m assuming lgf is lower girdle facet length percentage. Is that the same as lower half?