Which would you pick?

[cutandprice]

Hi guys,

Which of these 2 diamonds would you choose if you were looking for best light return. I have been told both are eye clean.

Diamond 1.

Item Number: 936509
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 0.72
Cut: Hearts & Arrows Ideal
Color: H
Clarity: SI2
Certificate: GIA

Depth: 62.1%
Table: 55.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.73*5.77*3.57

Crown Angle: 35.0°
Crown %: 15.50
pavilion Angle: 40.6°
pavilion %: 43.00

Images/Cert: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-936509.asp

Diamond 2:

Item Number: 997671
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 0.70
Cut: Hearts & Arrows Ideal
Color: F
Clarity: SI1
Certificate: AGS

Depth: 61.7%
Table: 54.6%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Neglible
Measurements: 5.69*5.73*3.52

Crown Angle: 33.4°
Crown %: 14.90
pavilion Angle: 40.9°
pavilion %: 43.10

Images/Cert: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-997671.asp

I actually bought diamond 2 but I am now having second thoughts!

 

[Lynn B]

I actually like #2 better, although they are probably both lovely. Believe me, I have nothing against eyeclean SI2s (I own a beautiful one myself!) but why not get higher clarity (and color) if possible, right? Plus #1 is a little deep for me, although certainly not by much. And I like #2's girdle a little better, too. But you realize we are splitting frog's hairs now, right?!

Did you run them through the HCA?

 

[cutandprice]

Hi Lynn,

Yes I ran them through the HCA which is what made me doubt my decision; both are excellent but the GIA stone falls within both the GIA & AGS boundaries, whereas the AGS stone is just outside the AGS boundary but inside the GIA.

But as you say, I am splitting amphibious hairs - I am finding the extra knowledge I have makes me so much more exacting and more difficult to please (although I expect experience will rectify that!). Of course the one thing I am missing is actually seeing real diamonds, which would probably help me to put the numbers into perspective, as I assume there must be very little apparent difference between 2 ideal cut stones of the same colour and clarity.

I suppose I am looking for reassurance that the stone I bought is a good choice that for my budget ($2650) I probably couldn''t have done much better with.

Thanks for your opinion Lynn.

 

[Shay37]

Date: 1/5/2008 8:20:04 PM
Author: cutandprice
Hi Lynn,

Yes I ran them through the HCA which is what made me doubt my decision; both are excellent but the GIA stone falls within both the GIA & AGS boundaries, whereas the AGS stone is just outside the AGS boundary but inside the GIA.

But as you say, I am splitting amphibious hairs - I am finding the extra knowledge I have makes me so much more exacting and more difficult to please (although I expect experience will rectify that!). Of course the one thing I am missing is actually seeing real diamonds, which would probably help me to put the numbers into perspective, as I assume there must be very little apparent difference between 2 ideal cut stones of the same colour and clarity.

I suppose I am looking for reassurance that the stone I bought is a good choice that for my budget ($2650) I probably couldn''t have done much better with.

Thanks for your opinion Lynn.

Allow me to help with that. I ditto Lynn. I like number 2 as well. I would not have refused #1, but #2 tickles my fancy a little more.

As for reassurance, you did very well. Welcome to the club of educated diamond purchasing. when you get the fireball, you will never again be ignorant of what a great cut will do for a diamond.

shay

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 1/5/2008 8:20:04 PM
Author: cutandprice
Hi Lynn,

Yes I ran them through the HCA which is what made me doubt my decision; both are excellent but the GIA stone falls within both the GIA & AGS boundaries, whereas the AGS stone is just outside the AGS boundary but inside the GIA.

But as you say, I am splitting amphibious hairs - I am finding the extra knowledge I have makes me so much more exacting and more difficult to please (although I expect experience will rectify that!). Of course the one thing I am missing is actually seeing real diamonds, which would probably help me to put the numbers into perspective, as I assume there must be very little apparent difference between 2 ideal cut stones of the same colour and clarity.

I suppose I am looking for reassurance that the stone I bought is a good choice that for my budget ($2650) I probably couldn''t have done much better with.

Thanks for your opinion Lynn.

Actually, you didn''t need to run your stone through the HCA. It is already graded AGS0! I can see nothing about the other stone that would make me prefer it over the one you chose! I am sure it is beautiful!

 

[cutandprice]

Thanks for the reassurances guys, much appreciated.

I only wish I could have found the setting I want now for slightly less so I could have bought a bigger stone! The setting my gf wants is very European and very few US stores sell this style (from what I have seen). They are actually cheaper over here in the UK (which I found very suprising) but I didn''t want the hassle of having to find a reliable jeweller to set my stone.

I had a total budget of $5000 (incl. VAT & Import Duties) but of that only $2650 was for the stone! If my gf had just wanted a fairly ordinary tiffany style solitaire then I could have got it in platinum for around $800-900, instead of the $1450 I am having to pay for the following setting: http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_57-1849.

I suppose I have compromised a little in order to buy the ring in one go from one vendor, which is a bit of a cop out really considering I have been looking on and off for over a year! However, I am still getting a bigger diamond for the same money I would over here in the UK, so its not bad really!

 

[Lorelei]

The diamond you chose looks great - no worries!

 

[Ellen]

C&P, you are most likely having a wee case of buyers remorse. It happens.

But rest assured, as the other ladies have indicated, you picked a great stone. And like has also been said, the other one would be lovely too, but no more so than the one you bought. I would pick the one you did over the other also.

Relax, you did good!

 

[cutandprice]

Thanks Ellen, yours and the other ladies reassurances have done the trick.

I cant wait to see the stone, so I am sure my gf will be even more excited when she finally sees it.

A big thanks to PS and everyone who contributes. Now for the proposal plan....

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/6/2008 5:36:44 PM
Author: cutandprice
Thanks Ellen, yours and the other ladies reassurances have done the trick.

I cant wait to see the stone, so I am sure my gf will be even more excited when she finally sees it.

A big thanks to PS and everyone who contributes. Now for the proposal plan....

I''m sure she will be too.

Be sure and post pics if you can.

And you''re very welcome.