Would you take size or clarity/color??

[nc2tarheels]

I''m looking at two rings. One is 3/4 carat and it''s I clarity and H color. The other is 1/2 carat and it''s vvs1 and e color. Both are around the same price or so. Which would you prefer, the bigger stone or the smaller and better stone?? Thanks

 

[hoorray]

I tend to be in the minority here, and like the color and clarity qualities (color more that clarity), so would consider the smaller as a serious contender. How do the dimensions compare? Sometimes that is a good tie breaker since some will look large for their size and others small for their size. Given no advantage on that measurement, I think I'd try to compare them side by side. Specs can only take you so far, and then it has to be based on your gut.

 

[pqcollectibles]

In a smaller stone, you can easily go J in a well cut diamond. You might have to see it to believe it. I've seen it. Side by side with an H, no decernable difference, face up. Against white gold and platinum. I am wearing a 1.25 carat, super ideal cut, J mounted in platinum right now. I'm fairly color sensitive, I read expert after expert say J could work in white metal, but I didn't really believe it. Until now.

Of your 2 selections,..... It would really depend on the inclusion(s) that got the I rating. Size, color, type, and location. I've seen an I1 that faced up totally eye clean. You had to know where the inclusion was with the diamond tilted at just the right angle. And there will be a visible size difference. A well cut 3/4 carat can easily be mistaken by most people for a full carat. The average public is used to seeing poorly made Maul store cuts.

Why not drop the E and the VVS?? Color costs money, but clarity costs way more. Maybe find a nice H/I, maybe even J, SI stone. Just a suggestion.

 

[niceice]

It seems that you're stuck at opposite ends of the spectrum... Is there nothing in between for you to consider? Perhaps an F-G, VS-2? We prefer to focus on the proportions of the diamond (cut) first; color second; clarity third and then size...

 

[nc2tarheels]

niceice, i already focused on the
cut: Princess
as for the order you put the rest, it's different for everyone. I'm only 21 so i can't spend the money that people can that are 30 and already owning a home etc. I'm wondering if i should go with a beautiful clear ring or go with one that has some inclusions but make up for it in size. There's not really an in between with .5 carats and 3/4 carats. Sure there's 5/8 but that's not that noticeable between the two.

btw, where can i find good deals on settings?? I'm looking for platinum.

 

[pqcollectibles]

Saying Princess makes a huge difference in the answers you'll get, NC. What's acceptable for a round in color and clarity is not in a square cut.

Definitely check your color. Squares tend to hold and show more body color. Inclusions tend to more readily visible as well.

You can use the AGA Cut Charts as a guide, but there are no hard and fast rules with Fancies. In your case, I would suggest working with a Vendor that has the stones on hand with Ideal Scope images available to confirm performance and light leakage.

You might check out Nice Ice, White Flash Expert Selection, Good Old Gold, or Dirt Cheap Diamonds Signature Selection. All 4 are reputable Vendors who physically stock princess cuts that have been professionally hand selected for performance.

 

[phoenixgirl]

I think that the place you're looking doesn't have enough selection if they only have "1/2," "5/8," and "3/4" carat. Diamonds come in every carat weight imaginable.

You could find something in the 0.60-0.69 carat range, for example.

Also, there should be more options between I clarity and VVS1 clarity. I would go with VS2-SI1, and possibly SI2 if the inclusions were not/hardly visible. Same thing with color -- it doesn't have to be E. G-I would be fine.

Here are some ideas:

0.55 F SI1 for $1380

0.70 G VS2 for $2243

0.51 G SI1 for $1078

0.57 F VS2 for $2120

Cut refers not only to the shape, but also how fine-tuned the diamond's cut is. A diamond can be cut really really terribly, but most consumers are not able to tell the difference. While table and depth give a general idea of a diamond's cut, it's just like knowing the height and weight of somebody you're going to meet. S/he could muscular, fat around the middle, fat on the bottom and skinny on top, etc. Height and weight give an indication of how a person might be built, but do not tell the whole story at all. Analyses like the imagescope, briliancescope, sarin report, etc. help you get the "whole picture."

This is what we mean by prioritizing "cut quality." Also, GIA and AGS certificates are the most reputable, while EGL and IGI can be more lenient. If a stone has been bumped up a bit in color and clarity on the certificate, you end up paying more than you would have if the stone had been graded more conservatively.

 

[fire&ice]

Still shopping at the maul.

 

[valeria101]

It just does not work that way! It makes little sense to pair low clarity with low color and high clarity and high color only. Of course there are intermediary combinations for the same budget. Also, both E and VVS would have litle to say for themselves as a "good buy". I clarity is not a mainstream choice (as any stone with some visible speck would be). So? - the interval of your choices has to be narrowed dowv: say VS2-SI1 clarity and G-H color would deliver a better buy. Also, depending on cut and seller, prices can vary quite a bit, so there is really little use for theoretical discussions about what a "balanced choice" could be: choosing among stones and looking at them is going to be an easier, more result oriented process. The choices mentioned above are already a good point to start.

Also, hunting down size is not just about carat weight, but also about cut: it does make a difference going from 75% depth to 65%! - actually about as much as the next 0.15 cts notch of weight.

Looking down from those H&A hights to stone near that standard and with a great IScope signature is another "good buy" parameter I would usually go for.

Here's some more:

0.78cts H VS2 at Whiteflash ($2137)

Actually, a serch for princess cuts between 0.6-0.8 cts, G-I color and VS1-SI1 clarity turned out quite a few choices worth inspecting!.. Of course, it is up to you.

 

[valeria101]

Here's another stone with rather promissing stas... just pick the seller!

 

[chris-uk04]

I1 can be kinda poor. Is it online or are you looking at a store? The H color part is fine. Try to comprimise some.

May we ask what your budget is?

 

[PlatinumDiamond]

My likings are in this order:

1st - colorless
2nd - clarity
3rd - cut
4th - carat

With the info that is provided in the opening post, I would take the smaller one because the color and clarity is better than the larger stone.

 

[Jolie]

I normally prefer going with a better color and clarity over size - but only up to a point. If the largest D flawless stone that I can afford won't fit into a setting that I like because it's too small, then I would defintely compromise. But your choices - either a .5 or .75 carat - are both large enough to satisfy my tastes. In that case, I'd personally go with the vvs1 E.

 

[Cassandra]

My preference would be the smaller stone.

I have a severe distaste for I clarity stones. But that's just a personal opinion! If I can "see" imperfections just by looking at it with the naked eye, it makes me feel as though it's a cheaper stone (even if it isn't).

I've been reconsidering my color and clarity choices. The lowest color I will personally ever go is an H (unless I'm in the market for a fancy light yellow diamond, in which case I will consider all XYZ stones). The lowest clarity is SI1, if the inclusions are not visible and off to the edge of the stone. My ideal stone would be a G+ color, VVS+ clarity. That, however, might not work into our budget.

Good luck with your search!

 

[diamondnovice]

Clarity and color over size in general.

Size over clarity above VS2.

 

[Jennifer5973]

You can get away with poorer clarity in a well cut stone so color would top clarity, but I heartily agreee that you seem to be considering two extremes....I agree with the SI1 or 2, G-H-I rule with a well-cut stone...keep looking or you will miss out!

 

[roshita]

Cut first.
Size second.
Color and clarity third.

=I-J color, SI1-2 ideal cut, 3/4 ct. A compromise choice but should look beautiful.