2 Stones, Help me decide!

[00_Z71]

Good morning....I've been lurking on here for a while & have found some excellent information that's already helped me immensely.

I'm interested in the everyones opinions on the following 2 round stones. I'll try to give all the specs possible...let me know if I leave anything out
___________________________________
Stone #1
Ct = 1.55
Clarity = SI1
Color = I
Measurements = 7.55 - 7.47 x 4.51 mm
Total Depth = 60.1%
Table Width = 58%
Crown Height = 13%
Pavillion Depth = 44%
Girdle Thickness = Medium, Faceted
Polish = Very Good
Symmetry = Very Good
Culet = None
Fluorescence = None
Additional Info: n/a
Price (which includes platinum band & platinum 6-prong setting) = $9,000
___________________________________
Stone #2
Ct = 1.54
Clarity = SI3
Color = H
Measurements = 7.36 - 7.29 x 4.60 mm
Total Depth = 62.8%
Table Width = 57%
Crown Height = 15%
Pavillion Depth = 43%
Girdle Thickness = Medium, Faceted
Polish = Very Good
Symmetry = Very Good
Culet = None
Fluorescence = None
Additional Info: "Tolkowsky Ideal Cut" stone
Price (which includes platinum band & platinum 6-prong setting) = $8,000
__________________________

My impressions: Both stones were beautiful. Side-by-side, I could definitely see the difference in color, but I doubt I'd notice that in a "real world" setting. Also, side-by-side, the SI1 did appear slightly larger due to the reduced depth....again, I don't know how noticable that would be in a "real world" setting.
The SI3, under magnification, did show noticably more small small inclusions, but none that were noticable to the naked eye.
The SI1 has one "white feather" inclusion that slightly made it's way onto the table.

I'm looking for some opinions on which stone in the better overall value. Thank you so much for anything you have to add here!!

-Andy

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome

I will try to start you off. I take it these are EGL certified? I prefer number 1, the depth is better than the second, it has a good score on the HCA, although angles are more accurate than percentages, EGL only provide % as far as I know. You won't notice colour so much when a diamond is set, an I is where some can begin to detect colour but it is very slight and an I is still a white diamond and should face up well. The table is slightly larger on the first diamond, but as you can see these diamonds see what your eyes say. With the feather, check with the vendor if it could pose any durability issues, probably not but wouldn't hurt to check. If you are interested in either of these diamonds, get an independant appraisal during the return period to make sure it checks out. As you have seen these diamonds which do you prefer? The eyes are the best judge of beauty. Also S13 is an EGL invented grade which other labs don't recognise, it could actually be an I1 but if it is eyeclean it could be worth considering. Get the appraisal if you want to pursue these which is the best course of action with any diamond regardless of the cert. Hope this helps.

With a quick search, the price looks high for an S13 diamond which has similar specs, with the first they range from $6 to around $9k for a GIA certed without the setting....depends on the type of setting you want and it is platinum......hard to say really....are these diamonds with a jeweller? Are you in a rush to purchase and / or would you consider online purchasing?

 

[00_Z71]

Date: 3/24/2006 9:15:32 AM
Author: Lorelei
Welcome

I will try to start you off. I take it these are EGL certified? I prefer number 1, the depth is better than the second, it has a good score on the HCA, although angles are more accurate than percentages, EGL only provide % as far as I know. You won''t notice colour so much when a diamond is set, an I is where some can begin to detect colour but it is very slight and an I is still a white diamond and should face up well. The table is slightly larger on the first diamond, but as you can see these diamonds see what your eyes say. With the feather, check with the vendor if it could pose any durability issues, probably not but wouldn''t hurt to check. If you are interested in either of these diamonds, get an independant appraisal during the return period to make sure it checks out. As you have seen these diamonds which do you prefer? The eyes are the best judge of beauty. Also S13 is an EGL invented grade which other labs don''t recognise, it could actually be an I1 but if it is eyeclean it could be worth considering. Get the appraisal if you want to pursue these which is the best course of action with any diamond regardless of the cert. Hope this helps.

With a quick search, the price looks high for an S13 diamond which has similar specs, with the first they range from $6 to around $9k for a GIA certed without the setting....depends on the type of setting you want and it is platinum......hard to say really....are these diamonds with a jeweller? Are you in a rush to purchase and / or would you consider online purchasing?

First off, thanks for the reply!

To answer some of your questions:
- Yes, these are both EGL certified...Stone #1 is laser-inscribed, #2 is not.
- To be honest, they both looked great & if I hold the stones about 3 ft apart @ arms length, I seriously can''t tell the difference.
- The jeweler I''m working w/ told me in no uncertain terms that the SI3 is basically a marketing ploy to make people think they''re getting an SI stone, when in reality, it''s more like an I1 stone (he''s surprisingly honest, which is nice!). On his suggestion, we took a walk outside the store w/ both stones to get a "real world" view of them without the aid of jewelry store lighting. That was VERY helpful!
- I too felt the price was a bit high & I''m not in a huge rush to buy - probably within the next 2-3 weeks. I''d like to get up to Boston to hit some stores up there, but I''ve bought from this jewler before & liked what I saw to start off

Thanks again everyone!
-Andy

 

[Lorelei]

Glad to have helped. I don't know how flexible your budget is, but this is the sort of great diamond you can find online

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2045484.htm#

Also there is this diamond for example http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-755960.htm could be a great cut and within budget, Whiteflash might have to call it in to see it and advise on it, but it has a GIA cert and as great vendor like WF will be more than happy to help.

Also this one http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/1142/ a little lighter on the caratage than you want but well within budget.

 

[00_Z71]

wow, those are some nice stones!! I'm somewhat flexible on the price, but I'd like to stay under 10k for everything (stone, band+setting & tax)

If anyone else has opinions on the 2 stones, please jump in, thx!


-Andy

 

[00_Z71]

anyone else think the prices are on the high-side? is it a good value for the stone + band/setting?

thanks

-Andy

 

[Gonzodogg]

Date: 3/24/2006 9:43:19 AM
Author: Lorelei
Glad to have helped. I don''t know how flexible your budget is, but this is the sort of great diamond you can find online

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2045484.htm#

I just want to add my vote for this stone - it looks to me on paper that it would blow the original two out of the water.

(I really don''t like the EGL certs on the first two)

good luck with you search

 

[Gonzodogg]

Date: 3/27/2006 9:12:59 AM
Author: 00_Z71
anyone else think the prices are on the high-side? is it a good value for the stone + band/setting?

thanks

-Andy

Yes, they are a little high for what you are getting.

The above link the the WF stone is an example of getting WAY more for your money.

 

[00_Z71]

after extracting a little more info from the girlfriend, I''ve found out that she''s more interested in a nice stone that looks as large as possible, rather than one that''s of a higher overall quality.

So let''s do a little side-by-side here & see what everyone thinks....

WF Stone (as linked above)
HCA = 0.5
Ct = 1.50
Clarity = SI1
Color = I
Price = $9,274 (just for the stone, I''m figuring on another 700-1k for the band + setting)

Stone #1 (specs in 1st post)
HCA = 2.2
Ct = 1.55
Clarity = SI1
Color = I
Price = $9,000 (includes stone + plat. band & plat. setting)

my questions
1. Does the difference in HCA''s warrent the price differences?
2. Would there be a "real world" visual difference in these 2 stones that''s detectable by the average person?
3. Based on the dimensions of Stone #1, I understand it will appear to be closer to a 1.6ct....how true is this?

it seems the more info I gather, the more confusing this all becomes!!

Again, thanks so much for the help....this type of information is really invaluable!

-Andy

 

[belle]

stone #1 doesn''t have the crown angle listed, what number did you use for the hca?

 

[Lorelei]

Glad to have helped. I don''t know how flexible your budget is, but this is the sort of great diamond you can find online

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2045484.htm#

Here''s the link Belle

 

[belle]

Date: 3/27/2006 12:07:39 PM
Author: Lorelei

Glad to have helped. I don''t know how flexible your budget is, but this is the sort of great diamond you can find online

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2045484.htm#

Here''s the link Belle

thanks lorelei

i was looking for the crown angle on his original stone from the first post.

did i miss that somewhere?

 

[00_Z71]

Date: 3/27/2006 12:11:14 PM
Author: belle

Date: 3/27/2006 12:07:39 PM
Author: Lorelei

Glad to have helped. I don''t know how flexible your budget is, but this is the sort of great diamond you can find online

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2045484.htm#

Here''s the link Belle

thanks lorelei

i was looking for the crown angle on his original stone from the first post.

did i miss that somewhere?

I didn''t have the Crown Angle for that stone. Since it was an EGL report I was looking @, I just used the Crown Height % listed on there. I could definitely call the jeweler to get that if it would really help in a comparison.

-Andy

 

[belle]

Date: 3/27/2006 12:14:26 PM
Author: 00_Z71

Date: 3/27/2006 12:11:14 PM
Author: belle

Date: 3/27/2006 12:07:39 PM
Author: Lorelei

Glad to have helped. I don''t know how flexible your budget is, but this is the sort of great diamond you can find online

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2045484.htm#

Here''s the link Belle

thanks lorelei

i was looking for the crown angle on his original stone from the first post.

did i miss that somewhere?

I didn''t have the Crown Angle for that stone. Since it was an EGL report I was looking @, I just used the Crown Height % listed on there. I could definitely call the jeweler to get that if it would really help in a comparison.

-Andy

well...you can''t really make any kind of accurate comparison if you don''t have the right information to input.

if the jeweler has the information, by all means get it! the only way you are going to be able to assess the all important issue of cut quality is to have accurate information. get the crown and pavilion ANGLES if you can. the percentages are rounded and not nearly as accurate.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 3/27/2006 11:53:37 AM
Author: 00_Z71
after extracting a little more info from the girlfriend, I''ve found out that she''s more interested in a nice stone that looks as large as possible, rather than one that''s of a higher overall quality.

So let''s do a little side-by-side here & see what everyone thinks....

WF Stone (as linked above)
HCA = 0.5
Ct = 1.50
Clarity = SI1
Color = I
Price = $9,274 (just for the stone, I''m figuring on another 700-1k for the band + setting)

Stone #1 (specs in 1st post)
HCA = 2.2
Ct = 1.55
Clarity = SI1
Color = I
Price = $9,000 (includes stone + plat. band & plat. setting)

my questions
1. Does the difference in HCA''s warrent the price differences?
2. Would there be a ''real world'' visual difference in these 2 stones that''s detectable by the average person?
3. Based on the dimensions of Stone #1, I understand it will appear to be closer to a 1.6ct....how true is this?

it seems the more info I gather, the more confusing this all becomes!!

Again, thanks so much for the help....this type of information is really invaluable!

-Andy

I guess #1 is personal. For me, yes, the WF stone would be worth the extra $250 or so.