Engagement ring diamond opinions - narrowed it down to 2

[wm1991]

Hi everyone,

I am new to all this but have found Pricescope incredibly helpful and this community really insightful. So with that in mind, I'd really appreciate some help in picking out a diamond for my planned proposal...

This is my first diamond purchase but I've done a bit of research and based on that I think I've narrowed it down to 2 diamonds. My budget is about $10,000 (I am in the UK so need to consider VAT etc.) and I'm leaning towards these two from Whiteflash:

Diamond | 1.362 ct I VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4443698

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.362 carat I color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4443698

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 1.402 ct I SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4369219

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.402 carat I color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4369219

www.whiteflash.com

To be honest, with my untrained eye, I'm struggling to pick between them, and as much as I read and try to learn, I'm not sure I'm able to trade-off between them given one is larger but might not perform as well, so I would love to know what you think. I have an opinion/leaning but it's probably not well founded hence reaching out to this forum

Thanks in advance for any help - it's truly gratefully received - you've all been super helpful already because when I started this I knew absolutely zilch

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

Well, you just really can't go wrong with an ACA. Plus they have a fantastic upgrade policy! Win...win in my opinion.

That being said, I personally prefer the VS2 clarity.

 

[tyty333]

Here they are in a compare

Diamond comparison | Compare Diamonds to choose and buy the best one

Whiteflash gives you an excellent opportunity to compare diamonds to make a great deal. With diamond’s parameters provided, you can compare any detail.

www.whiteflash.com

I watched their videos and could not pick one over the other. Both had plenty of sparkles. When it gets down to being this close
its best to ask a WF Sale Associate for their opinion. They can pull both stones and compare them much better than we can.
They can also provide side-by-side photos which usually help but these stones are so similar I'm not sure what difference they might
make. Sometimes, when you see them side-by-side you are just drawn to one stone over the other. Nothing you can really put your
finger on but one stone seems to be grabbing your attention more than the other.

- Ask SA about how eye-clean the SI stone is (can you see anything at all very close up)...if that's important to you
- Ask if one is "whiter" than the other
-Ask, in their opinion, does one stone stand out over the other (for any reason)

 

[wm1991]

Thanks both, that’s really helpful!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks it’s hard to discern any major differences.

I will follow up with WF….any further opinions still welcome!

 

[musicloveranthony]

The table inclusion on the SI stone wouldn't work for me. The other you chose is gorgeous!

 

[prettypaper01]

I personally the higher clarity. These 2 are also lovely:

Diamond | 1.320 ct I VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4453018

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.320 carat I color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4453018

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 1.253 ct I VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4451154

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.253 carat I color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4451154

www.whiteflash.com

Good luck!

 

[Kim N]

I also prefer the VS2!

 

[LLJsmom]

For an SI1, it is super clean. I do trust the opinions of the people at WF. Since they are both I's, I would call WF and tell them you are considering these two stones. Can they pull them and ask them:

1. confirm the SI1 is eye clean and from what distance, or just totally eye clean
2. Ask them which one is whiter (could be high or low I)
3. Ask which one catches their eye more
4. Ask for video

And then decide.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I agree with having them compare the stones especially for color. But I prefer VS or higher for an engagement ring, personally.

 

[headlight]

Ask for a side by side photo (they will do that for you).
It would be good to see if there is a noticeable size difference and, if so, if it will matter to you to have the smaller one.
Also, not sure it matters to you or you know the difference, but I love a 55 table so that would be a vote for me for that stone.
Yet to have a VS1 is really special!
With that said, I have an E color SI2 and because of the color I always go for it over a larger better cut I have in an H, VVS. (I’m drawn to the color and of eye clean i would pick color over clarity.)
On that note, to throw a twist in this, see if they have an SI clarity with an H color. There will be an impactful difference in color between the H and the I.