G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help needed!

[DiamondDigger_YP]

Hello and respect to all of you forum folks!

Before i even started all this selection process i had no idea what i am getting myself into, but after spending a few weeks online and visiting few local jewelers i am realizing that shopping for a diamond could even be more difficult than buying a vehicle. I am here because i believe you guys will provide me with good and unbiased opinion, unlike some of the jewelers i visited. Anyway, let me get to the point here. So basically i have a set budget of $3,500 (band included) for the ring and looking to get the most value out of it. So far it looks like Blue Nile is my top choice at the moment. So for approximately $3,200 it looks like i can get a decent Signature Ideal 0.6 Carat F / VVS2 diamond + $375 for the ring + taxes = approx. my budget limit. Things were looking good and i was almost ready to go ahead and make the purchase but then i started reading more and more and looking at more diamonds and now i am questioning myself how much can i go lower on color/clarity characteristics without affecting the "naked-eye" quality look of the diamond. For example, for approx. $2,500 i can also get 0.6 Carat Signature Ideal G / VS2 stone (a $700 difference)...pretty significant. If there wont be any noticeable differences, i would feel pretty stupid buying the F / VVS2 stone. Just doesn't make any sense, because i know that once i purchase, no one is going to check it, analyze in details, etc...

What do you guys think about these two choices? Both stones are from Signature Ideal Collection, both have same other characteristics (symmetry, fluorescence, etc.). Should i not be dumb and opt out for a G/VS2 stone and save $700? Please provide your feedback. My goal is to have the stone that looks beautiful and sparkling and shiny and nice ). Let me put it this way in a key bottom line question: how much can i sacrifice on color and cut before my untrained naked eye starts noticing the lower quality when compared right next to the best possible diamond out there (D / FL? ).

I would like to thank you all in advance for your feedback! It is greatly appreciated! Respect to all!

 

[BriBee]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

I'm not a total expert, but I believe you could easily go to a G/VS2 and save some money. Color differences tend to be more noticeable to people than clarity within these ranges. VS2 should be eye clean though, and I don't think you will see much (if any)variance from F to G. Here is a link to some great info and video about color from Good Old Gold's website. Hope this helps

http://goodoldgold.com/content.php?c=14


ETA: The most important thing is that a stone is well cut, a well cut stone can face up very white, even in lower color ranges. It also depends what shape you are looking at. Once you have things narrowed down maybe you can post more specific specs or pictures and reports and the experts here can give you some great advice. I am personally having Jonathan at GOG find me some stones to look at. I am in a different state but they are an awesome company and provide pictures, reports, and videos to make buying a diamond online as easy as possible!

 

[SB621]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

I would personally drop down to an SI stone that is eye clean (they should be able to tell you) and color down to a G/ H, to get a bigger diamond with a better cut. Ultimately if the cut is bad then the diamond can look smaller and have less brilliance. If it is a well cut diamond/ performer it will appear bigger and brighter.

What shape are you looking for? A round?

 

[maccers]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

Like Sarahbear said, you can drop on colour and clarity but don't drop in CUT. Cut is what is going to make your stone sparkle and appear more white. I'm assuming you're looking for a round brilliant?

Clarity, as said earlier, you can go down to SI1 fairly safely - ask the vendor if it's eyeclean. Colour - most people can't see the difference between a D and an I. Some can, depends if you're colour-sensitive. Another possibility is a stone with fluorescence - fluor can often make a stone appear 'whiter'. Check out Brian Gaving Blue Line for fluor stones - good value there.

 

[rubybeth]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

Only problem with the suggestions for SI1 stones is that he wants to go with Blue Nile, and they are a drop-shipper and can't tell you if it's eye-clean. A vendor like James Allen with the Pricescope discount might be a better choice for more diamonds in the .5-.8 range. I haven't run the numbers in the HCA, but this is a .73 G-SI1 forr $2,740 (not sure how much less with PS discount--would need to ask):

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/0.73-carat-G-color-SI1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-189790

And they have a number of solitaire settings in the $400-$600 range, I like that this one is 18k and comfort-fit: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/Engagement-Rings/Solitaire/18K-White-Gold-2mm-Comfort-Fit-Solitaire-Engagement-Ring-item-54

If you are sticking with Blue Nile, however, I think you could go with H VS2. Also, color seems to show more in larger stones. I wear a half carat stone that's an I-color radiant, and I see no body color whatsoever. I know others will disagree, but I think with an ideal or close to ideal cut stone, you can go to I VS2 with under 1 carat stones and not notice color, unless you are extremely color sensitive. Again, haven't run the numbers in the HCA, but looks nice to me, a .80 I-SI1 for $2,980:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/0.80-carat-I-color-SI1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-173534

Edited to add:

My goal is to have the stone that looks beautiful and sparkling and shiny and nice ). Let me put it this way in a key bottom line question: how much can i sacrifice on color and cut before my untrained naked eye starts noticing the lower quality when compared right next to the best possible diamond out there (D / FL? ).

It is the CUT that will make the diamond beautiful and sparkling and shiny and nice, so color and clarity are priorities below cut, every single time. The best possible diamond is not necessarily D/FL, esp. if you are comparing your stone against average mall jewelry store wares, many of which have unreliable certificates/grading (RubyBeth's Diamond Grading services now available... pay me $50 and I'll grade any stone as D/FL!). Personally, I'd rather have a larger, AGS or GIA graded ideal cut G-I color, VS2-SI1 any day of the week.

 

[cygnet]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

Here's an I that looks promising:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/0.80-carat-I-color-SI1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-173534

If you're not willing to go down to an I, here are some others I think look nice:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/0.73-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-185672
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/0.72-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-sku-140588
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/0.71-carat-H-color-SI1-clarity-sku-184429
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/0.74-carat-G-color-SI1-clarity-sku-185367

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

I would got to G VS2 and use the $700 to increase the size!

 

[DiamondDigger_YP]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

Thanks all for the feedback. I am also starting to lean more towards G / VS2 as it looks like there are no naked-eye differences, so why would i pay for something that doesn't really provide any value other than whats on the paper. So now it looks like if i go with G/VS2 i can use that price difference towards the size, which roughly bumps me up from .60 to .70 carat. Sounds great to me. Also, i dont think i want to go any bigger than .7 carat because her hands are relatively small, so it just wouldnt look right...I simply want something small nice and elegant.

In reply to earlier posts above:
Yes, I am looking for a round cut diamond out of Blue Nile's "Signature Ideal" category which they claim is the best of the best top 1% of all diamonds. So i believe it is the best cut possible. Does anyone have any experience with Blue Nile's Signature Ideal diamonds? Are they really that special? Or should i downgrade one step to simply "Ideal" and again - save another few hundreds without any notable differences?

If anyone knows for other comparable alternatives - please let me know!

 

[Roxy]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

I would got to G VS2 and use the $700 to increase the size!

+1 I absolutely agree w/ DS. If you're sticking w/ Blue Nile Signature stones, you shouldn't go below VS2 clarity, and you'll be safest if you don't go below the G-H color range. That way you can apply the savings to a larger diamond purchase.

 

[ame]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

I am a very mind clean AND eye clean person. I would be ok with a VS2 if I could not see anything from any angle, any distance, any anything. And I would have to see photos of the thing in a million angles and lighting environments, besides the usual IS/ASET images if I was not seeing it in person. It cannot be visible without a loupe, period. So for me, apparently VS1 might be the sweet spot. But I could go with GHI on color easily, esp with fluor.

 

[BriBee]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

If anyone knows for other comparable alternatives - please let me know![/quote]


I would check out some of the links to stones that people have posted above. If you are set on going with Blue Nile then you should do what makes you most comfortable, but there are several great PS vendors that can offer more in the way of actual photos and videos of the stones before you make a purchase. Many people prefer to shop for a stone in person as opposed to online, but that doesn't seem to be an issue here. For me, I would absolutely want to see as much as possible in the way of scans, pictures, etc even when buying in person. James Allen, Whiteflash, and GOG are all great vendors to check out, and all of them offer stones with the highest cut qualities.

 

[cygnet]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/0.64-carat-D-color-VS2-clarity-sku-177320

The D color is a bit overkill, but it's in the price and size range you're looking at, and it's a beautiful diamond. GIA Ex/Ex/Ex. It's probably my favorite of the ones I've seen on JA that match your criteria.

 

[Roxy]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

Thanks all for the feedback. I am also starting to lean more towards G / VS2 as it looks like there are no naked-eye differences, so why would i pay for something that doesn't really provide any value other than whats on the paper. So now it looks like if i go with G/VS2 i can use that price difference towards the size, which roughly bumps me up from .60 to .70 carat. Sounds great to me. Also, i dont think i want to go any bigger than .7 carat because her hands are relatively small, so it just wouldnt look right...I simply want something small nice and elegant.

In reply to earlier posts above:
Yes, I am looking for a round cut diamond out of Blue Nile's "Signature Ideal" category which they claim is the best of the best top 1% of all diamonds. So i believe it is the best cut possible. Does anyone have any experience with Blue Nile's Signature Ideal diamonds? Are they really that special? Or should i downgrade one step to simply "Ideal" and again - save another few hundreds without any notable differences?

If anyone knows for other comparable alternatives - please let me know!

No, you never want to compromise on "cut". You'll find a wide range of opinions from us regarding color or clarity but I can't think of one PSer who would suggest that you "downgrade" on cut. One of the reasons why we can tell you you're "safe" with a lower color or clarity is because the stone will be a high performing, extremely well cut stone.

So, if Blue Nile is your vendor of choice, stay with their "Signature Ideals". Just pull up the specs for a few of the stones you're thinking about and plug them into the HCA tool (on one of the top tabs of the PS website) & see which one gives you the best score. For a Blue Nile purchase, I don't think there's much more analysis that you can get (e.g., they don't provide videos, IS, etc etc), so just make sure they have a great return policy.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

Blue Nile's Signature Ideals are not better than WhiteFlash A Cut Above, Good Old Gold Signature, James Allen True Hearts, etc. I prefer the latter three because they post photos of the stone and either post or provide upon request idealscope images.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2680227.htm ($3578 w/pricescope-wire discounts, and they have two more almost identical to this one)

 

[rubybeth]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

Blue Nile's Signature Ideals are not better than WhiteFlash A Cut Above, Good Old Gold Signature, James Allen True Hearts, etc. I prefer the latter three because they post photos of the stone and either post or provide upon request idealscope images.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2680227.htm ($3578 w/pricescope-wire discounts, and they have two more almost identical to this one)

Nice, but $3,500 is his max, incl. setting, which is another reason I suggested James Allen.

 

[DiamondDigger_YP]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

So what do you guys think about this one:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=NavDiaSea#diamonds_pid=LD03010680

HCA grading is Excellent across all 4 areas.

Thanks again for all your feedback.

 

[Roxy]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

So what do you guys think about this one:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=NavDiaSea#diamonds_pid=LD03010680

HCA grading is Excellent across all 4 areas.

Thanks again for all your feedback.

This looks like a winner, so go for it! The HCA score is 1.0 (which is good because you want a score under 2). The spread was the only thing that didn't rate "excellent", but the diamond's light performance will be beautiful. Congratulations on finding a great stone!

 

[MAC-W]

Re: G/VS2 vs. F/VVS2 Naked-eye difference? Novice help neede

So what do you guys think about this one:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=NavDiaSea#diamonds_pid=LD03010680

HCA grading is Excellent across all 4 areas.

Thanks again for all your feedback.

HCA score means it should be nice and sparkly.

If you wanted to go a little bigger (still within your budget) you could consider this one which also scores well.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?saction=PAGE&startIndex=0#diamonds_pid=LD03051200



ETA: A friend bought from bluenile a while back and used HCA to weed out non-performers. He got a beautiful diamond and at a great price.