H/SI1 vs. I/VS1

[1001smiles]

Hi, all.
Thanks for all your feedback to my previous thread, which persuaded me to buy online instead of a local store.
So I have found two diamonds that I am choosing between. And have a hypothetical question for the experts. Assuming that there were two diamonds which were identical size (around 1.5 ct), idential cut and same price (I know it''s not possible, but just assume), one was H/SI1 (but eye-clean) and the other was I/VS1, which one should I pick? Can you really tell that color difference between H and I? I hear that very good cut should make the stone look whiter.
Any suggestions are much appreciated.
Thanks again.

 

[coda72]

I would prefer the H, SI stone over the I, VS stone, but I prefer higher colored stones.

 

[researcher]

I would ask to see both stones. It could be that the I faces up just as white or whiter than the H, or that the vendor''s definition of eye clean is not the same as yours. If they are really close in appearance, I would go with the cheaper stone!

 

[esguy27]

Assuming all the things you said were true, I''d take the eye clean SI1 with the H color. If your naked eye can''t tell the difference between the VS1 and the eye clean SI1, why spend the money on the higher clarity then? You''d be better off spending that money on a better color or bigger stone.

 

[DonaBella]

Date: 2/1/2006 1:44:14 PM
Author:1001smiles
Hi, all.
Thanks for all your feedback to my previous thread, which persuaded me to buy online instead of a local store.
So I have found two diamonds that I am choosing between. And have a hypothetical question for the experts. Assuming that there were two diamonds which were identical size (around 1.5 ct), idential cut and same price (I know it''s not possible, but just assume), one was H/SI1 (but eye-clean) and the other was I/VS1, which one should I pick? Can you really tell that color difference between H and I? I hear that very good cut should make the stone look whiter.
Any suggestions are much appreciated.
Thanks again.

Hi...this is a great question and is very personal. For me...I found in looking at several stones that some G-H stones appeared very white while others had a hint of color that I perceived that the jeweler did not. I also saw 2 stones in particular that were I color. Of those, one distinctly had more tint to it, while the other had minimal to none and they were both cushions(***I was in search for a cushion stone at the time***). Had $ not been a factor, I would have gone with the bigger stone which happened to be an I stone. Because $ was a factor, the stone I bought from GOG was delightfully white and amazingly eyeclean for an SI2.

Cut will always be primary for me, then carat, then color. For me, that is the way I feel most comfortable. If you can, take the stone out of jeweler''s lights--maybe outside with them standing next to you, of course--to view the stone in daylight. Turn over the stone so that the face is floor down. The color you see on the sides is the true color or tint of the stone, I found. You can do this in the store as well and it is pretty accurate.

Just my 0.2 cents...

 

[1001smiles]

Thanks.
Looking at them side-by-side would have been a great idea. Unfortunately, when you buy online, you can''t. So you have to trust the vendor when they say eye-clean or both look really white. I guess that''s one of the challenges of buying online.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 2/1/2006 1:59:29 PM
Author: esguy27
Assuming all the things you said were true, I''d take the eye clean SI1 with the H color. If your naked eye can''t tell the difference between the VS1 and the eye clean SI1, why spend the money on the higher clarity then? You''d be better off spending that money on a better color or bigger stone.

Totally agree with this. Assuming they are both eyeclean and both graded by stringent labs (AGS,GIA), I''d absolutely take the H.

 

[DonaBella]

I am not sure who you are working with, but I do understand. If you can persuade them to send out both then you can see them in person for yourself. If that is not an option, you truly are at their mercy and best judgement...but if you receive it and don''t feel good about it, it''s ok to say so...I had a couple of vendors send me out diamonds and I had to turn 2 down.

 

[belle]

Date: 2/1/2006 2:08:48 PM
Author: aljdewey

Date: 2/1/2006 1:59:29 PM
Author: esguy27
Assuming all the things you said were true, I''d take the eye clean SI1 with the H color. If your naked eye can''t tell the difference between the VS1 and the eye clean SI1, why spend the money on the higher clarity then? You''d be better off spending that money on a better color or bigger stone.

Totally agree with this. Assuming they are both eyeclean and both graded by stringent labs (AGS,GIA), I''d absolutely take the H.

double totally agree.

 

[firebirdgold]

All Si''s are not created equal. I''d want to check out the grading report''s diagram. My personal preference would be for inclusions that are not concentrated in the table area, but more on the fringes. A smallish cloud or a couple of clear crystals under the table are acceptable for me. Even better if some of the flaws are in areas that can be covered when you set the stone.
But it''s amazing how diverse people''s opinons are on clarity.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 2/1/2006 2:21:35 PM
Author: Wren
All Si''s are not created equal. I''d want to check out the grading report''s diagram. My personal preference would be for inclusions that are not concentrated in the table area, but more on the fringes.

Why does this matter? She''s already clarified that the stone is eyeclean for purposes of this question. If it''s eyeclean.....you can''t SEE it......then why does it matter where they are? You can''t see them!

As a side note, many of the vendors will tell you not to place a great deal of stock in the grading plot diagram. It isn''t necessarily representative....sometimes it is, but it''s not gospel.

 

[1001smiles]

Hi. Here''s the pic from the certificate.
I know the vendor says eye-clean, but they are a bit biased...

 

[belle]

why would you say the vendor is biased? that is the importance of a vedor having a good definition of eye clean. it would not make sense for them to say a stone is eye-clean only to have it not be. that would be a costly, time consuming. if you don''t trust the vendor, don''t buy from them.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 2/1/2006 2:42:08 PM
Author: belle
why would you say the vendor is biased? that is the importance of a vedor having a good definition of eye clean. it would not make sense for them to say a stone is eye-clean only to have it not be. that would be a costly, time consuming. if you don''t trust the vendor, don''t buy from them.

Couldn''t agree more Sis.

 

[1001smiles]

good point, Belle. I guess I''m just a bit nervious about buying online.
So everybody votes for the H-color, right?

 

[Shay37]

Date: 2/1/2006 2:47:04 PM
Author: 1001smiles
good point, Belle. I guess I''m just a bit nervious about buying online.
So everybody votes for the H-color, right?

Yup, yup, yup.

shay

 

[cobrateach]

For sure the H.....

 

[Gonzodogg]

All other things being equal - Yes