Help me choose between these two diamonds!

[wuffers]

Been a lurker for the past month here, and am ready to pull the trigger VERY soon. PriceScope has been a fountain of information (and cause of many headaches lol because there are so many darned choices!).

I initially wanted this one:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2329027.htm
but it sold under my nose while I was researching.. grumble grumble.

I've basically pared it down to these two now:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2424960.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275589.htm

and would like some opinions. After talking to Whiteflash (they were very nice, by the way), they did suggest the 1.704 carat as it was a "cleaner" diamond by looking at the AGS certificate. Looking at the Ideal Scope and Aset more myself, it looks like the 1.5 carat diamond might have a bit more brilliance (look at the table). There's quite a difference when looking at both and the 1.7 shows some leakage at the 6:30 position.

I don't really think I can go wrong with either but I am having trouble making my mind up.

 

[yssie]

BOth are gorgeous stones.

neither is leaky
one is not more brilliant/brighter than the other - or at least, can't tell this from photos, you'd have to see them both in person to make this sort of judgment and it will be based on tiny details if at all
when it comes to VS1 in this size "more clean" is dissecting minutiae, and there will be no effect on performance whatsoever
so not to worry, can pick based on size or budget

 

[stone-cold11]

Both look good. The IS leakage looks like a image taking artifact as it is not present in the ASET. You can ask WF to retake that image.

 

[mrgodai]

at this point, just pick the size/price ratio you want since everything else is equal. but i would suggest go for the smaller one, with the life time trade up (as long as the new one cost more, even if it's $1) you can always switch to a bigger one when you find it later.

i don't understand how the WF pricing work sometimes, the 1.617 and 1.521 are both H VS1 ACA, and yet, the price difference is only about $200. for that 0.09 difference near the 0.8 it would cost me $500+ and a lot more $diff on bigger stones on WF and most other sites. I doubt it's the cut? since both look great.

 

[mrgodai]

I'm sure price is not your concern, but what about this one?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2308992.htm

HCA 1.1 EX/EX/EX/VG
the most inclusion is at the lower half, which you will never see when in a setting, it's a bigger diamond for the price, everything looks great.

The expert select offers all the same warranty/benefits as ACA, plus you can trade to an ACA later.

I asked WF regarding ACA and Expert on the performance/brilliance, they just told me it's the cut/symmetry, and hinted they dont really grade on the performance/brilliance

also watch these videos before you decide on image/numbers alone
http://vimeo.com/5081590
http://vimeo.com/4892106

 

[wuffers]

Yeah, I thought the 1.617 was a pretty good deal but it was sold (must have been just a few days ago!). The price/carat on ACA is kind of strange, even within the same color/clarity range.

I found another one here:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275592.htm

I'm getting WF to retake that IS image on the 1.704. I had also requested a BrillianceScope for those diamonds, but their rep told me that although they do have a machine, they cannot stand behind the results because they never were consistent across many tests.

The price difference isn't that much that I would just take the smaller stone, and considering that my to-be fiance (being optimistic here, she hasn't said yes yet! ) REALLY wanted a 2 carat, I can't go wrong with going bigger. At VS1 H a 2 carat jumps to around $30k, waaaaaayyy out of my budget. I was hoping to stick to 10k/carat for that range and H&A.

The good thing is that I already decided on a setting, the MWM Fancy Torchiere (another PriceScope inspired decision).

 

[mrgodai]

If size is her thing, and you want the diamond to affect the chance for her to say yes, i would put size before everything, then color, and eye clean of course.

again watch the videos.

this 20k one http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2400041.htm might be the ticket if it's eye clean up REALLY close. But it's a no if you think she'll want to put it under a loupe before say yes.. in that case i'll be full of ???? lol

 

[wuffers]

I'm sure price is not your concern, but what about this one?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2308992.htm

HCA 1.1 EX/EX/EX/VG
the most inclusion is at the lower half, which you will never see when in a setting, it's a bigger diamond for the price, everything looks great.

Price IS a concern as I'm already over budget. I know that to the naked eye, SI1 would visually be almost the same as a VS1. What I do know though, is that my GF would *prefer* a VS1 or better, so there we go. Funny thing, she said she didn't care what I got her and not to spend too much, but it would be nice to be VS1+, I+ and 2.0+ carat. I think batting .667 here is pretty good.

The expert select offers all the same warranty/benefits as ACA, plus you can trade to an ACA later.

I asked WF regarding ACA and Expert on the performance/brilliance, they just told me it's the cut/symmetry, and hinted they dont really grade on the performance/brilliance

The only problem I have with these upgrades is that they only pay you what you paid for the diamond at time of purchase. It doesn't take into account appreciation or inflation, but still, an upgrade policy is better than none (and especially since you qualify spending $1 more).

also watch these videos before you decide on image/numbers alone
http://vimeo.com/5081590
http://vimeo.com/4892106

Good stuff, that GOG. Spent a lot of time on there too.

 

[stone-cold11]

Drop to a eye-clean SI1 and you can make it to 2carat mark.

For example. Check with WF if it is eye-clean if you are interested.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275583.htm

 

[mrgodai]

if it's ideal cut, clean idealscope/hearts, and same color, size will be the only thing she notices. take the 1.7 to a store and compare it to a 1.5, she wont care about the VS1 vs IS1 anymore, lol

but then again, it's a mind thing, which i fell victim of, now that is hard to please without spending more $$$

 

[wuffers]

Well, just went ahead with the 1.704. Getting excited!

I'll post pictures once I get the images that Mark will send over when he's done with it.

Thanks PriceScope for making me one very informed first-time diamond buyer!

 

[mrgodai]

Well, just went ahead with the 1.704. Getting excited!

I'll post pictures once I get the images that Mark will send over when he's done with it.

Thanks PriceScope for making me one very informed first-time diamond buyer!

Congrats! I can guarantee you going to fall in love with the stone the moment you see it. My heart skipped when i saw my diamond today! I seriously want to keep this for myself, lol.