Help with two 1.5 ct round diamonds

[sl517]

I have 2 diamonds that I need help with. Both display a high level of fire and sparkle and are both ideal cuts but I am torn between the color and clarity between the two. The first diamond is a 1.52 G SI1. I asked the vendor if it is eye clean and it is indeed so. The second diamond is an 1.52 I VS2. I am concern that that I colored diamond will give off a noticeable yellow color when set into a white gold setting. I have done countless research and I've seen videos and pictures of G and I stone side by side and I cannot set them apart but I am the type that needs a lot of convincing. I am also unsure if i should settle for an SI1 clarity even if it is eye clean. So my question is to y'all is which diamond would seem to be the diamond of choice with you guys? The price of the G colored diamond is about $300 dollar more than the I colored. It seems that my ideal diamond would be a G VS2 but that would put me out of my price range unless I go down in size which I am willing to do. thanks

 

[yssie]

videos and pictures aren't enough: go to your local jared or HoF dealer and look at some well-cut stones in your size range in person. This is the only way to truly understand what your tolerances and preferences are re. colour. Everyone's monitor is calibrated slightly differently, and unless all photos were taken at the same time in a perfectly controlled lighting environment (and are of stones of the size and proportions you're considering) there is no inbuilt basis for comparison

make sure you know what metrics your vendor uses to determine 'eyeclean' and whether those requirements satisfy your desires.

 

[Amys Bling]

videos and pictures aren't enough: go to your local jared or HoF dealer and look at some well-cut stones in your size range in person. This is the only way to truly understand what your tolerances and preferences are re. colour. Everyone's monitor is calibrated slightly differently, and unless all photos were taken at the same time in a perfectly controlled lighting environment (and are of stones of the size and proportions you're considering) there is no inbuilt basis for comparison

make sure you know what metrics your vendor uses to determine 'eyeclean' and whether those requirements satisfy your desires.

ditto. The only way to know what your color preferences are - are to see stones that are the same cut you are looking at - Ideal/Excellent RB- in the same size (compare like size diamonds as stone size can affect how color shows)- and different color. THis way you know what YOU prefer.

 

[Frenchcut]

I agree with what has been said above: only in real life can you make sure if the difference in color will be a problem of not...

For instance I would have never guessed I was color sensitive before I first went to a jeweller to compare diamonds, and may have ended making a big mistake in choosing an online diamond!

Good luck with your search

 

[Anonymous6]

This is something I just went through.... almost EXACTLY.

I, too, am looking at round cut diamonds of 1.5ct... in the very beginning I was looking at "I" colored just because it broadened my search and let me do more with my budget.

Well, I've been to a few B&M stores and had many different diamonds from I to E in color... and let me tell you, the difference between "I" and "G" was substantial to me.

I had no idea I was this color sensitive, and you may be too. I know they were side by side, but hey that helped in my decision from jumping to G or better color. It was whiter and TO ME, resulted in a better sparkle. The "I" stones that I looked at just gave a yellow-ish tone. Again, these were side by side but it was noticeable to me.

Some people aren't color sensitive and "I" and "J" are fine. But you definitely need to go into a store and see for yourself. Color suddenly jumped up to my #2 deciding factor behind cut.... and it's a pretty close 2nd at this point.


Also another thing I've realized is clarity is not that big an issue to me so long as it is truly eye clean as you know. I looked at an SI-2 eye clean stone today and trust me, I could not see a thing! and I tried my hardest just to convince myself SI2 was no good for me.... so an SI1 if eye clean would be just as good to me. You pay quite the difference to move up from SI1 to VS2 as you've stated...

With the return policies now, and getting confirmation of eye clean SI1s... I think that's the way to go if you don't want to budge on price and size.

 

[D&T]

When viewing a diamond unset loose, I can almost tell the color difference of one grade and is noticeable in body color, if you can view each diamond in a setting (even if you just plopped in one of their setting) you might find that the color is a little less obvious. I highly recommend if you go to a B&M to try and see it in a setting as well (not resting upon prongs, but cradle in), as you don't wear a loose diamond and you might find it less noticeable.

 

[Anonymous6]

Good point D&T

most of the color differences came around the sides, rather than face up.... but even in a setting to me, I could see quite a difference from an "I" to a "G"... but that's supposed to be the case for the mostpart is it not?

I is on the low end of the "near colorless" while "G" is one grade away from being "colorless"

Another point I'd like to make is I could not see a difference between "G" and F" color... and you'll pay more for an "F" since it is classified as "colorless"


just some more points that you really do need to go to a store and take a look at them. There's two things most people can see in person... and that's color and eye clean clarity. That's how I am anyway.... but I haven't seen an ACA H&A diamond in person yet so who knows what that has in store for me.

 

[Dancing Fire]

if eye clean i'll take the G SI1..

 

[stonednewbie]

Same here.

 

[sl517]

Thank you everyone for your opinions. The more I think about it the more I'm leaning towards the G colored stone. Even though its an SI1 clarity, if its eye clean I shouldn't be able to see it but I would hate to detect any warmth on the I colored stone if I end up getting it. I have asked the vendor if they can find me a G VS2 diamond at a smaller size just to see how much the price difference will be.