Need help with ideal scope images and diamond selection

[bogmlms]

I'm a newbie to diamond buying and despite scouring through numerous articles I think I really need help deciding between two options.

What I'm looking for -> 1+ ct, H+, VS2+, AGS 0 or GIA 3xEX and for $7K-

I found 2 diamonds meeting this criteria - #1 is a GIA 3xEX 1.01 ct H/VS2 and #2 is an AGS0 1.03 ct H/VS2 and prices within $50 of each other. See the ideal scope images below. Vendor's GG recommends #1 for a couple of notches higher light performance and a whiter (closer to G) color but I'm not sure what to make of the 32.5 degree crown angle which is outside of nearly everybody's recommended range? So which diamond would you recommend?

Detailed specs are as follows:

#1: GIA 3xEX and is the top grade "branded" cut that this vendor offers
Link to GIA report - https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=6137797661&weight=1.01
Size: 6.50x6.53x3.94
HCA: 0.8
Table: 57
Depth: 60.4
Crown angle: 32.5
Pavilion: angle: 41
Star/Lower Half: 50/80

#2: AGS0 Ideal cut
Link to AGS report - http://www.agslab.com/reportTypes/pdqdf.php?StoneID=104060446023&Weight=1.032&D=1
HCA: 1.3
Size: 6.51x6.55x3.99
Table: 56
Depth: 61.1
Crown angle: 34.3
Pavilion: angle: 40.8
Star/Lower Half: 51/78

 

[John P]

Both of them have strong IS images. Based on the make parameters I'm a fan of #2.

 

[bunnycat]

I like the second one better. It falls more in line with ideal specs.

If they are from James Allen, then from what I understand the gemologists there tend to favor shallower stones and white light return so you may want to take that in to consideration in your deliberation. I have seen the shallower stone chosen by them over and over again in threads here, when others preferred images of other stones and so that may be a personal preference thing.

 

[bogmlms]

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like with a 32.5 crown I shouldn't expect a "balanced" light return regardless of the other proportions?

Also, is TIC (Tolkowsky Ideal Cut) synonymous with Ideal cut and if not, what is the difference? Over here http://www.diamond-cut.com.au/23_bicfic.htm the TIC crown angle is between 32.5 and 35.5 - where does this fit in?

 

[JulieN]

The second one is a TIC, the first leans BIC.