Opinions needed on these stones please

[cardinalrocketfish]

Hi all,

I'm trying to choose a round brilliant cut natural diamond for a platinum solitaire setting. I'm prioritising cut over colour and clarity. So far I've narrowed it down to two options (both GIA triple excellent rating) and need some help choosing:

1) 0.62 ct, colour I, clarity VS2, cut excellent. Polish excellent, symmetry excellent, fluorescence faint. Proportions: Depth 61.3%, table 55%, crown angle 34, crown height 15%, pavilion angle 40.6, pavilion depth 42.5%, star length 45%, lower half 80%, girdle med-sl.thick, faceted 3.5%, culet none. Clarity characteristics: crystal (in the photo below you can see a dark small crystal in the centre left of table. My online jeweller assures me its eye clean and this isn't very visible.)


2) Approx $100 more than option 1- 0.63 ct, colour I, clarity VVS2, cut excellent, polish excellent, symmetry excellent, fluorescence faint. Proportions: depth 61.7%, table 56%, crown angle 34, crown height 14.5%, pavilion angle 41, pavilion depth 43%, star length 45%, lower half 80%, girdle med-sl.thick, faceted 4%, culet none. Clarity characteristics: pinpoint (see photo below).




My online jeweller is trying to convince me not to pair colour I with platinum bands, and that I should stick to H or above otherwise it will be too warm coloured. Quite frustrating because I can't view these in person to double check.

Any advice on any aspects of these stones much appreciated.

 

[DejaWiz]

I like the CA and PA pairing better for option #2.

Color is purely subjective, and sensitivity/tolerance will differ from person to person.
Plenty of folks here have I or J, even K or L diamonds in white gold or platinum bands and they love them.
Others will stick to the D-G range for silver colored rings.
Totally subjective.

If you don't mind saying so, what prices are you being quoted for the two diamonds in question?

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Both diamonds look promising! As far as the color goes, will the setting allow the side of the diamond to be seen? I wouldn't be concerned with pairing an I colored stone with platinum. It will face up white if it is well cut. I had an I set in cobalt chrome which is a very white metal and it didn't bother me face on. However I could see a fair amount of tint from the side which bothered me and decided to upgrade to a G. You may not be bothered at all.

 

[cardinalrocketfish]

I like the CA and PA pairing better for option #2.

Color is purely subjective, and sensitivity/tolerance will differ from person to person.
Plenty of folks here have I or J, even K or L diamonds in white gold or platinum bands and they love them.
Others will stick to the D-G range for silver colored rings.
Totally subjective.

If you don't mind saying so, what prices are you being quoted for the two diamonds in question?

Would a difference from 40.6 to 41 PA make a big difference to the look of the diamond for the same CA? Doesn't seem like much but finding all these numbers very complicated!

Also, do you think the star length 45% on both would be a slight disadvantage with these? I read somewhere it should be 50+ ideally for my numbers.

On cost I'm in the UK so option 1 £1810gbp (approx 2505usd), option 2 1890gbp (approx 2615usd).

 

[cardinalrocketfish]

Both diamonds look promising! As far as the color goes, will the setting allow the side of the diamond to be seen? I wouldn't be concerned with pairing an I colored stone with platinum. It will face up white if it is well cut. I had an I set in cobalt chrome which is a very white metal and it didn't bother me face on. However I could see a fair amount of tint from the side which bothered me and decided to upgrade to a G. You may not be bothered at all.

Thanks, thats very reassuring. I've tried to optimise the cut numbers and the carat is fairly small so fingers crossed it will be ok. It's a plain solitaire platinum setting, a bit like the Tiffany setting so I probably will see it from the side, but for the price increase for H+ I'm ok with that!

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Thanks, thats very reassuring. I've tried to optimise the cut numbers and the carat is fairly small so fingers crossed it will be ok. It's a plain solitaire platinum setting, a bit like the Tiffany setting so I probably will see it from the side, but for the price increase for H+ I'm ok with that!

Can you request ASET or IS images? How about video? The more information you can get the better. I'm not sure which PA to suggest. I'd be inclined to go with the 41 as DejaWiz suggested. Have you put them both in the HCA?

 

[lovedogs]

These seem overpriced to me, but not sure if UK pricing is different. You could get a super ideal from whiteflash for less, but then VAT would be an issue

 

[cardinalrocketfish]

Can you request ASET or IS images? How about video? The more information you can get the better. I'm not sure which PA to suggest. I'd be inclined to go with the 41 as DejaWiz suggested. Have you put them both in the HCA?

Unfortunately they don't have these available. Thanks, will look at the HCA now.

 

[cardinalrocketfish]

These seem overpriced to me, but not sure if UK pricing is different. You could get a super ideal from whiteflash for less, but then VAT would be an issue

I was thinking that (looking at the forum price calculator in USD) but its probably that like many things its just more expensive to buy diamonds here. Unfortunately I don't have a US trip planned anytime soon.

 

[cardinalrocketfish]

Actually, looking at the HCA the prices look pretty comparable in the States. Think I've just chosen an expensive cut.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Actually, looking at the HCA the prices look pretty comparable in the States. Think I've just chosen an expensive cut.

I'm referring to the Halloway Cut Advisor. It checks a diamonds Proportions and is useful for weeding out potential problem stones. https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

 

[cardinalrocketfish]

I'm referring to the Halloway Cut Advisor. It checks a diamonds Proportions and is useful for weeding out potential problem stones. https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

Yes have just typed the details in for both, and it also comes up with comparable diamond costs in US shops at the bottom of the page. Seem similar to what I'm quoted (although as far as I was aware diamonds are usually more expensive in UK).

Bit confused on the readings though. Haven't used the HCA before. Option 1 got a HCA score of 0.5, option 2 scored 1.2. Looks like option 2 scored worse which was not what I was expecting.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Yes have just typed the details in for both, and it also comes up with comparable diamond costs in US shops at the bottom of the page. Seem similar to what I'm quoted (although as far as I was aware diamonds are usually more expensive in UK).

Bit confused on the readings though. Haven't used the HCA before. Option 1 got a HCA score of 0.5, option 2 scored 1.2. Looks like option 2 scored worse which was not what I was expecting.

Actually you are correct. Option 2 is a better choice. Here are some notes at the bottom of the HCA page which you might have not seen.


Helpful Tips:

• Scores of 0-1 are usually not best for rings.
• Most people prefer stones that score 1-2, or even top Hearts & Arrows symmetry stones up to 3.0.
• Zero is almost impossible since many performance factors conflict.
• Crown % and Pavilion % are less accurate than angles.

 

[DejaWiz]

Have you looked at 77 Diamonds? They are based in London.

To get the CA and PA angles for most of their diamonds, you will have to click on the "View the GIA online report" from their grading report pop-up window for a given diamond.

Here are a couple of examples of their offerings:

0.60 F VS2 - £1637 GBP (pre-VAT)
Item Code RBCPSWMWKJNR

GIA - Report Check

www.gia.edu

0.60 F VS2 - £1690 GBP (pre-VAT)
Item Code RBZDRAXXFGC

GIA - Report Check

www.gia.edu

 

[cardinalrocketfish]

Have you looked at 77 Diamonds? They are based in London.

To get the CA and PA angles for most of their diamonds, you will have to click on the "View the GIA online report" from their grading report pop-up window for a given diamond.

Here are a couple of examples of their offerings:

0.60 F VS2 - £1637 GBP (pre-VAT)
Item Code RBCPSWMWKJNR

GIA - Report Check

www.gia.edu

0.60 F VS2 - £1690 GBP (pre-VAT)
Item Code RBZDRAXXFGC

GIA - Report Check

www.gia.edu

Hadn't seen them, thanks will take a look

 

[cardinalrocketfish]

Thanks for the advice everyone and @DejaWiz in particular- that retailer gives better service than the one I was using and also better pricing (although its still no Whiteflash/Brian Gavin/James Allen. Would love to shop with these instead but want to avoid shipping/tax issues. UK online retailers don’t seem so transparent with details and imaging yet unfortunately).

Have decided to go down to SL1 clarity and stay with colour I for best value. It will go in a plain platinum six prong solitaire setting. Spent some time trawling thorough this site and narrowed it down to 2 similar options, both I colour, SL1 eye clean, triple excellent ratings, no undisclosed colour or haze, GIA Certified:

1. 0.57ct, depth 61.6%, table 56%, CA 34.5, PA 40.8, Star 50%, Lower half 80%, Girdle 3.5%, culet none, fluorescence medium blue, clarity characteristics: cloud, crystal, feather. £1870 incl. taxes (diamond only).

HCA 1.1, light return, fire, scintillation all excellent, spread very good.

Video: https://www.77diamonds.com/diamonds/view.aspx?id=RBPUIFSFHB5MEER

2. 0.6ct, depth 61.6%, table 57%, CA 34.5, PA 40.8, Star 45%, Lower half 80%, Girdle 4%, culet none, fluorescence strong blue, clarity characteristics: crystal, feather, twinning wisp. £2180 incl. taxes, about £300 (~$400) more expensive.

HCA 1.2, light return, fire, scintillation all excellent, spread very good.



Video: https://www.77diamonds.com/diamonds/view.aspx?id=RBMB4HFRBKNS

Unfortunately I can’t get any other images nor travel to see them in person.

Difficult to choose since they seem so similar but I’m leaning towards the cheaper option since I don’t think .57 to .6 ct size difference will be that noticeable and probably not worth paying £400 for.

Also the fluorescence, star and girdle % seem better on 1 (don’t know if they would matter that much though).

The video for 1 has worse resolution so its difficult to see but it seems a slightly warmer colour than 2 which is a negative for me, but maybe thats just the lighting. Also 2 seems to have better sparkle than 1, but again I’m not sure thats just down to poorer quality video in 1.

Anyone have any advice on which to choose?

 

[mwilliamanderson]

They’re both lovely but I’d lean towards the medium fluorescence rather than strong. I vote for 1.

 

[headlight]

#2 is much prettier!

 

[lovedogs]

The video for 1 is awful, but I prefer it overall to stone 2

 

[cardinalrocketfish]

Yeah agreed, I think thats what is putting me off 1, but the cost saving is definitely selling it for me

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Yeah agreed, I think thats what is putting me off 1, but the cost saving is definitely selling it for me

I think it's the lighting set up honestly. Look at the difference in background color between the two videos. Most likely they are both being filmed on a white backdrop. How is the return policy?

 

[cardinalrocketfish]

I think it's the lighting set up honestly. Look at the difference in background color between the two videos. Most likely they are both being filmed on a white backdrop. How is the return policy?

Agreed, I believe I'd be able to swap for the other stone without too much trouble (if it was still available).