Please help me decide between two 2ct diamonds!

[SMC]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to decide between two 2 carat diamonds from James Allen:

Option 1: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1546436.asp
Price: $12.9K (with PS discount)
Feedback from JA: "I am also happy to give you the great feedback that the gemologist gave for these diamonds. When she pulled these diamonds, she immediately noticed that the 2.02 carat-J-SI1 (diamond 1546436) had the best light performance of the three. She said that it was a true "J" in color, but the fluorescence of the diamond helps it to face up white and it does not affect the diamond negatively. She also said that the diamond faces up eye clean."
Idealscope:


Options 2: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1545160.asp
Price: $15.7K (with PS discount)
Feedback from JA: "The 2.01 carat-I-SI1 (diamond 1545160) has the next best light performance and while the diamond is an "I" in color, it is a high "I" that is closer to an "H". She feels that it's inclusions blend well and that the untrained eye will not be able to see them and it will face up eye clean."
Idealscope:


I had a 3rd option as well, but it's out of the running. It was an I SI2 and the gemologist said the inclusions were visible to the naked eye. It also had the worst light performance of the three.

Given these choices, which one would you pick? I'm not outside very often so I don't think I would benefit much from the fluorescence of the J. What does light performance really mean? Given the two idealscope images, is the one of the J that much better than the I? I am leaning towards the I SI1 just because of the color.

Thanks so much! This is a very difficult decision for me so I would appreciate any feedback.

 

[wsblue430]

Im not an expert would prefer the "I" color that is closer to a an H as they stated at JA. I like the numbers on this stone and the inclusions are very minimal. So option # 2 would be my preference. Good luck to you!

 

[Roxy]

My vote's for #2 as well!

 

[Enerchi]

I'd go with second diamond unless you know for SURE she's ok with a J for an engagement ring.

#2 looks like the preferred stone IMO

 

[sakari_8]

Based on the description, I think option 1 & option 2 would be similar & the difference between them would be negligible ,
Since JA give return shipping free, I would prefer buying both the stones, see the stones both together side by side,
than keep the stone I like & return the other. Otherwise I like the option 2.

 

[hippi_pixi]

I'd go for the J personally. sounds like it was the most impressive visually. so unless shes sensitive to color i would prefer sparkle. like sakari said if you can buy both and pick th one you like better

 

[tyty333]

For me personally, I would get the J but since this is a gift I would strongly consider getting the
I. It would be nice if you could see them both and make a decision.

 

[Malbec54]

I like the specs on the J, but would try and get both side by side...to determine which is most important to you (color vs. performance).

 

[chrono]

It is a difficult choice as we don't know your (and her) sensitivity to colour or preference. If you have the time, I'd get both to view in person, then pick one.

 

[04diamond<3]

I like the I better. The idealscope on the second one better, and it'll face up bigger because the J is deeper. They're both gorgeous though. But personally, the I looks better.

 

[chicam]

It's a tough call. I like the J better given superior light performance. It looks like it will flash more colors than the I. However I have also had a J ER and I do not like the tint from the side. I wouldn't want a J for an ER, but I'm also a cut nut and could never buy slightly inferior light performing stone.

Seek other options, is MHO.

 

[SMC]

Thanks everyone! It is a really tough choice for me but I think both will be lovely - the gemologist said that I couldn't go wrong with either one. The I has a significant premium over the J but I believe that the tint of the stone from the sides might bother me. It's really just a mind thing for me, but I didn't really want to go down to a lower color than an "I" even if my eyes can't tell the difference.

The idealscope images look so similar to me! How can one tell the J is better than the I from the idealscope?

 

[04diamond<3]

Thanks everyone! It is a really tough choice for me but I think both will be lovely - the gemologist said that I couldn't go wrong with either one. The I has a significant premium over the J but I believe that the tint of the stone from the sides might bother me. It's really just a mind thing for me, but I didn't really want to go down to a lower color than an "I" even if my eyes can't tell the difference.

The idealscope images look so similar to me! How can one tell the J is better than the I from the idealscope?

You can't. Idealscope will only show the cut.

 

[Roxy]

Thanks everyone! It is a really tough choice for me but I think both will be lovely - the gemologist said that I couldn't go wrong with either one. The I has a significant premium over the J but I believe that the tint of the stone from the sides might bother me. It's really just a mind thing for me, but I didn't really want to go down to a lower color than an "I" even if my eyes can't tell the difference.

PSers often stress the importance of "mind clean". In many instances it can be more important than anything else when it comes to your sanity & your ability to actually enjoy what should be an exciting time.
Comparison videos or photos are usually very helpful, so ask JA if they could either shoot a short video showing the two stones together in various lighting environments & various angles or take comparison pics for you. If they can't do a video, then hopefully they can take a series of comparison pics with the diamonds side-by-side in different positions (including face/crown down on a light surface). I'll tell you that there's absolutely nothing "wrong" w/ a high-performing "J" at all, but it sounds like you might be color sensitive & the tint would bother you. So follow your intuition & stay above "J" otherwise, if you're like me, you'll start fixating on the presence of a tint that for the most part isn't even visible (that's why I "voted" for stone #2).

 

[SMC]

Comparison videos or photos are usually very helpful, so ask JA if they could either shoot a short video showing the two stones together in various lighting environments & various angles or take comparison pics for you. If they can't do a video, then hopefully they can take a series of comparison pics with the diamonds side-by-side in different positions (including face/crown down on a light surface).

Such a good idea! I didn't even know JA offered those services. They sent me these two pictures. I can tell the difference in color between an high I and a true J but the color doesn't bother me. I'll see what my bf thinks.

 

[ecf8503]

The idealscope images look so similar to me! How can one tell the J is better than the I from the idealscope?

You can't. Idealscope will only show the cut.

What? Cut in terms of light performance, yes. The whole purpose of the IS is to show if there is leakage of light.

 

[ecf8503]

Really JA? Face down on a black background? You can't see a thing. If the purpose of that pic was to show color they should have shown them from the side with a white background.

 

[SMC]

Really JA? Face down on a black background? You can't see a thing. If the purpose of that pic was to show color they should have shown them from the side with a white background.

Yeah, I agree with you. I think that I can still see the difference in color but then they also told me which one was which - so maybe it's a mind thing!

 

[04diamond<3]

The idealscope images look so similar to me! How can one tell the J is better than the I from the idealscope?

You can't. Idealscope will only show the cut.

What? Cut in terms of light performance, yes. The whole purpose of the IS is to show if there is leakage of light.

HA! I read the question wrong!!!! I thought he asked about seeing the difference in color from the idealscope!! Oi The I stone has less leakage. But I think it's looks better when the two are compared in the picture provided by JA on the site....

And based on the picture JA provided, I'm going to say the stone on the left is the I and it still looks better to me...

 

[chrono]

What is JA doing? How on earth can a person evaluate body colour on a black background?

 

[Roxy]

Really JA? Face down on a black background? You can't see a thing. If the purpose of that pic was to show color they should have shown them from the side with a white background.

Yeah, I agree with you. I think that I can still see the difference in color but then they also told me which one was which - so maybe it's a mind thing!

What is JA doing? How on earth can a person evaluate body colour on a black background?

LOL! Whew, it's good to know that I wasn't the only one thrown off by the black background. In my post, I'd suggested that one of the color pics should be face down on a light background (I've seen the experts use either white or what looks like an extremely pale grey [ref GOG color comparison videos]).

Anyway, Sortmom, you're on the right track w/ asking vendors to provide additional info. I can't buy anything online w/out fully understanding what I'm getting & when it comes to diamonds, I usually choose my vendor based on how much detailed analysis they can provide to help me make an informed decision.

When it comes to diamond color, many folks like the warmth of a J (or below) stone, & you'll see some GORGEOUS examples on PS. But if you happen to prefer icy stones AND you (unfortunately) are color sensitive like me, then you just need to be super vigilant. Not only can I see tint in loose stones, but I can often see it in stones that are mounted (eg, my friend's rings)! To be honest I'd rather just be able to sit back & enjoy the sparkle.