which one would you pick?

[xuancali01]

I narrowed my search down to these 3 round stones from Blue Nile. They all have excellent cut, with option 2 and option 3 being BL Signature Ideal.

My questions are:
1) Is it worth to upgrade from G to F color and doing down 0.1 carat (from a 1.51 to 1.40 carat)? The difference in price is negligible with option 1 saving me $300 -$400.

2) If yes to F color, what would you pick bw option 2 & 3?

Also, can anyone comment on the BL Signature Ideal cut? Is it worth it?

Option 1
1.51 carat / BL Ideal cut/ G color / VS2 (some feathers and clouds on the edges, the table is clean)
1.2 score on HCA tool

Option 2
1.40 carat / BL Signature Ideal cut / F color / VS2 (a crystal and a few needles on the table)
1.4 score on HCA tool
I was told by BL that the crystal is eye clean from all directions but I read that it's wise to avoid crystal inclusions on the table.

Option 3
1.41 carat / BL Signature Ideal cut / F color / VS2 (clouds on the table)
1.5 score on HCA tool

 

[04diamond<3]

I narrowed my search down to these 3 round stones from Blue Nile. They all have excellent cut, with option 2 and option 3 being BL Signature Ideal.

My questions are:
1) Is it worth to upgrade from G to F color and doing down 0.1 carat (from a 1.51 to 1.40 carat)? The difference in price is negligible with option 1 saving me $300 -$400.

2) If yes to F color, what would you pick bw option 2 & 3?

Also, can anyone comment on the BL Signature Ideal cut? Is it worth it?

Option 1
1.51 carat / BL Ideal cut/ G color / VS2 (some feathers and clouds on the edges, the table is clean)
1.2 score on HCA tool

Option 2
1.40 carat / BL Signature Ideal cut / F color / VS2 (a crystal and a few needles on the table)
1.4 score on HCA tool
I was told by BL that the crystal is eye clean from all directions but I read that it's wise to avoid crystal inclusions on the table.

Option 3
1.41 carat / BL Signature Ideal cut / F color / VS2 (clouds on the table)
1.5 score on HCA tool

I'd delete number 3 because anything on the table would bother me. Are you talking about Blue Nile Signature diamonds? Just want to clarify. I'd want to see a picture of the 1.51 (this one's my favorite) and make sure that the feather wouldn't be an issue...but yes, you will notice a difference between the 1.4 and the 1.51, although it'd be slight. and as far as the color, between a G and an F, it would hardly be noticeable.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd certainly rather have the 1.5 ct G stone IF it is a well cut stone. I personally would not buy a diamond without pictures and preferably an idealscope image. If you go on a site of a vendor like James Allen, their pictures show that not all excellent cut diamonds are as good as another. They actually provide videos of the diamonds now.

 

[xuancali01]

I'd delete number 3 because anything on the table would bother me. Are you talking about Blue Nile Signature diamonds? Just want to clarify. I'd want to see a picture of the 1.51 (this one's my favorite) and make sure that the feather wouldn't be an issue...but yes, you will notice a difference between the 1.4 and the 1.51, although it'd be slight. and as far as the color, between a G and an F, it would hardly be noticeable.

[/quote]

Thanks for the comment.

All three stones are from Blue Nile, with option 2 and 3 from Blue Nile Signature collection.

The G color stone has a few small features scattered on the outside area of the diamond (it's very difficult to see with 10x). I have Blue Nile look into it and they confimred that none of the feature inclusions are classified as PSI (pressure sensitive inclusions). I've seen the diamond in person and it sparkles a ton. My only hesitation is whether I should go for a F color as I'm sensitive to colors/color temperature.

 

[xuancali01]

I'd certainly rather have the 1.5 ct G stone IF it is a well cut stone. I personally would not buy a diamond without pictures and preferably an idealscope image. If you go on a site of a vendor like James Allen, their pictures show that not all excellent cut diamonds are as good as another. They actually provide videos of the diamonds now.

Assuming the cut/sparkle is the same, is it worth it to sacrify 0.10 carat to get a colorless stone? What is more noticeable, the difference in 0.10 carat size or color? The stone will be set in a floating halo ring.

thanks

 

[Christina...]

I think the size difference is going to be more apparent than the color difference. A G color is still going to be very white, especially when the diamond is face up in it's setting. Color grading is done face down, from the side, against a flat white background with special lighting and temperature conditions, because this is what is needed to see the very minute changes in color grades. When the diamond is moving, as it will be on the hand it becomes much much more difficult to see these slight color differences.

Check out this video...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcmSj8dOLRI

 

[Christina...]

I think the size difference is going to be more apparent than the color difference. A G color is still going to be very white, especially when the diamond is face up in it's setting. Color grading is done face down, from the side, against a flat white background with special lighting and temperature conditions, because this is what is needed to see the very minute changes in color grades. When the diamond is moving, as it will be on the hand it becomes much much more difficult to see these slight color differences.

Check out this video...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcmSj8dOLRI