Post # 1
Member
6 posts
Newbee
Hi everyone,
My boyfriend and I went ring shopping last weekend and I picked a setting (1.7mm pave platinum setting). I left the diamond selection up to my boyfriend. We looked at a 1.23 carat round Excellent Ideal cut, D, VS2 diamond (very beautiful and sparkly)! The jeweler wanted to show us one more diamond before we made our final decision though – it’s a 1.31 carat round Very Good cut, E, VS2 diamond. He had to have it transferred from their other store and we’re going to see it this weekend.
My boyfriend said he is leaving the decision up to me (both diamonds are almost the same price). I have a 4 and 3/4 ring size. Any suggestions on which to pick?
Thanks!
Post # 3
Member
325 posts
Helper bee
The size is so close, go for the better diamond. I think that even if a stone is a bit smaller, but a better diamond, the extra sparkle makes it look so much nicer (and sometimes bigger).
Post # 4
Member
1480 posts
Bumble bee
I would go for the slightly smaller but better quality diamond. The size difference is really negligible… like, even if you put the two stones right next to each other, I think it would be hard to tell that one is any bigger than the other. So I would choose based on which stone is sparklier and has more brilliance!
Post # 5
Member
3670 posts
Sugar bee
I agree that the sizes are not different enough so I’d totally pick the slightly smaller diamond of better quality.
Post # 6
Member
2004 posts
Buzzing bee
I agree, the size difference will be negligible. Pick the one that is better quality and more sparkly.
Post # 7
Member
5147 posts
Bee Keeper
Go for the 1.23 carat round Excellent Ideal cut, D, VS2.
Cut is VERY VERY important. It’s the most important of the 4-Cs. (It’s what gives a diamond it’s sparkle.)
And beween the two stones you posted, you won’t be able to tell the different in size or color when it’s on your finger anyway.
Post # 8
Member
806 posts
Busy bee
Go with cut all the way. The color difference won’t be visible and the size difference won’t either.
Post # 9
Member
379 posts
Helper bee
Pick the better quality for sure
Post # 10
Member
581 posts
Busy bee
Cut and clarity make all the difference. Higher quality is way more important than size when the stones are that close in size. Honestly, that’s like not even a millimeter of size difference! But the sparkle and fire will really make the smaller stone pop!
Post # 11
Member
289 posts
Helper bee
I agree! Definitely go with the better cut!!!
Post # 12
Member
5493 posts
Bee Keeper
Are both of these stones certified by the same lab? Because the ratings are not consistent from lab to lab so an E color diamond in one lab may not be an E in another. What every jeweler told us is to buy the diamond not the certification. Meaning, base your decision on which diamond appeals to you more, (visually), and not what the paperwork says. I think once you look at the two and compare you’ll know which one you want, regardless of the paperwork.
Post # 13
Member
592 posts
Busy bee
Based on what you said, I would say go with the better cut smaller diamond. BUT – see them side by side first and see which one you like more. I was amazed at how different the diamonds could be when set side by side. I picked the one that I liked the look of most (and I LOVE it!!). Sometimes they even had the same grading – but if they were graded by different labs they might be different.
Post # 14
Member
6 posts
Newbee
Thanks so much, everyone. This is really helpful! I was definitely leaning more towards the 1.23 because of how incredibly sparkly it was! The jeweler showed us about four diamonds that day and the 1.23 outshone them all.
To answer your question, Meowkers, both diamonds are graded by the EGL laboratory.
Post # 15
Member
1068 posts
Bumble bee
I would go with the 1.23 and the better quality!
Post # 16
Member
181 posts
Blushing bee
Better quality definitely!
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