Comparing 2 engagement rings - advice

Tallspeaker

Hi All,

Hopefully there’s someone on here with a bit more knowledge than me when it comes to assessing diamonds. I’m looking at two rings which are broadly similar (same carat weight/ same clarity/ close in price) but there are a couple of elements of difference as follows:

Ring #1

Cut / polish / symmetry - excellent / excellent / excellent
Colour - G

Ring # 2
Cut / polish / symmetry - very good / excellent / excellent
Colour - E

Both look very similar, both certified. I appreciate I may be splitting hairs here, but of the two above, assuming no great visual difference, which is preferable? I’m wondering if #1 having a little better on cut but a little worse on colour is best or if #2 would be the better stone being two grades higher on colour but one grade down on cut?

Any advice welcome as I want to get the other half the best quality stone I can afford. I’m down to the two above, but from rival jewelers.

Cheers in advance.

shortie_chik

I'd go for ring #1 with the better cut. Excellent cut = more sparkle.

To be honest, you'd need to be a gemmologist to actually see the difference, but as a rule, I'd recommend getting the Excellent cut as it'll have better sparkle (better cut proportions to maximise the fire and brilliance of the material). You really won't be able to see much colour difference in an E or G stone.

Also if you get diamonds on the wedding band, normally you'd colour-match them. G colour will cost you less later on!

Tallspeaker

Thanks shortie chink - appreciate the advice. One final point I should have mentioned. I had thought the certification was GIA but it turns out to be WGI. Is that inferior / a worry do you think?

Tallspeaker

*chik*. Bloody auto correct!

shortie_chik

I've honestly never heard of WGI. I'll ask a few other goldsmiths what they know about it and get back to you.

shortie_chik

I asked about WGI in a goldsmiths' group I'm in. 2 people (more experienced than me) replied to say they've never heard of them. 97 people have seen my post and no one has replied that they've heard of them. So make of that what you will!

I'm not saying WGI are not a reputable lab, just they're unknown in Ireland it seems. There are labs who'll make up a cert with whatever you want on it. I don't know what end of the trustworthiness spectrum those guys fall.

It is a little unusual for a shop in Ireland to offer an unfamiliar certification. Most folks getting engaged will at least have googled the 4 Cs & know to ask for a recognised cert with their centre diamond.

You could ask them to get a GIA cert for the stone. There'd probably be some cost associated with this. I've had stones certified by HRD previously, they're another reputable independent lab.

Do remember that certs are subjective. Although GIA (for example) have very strictly defined criteria for each characteristic, it's down to that gemmologist's expert opinion on the day.

Tallspeaker

Appreciate you taking the time to follow up. Have since requested GIA as preference, but looks like it’s going to be more expensive as a result. Disappointing as this essentially positions the previous cert (and by implication the stone) as inferior.

shortie_chik

The GIA cert might come back with the exact same specs, but I guess you're paying for independent assessment and peace of mind.

I hope she likes the ring anyway and says yes! Best of luck!

shortie_chik

Just to let you know that someone came back to me about WGI. She asked around and (I don't want to write anything libelous) she would not recommend a WGI cert. I'll just leave it at that.
So if it's a good quality stone or not, the GIA cert will be worth asking for.

Tallspeaker

Thanks for the advice. I stayed away from the WGI as suggested. I’m down to two now, both GIA. Had to sacrifice a little weight, but cut, polish symmetry all excellent. Should make the call next week. Thanks again for your help.

GingerLily

Are you buying the ring for someone else? Maybe involve them in this? It would be a shame if you went to all this trouble and didn't get the ring they wanted.

shortie_chik

Plenty of shops will let you change the ring if it doesn't suit.
It's worth checking the store policy before you buy, just incase the style doesn't suit.
(But lots of women will love the ring because they know the effort you put into choosing it.)

SarahS2013

IGL is also another reputable certification and is usually slightly less $$$ than GIA.
Mine is a G solitaire with an excellent cut and everyone always remarks on how sparkly it is! You honestly wouldn't notice the colour difference at that level. You'd want to be going down to "I" I'd say before you notice the difference.

We got mine from Seamus in Voltaire Diamonds - I'd highly recommend them if it's an option for you.

Tallspeaker

I’d never buy anything like this without the other half being 100% involved. It was really just a matter of stone at this point. Found the on3 I wanted in the end and very happy with it. Thanks for all your help - much appreciated.