shape
carat
color
clarity

help making the right choice.

Mjh609

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 10, 2014
Messages
9
Here are the spec sheets from the 2 diamonds I'm looking at. The K color stone is noticeably larger in the setting and I couldn't notice any yellow in it. In fact it was much whiter than an egl I that she showed me for comparison. I'm just worried it will look yellowed outside of the store lights. The .90 is a gorgeous stone but I really wanted to get her a full carat. The k is 600 more and puts me just under my 8k budget with tax.

I hope you can read some of the info on these. I thought.it was a better pic when I snapped it in store.
 

SparklySoprano

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Nov 21, 2014
Messages
661
Hi, MJH, I was unable to load your photo upload. Try attaching it another way if you can.
 

Mjh609

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 10, 2014
Messages
9
 

SparklySoprano

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Nov 21, 2014
Messages
661
I saw the pics, but could not read the diamond specs (on p. 3 of the foldout). Do you have those written down? If so, use the Holloway Cut Adviser (found on PS) to see how the diamond is rated for potential performance. You'll need depth %, table %, crown angle and pavilion angle. Their respective scores may help you out to further determine your selection.

Edit/Addition: You should ask to see the stones outside in natural light. Very important because those lights inside make everything look pretty fantastic. I'm not saying that those stones are not, but seeing them in various lighting conditions does also help you narrow down your preferences.
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
40,225
Here is what you need to know:
The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough. And you must stick to GIA and AGS only. EGL is a bad option: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/[/URL]
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want? Well first you want to stick to stones that have a crown angle of 34 (33.5 okay for 60/60 style stones) and over, a pavilion angle of 41 and under, and no deeper than 62.5
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. Under 2 is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score 2 and under is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. BGD, James Allen, GOG, HPD, ERD and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.
 

Mjh609

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 10, 2014
Messages
9
Trust me, I know to steer clear of egl stones. These are both forevermark. They only showed me the egl because I was curious as to how different labs grade stones.
 

JulieN

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
Messages
13,375
Have you considered buying online? 8000 USD will definitely get you a full carat, with better color and clarity than K SI2.

Pretty northern pike.
 

Mjh609

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 10, 2014
Messages
9
Thanks for the replies. It's going to be a tough decision that I have to make in the next couple of days if I want the ring in time.
 

Mjh609

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 10, 2014
Messages
9
Here are some crappy cell phone pics.

 
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