Still on the diamond hunt...

[Soundview]

Hi all,

I'm still on the diamond hunt, as the last stone had SBF and since I couldn't see it in person that made me shy away from it.

I'd like to add another one to the mix and get your thoughts on it.

Here is the link:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD04952960

Stock number LD04952960
Price per carat $5,739
Carat weight 0.90
Shape Round
Cut Ideal
Color F
Clarity VS1
Length/width ratio 1.00
Depth % 61.3%
Table % 57.0%
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Very Good
Girdle Thin to Slightly Thick
Culet None
Fluorescence None
Measurements 6.18 x 6.21 x 3.80 mm

Here is the HCA:


Here is the GIA:


Thanks!

 

[RockyRacoon]

BlueNile does not give enough information to accurately evaluate the performance of a stone. It's impossible to know if this is a winner until you purchase it and have it examined in-person.

I would suggest you stick with vendors that provide the light performance analysis you need to make an informed purchase.

Either of these stones would be a better option:

.89ct, G, VS2
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3236256.htm

.90ct, H, SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12528/

I would probably go with the Whiteflash option as it is the same size as the stone you had linked (diameter), VS clarity, and is close to colorless at G.

Best of luck!

 

[Soundview]

BlueNile does not give enough information to accurately evaluate the performance of a stone. It's impossible to know if this is a winner until you purchase it and have it examined in-person.

I would suggest you stick with vendors that provide the light performance analysis you need to make an informed purchase.

Either of these stones would be a better option:

.89ct, G, VS2
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3236256.htm

.90ct, H, SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12528/

I would probably go with the Whiteflash option as it is the same size as the stone you had linked (diameter), VS clarity, and is close to colorless at G.

Best of luck!

Ok I'll add those to the mix as well...

I've never heard of Blue Nile as being anything other than a great place to buy? What does the light performance analysis actually show?

Thanks!

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

What does the light performance analysis actually show?

Soundview,

As you are aware, I am sure, the 4C's in diamond shopping are critical to consider when you are looking to purchase a stone. The PriceScope community, by-and-large, will tell you that 'cut is king' of the 4 c's. The size, color and clarity are, in large part determine by nature. The cut, however, is intentionally chosen by the craftsmen who produce the diamond.

It is, therefore, an intentional choice of how to reflect light. While many cutters will produce the largest possible diamond(s) from a given piece of rough, others will intentionally cut a well-proportioned diamond from the rough, sacrificing a bit of size for better light performance. The well-proportioned diamond will reflect light from horizon to horizon better than one that is poorly cut.

Use idealscope and ASET scientific images in order to check the stones for light return, the type of light return, and whether there are places where light leakage occurs.

An review of those images (the PS members here can do that for you) will help you get the light performance analysis you are asking about.

 

[madtrax]

That Whiteflash stone found by Rocky looks outstanding and is cheaper. G color is plenty white enough I would think.

 

[Soundview]

A quick update...

First thank you all for your help! Unfortunately due to my eyeballs being sensitive to color the search is still on!

I took a trip to the store to do a color comparison and did not like the G they had there. It might be that diamond I dont know but it looked dark to me, not necessarily yellow just dark. So I was hesitant to get the one linked above after my trip. I stared looking again today for a diamond closer to the following...

.9
Vs2 and above
F and above color
Cut Ideal and above

Trying to stay under $5500

I know Blue Nile isn't the best place to search but I find it the easiest to use. Here are two that they have listed, any thoughts on how they stack up? Given Blue Nile might source the diamond from somewhere else is it possible to get the light performance analysis for the stones below elsewhere?

Thank you again!

Diamond 1 http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04952960

Diamond 2 http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04976633

 

[Soundview]

I should also ask another question...

Does cut have any impact on color? The above linked diamond from whiteflash scores very well and fits within my price range too, however its a G color. Given what I saw at the store I've veto'd it because I feel I will be disappointed with the yellow color or overall dark appearance.

 

[RockyRacoon]

First thing to confirm is that the stones you saw in-store were GIA or AGS graded.

If they were not, please let us know, as that is a whole different can of worms. If the stone wasn't GIA/AGS certed, it may be that the G-colored stone was not accurately graded as such.

Assuming that they were GIA/AGS stones, here are some options to consider, all with top-notch cuts, close to your price range:

.94ct, F, SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3237350.htm

.91ct, F, VS2
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3237355.htm

.91ct, F, SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3237356.htm

.837ct, F, VS2
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.837-f-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104074030031

 

[Soundview]

Rocky thank you for those!

I might have to save up for another week or so before pulling the trigger so hopefully they'll still be around.

One last question... What is BIC range mean when using the HCA?

 

[Soundview]

Google is my friend...

Its like turning another chapter in a very long textbook... More to read about!

 

[tyty333]

Here if you havent found it...

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-crown-and-pavilion

 

[Soundview]

Awesome thank you both!

So the idea of it makes sense... Do most prefer TIC given it's the both of best worlds?

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

Does cut have any impact on color?

Absolutely. In fact diamonds in the D-Z range are color-graded upside down. Why, you may ask? Because the way light is affected by cut changes the diamond's face-up appearance. If the diamond has poor angles then light bounces around inside and it illuminates the body color…so a J could look more like a K face-up. Alternately a diamond designed with critical angles and great 3D optical precision directs light immediately and efficiently back to the eye of the viewer. When this efficiency is at a high level, the face-up look is whiter than the diamond appeared when upside-down and viewed in color-grading…so a J could look more like and I…or better. In such cases the diamond may also be illuminated edge-to-edge, so it appears bigger in low light than diamonds which are not cut as well.

So, it follows that fancy-colored diamonds (outside the D-Z range) are cut-on-purpose with different angles than top-performers in the normal color range. Why? They WANT to entrap light and have it bounce around to illuminate and exaggerate color present. And it also follows that fancy colored diamonds are graded face-up.

So, why aren't ALL diamonds graded face-up... ... Shrug....