Online Buying using HCA and Idealscope

David S. Atlas

GG(GIA), ASG, Sr. Mbr. NAJA

www.datlas.com

Why use a big word when a diminutive word would be succinct!

____________________________________________________________
Just a regular person trying to be helpful. Consult a Pro prior to purchase!

Hi Jpdoane: My remarks are in bold......
----------------
On 6/23/2003 8:29:35 AM jpdoane wrote:

I want my girlfriends ring to sparkle like crazy, so I really want the best cut I can get. I'm interested in using the HCA and Ideal scope (just ordered one) to judge the cut of diamonds online. However, rarly do they post angle info online - you need to request it specifically for each stone.
Well Consider this there are a few online vendors which offer all the detailed info you are inquiring about. I know for sure that SuberBCert & Goodoldgold both offer this feature on there site. The data is measured with a device called the megascope and post all the measurements on all the facets not just the combined average of all the angles.

Anybody know a good way to do this? How do I search through online stones for quality without requesting info on someones entire inventory? I know there are good cuts outside of the AGS 0 range, but is there an easy way to find them? Is there an online vender who lists all the dimensions for their stones, so I can use the HCA?
If a vendor who doesn't offer the comprehensive data like some of the other sites I described above do not discount them. They should have no problem offering a possible consumer the specs and info you are requesting. The vendors job is to make the sale, so don't feel (If you do) like your inconvieniencing them.

Would I be better off going to a B&M store and paying a premium, so I can see them all with my own eyes and use the idealscope?
The 2 sites I mentioned in my first response also offer the actual images of the stones SuperBCert (Firescope) & GoodoldGold w/ Lightscope. Images show leakage just as an idealscope will.

Also, how kosher is it to "buy" online just to see, and return it right away? Though I obviously cant do this for more than a couple promising stones anyway (I don't have *that* high of a credit rating)
There is no substitution for seeing a stone with your own eyes before you make the purchase. There are tools that help the consumer in such an evaluation based on not seeing the stone 1st like the B-scope, Ideal-Scope/Lightscope/Firescope. Most vendors will offer a money back gaurantee of a purchase if your not satisfied with the visual results when you peak at your stone for the first time. I can say that when I first made my purchase I looked at the:

(1) Brilliant scope readings and focused on the 5 light views.

(2) Looked at the Megascope readings to see the variances between the angles (I was really being picky though and looking at the variances does not neccessarily rule out a stone that will perform excellent visually)

(3) The particular site I purchased from offered actual Images from the hearts & arrows viewer which provides a good perspective on the internal cut analysis of a stone. How well formed the hearts & arrows images were and are they all the same size and symmetrical are some of the questions which I asked myself when making the purchase.

(4) The Firescope, Lightscope, or idealscope images are going to show you how much of the light entering the diamond is being reflected back to you, or being returned to your eye. Leakage will be evident by the white pale areas on the stone. It also shows how much contrast a stone has "visual pop" Stones with a good balance of dark reds and blacks will optimize the impression of pop or intensity of light the stone is reflecting back to your eyes.


Thanks alot for all your help so far for a 1st time diamond buyer
-Jon----------------

Josh Rioux
Haines, Alaska
*The Colored Gemstone Nut*