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1st Post - Just Bought a Diamond

SpikeIt

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Messages
6
Hello,

First post as I have just stumbled cross this website but it looks like a really great resource.
I don't really know much about diamonds but I recently chose to buy this 2.05c I-VS1 EX EX from James Allen for ~$18k because I couldn't really find anything that at least appeared that good on bluenile at that weight for the price. It has arrived and out of the box I opened at work I thought it looks great and it almost glows a white sparkle. However I have noticed that it doesn't have quite the large intense flashes of sparkle I have seen in person on some other rings in jewelry stores (for a lot more money). Did I do good for the money purchasing online? Obviously some similar spec rings are listed online for $25k+. What separates them from what I got and how would you know looking at the online only details that you aren't just overpaying? Just got it so it's in the 30 day free return window but I don't think i will return unless people think I really overpaid.

Thanks for the help!

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5315198
 

Kaycee2018

Brilliant_Rock
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May 14, 2018
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994
Hello and welcome! I'll let the experts chime in, but jewelry store lighting is designed to maximize the sparkle of diamonds. Diamonds perform differently under under different lighting and a lot of money has gone into the lighting design for jewelry stores for a very good reason. The number one rule for buying diamonds from a jewelry store is to take the diamond out of the jewelry store lighting (office, natural outdoor lighting, etc.) to see how it performs under various lighting. To get a better understanding of how your JA diamond compares, take it into a jewelry store and compare it to their diamonds under the jewelry store lighting. GL!
 

SpikeIt

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Messages
6
So I thought of that but I thought it might be awkward. Do I just go in and say, excuse me, could I see one of your rings and compare it to one I just bought? Are jewelry stores sensitive about that sort of thing kind of like maybe a best buy is sensitive to them being your showroom for when you go home and purchase on amazon?

For the second part of the question, what about my diamond could be improved to make it "worth" some of the similar spec diamonds that go for $22-25k online? Did I get good value for the price?
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
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Apr 28, 2014
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4,060
Your office likely has fluorescent lighting, which is terrible lighting to view a diamond's true sparkle - they will all appear 'flat' and just white. Take the diamond outside in the sun and also go under a tree to really see it come to life. Home Depot/Lowes lighting always makes my bling dance, too.
 

OoohShiny

Ideal_Rock
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You are not the only person to buy a small expensive lump of carbon and then find the forum while doing post-event research! ;-)

Fortunately you either were very lucky or have done some research beforehand - HCA score on that is 1.9, which means the angles work, and that high crown should bring plenty of coloured fire in the right lighting environments.

Small spotlights (and several of them) should Bring the Fire ;-) :)
 

Kaycee2018

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
May 14, 2018
Messages
994
So I thought of that but I thought it might be awkward. Do I just go in and say, excuse me, could I see one of your rings and compare it to one I just bought? Are jewelry stores sensitive about that sort of thing kind of like maybe a best buy is sensitive to them being your showroom for when you go home and purchase on amazon?

For the second part of the question, what about my diamond could be improved to make it "worth" some of the similar spec diamonds that go for $22-25k online? Did I get good value for the price?

You can tell them you just bought your ring and are considering returning it and want to see if they have something you like better. Be sure to ask about the specs and ask to see it in an office and by a window under more natural lighting or outside if they will let you. Or you can just compare your ring to those on display if you are uncomfortable asking to see anything. Just doing that should give you a pretty good idea of how your ring compares under jewelry store lighting. My guess is it will sparkle like crazy. Then if you are unhappy with it, I would suggest returning it and posting your budget and requirements here and I am sure you will get lots of great suggestions.
 

Grust

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 1, 2018
Messages
29
Just tell them in offline store, that you are considering one more present and need to see the difference - all else doesn`t matter. Add on you choice about new anniversary or new fiancee.
 

SpikeIt

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Messages
6
Your office likely has fluorescent lighting, which is terrible lighting to view a diamond's true sparkle - they will all appear 'flat' and just white. Take the diamond outside in the sun and also go under a tree to really see it come to life. Home Depot/Lowes lighting always makes my bling dance, too.

I did but I don't have a good way to compare what that should be like. It definitely sparkles... but nothing like what they show you at Harry Winston.

Fortunately you either were very lucky or have done some research beforehand - HCA score on that is 1.9, which means the angles work, and that high crown should bring plenty of coloured fire in the right lighting environments.

Small spotlights (and several of them) should Bring the Fire ;-) :)

I just read that an excellent cut round should fall within a certain depth range and table range. The HCA score is neat though. How much additional "wow" factor result from going to a 1.3 vs a 1.9? How much more cost?
 

tkyasx78

Brilliant_Rock
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1,640
A 1.3 is not necessarily better than a 1.9. Under 2 is what HCA is useful for pointing towards stone selection.
 

OoohShiny

Ideal_Rock
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Apr 25, 2014
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8,228
This . ^^^

HCA is designed to filter out large numbers of stones quickly, and anything under 2 is worth looking at.
 

SpikeIt

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Messages
6
Thanks so given it's 1.9... which is in the sweet spot... based upon what you see in the 360 video and the specs what is the most obvious thing that could be improved?

I think I've decided the best thing for me to put my mind at peace would be to take it out in jewelry store lighting and compare the performance.
 

HappyNewLife

Ideal_Rock
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Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
2,534
It looks really nice. Jewelry store lighting always maximizes sparkle. I bet your diamond would sparkle like crazy in there too. I also find that elevators are a great place to sparkle, haha.
 

pfunk

Brilliant_Rock
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Dec 2, 2014
Messages
770
I gotta say, you ended up with what appears to be a very nice diamond, considering you were only looking at depth and table measurements. The angles of your diamond work well together. As others have said, you will find your diamond will sparkle more if you get it into the same lighting as a jewelry store. Also, you need to make sure it is CLEAN. Diamonds pick up gunk and hold onto it well. If you compare it in a store, make sure you clean it very well before.

Edit: I wouldnt fixate too much on what can be “improved”. Different people prefer different things with their diamonds, so I would just let your eyes tell you if you love it. Just by spending more on a similar diamond does not mean it will be a more beautiful diamond to you. If you have a hearts on fire dealer or a Crafted by Infinity dealer nearby, I would go to one of them to compare. They will be showing you diamonds cut towards the center of what is consisered “ideal” and what you might expect to gain, visually, by spending more. I would, however, remember that you wont necessarily be able to afford a similar size/color/clarity when buying precision cut, as they cost more. So you should consider that when comparing.
 
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scarsmum

Brilliant_Rock
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Jul 22, 2017
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893
Have you touched it? Ie: is it clean?
 

CareBear

Brilliant_Rock
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Jan 28, 2005
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1,413
You have there a beautiful stone! a 36/40.6 combo should exhibit loads of fire! Have you taken your stone to a jewelry store to see it under their lighting? You won't see the same effect at home or in the office.
 

sledge

Ideal_Rock
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Apr 23, 2018
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5,791
20180803_130330.jpg You should try to find a jewelry store that has an ASET, idealscope and H&A scope for you to use on your stone. Compare against theirs too as you may need to indicate you are shopping and confirming, basically eluding they have a shot at your business. Which is somewhat true as you aren't 100% convinced yet.

Looking at the video and angles it appears you likely have a great stone. Here is an AGS proportions chart for a 57 table. I've tried to highlight your crown and pavilion angles and show where they intersect. Then I drew a box around POTENTIAL areas final cut may land based on those angles. As you can see you are mostly in ideal territory.

The ASET and idealscope images would confirm light performance. The hearts and arrow (H&A) image will confirm symmetry.

Normal order of operations:

1. Confirm angles work via HCA tool and AGS proportions charts.

2. Request and review ASET, idealscope and H&A images. Normally JA will furnish an idealscope image if you requested it. Sometimes you may get lucky and get the others but not usually. Alternatively buy your own scopes and confirm with diamond in hand.

3. After above steps check, you buy and then confirm inscriptions on the diamond girdle match what was sold to you and confirm the sparkle, color, etc meets your expectations. Also that there are no visible inclusions but you have a VS1 so the stone is eye clean and will require magnification to see inclusions.
 

Tophat1

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 5, 2017
Messages
529
I think you got a good price for a diamond over 2 ct with those specs. You could get a better cut (super ideal) diamond for that price but it would probably be around 1.8 ct. if you want better cut, trade it in and go with Whiteflash. If you want more size, this diamond is a good choice.

Also - make sure you clean it super well before you judge it!
 
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