0.94ct E VS1 - why it''s not sparkling as I expect ?

[GemmaEdet]

Thanks you guys for helping me out in a previous post, I''ve since ordered the diamond, and please see GIA attached.
The diamond is 0.94 E VS1. HCA value is 1.3, can''t get IDEALSCOPE or any other tools as it''s ordered via bluenile in UK.

For some reason, I feel it not that sparkling as i expect.. keep thinking those amazing ones I spot out in hatton garden. But i know it''s stupid as you can only compare them side by side, and it''s due to loads of different factors: color, lighting, cut, etc, probably my mood too.

Could you please help me check it out again GIA report, as well as images..
Many Many thanks. Would like to have a piece of mind.
p.s we find it different to find independent gemonologist here in UK as it''s not as big market as in US.

Please.. help appreciated !.

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Gemma,

I see no reason why it shouldn't sparkle, the diamond is well cut with good proportions. Make sure the diamond is clean and bear in mind that the diamonds in jewellery stores are seen in lighting which is DESIGNED to make them sparkle! Diamonds don't always look that way in everyday lighting, I would bet that if you took one of those dazzlers and put it in ordinary lighting that it wouldn't look the way it does in the store.

Can you take your diamond to one of those stores and surreptitiously look at it in that lighting? Check it out in as many different lights as possible, diamonds do go into ' rest mode' when the lighting isn't conducive to much sparkle but you should find it goes POW under spot lighting or other strong lights. Don't judge it based on strong direct sun by the way as diamonds rarely look their best in these conditions.

 

[GemmaEdet]

tring to upload a few more pics

 

[stone-cold11]

Also, their show cases may have build in lightings too. Maybe you have too high an expectation after looking at all those showcase diamonds?

 

[GemmaEdet]

one more. this is by the window.

 

[neatfreak]

It''s the spot lighting in the stores that make those diamonds look so amazing. Sad to say NONE of them will look like that in regular daylight! Try going to someplace like a grocery store or IKEA with bright spot lights. I bet your diamond will gleam!

Also make sure to keep it squeaky clean. A dirty diamond won''t sparkle either.

 

[Lorelei]

It looks fine to me, diamonds can only sparkle according to the light they have to work with. I think what you need to do is take it for a ' test drive' and compare it in as many different lights as possible. You only have one view of those store diamonds in those sparkle inducing lights, this isn't a real picture of how worn diamonds behave in reality and those would not look that way away from that lighting. Make sure the diamond is clean and try it in as many different lighting conditions as you can to get a better idea.

 

[GemmaEdet]

Thanks all for your reply here !.
It''s really assuring... i don''t know whether it''s just lighting, or it''s just me.. as i do see some amazing ones in the diamond shops, they are not E color, hmm.. remember there''s a huge mirror just inside the store, probably it''s collecting all the lighting possible from outside, and it was a sunny day that day.

hope it''s indeed my head, or just have too much expectation from beautiful pictures here in PS

or Advert


... shall stop being stupid.
Thanks all.

 

[Lula]

Lovely rainbow color on the top of the diamond in the first shot! I think this discussion could benefit from some stars and lower girdle input by strmrdr a/k/a Karl or some of the other lower girdle experts, like Rhino and Wink. If I understand the volumes about stars/girdles I''ve read on previous posts, the "sparkle" in a diamond is due to a combination of a person''s eyesight/preferences, lighting conditions, and crown/pav angles combined with particular lower girdle percentages. Perhaps your stone is better at throwing off larger flashes of color (like in photo #1) than smaller flashes of bright light...but like I said, I''m just learning how all these combos work, so...help me out experts!

, I do believe increasing consumer understanding of how the various combos work will help the average person select a diamond that has the characteristics that they are looking for and that they prefer. As has been discussed, cut lovers buy stones for the numbers; the rest of us are looking for a stone with specific visual qualities.

This has been the hardest part for me an newbie to grasp, and if the industry can get a better handle on this and develop some visual tools that demonstrate the various cut combo differences (Good Old Gold has some good ones, but there could be more)it will make buying a diamond online so much easier and prevent returns - just my HO.

Also, just my two cents, but PS vendors could do a better job of training their sales associates to consider the effect that lower girdles have on a diamond''s appearance instead of just ignoring questions about this or saying that they don''t matter.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 4/30/2009 9:14:43 AM
Author: GemmaEdet
one more. this is by the window.

Might be something going on with the upper girdles.
This combo will not tolerate painting.
Can you try a couple more pictures?
Trying to spot what is going on without IS images is hard.
The gia numbers are rounded and don''t tell you about the make of the lowers and upper girdle facets.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/30/2009 9:32:18 AM
Author: GemmaEdet
Thanks all for your reply here !.
It's really assuring... i don't know whether it's just lighting, or it's just me.. as i do see some amazing ones in the diamond shops, they are not E color, hmm.. remember there's a huge mirror just inside the store, probably it's collecting all the lighting possible from outside, and it was a sunny day that day.

hope it's indeed my head, or just have too much expectation from beautiful pictures here in PS

or Advert


... shall stop being stupid.
Thanks all.

I really think you need to give it a good test out at this stage, basing it on the store lit diamonds isn't an accurate comparison. Check it out thoroughly in as many different lights as you can then report back and do make sure the diamond is clean - if not it certainly won't sparkle. I think this is all you need to do at this stage then if you are still not happy once you have given it a fair trial then we can look further at this one, or it just send it back and buy from a vendor who has more info and images.

 

[GemmaEdet]

tried a few more

 

[Lorelei]

Gemma have you been handling the stone much? If so I would give it a good clean.

 

[GemmaEdet]

tried another one.
Yes, I aggreee..

It''s difficult to compare, i can''t just take it to a shop, and see which one looks better. not sure they are happy for me to play around like that

 

[HornAround]

I ran the numbers and it shows your Scintillation came up with the score of very good. I don''t think that''s the answer but it does raise an eyebrow.

 

[strmrdr]

try backing the camera off about a foot or so,face up, then crop the image.

 

[GemmaEdet]

it''s highly possible !

will clean it, and give another picture go tonight !.

have to do some work :S before tonight.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/30/2009 10:36:23 AM
Author: HornAround
I ran the numbers and it shows your Scintillation came up with the score of very good. I don''t think that''s the answer but it does raise an eyebrow.

Thats not a prob Horn, the HCA can''t really predict with any real accuracy the performance nuances of a diamond.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/30/2009 10:40:17 AM
Author: GemmaEdet
it''s highly possible !

will clean it, and give another picture go tonight !.

have to do some work :S before tonight.

Gem, try some liquid ammonia if you have it mixed with water, those jewellery store concoctions aren''t very good. In a pinch a little detergent and hot water works, soak the diamond for a few minutes then scrub with a soft brush, rinse and dry carefully.

 

[HornAround]

Date: 4/30/2009 10:41:13 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 4/30/2009 10:36:23 AM

Author: HornAround

I ran the numbers and it shows your Scintillation came up with the score of very good. I don''t think that''s the answer but it does raise an eyebrow.

Thats not a prob Horn, the HCA can''t really predict with any real accuracy the performance nuances of a diamond.

There I go trying to act like I know something only being at this for 3 weeks....

I guess it would have to fall to good in order to be a factor?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/30/2009 10:43:15 AM
Author: HornAround

Date: 4/30/2009 10:41:13 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 4/30/2009 10:36:23 AM

Author: HornAround

I ran the numbers and it shows your Scintillation came up with the score of very good. I don''t think that''s the answer but it does raise an eyebrow.

Thats not a prob Horn, the HCA can''t really predict with any real accuracy the performance nuances of a diamond.

There I go trying to act like I know something only being at this for 3 weeks....

I guess it would have to fall to good in order to be a factor?

LOL! No worries Horn! I would be more concerned with the overall proportions and how the HCA rates those as an elimination factor rather than one aspect.

 

[Pandora II]

Best lighting to check your own stones in is the Tiffany concession in Selfridges (not the Tiffany in New Bond Street) - then you can see what your stone looks like in ''jewellers lighting''.

 

[Maisie]

My diamond performs the best in Ikea and Tesco! Try those places and see what you think then!

 

[GemmaEdet]

haha.. that''s a good point !!!

This one is not very focused !. but i would like to have your views on the girdle thingy ?
Is it normal to have that obvious girdle refelection ??

 

[GemmaEdet]

Sorry for so many pictures !!..
this one is outdoor env when there''s tiny bit sunlight ( on the way out to garden, i saw a dead mouse from my cat

)
Anyway..

It looks more sparkling outdoor, but again !.. it''s outdoor.. i dont'' know what''s the normal sparkling for E color

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 4/30/2009 12:52:18 PM
Author: GemmaEdet
Is it normal to have that obvious girdle refelection ??

Yes. Trust me. Take it to the grocery store or Ikea and then see what you think.

 

[GemmaEdet]

Another look from the front !.
This time does look less blurred, probably because it''s the focuse issue.

 

[stone-cold11]

Looks sparkling to me...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/30/2009 12:54:49 PM
Author: GemmaEdet
Sorry for so many pictures !!..
this one is outdoor env when there''s tiny bit sunlight ( on the way out to garden, i saw a dead mouse from my cat

)
Anyway..

It looks more sparkling outdoor, but again !.. it''s outdoor.. i dont'' know what''s the normal sparkling for E color

Sparkle isn''t to do with colour but cut. Any colour grade diamond will sparkle if the cut is good. Do your friends or family have any diamonds you can look at in everyday lighting? That might give you a comparison.

 

[GemmaEdet]

will be great if there''s nothing i shall be worried about !

last one.. and i shall stop.. should have all the angles !.
i still need to get rid of the pile of dead mouse body in the garden.