A Few Choices

[Amyloid]

I have been an avid reader of PS over the past year, but this is my very first post (woohooo!). I come to you needing a few opinions on the following stones. I'm looking for most importantly an ideal cut with excellent light return, 2+ ct, and then the best color/clarity my wallet can afford, which comes out to a max of like $22-23k.

With those in mind, I just wanted some quick opinions on the following 4 stones. I understand with the SI1/SI2 they must be "eye-clean" and I would verify that, but from the pictures I've seen, they all look pretty good to me.

Anyways, here is what I have found so far:

1. F - SI2 - my only concern with this one was that it scored under a 2 on HCA but only received 1 excellent.

2. H - SI1

3. F - SI1 - Not sure what is at the 10 o'clock position on the IS picture

4. H - SI1 - WF - From the normal picture, it looks like there are some inclusions on the table...not really sure if you'd see those.

From my limited actual knowledge, I would say that the first H-SI1 looks the best; although I am not sure what to make of the F-SI2 and how bright it is compared to the first H-SI1 (different lighting when the picture was taken??)

I would rank them: 2 > 3 > 4 with not knowing what to do with 1 - but I am no expert

Thanks for your help in advance!

Also, just a random thought. I was using the search by cut function and was wondering if this is really all inclusive of the really good stones out there or should I also spend some time on JA, WF, and GOG looking for more stones? I noticed that no stones from JA appeared on the list that were grader then 2ct. (I'm guessing this is because they aren't listed properly for the search tool??)

 

[Amyloid]

Found one more:

5. GOG - H

Thanks!

 

[stone-cold11]

HCA is only used as a rejection tool. Do not use the results as a selection criteria.

 

[beach]

James Allen 2.31 H VS2. In a nice sweet spot and inscribed. Report came out 11 days ago

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1236562.asp

 

[Amyloid]

Date: 5/15/2009 8:39:19 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
HCA is only used as a rejection tool. Do not use the results as a selection criteria.

So basically as all these stones are under 2, one should assume that they will perform very well and just leave it at that and now compare IS/ASET images?

 

[stone-cold11]

Yap.

 

[stone-cold11]

All of them looked good to me, so now it is up to eye-clean and your personal preference and budget.

The 10 o'clock white line in the IS is from the inclusion.

 

[beach]

Date: 5/15/2009 8:47:53 PM
Author: beach
James Allen 2.31 H VS2. In a nice sweet spot and inscribed. Report came out 11 days ago

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1236562.asp

 

[Amyloid]

Date: 5/15/2009 8:47:53 PM
Author: beach
James Allen 2.31 H VS2. In a nice sweet spot and inscribed. Report came out 11 days ago

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1236562.asp

Thanks! I noticed that actually as well and wrote it down as a possible choice. Gives me confidence that I know what I am looking for.

 

[beach]

I really like the stone. It is in the middle of some nice ranges which allows room for error either way! These stones usually go very fast...

 

[stone-cold11]

Looks good too, ask for an IS and the stone will be place on hold for you until 24hrs after you receive the IS image.

 

[beach]

I would hold the stone for sure. The IS would be a nice touch but I bet it will be great! The ranges are just right to allow for rounding errors and be fine! Be sure to ask for PS discount.

 

[Amyloid]

Date: 5/15/2009 9:04:51 PM
Author: beach
I would hold the stone for sure. The IS would be a nice touch but I bet it will be great! The ranges are just right to allow for rounding errors and be fine! Be sure to ask for PS discount.

Does WF or GOG offer a PS discount?

 

[beach]

Yes. Pricescope and bankwire discounts.
WF and GOG have better upgrade policies as well if that is something that is important to you. However, James Allen prices are usually better but it takes a little more work to find an ideal performing diamond...

Whatever you do, I highly recommend getting an independent appriasal during the return period to be sure about your purchase. They will confirm that the color is correct, price is good, and that the inclusions are safe etc... WF, GOG, James Allen are not perfect and mistakes can happen so always get another eye on your stone.

We used Richard Sherwood http://www.sarasotagemlab.com/
He ended up saving us thousands of dollars and helped us weed out 2ct+ H&A "superideal" stones.... These stones even came with all the images, scans etc... and he still found issues. He was top notch.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/15/2009 8:50:08 PM
Author: Amyloid

Date: 5/15/2009 8:39:19 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
HCA is only used as a rejection tool. Do not use the results as a selection criteria.

So basically as all these stones are under 2, one should assume that they will perform very well and just leave it at that and now compare IS/ASET images?

No. All the HCA does is to weed out those diamonds which are likely to be the better performers and worth further evaluation. It is not best to assume that a diamond scoring under 2 will perform very well and be suitable for your purposes. Look at it this way, a diamond scoring below 2 is worth further evaluation with ASET or Idealscopes then once you have the images narrow down from there according to personal preference, the suitability of the diamond for the intended purpose and budget.

The diamonds you have selected look good, the next step is to find out which are eyeclean to your standards by asking the respective vendors in order to narrow down further.