Advice on round diamond. Scores .08 on HCA

[samanthaxo]

Hi everyone!! I just made a decision on a round diamond and would like reassurance that I made the right decision.

2.26 I VS2 triple Ex stone

8.48 - 8.52 - 5.14 mm

Table: 57
Depth 60.4
Crown angle 33.5
Pavilion 40.8

Scores .08 on HCA.

Opinions please? The diamond is beautiful and performs amazing.

 

[OoohShiny]

IdealScope and/or ASETscope images would assist further, but the HCA score of under 2 indicates the angles are complementary

It also looks great in the picture!

If you have the diamond on hold and are happy to do so, post the GIA grading report number and what price you are being asked to pay, and we can assess if it is good value and well cut

 

[HappyNewLife]

Agree with OoohShiny

 

[samanthaxo]

I hope I didnt jump the gun!!
I fell in love with the stone and viewed it in different light settings (in door and out door). It was close to 5 when we took it outside to view it so the sun light wasnt the greatest as the sun was starting to set.

Here is the GIA report. I asked the jeweler rep about an aset or ideal scope and she said they couldnt do it?

Here is the report. We are paying 19,700.
Didnt realize the report attached as a pdf.

Here is the GIA #6262145205

 

[samanthaxo]

I keep staring at the pictures and videos from earlier. I think im in love.

 

[lalala]

I think it looks lovely.. you should post more pics though (so I can admire )...

Also, do they allow returns? If so, you could purchase an idealscope and examine it yourself, if you're worried about its performance.

 

[samanthaxo]

I think it looks lovely.. you should post more pics though (so I can admire )...

Also, do they allow returns? If so, you could purchase an idealscope and examine it yourself, if you're worried about its performance.

I'm not worried about it's perfomance at all. It was extremely lively in the store and outside. It performed well in the shade when the sun was setting. I dont have the best pictures as i was too excited taking them. The other pictures dont do the stone justive at all. Maybe I can upload the short video I recorded..

 

[OoohShiny]

The crown is not as high as some and the table is in the middle of the PS-recommended sizes (54-58% IIRC), so it may tend more towards white light return than coloured fire. The longer LGFs, at 80%, will give a more 'splintery' light return than shorter, wider LGFs (say 75%).

The above is neither good nor bad, though - it is personal taste The HCA score indicates it should perform well under ASET and IS scopes, which you can either buy from one of the ads at the top/bottom of the forum when they rotate round, or contact @Wink at High Performance Diamonds. I think it should be <$100 to purchase both, and then you can assess the stone yourself

What return policies does the store have that you are buying from? (And do you have them in writing?!)


EDIT: @lalala was kind enough to post a link in another thread

https://ideal-scope.com/shop/?product_order=date&product_sort=asc

 

[samanthaxo]

The crown is not as high as some and the table is in the middle of the PS-recommended sizes (54-58% IIRC), so it may tend more towards white light return than coloured fire. The longer LGFs, at 80%, will give a more 'splintery' light return than shorter, wider LGFs (say 75%).

The above is neither good nor bad, though - it is personal taste The HCA score indicates it should perform well under ASET and IS scopes, which you can either buy from one of the ads at the top/bottom of the forum when they rotate round, or contact @Wink at High Performance Diamonds. I think it should be <$100 to purchase both, and then you can assess the stone yourself

What return policies does the store have that you are buying from? (And do you have them in writing?!)


EDIT: @lalala was kind enough to post a link in another thread

I have 30 days to return or exchange.

Should I purchase an ideal scope? I am very happy with the diamond’s performance. I tried to stay within the diamond specs range that’s posted on the forum and also plugged the numbers into the HCA tool to ensure they were complimentary. My only concern is the score is <1.

 

[OoohShiny]

HCA is a rejection tool - anything under 2 means the diamond is worth a look IIRC lower HCA scores mean a shallower stone, which I believe will look better when dirty than a deeper stone!

HCA has been designed to enable easier sifting of large numbers of stones that you can't see, such as all those listed on the various internet sites, so using your eyes is the ultimate test, and you like it a lot

I would suggest looking at what else you might be able to buy from the Pricescope-recommended vendors, just to make sure the pricing is in the right ballpark or you are getting a good deal, but if it sings to you and you can't stop looking at it (in all lights), I think you've found your winner already

 

[HappyNewLife]

it sounds like you're really happy with your purchase, that's great! How are you going to set it?

 

[samanthaxo]

HCA is a rejection tool - anything under 2 means the diamond is worth a look IIRC lower HCA scores mean a shallower stone, which I believe will look better when dirty than a deeper stone!

HCA has been designed to enable easier sifting of large numbers of stones that you can't see, such as all those listed on the various internet sites, so using your eyes is the ultimate test, and you like it a lot

I would suggest looking at what else you might be able to buy from the Pricescope-recommended vendors, just to make sure the pricing is in the right ballpark or you are getting a good deal, but if it sings to you and you can't stop looking at it (in all lights), I think you've found your winner already

Thank you for sharing that information. I did not know a >1 means a shallow stone. Based off the spcs, do you think this stone is too shallow? Does the stone face up larger than other stones with a similiar carat weight?

it sounds like you're really happy with your purchase, that's great! How are you going to set it?

I think I am happy with the stone. Now I am doubting myself and second guessing my choice. I just want this to be perfect for me given our budget.

I plan on setting the stone in a cathedral solitaire with pave detail and single claw prongs. I really love the new setting. It's VERY similar to my oval (the basket will be different).

 

[HappyNewLife]

Thank you for sharing that information. I did not know a >1 means a shallow stone. Based off the spcs, do you think this stone is too shallow? Does the stone face up larger than other stones with a similiar carat weight?



I think I am happy with the stone. Now I am doubting myself and second guessing my choice. I just want this to be perfect for me given our budget.

I plan on setting the stone in a cathedral solitaire with pave detail and single claw prongs. I really love the new setting. It's VERY similar to my oval (the basket will be different).

I understand. It's very nerve-wracking. Such a huge, expensive purchase for something so... small (not saying your diamond is small, just you know, for the amount we spend on diamonds we could have a car instead).

that sounds pretty! Can't wait to see it when it's done!

 

[samanthaxo]

I understand. It's very nerve-wracking. Such a huge, expensive purchase for something so... small (not saying your diamond is small, just you know, for the amount we spend on diamonds we could have a car instead).

that sounds pretty! Can't wait to see it when it's done!

Yes, no worries. I know what you mean! So is the HCA score ok? I know 1+ but less than two is ideal. I thik I will wait until it's set and completed before I freak out.

Thank you! I am really excited about my new ring and can't wait to see it in person. Now if i can just lose weight so my fingers can shrink and do the stone justice I'd be over the moon.

 

[metall]

No expert, but I just wanted to say that it is a pretty stone and the size complements your finger really nicely (no finger shrinking required).

 

[OoohShiny]

Thank you for sharing that information. I did not know a >1 means a shallow stone. Based off the spcs, do you think this stone is too shallow? Does the stone face up larger than other stones with a similiar carat weight?

I may be wrong and you should not worry about your choice!

@Garry H (Cut Nut) may be able to chime in on whether there are different 'flavours' of shallower cut within the HCA <2 range although I think @Wink is the person who posted his anecdotal evidence of shallower stones retaining good performance when dirty!

 

[samanthaxo]

No expert, but I just wanted to say that it is a pretty stone and the size complements your finger really nicely (no finger shrinking required).

Thank you so much!! Im really excited and cant wait to see the stone size when it's set.

I may be wrong and you should not worry about your choice!

@Garry H (Cut Nut) may be able to chime in on whether there are different 'flavours' of shallower cut within the HCA <2 range although I think @Wink is the person who posted his anecdotal evidence of shallower stones retaining good performance when dirty!

Thank you for you insight! I hope the stone performs well clean too because I clean my bling often! I just hope it isnt too shallow!

 

[metall]

@Rockdiamond might have also mentioned something about rounds performing well with a little dirt.

 

[samanthaxo]

@Rockdiamond might have also mentioned something about rounds performing well with a little dirt.

That’s really interesting! My oval didn’t perform well at all when it was dirty. Now I am really interested to see the performance difference when the stone is dirty vs clean.

 

[samanthaxo]

Bump for opinions. I’m quite worried the stone is too shallow and debating if I visit the jeweler.

What is the ideal depth to stay away from shallow stones? I followed the recommended specs guideline and thought I did a good job.

 

[Smkq117]

No advice, I am just commenting to say it's beautiful, drool worthy, and I'm jealous

 

[valeria101]

There is a funny side to your Q ...

back in the day, when Pricescope were young & Ideal Cut RBC rare (GIA had not yet started to give cut grades, neitehr had AGS ... ), we would have balked at anything nearing 62% depth, as too deep to be Ideal. Now, there are (relatively) so few approx. 60% deep 'Ideals', that a rare one seems abnormal ... ,-(

The HCA would penalize a diamond once the main angles do not 'work' anymore, including due to shallow-ness; I m not sure what is the least RBC total depth at which there are NO HCA < 2 possible - certainly below 60... I'd guess toward 55 (but HCA Ideal proportions would be quite rare at the exceptionally low depth & the stones would not have correct H&A patterns). Of course, the HCA penalizes the slightly reduced 'spread' in RBC deeper than yours - that is to say, almost always !

As far as I recall, H&A standards allow 59% (good luck finding one of those).

2c

Congratulations for the fine find !

(if you look over my recent posts, you might find a long-ish list of such spreadier 60%-ish deep .9cts RBC, selected because their size equals most 1 carat-ers, toward the all too common 63% deep)

 

[samanthaxo]

There is a funny side to your Q ...

back in the day, when Pricescope were young & Ideal Cut RBC rare (GIA had not yet started to give cut grades, neitehr had AGS ... ), we would have balked at anything nearing 62% depth, as too deep to be Ideal. Now, there are (relatively) so few approx. 60% deep 'Ideals', that a rare one seems abnormal ... ,-(

The HCA would penalize a diamond once the main angles do not 'work' anymore, including due to shallow-ness; I m not sure what is the least RBC total depth at which there are NO HCA < 2 possible - certainly below 60... I'd guess toward 55 (but HCA Ideal proportions would be quite rare at the exceptionally low depth & the stones would not have correct H&A patterns). Of course, the HCA penalizes the slightly reduced 'spread' in RBC deeper than yours - that is to say, almost always !

As far as I recall, H&A standards allow 59% (good luck finding one of those).

2c

Congratulations for the fine find !

(if you look over my recent posts, you might find a long-ish list of such spreadier 60%-ish deep .9cts RBC, selected because their size equals most 1 carat-ers, toward the all too common 63% deep)

Thank you so much for your insightful post! I will definitely look over your post. I am by no means a diamond expert so any and every piece of information is helpful.

 

[OoohShiny]

I fear I may have caused you to question the stone's shallowness when you really have no worries!

It looks beautiful, you love it, it scores well on the HCA (I have it as 0.6? either way, exact numbers don't matter, just as long as it's under 2!) - I think you can move ahead with the purchase without any worries

If you want to double-check to make certain, order an IS and an ASET and then use them in the comfort of your home. They will also be useful for assessing any other diamonds that you may buy in the future or for checking your friends' stones when they ask how yours is so much more sparkly than theirs!

 

[samanthaxo]

I fear I may have caused you to question the stone's shallowness when you really have no worries!

It looks beautiful, you love it, it scores well on the HCA (I have it as 0.6? either way, exact numbers don't matter, just as long as it's under 2!) - I think you can move ahead with the purchase without any worries

If you want to double-check to make certain, order an IS and an ASET and then use them in the comfort of your home. They will also be useful for assessing any other diamonds that you may buy in the future or for checking your friends' stones when they ask how yours is so much more sparkly than theirs!

Thank you for your response espouse! I think I will purchase an IS and an ASET. And examine my stone further. I requested my jeweler to send videos/ pictures of the stone in direct sunlight and different lighting. I will share once she updates me!

 

[OoohShiny]

Excellent, we will look forward to them

 

[ringo865]

It is goinna be a beauty. And just to prove it, please post a thousand pictures when you get it.

 

[whitewave]

Sorry. Wrong post

 

[hearts-arrows_girl]

Gorgeous! Congratulations,

 

[CareBear]

A 33.5/40.8 combo is perfectly fine! The stone will look extra bright with the slightly shallower crown, which I personally prefer. The stone also has really good spread!