Advice please. 0.62 ct, D, I-2

[Pseudoname]

The only information that came with this diamond is from GemScan, which is the most popular Canadian appraisal service as I understand it and none of the information that I was hoping to look for came with the ring. I have 30 days to return it. Here is what I do know:

Gauging: 5.50 x 5.42 x 3.39
Weight: 0.62 ct.
Clarity: I-2
Colour: D
Cut: Very Good

The diamond in a white gold setting was listed at $2000 (Canadian), I managed to haggle off the taxes (15%). Replacement value: $3950 (Canadian)

Is this enough information to figure out anything of value? The ring looks good, but having read everything I''ve read here I don''t think I could have bought a diamond for my price range that would have been as nice I would like. My biggest concern is that there is significant feathering at the "3 o''clock" position and some minor feathering at the "9 o''clock" position. They will reset the ring with the prongs covering the feathering, hiding one completely I hope and covering most of the other. I don''t think my girlfriend will notice the feathering as I doubt she knows what to look for, but the fact that I know it''s there bothers me.

I really tried to get the best cut and I think I did that, the colour is nice at D obviously but it was the area I was most flexible in. The clarity was the area I wanted to be second least flexible in and it seems that is where I made the largest sacrifice.

My questions:
Is that information enough to get a good idea of what the diamond might look like?

Does feathering reduce the ''radiance'' of the diamond? IE: Will refracted beams get ''stuck'' or refracted in another direction through the feathering?

Should I consider having it appraised by someone who will use the formulae available here?

Could / should I consider having it clarity enhanced by someone like Yehuda (not entirely sure you can pay for this process on a diamond purchased elsewhere)?

Should I just give her the ring since other people seem to like it, cross my fingers, and just explain that it''s exchangeable if she really does notice the imperfections? (Not that I would know she knows because she''d never, ever tell me that she was unhappy with it *sigh*)

Thanks for any and all help. I''m going to call GemScan and give them the number on my appraisal card and see if they have more information available.

 

[Pseudoname]

Hah! All of the information is available for the low price of $50... and I have to drive to Toronto to pick it up! Thanks GemScan!

(If you represent GemScan, please realize that we're in the 21st century, that the internet *you're connected to it right now* is available, as are fax machines, and well.. there's always Canada Post. My credit card is screaming "I'd give you morons the 50 dollars you want if only you'd be willing to send me the detailed report via anything but me driving to Toronto")

 

[ClownFishFunk]

I would definitely say that that is not enough information to buy a diamond without seeing it first. You really need to know all the angles/percentages etc. Also, you say that you didnt want to be flexible in the clarity area, yet you went all the way down to I2, and you would be flexible in the color area, yet you got the highest color grade of a D - there are SO many options out there that there really is no reason to settle for this diamond if you are not sure it is what you were looking for. Inclusions are much more noticeable, IMO, then a drop from a D to E to F and for some a G to H.




I'm not sure if feathering will effect the radiance of the diamond, however sometimes feathering itself can be noticeable and unattractive to certain people. You say that just knowing it is there bothers you - why pay such a large amount of money for something that is going to bother you? I would suggest once again to keep browsing.




I also wouldnt really suggest getting it clarity enhanced...once again, there are so many options, i just dont feel it is necessary.




As for appraisals, I would think it is always a good idea to get your diamond appraised, there are many recommended appraisers you can find on this website.




In conclusion, as if you cant tell, I would suggest you keep browsing! I hope this helps...if you have any more questions, please ask!

 

[valeria101]

Not every included diamond can be clarity enhanced - what you see is what you get in this case.

Why D-I2... may I ask ? Hiding inclusions under prongs works sometimes, as long as you don't end up with a chipped diamond sooner or later. And yes, I would expect I2 inclusions to do 'something' with the brilliance of the stone. Not that this could not be a lucky case of reasonable I2 - there was at least one more like that around here.

Can you post the inclusions plot of the certificate? It would be interesting to see just what those inclusions look like at least on paper.

Otherwise, how about THIS (G/SI1, H&A) or THIS G/VS or whatever other 5.5mm round about F/G-SI, ideal or close ? These still take care of your preference for top color grades and don't push clarity to the point of breackage either. A white gold setting would keep with the budget - even a nice one, IMO.

 

[nicknomo]

A D I2 seems like an odd combination to me. You might be happier with say an F Si1-Si2 (eye clean). Honestly I think visible inclusions are the worst thing you can have on a diamond, and the I2 would mean you'd probably have visible inclusions. You don't need a flawless rock, but I strongly suggest you get something invisible to the eye.

An F will still be a strong white diamond, and you can get a clarity that will not obscure the diamonds beauty.

That's jsut my opinion.

 

[Pseudoname]

Yeah, D I-2 seemed like a really odd combination to me too. I guess this was my thinking... for my price range I have to adjust with one, or multiple Cs. I just wasn't going to get a diamond that had good clarity, colour, cut, and carat. That I would either have a good clarity and cut, but smaller carat and colour (which is what I was hoping for) or juggle the Cs in some other way. When I look at it against the black background of the case or against a finger it looks fine. It's only when you really inspect it that you can see the problem, and I think I might only be able to see it because I've tried to educate myself so much through these forums and other websites.

I think I'll have it reset and try to hide the feathering and see how it looks. If I'm still unhappy I'll return it. I'm wondering if rotating the diamond 45 degrees is going to change the look by rotating the table facet. IE: Instead of having the 'long' side of the facet in the 3,6,9,12 positions, the 'short' sides will be in those spots.

I've read a lot of stuff online but it all seems to fall apart when actually looking at diamonds and comparing one to another.

The more I look at it the more I fall in love with it, maybe I just have to get over my 'cognitive dissonance' we discussed so much in marketing.

LOL, I keep telling myself that at least it's feathering and not black carbon spots.

Yeah, I think I'll have it set differently and take another look. If it looks fine then I'll be ok with that. If not, I can return it so no real sweat. I have a few days to keep considering everything.

Thanks for all your help so far.

 

[nicknomo]

Well feathers I think are generally less visible than some other types of inclusions. Something I learned from the tutorial that is rather important, is that if a feather breaks the sruface it could eventually ruin your diamond. It's important that you verify this isn't the case if your diamond is an I2 with all feathers.

Otherwise, if the inclusions don't stand out and you are happy with it, that's all that matters.

You sound like you probably have a good return policy, so no worries then. If she likes it, you are set! Good luck!

 

[Cynthia]

Hey fellow Canadian !

I called GemScan and they said they would send it to where I bought the ring (If I was to buy the ring) .... what is up with having to go get it ?????

 

[Diamondsbybree]

That is odd....

 

[Blueman33]

I think it would be an error to get any stone with an I2 clarity.

I would buy an I color, SI2. A better cut H or I may look better than a not so good cut whiter stone.

Spend the money on cut. You have a 'very good' cut, which is pretty far down the line. I might not get the best cut, but look at these, I would prefer any of these myself. They came from McGivern Diamonds. I would buy one of these and get an simple Tiffany style ring. You won't bust your budget and all of these stones are better than a 'very good' 'I2' IMO. The last three which are the best cuts are slightly smaller, but will look just as big because they will sparkle more

The second price is the check or wire price. The higher one is for credit card.

2888729 Round 0.70 SI3 E $1,561 $1,522 EGL 60 63 M F N GD GD N 5.73-5.67X3.42 Premium

2970907 Round 0.70 SI1 I $1,594 $1,555 GIA 62.1 63 STK-TK N VG VG N 5.61-5.63X3.49 Premium Cut

#2488894 Round 0.63 SI2 D $1,509 $1,472 EGL 60.6 63 M F N VG VG N 5.55-5.51X3.35 Premium Cut

2755212 Round 0.63 SI1 H $1,560 $1,522 GIA 60.8 59 M-STK N G G N 5.52-5.54x3.36 Premium Cut

#2802445 Round 0.61 VS2 H $1,526 $1,488 EGL 62.8 55 M N VG VG N 5.40* 5.36*3.38 Ideal Cut

#2380173 Round 0.57 SI1 D $1,580 $1,542 EGL 59.8 60 M N VG VG N 5.38X5.35X3.21 Ideal Cut

2727535 Round 0.57 VS1 I $1,500 $1,463 GIA 61.5 56 MD N VG EX N 5.32-5.35X3.28 Ultra Ideal Cut

Good luck

 

[headlight]

I really would advise you to stay away from I2. No one on this board really will go near an I1 unless it is a phenominal branded cut.


Go SI2-I, if need be, but don't go I2.


Also, stay away from anything clarity enhanced.

 

[Blueman33]

Pheonix's .57 G SI2 is also only $1140, so that would be good for your budget.

 

[Pseudoname]

I appreciate all the feedback, I will be returning this diamond. The feathering is very noticeable to me from a good distance and I just can't get it out of my mind. The ring has grown on me a little, but just as I start to forget about the feathering it becomes painfully clear.

Thanks again for the advice, I think I'll shop around online a little more.

BTW: Do you have a link to that Pheonix (Phoenix?) diamond?

 

[Patty]

----------------
On 10/26/2004 9:45:12 PM Pseudoname wrote:


BTW: Do you have a link to that Pheonix (Phoenix?) diamond?----------------

Phoenixgirl posted the link on her thread. Just click on the specs and it will take you to the stone at Whiteflash.