Advise pls: Min quality stone for solitaire pendant

[Jeanne61]

Hi - I''m looking or a .4-.5 carat diamond for a white gold pendant. Since the stone isn''t that big,I''d like to maximize the WOW factor. If I aim for a stone in the 0-2 TIC or BIC HCA range, what clarity, color, cut should I aim for?


Many thanks!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 12/16/2007 5:31:36 PM
Author:Jeanne61
Hi - I''m looking or a .4-.5 carat diamond for a white gold pendant. Since the stone isn''t that big,I''d like to maximize the WOW factor. If I aim for a stone in the 0-2 TIC or BIC HCA range, what clarity, color, cut should I aim for?

Hi Jeanne!

This is a difficult question to answer b/c it is all so personal. I''m happy to share my own thoughts with you. ...

Given that you are placing priority on cut, my understanding of your WOW factor would relate to the best color and clarity? Is this right?

I would think that if you want your diamond to be icy white you would want to stick in the D-E-F range although you would be just fine in the G-H-I range as well.

For clarity, you are probably safe to stay somewhere in the SI range. See if you can find an eye-clean SI1 or SI2 and your pendant will be gorgeous!

Let us know what you decide to go with!

 

[Jeanne61]

Hi Sparkalicious,

Thank you – that helps a lot! OK - I’ve been looking a number of diamonds online and ran across a few that look like they’d be good candidates…love to have everyone’s opinion as to how these stones compare. All have Very Good or Excellent polish & symmetry, between .4 -.55 carat, 4.8-5.3mm in diameter and $800-$1000. Here goes:
1) 59.8% depth, 58% table, 32.5° crown angle, 40.8° pavilion angle, VS1, I
2) 61.1% depth, 57% table, 34° crown angle, 40.6° pavilion angle, VS2, F,
3) 61.5% depth, 57.1% table, 35.6° crown angle, 40.5° pavilion angle, VS1, I
4) 60.8% depth, 58% table, 33° crown angle, 40.8° pavilion angle, VS1, F
5) 62.2% depth, 55% table, 34° crown angle, 41°, VS2, H,
6) 61.6% depth, 56% table, 35° crown angle, 40.8° pavilion angle, SI2, I,

I understand that #3 is in the FIC range and this may give the diamond more fire. Would this make a visible difference compared to these other stones?

Also, can one actually see a size difference between 4.85 to 5.3mm on a pendant?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 12/16/2007 11:22:41 PM
Author: Jeanne61

Hi Sparkalicious,

Thank you – that helps a lot! OK - I’ve been looking a number of diamonds online and ran across a few that look like they’d be good candidates…love to have everyone’s opinion as to how these stones compare. All have Very Good or Excellent polish & symmetry, between .4 -.55 carat, 4.8-5.3mm in diameter and $800-$1000. Here goes:

1) 59.8% depth, 58% table, 32.5° crown angle, 40.8° pavilion angle, VS1, I
2) 61.1% depth, 57% table, 34° crown angle, 40.6° pavilion angle, VS2, F,
3) 61.5% depth, 57.1% table, 35.6° crown angle, 40.5° pavilion angle, VS1, I
4) 60.8% depth, 58% table, 33° crown angle, 40.8° pavilion angle, VS1, F
5) 62.2% depth, 55% table, 34° crown angle, 41°, VS2, H,
6) 61.6% depth, 56% table, 35° crown angle, 40.8° pavilion angle, SI2, I,

I understand that #3 is in the FIC range and this may give the diamond more fire. Would this make a visible difference compared to these other stones?

Also, can one actually see a size difference between 4.85 to 5.3mm on a pendant?

Thanks again everyone!

Jeanne - I was initially drawn to the 2 & 4 due to the F/VS1 VS2 combo. I love that combo, however, after running the numbers in the Cut Advisor, although they fall under 2, I think I like

#5

the best b/c it is H, therefore, whiter than I, and it falls in both the "ideal range" for AGS & the "excellent range" for GIA, thus I don''t see how it would not be a winner!

If the diamond is more fiery then it would make a difference b/c you would see more fire in it than you would one that was less fiery. I think that this comes down to personal preference as opposed to actually beauty of the diamond.

The size difference, in my opinion, would be minimal, especially on a pendant, however, opinions do vary. If you had two stones together, the difference might be slightly noticeable, however, just by itself, don''t think it will make a huge difference at all.

 

[Jeanne61]

Hi Sparkalicious,

I agree with you, #5 is a front runner. What do you think of this one: 60% depth, 59% table, 34.5° crown angle, 40.8° pavilion angle, also VS2 H but 0.05mm smaller and costs about $150 less (them xmas presents are getting expensive!! . If the 2 are comparable, I can ask the vendor to perform a visual inspection and go from there. BTW - I checked #5 again and the specs show FAINT Fluorescence - does that matter?

Another question - in a diamond this size, does it matter if the culet is none vs. pointed vs. very small? Thx!

Jeanne

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/17/2007 1:28:20 AM
Author: Jeanne61
Hi Sparkalicious,

I agree with you, #5 is a front runner. What do you think of this one: 60% depth, 59% table, 34.5° crown angle, 40.8° pavilion angle, also VS2 H but 0.05mm smaller and costs about $150 less (them xmas presents are getting expensive!! . If the 2 are comparable, I can ask the vendor to perform a visual inspection and go from there. BTW - I checked #5 again and the specs show FAINT Fluorescence - does that matter?

Another question - in a diamond this size, does it matter if the culet is none vs. pointed vs. very small? Thx!

Jeanne

Welcome Jeanne.

The 59 table is on the large side, but the rest of the proportions look fine. Personally I would prefer a smaller table to go with the other measurements.

As to the culet, no worries with any of the above, none, pointed, very small etc, all are fine and the differences won't be seen with the naked eye.

See this info. http://diamonds.pricescope.com/culet.asp

Faint blue fluorescence is considered to not make much difference to the diamond, some seek out med as it is thought to help a lower colour face up whiter, it has many fans around here. One of my diamonds has faint and I can discern it fairly easily and love it, but it is a matter of preference. I consider fluorescence something positive which adds interest to the diamond, however depending, it may not be noticeable to some - no worries as it may be a nice extra.

Also the diamond you mention which is in FIC range, may lend itself to more fire than the other diamonds, ideally you want the right lighting conditions to see the effects, FICs' are quite sought after! Ask the vendor how it looks.

 

[Jeanne61]

Thanks Lorelei & Sparkalicious for all your help, I think I will go ahead with this one!

BTW this #5 diamond is a .43 carat, VS2, H, diamond with Excellent/Ideal cut - is $920 US a good price for it?

Thanks!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 12/17/2007 8:49:00 PM
Author: Jeanne61
Thanks Lorelei & Sparkalicious for all your help, I think I will go ahead with this one!

BTW this #5 diamond is a .43 carat, VS2, H, diamond with Excellent/Ideal cut - is $920 US a good price for it?

Thanks!

Good stuff Jeanne. About the pricing .. I just did a pricescope search and found this one for $882 at Whiteflash or $838 if you get the Pricescope discount or bank wire price, I believe.
It is one of their A Cut Above Hearts & Arrows or super ideal diamonds so there is no question about it being a superior stone cut wise.
It is 0.401 carats, H/VS2 ... Looks beautiful!
Granted it is just a smidge smaller than your choice, it beats your price by appx $40 - $80 and is top notch as well!

Sorry if I have further confused you but I thought I would mention it since I saw it.
Other prices ranged from $740 - $1505 for carat weights ranging from 0.40 to 0.52. If you decide to stay with yours, it looks like you are doing okay ... right within range.