AGS000 or 60/60 GIA Triple Ex

[mayo1209]

Hello all,
I’m considering diamonds for a pair of diamond studs totaling about 1 ct. total weight. I have long hair so sometimes the earrings hide. I currently have a 0.75 ct total weight that I feel is small.
My choices - a pair of G SI1s GIA triple Ex with the following stats:
1) Table 59%, depth 59.1%. Pavilion angle 40.8, crown angle 32.5 degrees.
This got a 1.9 on the HCA
2) Table 59%, depth 59.2%. Pavilion angle 41.2, crown angle 32. This got a 1.2
They both scored an excellent on spread and very good on all the other parameters.
For about $250 more I saw a pair of ACAs on Whiteflash. This I didn’t run an HCA on yet since AGS 000s would score better on the tool.

I have attached images.

 

[lovedogs]

I would avoid the second option that scores 1.2 on the HCA because it doesnt say "excellent" for light return, which is super important IMHO. It also falls right outside of GIA excellent on the chart, which makes me nervous. The first option falls in ideal parameters on the chart but still isn't excellent for ligjt return.

I would go with the ACA stones bc if you still feel they are smaller than you'd like, you have the $1 upgrade policy.

 

[Karl_K]

I would avoid the second option that scores 1.2 on the HCA because it doesnt say "excellent" for light return,

Making a vary big assumption that those numbers are reasonably accurate and of good make.
Diamcalc predicts it will be the brighter of the 2 with various different lgf%.
That said 32 and 32.5 is getting into potential susceptible to damage range so need to know the girdle thickness?

 

[lovedogs]

Making a vary big assumption that those numbers are reasonably accurate.
Diamcalc predicts it will be the brighter of the 2 with various different lgf%.

I guess my thought was that neither of the first 2 options score "excellent" on light return, AND the other (third) choice is a pair of ACA which means that OP can upgrade for $1 if down the line she decides she wants to go bigger.

 

[Karl_K]

I guess my thought was that neither of the first 2 options score "excellent" on light return, AND the other (third) choice is a pair of ACA which means that OP can upgrade for $1 if down the line she decides she wants to go bigger.

That's a very valid reason.
I was curious about the HCA scores so checked them in DC and it has them in the reverse order for brightness.
Which I thought was interesting.
Im not endorsing them.

edit: now I have egg on my face lol i misreaad the first one and thought it was EX for brightness not that they were both VG.
My bad.

 

[headlight]

I don’t think there’s any question... if you can get the ACAs, do it!

 

[tyty333]

This is a no-brainer, for $250 get the ACAs. They will be beautiful stones with Ideal light return. The other big plus is an excellent
upgrade policy in case your ears get DSS (it happens) or if you want to go with a higher color someday (really any reason).

 

[mayo1209]

Thank you for the advice. Here is another beautiful stone I found but it is still lonely coz I didn’t like the second one of the pair and have not been able to find a suitable match.
what do you think of this one

 

[mayo1209]

And a potential mate

 

[tyty333]

Any pictures of these 2 new stones?

I guess I'm not sure what your goal is here? Are these new stones better color (or clarity) then the AGS000 stones? Are they a lot
less expensive? Most people would go with the AGS000 stones unless there is a good reason to go with another pair and you havent
told us or given us enough info to understand why you (or anyone) would want to go with the other pair. Give us some more info
or let us know what your goal is and we might be able to advise a little better.

 

[mayo1209]

Sorry I should have elaborated more. The new stones I posted are cheaper significantly and are from a respected vendor(Blue Nile). Color clarity is the same - I/SI1. My goal is to get the best possible cut/sparkle without the premium associated with AGS000 certification which I’ve read on these forums is possible and has been successfully done by many.
Thank you for your patience and inputs.
N

 

[lovedogs]

Sorry I should have elaborated more. The new stones I posted are cheaper significantly and are from a respected vendor(Blue Nile). Color clarity is the same - I/SI1. My goal is to get the best possible cut/sparkle without the premium associated with AGS000 certification which I’ve read on these forums is possible and has been successfully done by many.
Thank you for your patience and inputs.
N

How much cheaper, and can we see pics?

 

[mayo1209]

About $800 cheaper. I took screen shots but am not sure I did a good job. The HCAs looks good - helped me eliminate many diamonds.
#1. table 56, depth 62.1. crown angle 35.5, pavilion 40.6.
#2. table 58, depth 61.2. Crown angle 34.5, pavilion 40.6
Diamond 1

 

[lovedogs]

About $800 cheaper. I took screen shots but am not sure I did a good job. The HCAs looks good - helped me eliminate many diamonds.
#1. table 56, depth 62.1. crown angle 35.5, pavilion 40.6.
#2. table 58, depth 61.2. Crown angle 34.5, pavilion 40.6
Diamond 1

I am not a stickler for clarity, but the first one looks like there's a giant carbon spot right in the center of the table. I would pass and go with the ACA.

 

[tyty333]

I'm with @lovedogs ...I'm a no on that first one. There has got to be another stone at BN without a big fat carbon on the table.

Can you put the stones on "hold" and provide us the links to the stones?

 

[mayo1209]

Yes let me find another stone through the process of eliminating the ones that do not do very well on the HCA tool.
SI1 can mean a lot of things and while I realize that VS clarity is overkill for earrings, what are some of the “acceptable” flaws in the SI1 range?

Feather, crystal, twinning wisps are all terms I’ve come across on the GIA dossiers. Unfortunately the dossiers do not include precise location and size of the inclusions.

Thank you

 

[tyty333]

What do you think about these two? They are both a little high in the crown....dont know if BN will get you idealscope images. You can
ask. Post them if they will get them for you. What is your budget for stones (without the setting)?

0.54-Carat Round Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

0.55-Carat Round Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

 

[mayo1209]

$2000 for the stones. I like these two. I don’t know how they perform on the HCA though. I’ve been eliminating all stones over 2.0 on the HCA.

 

[mayo1209]

G/SI1 - diamond 1 HCA 1.6
G/SI1 - diamond 2 HCA 0.8

I found these two in my search what do you think
They don’t ship until August 4th.