Any red flags for this diamond?

[dogjam]

Hi all,

Totally new to all this, but I found this diamond (http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamond...low_type=&rb_action_type_id=&item_id=AB948009) and I'm wondering if there are any red flags for it.

Its HCA is 1.4 based on "medium" girdle, but its actual girdle is "medium to slightly thick, faceted".

Thoughts? I'm interested in an eye-clean, fairly colorless, nice-sized stone. I know that EGL tends to grade more leniently, especially in color, so I figure I'm still alright if I lose a grade or two in color and/or clarity vs. an assessment by GIA.

Thanks for any help!
DJ

 

[yssie]

can't access the report, can you post?

 

[dogjam]

Sorry: I should have said that this for an engagement ring.

Also, here's the report:


Thanks!
DJ

 

[yssie]

Re: Any red flags for this dmond?

numbers are "fine", but numbers aren't exact and are averaged and don't tell you all you'll want to know anyway


I don't know if UD provides ISs? Or if not, you'll want to chat w/ your rep & get it independently appraised


You already know to be wary of EGL's colour and clarity grading
Also remember that the H&A title means little w/o views or images to prove hearts

 

[dogjam]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm a little unclear on the Idealscope and what it would tell me.

Also, I'm probably showing my ignorance here, but if the diamond has a decent HCA, is triple excellent (cut grade, polish, and symmetry), and has such good ratings (even though from EGL), what are the ways in which it could under-perform or be unpleasantly surprising?

Thanks!
DJ

 

[yssie]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm a little unclear on the Idealscope and what it would tell me.

check these pages, will clearly answer your question:
http://www.ideal-scope.com/1.using_reference_chart.asp
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/ideal-scope



Also, I'm probably showing my ignorance here, but if the diamond has a decent HCA, is triple excellent (cut grade, polish, and symmetry), and has such good ratings (even though from EGL), what are the ways in which it could under-perform or be unpleasantly surprising?

-hca estimates performance based on four parametres you input, does not take into account all aspects of the diamond's proportions
-proportions listed on report are averaged through 8 sections of diamond, rounded, cut grade based on those numbers, and percents listed are less accurate than angles. Averaged values tell you nothing about spread.
-ex vs vg and I would wager even good polish would be very difficult to determine w/ the naked eye, physical symmetry as evaluated by the labs is different from optical symmetry
-this stone is not EGL USA, meaning it's likely to be even softer on colour/clarity than USA or GIA/AGS evaluation would report

Thanks!
DJ

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm a little unclear on the Idealscope and what it would tell me.

Also, I'm probably showing my ignorance here, but if the diamond has a decent HCA, is triple excellent (cut grade, polish, and symmetry), and has such good ratings (even though from EGL), what are the ways in which it could under-perform or be unpleasantly surprising?

Thanks!
DJ

It could well be a very nice diamond DJ.
People are naturally uneasy with EGL paper, and you seem to be aware of that. The % data is too broad to really use for HCA - EGL do not print angles.
The crown and pavilion angles are probably a little shallow based on the reports girdle thickness, but I do not trust EGL's reporting of girdle, and that does not match up with the carat weight either.

Chances are that the cut is very nice though.
You either seek more info or proceed - your call

 

[dogjam]

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the expert input.
DJ

 

[dogjam]

So I requested the Sarin report for the diamond I'm looking at, and it's as follows:

Diameter: 7.07mm (7.05-7.10) 0.7%
Total depth 4.17mm 59.0%
Table 4.23mm 59.8%
Crown 32.1 degrees (31.6-32.8 ) 12.6%
Pavil. 41.0 (40.9-41.0) 43.2%
Culet 0.6% Very Small
Girdle 2.0% (1.6%-2.3%) (Medium-Sl. Thick, Sl. Thick)

Does any of this mean anything to anyone? Do these spec's translate into an "Ideal" cut? It's listed as a Union Diamond "Select Ideal" cut, but does that even mean anything?

On another note, I read somewhere that H diamonds in a round cut appear super-white and that, if you're not comparing diamond to diamond, money that you would otherwise spend on color might be better spent on something else, given the difficulty in appreciating greater-than-H color in a well-cut, round diamond. Is there any truth to this?

Thanks for any advice,
DJ

 

[JulieN]

You need to ask Union Diamond for their Ideal Scope or ASET pictures, they provide these services. The numbers do mean something (you may proceed with caution) but pictures are better. The IS/ASET will give you a visual of optical symmetry and light return.

For most people, a G will appear colorless face up, and I color will be where people can see a little tint. H is somewhere in the middle, depending on grading, individual color tolerances.

 

[MarkBroumand]

On another note, I read somewhere that H diamonds in a round cut appear super-white and that, if you're not comparing diamond to diamond, money that you would otherwise spend on color might be better spent on something else, given the difficulty in appreciating greater-than-H color in a well-cut, round diamond. Is there any truth to this?

Depending on individual color sensitivity, this can be true. There are amazing G^H colored stones where you wouldn't have to pay that premium for D-E-F. This, of course, will depend on a million other factors, so it's recommended that you visit a local jeweler and look at different color grades (apples 2 apples) and find out your personal sensitivity and see where you can go from there!

 

[dogjam]

Thanks for the continuing help, you guys.

So I got the IdealScope pics for this diamond, and I'm not sure what to make of them--the hearts look good, but the arrows are effed up a bit.

What should I make of these images? Is this a poor cut? It's designated as a Union Diamond "Select Ideal," whatever that means.

Not sure what to do,
DJ

 

[yssie]

not IS, just pics through hearts and arrows viewer.

hearts wouldn't qualify the stone as H&A, if you want H&A. You don't need H&A to get a stunning stone.