Anyone heard about Caro74 diamonds?

[jamiehl]

Hi. This is my first post, so we''ll see if I do it right!

The guy at the jewelry store was showing me some diamond called a caro74 - it''s a round cut with 74 facets. I searched the forums and didn''t find anything about it. I just wondered if anyone had any information about...is it really any better? Is the main difference just more facets, and if so, is it just that stores "special brand"? (it seems like everywhere I go has their own special diamond they are trying to sell me.)

Any info would be great. Thanks!

 

[Jonathan the Jeweler]

Specialty cuts are quite common. I have heard of many variation of the round brilliant. Most of them, to my knowledge, are simple variations in the degrees of symmetry of the facets. Standard round brilliants have an eight-fold symmetry and have 57-58 facets. 33 on the crown and 24-25 on the pavillion. (depending on whether you have a culet). By Increasing the degree of symmetry around the table of the stone a cutter can create a modified brilliant cut with more facets and maintain optimal optical properties. There are a great many proprietary cuts that vary the basic symmetry of round brilliant, and are marketed by name. I can think of two examples right now. Roberto Coin''s Cento diamonds with 100 facets and Bailey Banks and Biddle''s Lineage cut Diamonds with 168. I have never heard of caro74, but if its a well cut modified round it could be a beautiful stone. Though I would want to see the exact arrangement, as a ten fold symmetry should give a total of 72 facets.

 

[jamiehl]

Thanks for responding.

How much extra should I expect a specialty stone to cost?

 

[surfgirl]

jamie, usually I''ve found that most specialty cuts are offered up as "unique" to the shop/chain that offers them, Roberto Coin being an exemption as that line is available in many stores. Your referenced cut is probably unique to the shop you''re looking at but why not ask them? Such cuts are usually presented to me as being more "brilliant" because of the extra faceting. Sometimes this is true, other times I think it just hides flaws. For example, I have a Ben Bridge "Signature" cut diamond 5-stone band that I wore for years prior to becoming engaged. IIRC, that cut is branded for the BB chain and it was mentioned to me that it''s got more "sparkle" because of the extra faceting. Indeed, it does have better performance but I also chose the best stones from a selection because I felt I knew what I was looking at and my jeweler knew that. For me, that choice was very good and I have an amazing ring out of it. But I''d say one has to know what they''re looking at and be sure the stones you select are the best you can get...if that makes sense...

 

[Lynn B]

Remember, although it may sound better -- more facets do NOT necessarily mean more *sparkle*.

Personally, I have yet to see any stone with additional facets that has performed (in my eyes, anyway) as well as my ideal-cut H&A RB. Just my humble 2 cents.

 

[tonydia]

Date: 1/5/2008 12:50:52 AM
Author:jamiehl
Hi. This is my first post, so we''ll see if I do it right!

The guy at the jewelry store was showing me some diamond called a caro74 - it''s a round cut with 74 facets. I searched the forums and didn''t find anything about it. I just wondered if anyone had any information about...is it really any better? Is the main difference just more facets, and if so, is it just that stores ''special brand''? (it seems like everywhere I go has their own special diamond they are trying to sell me.)

Any info would be great. Thanks!

Hi jamiehl, sorry for the late reply but I just joined the forum. Perhaps by now you have purchaed a stone. Have you? What was your final decision with regard to the Caro74? With so many options out there today in terms of proprietary cuts it must be quite challenging to find the "right" stone. I find that every stone has its unique properties. The modern brilliant handles white light very well. Many of the cuts that have additional facets scintillate (sparkle) differenly and many people prefer this dance of light over flash of white. I will agree with some of the other posts that more especially the 100-180 facet offerings makes for a prettier diamond IMHO. Best of luck!

 

[ByGoneEraBride]

Date: 1/5/2008 6:27:48 PM
Author: jamiehl
Thanks for responding.

How much extra should I expect a specialty stone to cost?

This isn''t the best indicator, but...ask to look at their ''regular'' diamonds. Compare that way, at least you can tell how much they are charging more than a typical diamond.

As always, depends on cut, clarity, etc. So you would have to ask for a comparable stone (with the only real difference being the extra facets).

I can tell you, sometimes it is so worth it. My princess has extra facets, when people see it they go "wow, that really has some fire." And its a small diamond...

But did you look at it and go "Holy...wow." if so, it may be worth it, no matter the cost!