Apart from Arrows what are critical

[gt]

I have looked through the tutorial at pricescope and went to some jewelers in Singapore. Most jewelers like Sk, Soo Kee, Citigems have an arrow viewer to look at the symmetry of the mounted diamonds that they have. But since it''s mounted, it''s not very possible to view the hearts image which is a better gauge of the cut of the diamond.

The question I have in my mind is this. After looking at the arrows which look symmetrical. I am not in the least impressed by the look of the diamond. Is there any quick gauge at a jeweler to look for diamonds. I am not sure I am good enough to spot much under a loupe . My first thought was an ideal scope but that needs to be purchased and shipped and after this purchase, it''s hard to know when I would be using the ideal scope again(haha. maybe I can loan it to friends who are going to get rings too ).But then again , would the ideal scope be great use for mounted diamonds since I can imagine a lot of the backlight will be blocked(Gary do correct me if I am wrong). Asking for the numbers and computing the HCA is kind of hard to do right at the jeweler.

So question how do the experts pick the gems ? I wonder if people like Gabriel Tolkowsky can just look and pick with his bare eyes

My take is use H&A viewer + Idealscope + eyes. If only I have a trained eye, picking a diamond would have being easier. Any PSers in Singapore have experience using idealscope at the chain jewelers here.. Share your story

 

[:)]

Whether to go with H&A is a matter of preference, and would require using an h&a viewer to select a stone.
As you said, you can''t use it anyways because the stones are already mounted so you can''t see the hearts (unless you can get the jeweler to unmount the stones whiich would be ideal whether you wanted h&a or not as you can hide things under prongs, etc)
If you are looking at rounds you need an idealscope. You can use that for mounted stones as well. For fancies, get an ASET. You can always loan them to a friend to use later!

 

[arjunajane]

Hi gt, I second the advice from

However (and I know you didn''t ask this), I have read other Singapore posters here not being that enthused about their local jewellers either..
it seems like stuff there is quite expensive, and not necessarily best quality (pls correct if I''m wrong).

Have you considered buying online from the US? That would mostly eliminate the guesswork, as all the work is done for you with a nbr of vendors..

I have done this a couple times and I live in Australia, so its no big obstacle being O/S.

good luck

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/13/2009 1:22:10 AM
Author:gt
I have looked through the tutorial at pricescope and went to some jewelers in Singapore. Most jewelers like Sk, Soo Kee, Citigems have an arrow viewer to look at the symmetry of the mounted diamonds that they have. But since it''s mounted, it''s not very possible to view the hearts image which is a better gauge of the cut of the diamond.

The question I have in my mind is this. After looking at the arrows which look symmetrical. I am not in the least impressed by the look of the diamond. Is there any quick gauge at a jeweler to look for diamonds. I am not sure I am good enough to spot much under a loupe . My first thought was an ideal scope but that needs to be purchased and shipped and after this purchase, it''s hard to know when I would be using the ideal scope again(haha. maybe I can loan it to friends who are going to get rings too ).But then again , would the ideal scope be great use for mounted diamonds since I can imagine a lot of the backlight will be blocked(Gary do correct me if I am wrong). Asking for the numbers and computing the HCA is kind of hard to do right at the jeweler.

So question how do the experts pick the gems ? I wonder if people like Gabriel Tolkowsky can just look and pick with his bare eyes

My take is use H&A viewer + Idealscope + eyes. If only I have a trained eye, picking a diamond would have being easier. Any PSers in Singapore have experience using idealscope at the chain jewelers here.. Share your story

One approach you can use is to see if there are any stores which sell AGS0 cut grade in your area or Hearts on Fire brand, then you have a baseline comparison of known cut quality which you can use to compare the diamonds you are viewing for purchase.

But if the diamonds you are considering have recent GIA reports, then the proportions will be listed on it, just ask the jeweller.

 

[gt]

yup thought of buying from US. But a recent trip to a B&M stall in Singapore, I found a F VS1 0.4ct selling around USD$1200. So that got me thinking a bit. And I kind of find the science of it very fascinating .That''s why the interest.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

If you see a 1.04 F-VS1 being offered for USD 1,200.-, there is only one advice: RUN !!!!

No, better still, take the fastest get-away-vehicle that you can get! And do not leave any traces!

Live long,

 

[Lorelei]

Edit - Thanks Serg!

 

[Serg]

Date: 1/13/2009 4:53:45 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
If you see a 1.04 F-VS1 being offered for USD 1,200.-, there is only one advice: RUN !!!!

No, better still, take the fastest get-away-vehicle that you can get! And do not leave any traces!

Live long,

re:1.04 F-VS1 being offered for USD 1,200.-,


F VS1 0.4ct selling around USD$1200

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

I am sorry. I totally misread that post. My bad.