ASET / Idealscope / Sarin image feedback help

[NJB]

Hi,

I am a total newbie considering purchasing a stone (engagement ring...big surprise) and was hoping for some feedback on the Sarin report and ASET / Idealscope / Hearts / Arrows images attached. I have very little idea how to interpret these beyond a few hours of googling / looking at reference images. It seems that there's a decent amount of leakage, in one area in particular (around 9:00 on the images). On a potentially related note the HCA score is 3.3.

I'm not paying a big premium for the most ideal cut or anything, so I know some of this is to be expected. But I'm just looking for some general feedback - how should I think about these? Is the diamond "bad" / "stay away" / "should be willing to go down in size just to get a better cut"? Or conversely, should I think about it more as "not the perfect diamond but very good" / "scores well on Brilliance Fire Scintillation which is what matters", "leakage is not that bad, the reference images you're looking at are for the perfect stones", "hearts and arrows look good which is what matters", etc?

Any guidance from all you experienced folks out there would be very much appreciated!

 

[flyingpig]

I may consider it at a right price.
What are carat weight, color and clarity (and any fluo)? and how much is it?

 

[bmfang]

A bit of leakage at 9 o’clock. Pavilion is cut to tighter parameters than the crown. Big variability in the crown

CA: averaged over 8 measurements is 35.76 degrees (GIA would round to 36)
PA: averaged over 8 measurements is 40.78 (GIA 40.8 )

@flyingpig , I think based off the measurements that this is around 2.3 carats in size.

CA and depth is a little high for me. What is your budget?

 

[blueMA]

I'd pass.. the crown is a bit too steep for the pavillion, especially since you care enough to get ASET and Idealscope images.

You don't have to purchase a super ideal cut H&A diamonds at a premium but you most likely could purchase a diamond within the AGS ideal range for better light performance.

 

[NJB]

Thanks all! Thats exactly right, its a 2.32ct I-VS2, no fluor. Price would be 18,500usd which is right around my budget (want to do the ring for under 20k total).

 

[blueMA]

Thanks all! Thats exactly right, its a 2.32ct I-VS2, no fluor. Price would be 18,500usd which is right around my budget (want to do the ring for under 20k total).

I've just searched on one website real quick but do like this one I found at little over your budget. I think it'd be a stunner at slightly higher budget. I'll look for more in a bit but check it out.

https://www.fourmine.com/diamonds/index/diamonddetail/id/9826160419

 

[NJB]

Thank you @blueMA . I had actually seen that one on FourMine as well. My issue there is if it actually ends up being milky or not eyeclean in person then I am sort of stuck (have heard return policy isn’t as good as what’s represented), while the pics I show are from a local jeweller that’s been recommended to me and so have at least some trust factor.

Another general question - how should I think about the B,F,S all being in the “Ex” range? Does this really mean anything?

 

[blueMA]

Thank you @blueMA . I had actually seen that one on FourMine as well. My issue there is if it actually ends up being milky or not eyeclean in person then I am sort of stuck (have heard return policy isn’t as good as what’s represented), while the pics I show are from a local jeweller that’s been recommended to me and so have at least some trust factor.

Another general question - how should I think about the B,F,S all being in the “Ex” range? Does this really mean anything?

That diamond is VVS2 and based on the video, I see very little table obstruction and high optical symmetry. Based on the inclusion plots, there's no way the diamond will be cloudy or not be eye clean, and they have free return policy as far as I'm aware. It'll be a bright diamond and I love the proportions. I think you'll love the diamond, assuming you're OK with I color, and it's a good price especially at that size, which is practically the same diameter as the one you were considering. It'll be a superior diamond for sure.

 

[blueMA]

I see few other options at other sites but nothing nearly as good pops up for that size under your budget. I think that VVS2 is worth taking a chance on. It has HCA of 1.1 and smack in the middle of AGS ideal proportions.

 

[NJB]

Thanks! Anyone else have a perspective here? The links to fourmine are helpful but I’m more looking for a perspective on whether 1) all else being equal, it’s worth spending another 1-2k for a better cut diamond or 2) though not perfect, this is still a good diamond and to get noticeably better will have to spend 20%+ more.

 

[Rpb]

Try giving your requirements to IDJ. they can find you something for the price match a similar option. Many PSERS have had a good experience with them.

 

[Lorelei]

It's not awful at all, it's just not the best cut diamond, but you know that. Yes, it shows some leakage but whether you'd notice anything with the naked untrained eye is debatable. The hearts and arrows are off which is to be expected but again not bad, it's a better cut than the majority of commercial cut stones out there, it just depends what you want.

Do you want to have a diamond which is well cut but has its faults according to those of us studying the best cut stones in the world? Or is it good enough? Do you need cut perfection or not? The cut precision we look for in the Superideals isn't there with this diamond, will the fact it shows slight leakage bother you and will you keep scrutinising the diamond or is it a non issue?

You can get a better cut stone certainly, however as I said above, this one is by no means a disaster although there are many that wouldn't consider it as they only want the creme de la creme of cuts, that's ok. Not everyone wants that however and it's something we need to bear in mind, you know what the opinions are so you can make an informed decision and your choices are;

Go smaller and get a Superideal perfect everything cut or consider this one as a possible contender and see what else we can come up with as Blue has done.

 

[blueMA]

Most of us know that diamonds cut to ideal proportions outshine and out-sparkle most diamonds out there - that is why some of us are willing to pay ridiculous premium for very well cut diamonds. It's not just the mind thing.

You mentioned that this is from a local retailer - have you seen the diamond in person? If you want to stay strictly under budget and if the diamond looks good in person next to more ideal cut diamond in the store, then let your eyes decide. The only thing to be careful of is that all diamonds look pretty good under jeweler's lighting, so be sure to take the diamond out of the lighting - such as near a window under daylight or other not so well lit corner of the store to examine the diamond. I may be able to notice the light leakage in person at that size, right under the table where it would appear dark, but I have pretty keen eyes.

I saw few other decent options under 19K but they're through other vendors lacking good return policy (ex/ you pay the return+insurance) so I didn't bother suggesting given your response as to wanting to go with someone with less risk.

No other options stood out as great, and I think that VVS2 will outperform some super-ideals IMO, and it's two clarity grades higher than the one you're considering. You save on tax with the online vendor as well, so for many of us it's worth spending a bit more.

 

[blueMA]

Check out this youtube video. It may help you understand the importance of ideal diamond cut

 

[jen2mc]

Thank you @blueMA . I had actually seen that one on FourMine as well. My issue there is if it actually ends up being milky or not eyeclean in person then I am sort of stuck (have heard return policy isn’t as good as what’s represented), while the pics I show are from a local jeweller that’s been recommended to me and so have at least some trust factor.

Another general question - how should I think about the B,F,S all being in the “Ex” range? Does this really mean anything?

Yikes! What have you heard about the return policy? It looks good on their website.

 

[NJB]

Thanks so much @blueMA and @Lorelei for the thoughtful responses. I have seen it in person but that is a great idea to go in again and compare it to a superideal of the same size under natural light just to see what I'm missing out on.

@jen2mc - friend of mine had an experience where there was a surprise unexpected restocking fee charged for his return. Only one example so not sure if pervasive or something unique that I'm not aware of.

 

[blueMA]

Thanks so much @blueMA and @Lorelei for the thoughtful responses. I have seen it in person but that is a great idea to go in again and compare it to a superideal of the same size under natural light just to see what I'm missing out on.

@jen2mc - friend of mine had an experience where there was a surprise unexpected restocking fee charged for his return. Only one example so not sure if pervasive or something unique that I'm not aware of.

I just read their return policy and it seems up to two stones a year are risk-free, given that they're undamaged. It sounds like your friend may have had some customization for a restocking fee to be imposed. In this case, I don't think you'll have an issue with a returned stone. Called them to find out.