Ask advice for a diamond

[Laomao]

Hi, All:
I am a newbee to this forum. Want some advices from everyone.
Recently I found a diamond, details as below:

Shape & cut: round brillant cut
Measurements: 6.26 - 6.34 x 3.86 MM
Weight : 0.96 carat

Proportion:
Depth 61.3%
Table: 61%
Girdle: medium to thick, faceted

Finish
Polish: very good
Symmety: very good

Clarity: SI(1)
Color: E

What do you guys think ? Thank you for any input.

 

[BrownEyes]

I am absolutely NOT a diamond expert, but based on what I''ve learned from my own diamond-buying experience, the table on that diamond appears to be way too large -

Be patient - - there are other more knowledgeable people who post on this Forum who are bound to chime-in.

In the meantime, have you checked out Good Old Gold (www.GoodOldGold.com) and Whiteflash (www.whiteflash.com)?

Both are very reputable internet diamond vendors that are highly recommended by people on this Forum.

I hope this limited information helps. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[Laomao]

Thank you for your prompt reply.

Regards,
Mike

 

[GFORCE100]

People here for proper feedback will need to know a lot more info such as the pavilion and crown angles which you can get on new certificates or by asking the given dealer. Depending on how a) good customer care they offer and b) how keen there are to sell they will give you such info without hesitation.

In my humble opinion the table is too large (I aim for about 55% because I prefer a colored firey diamond than a white light one) and secondly it''s carrying a little too much weight round its belly (girdle) causing it so look smaller face down than it should. An Ideal cut diamond around 0.96ct would be say ~6.35mm or so.

Thirdly who say its SI1 and E? If its EGL USA then I would get it checked by an appraiser, if its EGL Europe then no no it''s probably an SI2 and F/G and definetly get it rechecked. If its HRD then you can believe them for most part, if its GIA or AGS though (the best of the crop) then it''s spot on and the only thing really that would get the slightest attention is it might be a D or F but in 98% cases if it''s E then it''s E. Same goes for clarity, EGL say SI1 when GIA would say SI2 or heaven forbit I1 (sometimes called P1 in Europe).

All in all the more info you provide the better feedback you''ll get,

 

[Laomao]

Thank you so much for the info.

The diamond is IGI certified. Does it make any difference ?

 

[GFORCE100]

IGI = Antwerpen.

From all I know about them (hopefully others do start replying to this thread too), IGI is about (on a scale of 1 to 10) ~ 7 hence Quite good but not quite very good.

Many people here will say, talk the dealer into giving you the item to take to an independant appraiser so you can confirm as to how good it really is and most importantly, if his honest opinion states you're overpaying or not .

SI1 is a tricky clarity still because it could either be a very good SI1, a good VS2 or an average SI2 in many cases depending on you ask the the repuatation of the lab it was originally graded (in your case IGI).

The clarity not only defines the amount of inclusions but also their possition hence anything with a 2 (ignore I1 to I3 as they can be anywhere) is an inclusion visible under the table (i.e. center of stone) and a 1 means on the crown facets or only visible from looking bottom up (i.e. diamond upside down). The closer to VVS1 the smaller the inclusions, the closer to I1-I3 the bigger and hence more visible (i.e. with a naked eye). Sometimes SI1-2 diamonds have inclusions also visible with a naked eye (especially if you have sharp eyes

) therefore it really does pay to give them a closer examination prior to purchase. Do not even bother buying anything below an SI2 if you treature quality. Many I1(P1) diamonds are cut to hide the inclusions as much as possible to also return as much brilliance (reflected light). Because diamonds of lower clarities have larger inclusions, they are easier to chip or break. This shouldn't however be a concern at the SI1-2 level and not really until I2(P2).

If you look on Ebay there's loads of I1-I3-I3 diamonds, some call the latter frozen spit because it really does look so hazy,

If you can get the crown/pavilion angles you already have some way of telling it apart from poor performers by using the HCA or Halloway Cut Advisor. http://www.diamond-cut.com.au/holloway_cut_adviser.htm

In my opinion you should have these priorities:

1) Cut - Cut is king, makes the difference between a poor performer and a great one. Do invest in an Ideal cut if you can or even a Hearts & Arrows if you really do treature perfect sparkle and want something special.
2) Color - The larger the diamond the more this is visible, especially when viewed from the side (how diamonds are color graded). Most people are very sensitive to color but then again not always can one tell apart say a G and an I. Some people are color color blind but we won't go there,

I would say H or higher thuogh say E-F is a nice place to be if you want something that little bit more special. I went for F which is 'Very Very White', H is often called 'Commercial White' because it's popular in the trade (good balance between cost/quality).
3) Clarity - Also very important for the reasons exemplified above. I went for VVS1 but if you're no mad as me and some others a SI1-VS2 (perhaps VS1) is a good clarity to be going for in terms of price/quality.
4) Carat - Depending on your culture people go for small diamonds (i.e. Asian, European upbringing) or large (USA places like New York, Sacramento, Las Vegas, Austin or smaller Washington, rural Utah, SC, NC etc.). Do also note the larger fingers your lady has the smaller the diamond will look. As a general rule of thumb most people woiuld tend to agree a 0.5ct is a good place to be if you don't want/can't afford massive 1.5ct stones etc. If you ask me choose quality over size. The other thing is cutters try and cut as near to popular sizes as possible. If for example they can cut a rock to 1.00ct then they'll try even if it means a thicker girldle or deeper stone. Be aware of this when checking out stones.

Last but notl east enjoy your shopping experience, buying a diamond is something special in itself, don't rush yourself and make sure you're fully pleased with what you're getting before going ahead. Buying online doesn't give you that kind of 'I'm, being pressured into' feeling you get when buying retail. The best part is you can save lots doing your purchase online rather than not.

 

[Laomao]

Thank you so much for the quick reply!

I will try to get the crown/pavilion angles from the dealer.
Thanks again!

 

[GFORCE100]

You're welcome, I did extend my previous reply after you saw it however

 

[Laomao]

Date: 1/15/2006 10:39:46 PM
Author: GFORCE100
You''re welcome, I did extent my previous reply after you saw it however

You are good!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 1/15/2006 10:12:43 PM
Author: Laomao
Thank you so much for the info.

The diamond is IGI certified. Does it make any difference ?

IGI stone should bring a lower premium compare to AGS/GIA stones.