Before I make the leap, what do you think?

[mack]

Hi everyone,


First I''d like to mention that this is a very helpful forum with great people. I''ve learned much about the cut of a diamond and how it affects brilliance. To which I think I''ve found my perfect stone. Let me know what you all think! I''m thinking of making the leap tomorrow.




Price: $14,639
Laboratory: GIA
Carat Weight: 1.52
Color: F
Clarity: VS1
Measurements: 7.45x7.51x4.53
Depth: 60.6%
Table: 56%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Culet: None
Girdle: Very Thin to Thin, Faceted
Fluorescence: None
Culet: None
Crown Angle : 34.8°
Crown %: 15.3
Pavillion Angle : 40.6°
Pavillion %: 42.6
Lab Comments: None




It is also inscribed with the GIA registry number on the girdle.




Here''s the table view:


/idealbb/files/ACF393A.jpg




And the Idealscope:


/idealbb/files/Dscn2694.jpg




I calculated the HCA to be 0.7.


Here''s the chart: ( The X isn''t showing but it''s very close to the center of the square)

I do have one small concern with the girdle and it''s thinness. I was assured it would be very durable. Has anyone who owns a stone with a very thin to thin girdle had any problems in the setting or just everyday wear and tear?




Thanks!


mack

 

[quaeritur]

Love it! As you pointed out, my only concern would be the girdle. Other than that, looks like a winner!

Now please tell me how you managed to get three images in a single post?!

 

[wonka27]

Is it me, or does the whole center of the diamond seem to be off center. The arrows in the lower right quadrant appear significantly shorter than those in the upper left.

I don't know what that means, but maybe someone could comment on it.

 

[lsmathis1]

I noticed the same thing, but was thinking my non-expert eye for diamonds wasn't one to judge. Was it taken at a slight angle?

Any experts have any opinion on why it appears that way?

 

[wonka27]

I kinda thought maybe the diamond is slightly off center for taking the picture.

Maybe it would be best to contact the vendor about it. If it is a picture flaw, I'm sure if your considering spending $15K, they will take some new photos for you.

 

[quaeritur]

Hmmmm... I see it too. I had seen it earlier, but assumed (silly me) that the picture was taken with the stone at a slight tilt. It looks the same in the IS image though, so it may be a matter of an off-center culet? The diameter variance is .06mm, not terrible, but that might have an effect too. Maybe. I'd ask for a Sarin to see just how off-center table/culet might be. My guess is that without magnification it won't really be that noticeable.

 

[mack]

Well I used the forum Rich Text format form for posting which let me upload the pictures to pricescope's server. As for the HCA photo, it's a gif and the forums bawked so I had to host that one off my web site.

 

[valeria101]

You can ask DCD for the full Sarin report - it does contain a note on how much the culet is "offecenter". I bet the picture, not the cut is miss aligned, but for a top quality diamonds lile this it would be nice to know.

Otherwise, there are at least eight ideal cut, G/F, VS, near 1.5 cts listed at this time on Pricescope. Among them, one F-VS1 comes with a medium girdle and about the same price (it says $14 725 on the webpage, and $14 400 on the listing, shipping included). Here (LINK) it is

One more close contender (F-VS2) is listed by Nice Ice (Link).

The "very thin" girdle may not be an issue in a protective setting, but... I am not very sure it would not pose a problem for re-setting latter on, at the very leat.

 

[Todd07]

Looks pretty darn good to me. I also think the pic is slightly off center. If the price is right, why not send to an independent appraiser?

 

[valeria101]

This is the other one...

 

[mack]

Hey everyone,




Thank you all for your responses which I've taken all into close consideration. I too noticed the off center table or culet when I first saw the picture but I like others attributed it to the angle that the photo was taken. To be sure I asked Jim at DCD (who is extremely quick, responsive, and helpful, THANKS!). He tells me that it isn't "even close to off center". Jim took 2 additional photos for me which are below.




As for the girdle. I only plan to set it once (hopefully). Originally I was thinking of a 4 prong setting but maybe a 6 prong would protect it somewhat more? What do you think? Or would the additional prongs add to the potential of chipping by the jeweler during setting?




/idealbb/files/jim7034697.jpg




/idealbb/files/jimDscn2724.jpg




This one looks pretty centered to me from the arrows on the edges to the culet in the middle. But I'm no expert. I welcome more opinions for those who want to share them. Thanks pricescope members!

 

[wonka27]

Yep, those look much, much better. Quite impressive actually

As for the prongs...from what I understand a 6 prong is more protective than a four prong. If you break a prong in the 6 prong, diamond can't slide out. With a 4 prong, it is possible. My g/f very forcefully told me she wanted 6 prongs.

I don't know the ramifications during setting between the two. Maybe someone else can answer on that issue.

 

[quaeritur]

Lookin' good!!!

 

[didiamond]

That's a beautiful stone! Do you have any idea what kind of mounting you're planning to use? Depending on the style of the mounting you choose will also depend on how many prongs you can have. Just a thought....

 

[noobie]

Looks great! Hope you have that puppy on hold. Nice choice.

 

[lsmathis1]

Yep, looks like the camera was just a bit off - this one looks great

Good luck with the rest of the process!

 

[jesrush]

That girdle makes me uncomfortable... there are plenty of similar options with normal thin-sl. thick range girdles. If you do take the plunge with that stone, get a good insurance policy from chubb or state farm so if it chips (and gulp, falls out), you can easily replace it.

-J