gulliverseyes
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2007
- Messages
- 96
For the normal human beings who do not wear H&A''s reflectors as spectacles, there has never been any proof that extreme H&A''s grade symmetry is any better than very nice optical symmetry.Date: 1/23/2008 6:48:23 PM
Author: strmrdr
The other side of h&a:
http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/11/1/Hearts--Arrows-Diamonds---Its-not-all-about-light-return.aspx
Humans are wired to like symmetrical objects.
At some point (SI, VS, VVS, IF) diamonds become eye-clean for anyone. Where is that point? It depends on eyesight, lighting, the specific diamond, the strictness of the person pronouncing the clarity grade, etc. There has never been any proof that extreme clarity is any better than very nice clarity...but some people like mind clean.Date: 1/23/2008 8:35:49 PM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
For the normal human beings who do not wear H&A's reflectors as spectacles, there has never been any proof that extreme H&A's grade symmetry is any better than very nice optical symmetry.Date: 1/23/2008 6:48:23 PM
Author: strmrdr
The other side of h&a:
http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/11/1/Hearts--Arrows-Diamonds---Its-not-all-about-light-return.aspx
Humans are wired to like symmetrical objects.
The point is where is the point that humans can see the difference?
It will depend on your eye sight, the size of the diamond, the type of optical distortion etc
1. On the grading reportDate: 1/23/2008 8:35:49 PM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
For the normal human beings who do not wear H&A''s reflectors as spectacles, there has never been any proof that extreme H&A''s grade symmetry is any better than very nice optical symmetry.
The point is where is the point that humans can see the difference?
It will depend on your eye sight, the size of the diamond, the type of optical distortion etc
If these problems show up on the grading report and not in the stone (common) then Aldj, the wallet stays fatter with a good savingDate: 1/23/2008 11:46:58 PM
Author: aljdewey
1. On the grading reportDate: 1/23/2008 8:35:49 PM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
For the normal human beings who do not wear H&A''s reflectors as spectacles, there has never been any proof that extreme H&A''s grade symmetry is any better than very nice optical symmetry.
The point is where is the point that humans can see the difference?
It will depend on your eye sight, the size of the diamond, the type of optical distortion etc
2. In the wallet
![]()
Storm and John, I agree with the mind clean / workmanship issues.Date: 1/24/2008 12:15:07 AM
Author: strmrdr
Some people just like superior workmanship. :}
Thats just as valid a reason as any other.
Hi Garry,Date: 1/24/2008 5:12:04 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
Storm and John, I agree with the mind clean / workmanship issues.Date: 1/24/2008 12:15:07 AM
Author: strmrdr
Some people just like superior workmanship. :}
Thats just as valid a reason as any other.
As long as our newbies know that is the issue - it is there choice.
It is the religious conversion missonaryfactor that I disagree with. (Brian Gavin and I argue about it frequently over poor quality wine. But h tells me the quality of wine will imporve next time we meet
)![]()
What is the point where performance is effected? That IS the question readers ask here, and everyone wants to know.Date: 1/23/2008 10:34:21 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
At some point (SI, VS, VVS, IF) diamonds become eye-clean for anyone. Where is that point? It depends on eyesight, lighting, the specific diamond, the strictness of the person pronouncing the clarity grade, etc. There has never been any proof that extreme clarity is any better than very nice clarity...but some people like mind clean.Date: 1/23/2008 8:35:49 PM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
For the normal human beings who do not wear H&A''s reflectors as spectacles, there has never been any proof that extreme H&A''s grade symmetry is any better than very nice optical symmetry.Date: 1/23/2008 6:48:23 PM
Author: strmrdr
The other side of h&a:
http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/11/1/Hearts--Arrows-Diamonds---Its-not-all-about-light-return.aspx
Humans are wired to like symmetrical objects.
The point is where is the point that humans can see the difference?
It will depend on your eye sight, the size of the diamond, the type of optical distortion etc
Same argument for color, really. Do you ''need'' D? Can you ''see'' D? Maybe, maybe not. For most people DEF look the same, but again it depends on your eyesight, the lighting, the size of the diamond, the strictness of the grading pronouncement, etc.
All extremes of rarity (color/clarity) and quality (cut precision/craftsmanship/light performance) cost. You will pay more for D, VVS and near-Tolk H&A than for near-colorless, SI and VG. None of those qualities are a requirement for diamond beauty (though cut arguably helps the others more) but they are all cool benchmarks. For every person there is the right balance and blend of qualities.
I'm with you here.Date: 1/24/2008 2:27:37 PM
Author: Regular Guy
What is the point where performance is effected? That IS the question readers ask here, and everyone wants to know.Date: 1/23/2008 10:34:21 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
At some point (SI, VS, VVS, IF) diamonds become eye-clean for anyone. Where is that point? It depends on eyesight, lighting, the specific diamond, the strictness of the person pronouncing the clarity grade, etc. There has never been any proof that extreme clarity is any better than very nice clarity...but some people like mind clean.
Same argument for color, really. Do you 'need' D? Can you 'see' D? Maybe, maybe not. For most people DEF look the same, but again it depends on your eyesight, the lighting, the size of the diamond, the strictness of the grading pronouncement, etc.
All extremes of rarity (color/clarity) and quality (cut precision/craftsmanship/light performance) cost. You will pay more for D, VVS and near-Tolk H&A than for near-colorless, SI and VG. None of those qualities are a requirement for diamond beauty (though cut arguably helps the others more) but they are all cool benchmarks. For every person there is the right balance and blend of qualities.
'We' is somewhat broad Ira. I agree that the PS community as a whole tends to have a mitigating effect on highest color/clarity. That's coolish because - as a whole - people are getting their color/clarity impressions in commercial markets and that is not a realistic sampling of the kind of goods being offered by the top sellers here.Date: 1/24/2008 2:27:37 PM
Author: Regular Guy
We DO freely, and with confidence, direct people away from the color D & E, frequently (not that there's anything wrong with those), and likewise, readily tell most anyone VVS is a waste of money.
Although the emphasis here is on cut...she we try to do no less for this C?
Date: 1/24/2008 3:03:44 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
I''m with you here.Date: 1/24/2008 2:27:37 PM
Author: Regular Guy
What is the point where performance is effected? That IS the question readers ask here, and everyone wants to know.Date: 1/23/2008 10:34:21 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
At some point (SI, VS, VVS, IF) diamonds become eye-clean for anyone. Where is that point? It depends on eyesight, lighting, the specific diamond, the strictness of the person pronouncing the clarity grade, etc. There has never been any proof that extreme clarity is any better than very nice clarity...but some people like mind clean.
Same argument for color, really. Do you ''need'' D? Can you ''see'' D? Maybe, maybe not. For most people DEF look the same, but again it depends on your eyesight, the lighting, the size of the diamond, the strictness of the grading pronouncement, etc.
All extremes of rarity (color/clarity) and quality (cut precision/craftsmanship/light performance) cost. You will pay more for D, VVS and near-Tolk H&A than for near-colorless, SI and VG. None of those qualities are a requirement for diamond beauty (though cut arguably helps the others more) but they are all cool benchmarks. For every person there is the right balance and blend of qualities.
''We'' is somewhat broad Ira. I agree that the PS community as a whole tends to have a mitigating effect on highest color/clarity. That''s coolish because - as a whole - people are getting their color/clarity impressions in commercial markets and that is not a realistic sampling of the kind of goods being offered by the top sellers here.Date: 1/24/2008 2:27:37 PM
Author: Regular Guy
We DO freely, and with confidence, direct people away from the color D & E, frequently (not that there''s anything wrong with those), and likewise, readily tell most anyone VVS is a waste of money.
Although the emphasis here is on cut...she we try to do no less for this C?
To that end I think PS does a yeoman''s job of making people ''critically consider'' their color/clarity choices.
BUT...
Personally on Pricescope, and speaking for my company, we don''t direct ''away'' from any color or clarity. It''s not our place to do so, as people have different values. One client may value high c/c as part of his/her cultural beliefs. Another may value the rarity. We don''t presume to judge them as everyone is different.
What we DO is to educate: If someone is not aware of how nicely a certain color/clarity will face-up when strictly graded and well-cut we do our best to teach them. To the delight of many this can be a money-saver for the client.
I dont know how you can make clarity issues face up better with a well cut Diamond..., actually you can hide some clarity issues while adapting some tricks to the cut which some will identify as moving away from a "well cut" Diamond.![]()
JohnQ..., last I heard a premium is charged on well cut Diamonds vs. regular cuts...
What we DO NOT do is compromise on cut: First of all, the very ''face up'' improvement in color/clarity described above is largely dependent on it. Secondly, it is the most important factor in diamond beauty. I''ve said many times I''ll take a well-cut J/SI over a nailhead or fisheye D/VVS any day.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..., I dont think cut is the most important factor in a Diamonds beauty...![]()
Would you take a 5 carat J/SI over a 5 carat nail/fish D/VVS at the same value?![]()
With that said, I know you value cut Ira.
I think what really gets debated here (in terms of rounds) is often the subdivision of precision within fine makes... It is (to use Garry''s word) STOOPID that we don''t yet have an additional finish grade called ''precision'' which evaluates the patterning of the stone... It should be a craftsmanship grade. Just as with polish & symmetry the difference between EX and VG might not be a significant difference for some (or it may, depending on what we learn from AGS and Serg in the future) but at least it would further qualify the stone.
You don''t see this bickering about polish because we have grades for it. Those who want ''Ideal'' can roll with the appropriate report. Again, it''s silly that we don''t yet have a category for the skill of the patterning/precision. It took GIA a long time to force a cut grade through and mass manufacturers resisted it tooth and nail. Good luck getting the constituency to buy into yet another criteria which will make top stones (not just ''H&A'' but all nicely patterned stones) look good and average stones look...well...average.
Dave..., I salute your writing and opinion here..., well said...,Date: 1/24/2008 3:08:18 PM
Author: oldminer
Strmrdr is right as he so often is.. In a dark room, a poorly cut diamond is just as good as a finely cut one. A high light return diamond is just as good as a miserable light return one.![]()
You have to have lots of light going into a diamond to get lots of light coming back out. The diamond acts like a tremendously complex lens in that it moves the light around and intensifies it in bright flashes while creating darker, contrasting zones of pattern which make the human eye say, ''lookee there!!!'' We have evolved a great distance from the lesser animals, but we still have very hard wired senses of pattern recognition and instinctual brain activity.
Cut gives rise to interesting light behavior. Light gives rise to light return. You can have wonderful diamonds with super light return and relatively fair grades of cutting and you can also have diamonds cut with much concern for symmetry, and polish which still don''t do great with appearance. Garry has a whole collection of relatively ''fair'' cut diamonds which have extraordinary beauty and high light return.
This is not an either/or situation. It is just more complicated than what can be explained short of a book on the subject. Cutters have a trained method for handling this task, but most could not give you a detailed course on the science of it. They are hands on guys. To perfectionists, everything is of importance. To the mind clean types, nothing is ultimately important. To most of us, there are shades of gray which can be studied to have a working handle on how to find beautiful diamonds among the many offered. It is an art underpinned by a science, a complex affair. Off hand opinions of what matters most are not provable or likely to be more than somewhat on target.
The end result must remain the test of trained eyes. Which do you prefer from those you looked at? If you looked at enough diamonds, then you can make an informed decision.
DG, if you begin probing me in this area my replies are going to echo my personal tastes. I just want to be clear about that - I don't presume to speak for everyone.Date: 1/24/2008 4:19:09 PM
Author: DiaGem
Date: 1/24/2008 3:03:44 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
'We' is somewhat broad Ira. I agree that the PS community as a whole tends to have a mitigating effect on highest color/clarity. That's coolish because - as a whole - people are getting their color/clarity impressions in commercial markets and that is not a realistic sampling of the kind of goods being offered by the top sellers here.
To that end I think PS does a yeoman's job of making people 'critically consider' their color/clarity choices.
BUT...
Personally on Pricescope, and speaking for my company, we don't direct 'away' from any color or clarity. It's not our place to do so, as people have different values. One client may value high c/c as part of his/her cultural beliefs. Another may value the rarity. We don't presume to judge them as everyone is different.
What we DO is to educate: If someone is not aware of how nicely a certain color/clarity will face-up when strictly graded and well-cut we do our best to teach them. To the delight of many this can be a money-saver for the client.
I dont know how you can make clarity issues face up better with a well cut Diamond..., actually you can hide some clarity issues while adapting some tricks to the cut which some will identify as moving away from a 'well cut' Diamond.![]()
Oui mon ami, but compare the G-VG-EX premium with SI-VS-VVS or J-G-D premiums, n'est-ce pas?Date: 1/24/2008 4:19:09 PM
Author: DiaGem
JohnQ..., last I heard a premium is charged on well cut Diamonds vs. regular cuts...
Here we part ways, as I think the quality of a diamond's cut is what gives it life. I don't expect everyone to embrace that position, but on a consumer forum I champion the cause of cut quality because - in my experience - that 'life' is what makes the average consumer most delighted (I assume we're still talking about rounds and "ideal" cuts - as in the title of this thread).Date: 1/24/2008 4:19:09 PM
Author: DiaGem
Date: 1/24/2008 3:03:44 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
What we DO NOT do is compromise on cut: First of all, the very 'face up' improvement in color/clarity described above is largely dependent on it. Secondly, it is the most important factor in diamond beauty. I've said many times I'll take a well-cut J/SI over a nailhead or fisheye D/VVS any day.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..., I dont think cut is the most important factor in a Diamonds beauty...![]()
Would you take a 5 carat J/SI over a 5 carat nail/fish D/VVS at the same value?![]()
Date: 1/24/2008 4:54:34 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
DG, if you begin probing me in this area my replies are going to echo my personal tastes. I just want to be clear about that - I don''t presume to speak for everyone.Date: 1/24/2008 4:19:09 PM
Author: DiaGem
Date: 1/24/2008 3:03:44 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
''We'' is somewhat broad Ira. I agree that the PS community as a whole tends to have a mitigating effect on highest color/clarity. That''s coolish because - as a whole - people are getting their color/clarity impressions in commercial markets and that is not a realistic sampling of the kind of goods being offered by the top sellers here.
To that end I think PS does a yeoman''s job of making people ''critically consider'' their color/clarity choices.
BUT...
Personally on Pricescope, and speaking for my company, we don''t direct ''away'' from any color or clarity. It''s not our place to do so, as people have different values. One client may value high c/c as part of his/her cultural beliefs. Another may value the rarity. We don''t presume to judge them as everyone is different.
What we DO is to educate: If someone is not aware of how nicely a certain color/clarity will face-up when strictly graded and well-cut we do our best to teach them. To the delight of many this can be a money-saver for the client.
I dont know how you can make clarity issues face up better with a well cut Diamond..., actually you can hide some clarity issues while adapting some tricks to the cut which some will identify as moving away from a ''well cut'' Diamond.![]()
Nothing personal mon chere ami..., as long as it is your personal taste...
Increased brightness, dispersion and scintillation in a diamond can mask inclusions. Lighting must play it''s part but that''s a given in any scenario. Light getting in and out of a stone with more intensity can also result in less color face-up.
Yes... they can mask inclusions..., but uniformed patterns (especially Ideal Rounds) will (in my opinion) pop inclusions to the eye...
In regards to "less color face up"..., see my comment below.![]()
Oui mon ami, but compare the G-VG-EX premium with SI-VS-VVS or J-G-D premiums, n''est-ce pas?Date: 1/24/2008 4:19:09 PM
Author: DiaGem
JohnQ..., last I heard a premium is charged on well cut Diamonds vs. regular cuts...
I am assuming you are talking about better color and masking inclusions on better cuts...
Live example: A cutter buys a rough Diamond for the purpose of cutting a round..., he bough the rough as an H-VS2 potential outcome!
He decides to cut it to a super EX, EX, EX..., Ideal AGS 0...., WOW..., what do you know..., as reward to his incredible cutting skills GIA and AGS awards the Diamond a "G" color..., and since his incredible cutting skills give the stone more brightness, dispersion and scintillation and as a result mask''s his VS2 into a VS1 grade...
Now..., guess who enjoys the great savings? the end consumer? Je ne croix pas!!!![]()
Here we part ways, as I think the quality of a diamond''s cut is what gives it life. I don''t expect everyone to embrace that position, but on a consumer forum I champion the cause of cut quality because - in my experience - that ''life'' is what makes the average consumer most delighted (I assume we''re still talking about rounds and ''ideal'' cuts - as in the title of this thread).Date: 1/24/2008 4:19:09 PM
Author: DiaGem
Date: 1/24/2008 3:03:44 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
What we DO NOT do is compromise on cut: First of all, the very ''face up'' improvement in color/clarity described above is largely dependent on it. Secondly, it is the most important factor in diamond beauty. I''ve said many times I''ll take a well-cut J/SI over a nailhead or fisheye D/VVS any day.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..., I dont think cut is the most important factor in a Diamonds beauty...![]()
Would you take a 5 carat J/SI over a 5 carat nail/fish D/VVS at the same value?![]()
As for the 5 carater... Sure, I''ll take the D/VVS if a recut is possible!![]()
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