Ellen
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2006
- Messages
- 24,433
Paul, I don''t doubt what you''re saying, although I think this is the first time I''ve heard a pro bring it up as an issue to consider when discussing lgf''s. My thought is, but in the end, we''re back to a resulting 75 and 77 lgf. Isn''t that all we really need to know? It just seems like you''re post is making it harder than it has to be. But maybe I''m missing something?Date: 1/29/2007 10:05:06 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
2. LGF in a round brilliant
From history, we are used to basing our assessments on the average main pavillion angle, while most of the surface-area of the pavilion is made up by the lower-girdle-facets. It would probably make more sense if we would work with the angle of the LGF''s as a basis.
The length of LGF is a result of the relationship (the difference in angle) between the main facets and the LGF''s. So, with the same angle of the LGF, and the same length, we would be having a different main pavilion angle. This clearly shows that, in our current way of talking, we cannot look at the LGF-length on its own merit.
Suppose two stones have the same LGF-angle of 42.0°. Stone A has a main pavilion angle of 40.6°, resulting in LGF-length of around 75%. Stone B has a main pavilion angle of 40.8°, resulting in LGF-length of around 77%.
Summary: If we want to talk about LGF-length, we cannot look at this figure unless it is in relation with the main pavilion-angle. OR we can step away from the main pavilion angle, and first use the angle of the LGF in our assessment. Then, we can use LGF as a secondary assessment.
Hope that this is clear.
Live long,
I am trying to make it easier, not harder, but in that case, we need to take a few steps backwards, and re-assess what we think we know.Date: 1/29/2007 11:36:29 AM
Author: Ellen
Paul, I don''t doubt what you''re saying, although I think this is the first time I''ve heard a pro bring it up as an issue to consider when discussing lgf''s. My thought is, but in the end, we''re back to a resulting 75 and 77 lgf. Isn''t that all we really need to know? It just seems like you''re post is making it harder than it has to be. But maybe I''m missing something?
I decided not to go into the 808 level and just post my thoughts and opinions on the matter.Date: 1/27/2007 12:48:52 PM
Author: Ellen
OK, curious to hear what you think...
No need to be sorry....Date: 1/29/2007 12:05:28 PM
Author: loudway
Guys, I am sorry that my question stirred up the whole thing. I appreciate everyone who gave me suggestions, no matter it is biased or unbiased, positive or negative. No matter what, I know more than before, which is always a good thing . Although sometime too much information may not be a good thing, I blieve by knowing more, especially before purchasing it did give customer more freedom/comfort. by knowing more, the asymmetric information between buyer/seller will be minimized, which is one of the reason people like me prefer to purchse it online instead of getting rip off by my local jewler.
Again, I learn a tons in the past weeks, and I really enjoy it!
This is what I was getting at, in regards to scintillation/flash.Date: 1/29/2007 12:03:23 PM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
I am trying to make it easier, not harder, but in that case, we need to take a few steps backwards, and re-assess what we think we know.
There are two major aspects to LGF-length, that is its effect on brilliance and its effect on scintillation. I think that its effect on fire is minimal, and in any case, it goes along with brilliance in this case.
In brilliance, because of the bigger surface-area, the angle of the LGF is basically most important. Sadly however, we are used to working with the angles of the main facets. If we would use the angle of the LGF, and then use LGF-length separately as a secondary discriminator, that would be correct. If we want to use LGF-length, while using main pavilion angle, then they have to be assessed together, at the same time. Therefore, in considering brilliance, LGF-length as such has no meaning, unless we are talking about a very small range in main pavilion angle and a rather broad range of LGF-length.
In scintillation, the size of the virtual facets and the contrast between the facets is important. Therefore, long LGF''s give more pinfire-flash, while short LGF''s give bolder flashes.
And all this is of course, in the understanding that the crown-area remains the same.
Live long,
Date: 1/29/2007 1:19:12 PM
Author: Ellen
And loudway, as strm said, don''t apologize. This is how we learn!
Paul I think one has to look at the stone as a whole, and that includes the crown facet angles, to see the LGF''s effect.. on th BS or any othe device... As you say, you cannot go by the LGF alone..Date: 1/29/2007 10:05:06 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
Summary: If we want to talk about LGF-length, we cannot look at this figure unless it is in relation with the main pavilion-angle. OR we can step away from the main pavilion angle, and first use the angle of the LGF in our assessment. Then, we can use LGF as a secondary assessment.
Hope that this is clear.
Live long,
The same could be said for GIA''s survey - but that did not work either.Date: 1/30/2007 6:45:30 PM
Author: shiatsu
But I''ll tell you this much- putting a diamond in a machine, flashing light at it from different angles, and recording the light returned is not a bad idea that''s for sure, and it''s really the only objective way to measure a diamond''s brilliance.
That's true they only show idealscope images on their site, not H & A images. Yet, you're not likely to find an AGS-0 or GIA-Ex cut diamond that doesn't have good hearts. Here's the diamond I bought and took a picture of myself through a cheap $15 H & A viewer:Date: 1/30/2007 6:51:31 PM
Author: Carlotta
Hmmmmmm ....
I know everyone says how crisp (whatever) the ACA hearts and arrows appear, but honestly, I don't think I have ever seen an actual picture of the hearts on any of those stones recommended here....
Does anyone know why????????
That''s not quite correct. ACA stones are all AGS graded; none are GIA graded.All ACA (''A Cut Above'' AKA Whiteflash) diamonds are is AGS-0 or GIA Ex cut diamonds that they''ve bought, put their label on, and are reselling.
Again, several incorrect pieces in these statements. ACA stones aren''t just about the hearts and arrows being more "crisp"; there are many other things involved such as uniformity of the hearts and preciseness of the pattern with nearly NO deviance from rigid standards.Their hearts & arrows tend to be a little more crisp, because of the cutter they get their diamonds from, but that''s really about it.
Absolutely incorrect. Not all AGS0 diamonds are H&A diamonds, so not all AGS0 diamonds are interchangeable.Nothing special about them, you can get any AGS-0 cut diamond and there shouldn''t be a difference. They''re not rejecting any AGS-0 diamonds because they don''t meet their standards or anything.
is this a rhetorical question?Date: 1/30/2007 6:51:31 PM
Author: Carlotta
Hmmmmmm ....
I know everyone says how crisp (whatever) the ACA hearts and arrows appear, but honestly, I don't think I have ever seen an actual picture of the hearts on any of those stones recommended here....
Does anyone know why????????
Why aren’t Hearts and Arrows photos posted for every A Cut Above diamond?
I've seen the ACA cut diamonds on Whiteflash's site, they don't deviate from ideal any less than any other AGS-0 diamonds do. It's gonna be pretty rare to find an AGS-0 diamond that doesn't show pretty good hearts and arrows, about as rare as finding a diamond that fluoresces green. They may be out there, but few have seen them unless they've looked at a lot of diamonds. I'd like to know exactly what Brian Gavin has rejected an AGS-0 diamond for, because there shouldn't be any reason for him to. If the light return was that important to Whiteflash, we'd probably see them using brilliancescope like Excel Diamond does- even if the perfection of this instrument is in question you'd think he'd want stones with excellent brilliancescope scores over a stone with medium scores.Date: 1/30/2007 7:21:26 PM
Author: aljdewey
Shiatsu, I think you've picked up a good deal of faulty information along the way.
That's not quite correct. ACA stones are all AGS graded; none are GIA graded.All ACA ('A Cut Above' AKA Whiteflash) diamonds are is AGS-0 or GIA Ex cut diamonds that they've bought, put their label on, and are reselling.
They aren't simply stones bought by Whiteflash from some source. They are cut according to specific parameters at Brian Gavin's instruction.....that is to say, he tells the cutting house(s) to cut according to HIS specifications, and they do. That's a bit different than simply selecting stones and slapping a label on them.
Again, several incorrect pieces in these statements. ACA stones aren't just about the hearts and arrows being more 'crisp'; there are many other things involved such as uniformity of the hearts and preciseness of the pattern with nearly NO deviance from rigid standards.Their hearts & arrows tend to be a little more crisp, because of the cutter they get their diamonds from, but that's really about it.
It's about more than just the pattern, though...it also demands superior light return and something Brian calls visual balance.
You really may want to take at look at the H&A tutorial on the WF website.
Absolutely incorrect. Not all AGS0 diamonds are H&A diamonds, so not all AGS0 diamonds are interchangeable.Nothing special about them, you can get any AGS-0 cut diamond and there shouldn't be a difference. They're not rejecting any AGS-0 diamonds because they don't meet their standards or anything.
And yes, they absolutely DO reject some AGS0 diamonds for falling short of their standards. Again, not all AGS0 diamonds are H&A diamonds. If the patterning or light performance falls short of the rigid standard Brian has set for his ACAs, then the stone gets rejected....even if it's AGS0.
what do you base this information on?Date: 1/30/2007 8:11:31 PM
Author: shiatsu
It''s gonna be pretty rare to find an AGS-0 diamond that doesn''t show pretty good hearts and arrows, about as rare as finding a diamond that fluoresces green.
same question above regarding the reasoning for rejection.Date: 1/30/2007 8:11:31 PM
Author: shiatsu
I''d like to know exactly what Brian Gavin has rejected an AGS-0 diamond for, because there shouldn''t be any reason for him to.
brilliancescope is not the answer for light return. as you have already pointed out, the precision (and namely repeatabliity) of the machine is questionable.Date: 1/30/2007 8:11:31 PM
Author: shiatsu
If the light return was that important to Whiteflash, we''d probably see them using brilliancescope
If you want to see AGS ideal diamonds that were rejected as ACAs go browse throught the expert selection. That''s where you find the rejects. Most of them would put a lot of other brands to shame. That''s all I can say without needing some lemon pie.Date: 1/30/2007 8:11:31 PM
Author: shiatsu
I''ve seen the ACA cut diamonds on Whiteflash''s site, they don''t deviate from ideal any less than any other AGS-0 diamonds do. It''s gonna be pretty rare to find an AGS-0 diamond that doesn''t show pretty good hearts and arrows, about as rare as finding a diamond that fluoresces green. They may be out there, but few have seen them unless they''ve looked at a lot of diamonds. I''d like to know exactly what Brian Gavin has rejected an AGS-0 diamond for, because there shouldn''t be any reason for him to. If the light return was that important to Whiteflash, we''d probably see them using brilliancescope like Excel Diamond does- even if the perfection of this instrument is in question you''d think he''d want stones with excellent brilliancescope scores over a stone with medium scores.Date: 1/30/2007 7:21:26 PM
Author: aljdewey
Shiatsu, I think you''ve picked up a good deal of faulty information along the way.
That''s not quite correct. ACA stones are all AGS graded; none are GIA graded.All ACA (''A Cut Above'' AKA Whiteflash) diamonds are is AGS-0 or GIA Ex cut diamonds that they''ve bought, put their label on, and are reselling.
They aren''t simply stones bought by Whiteflash from some source. They are cut according to specific parameters at Brian Gavin''s instruction.....that is to say, he tells the cutting house(s) to cut according to HIS specifications, and they do. That''s a bit different than simply selecting stones and slapping a label on them.
Again, several incorrect pieces in these statements. ACA stones aren''t just about the hearts and arrows being more ''crisp''; there are many other things involved such as uniformity of the hearts and preciseness of the pattern with nearly NO deviance from rigid standards.Their hearts & arrows tend to be a little more crisp, because of the cutter they get their diamonds from, but that''s really about it.
It''s about more than just the pattern, though...it also demands superior light return and something Brian calls visual balance.
You really may want to take at look at the H&A tutorial on the WF website.
Absolutely incorrect. Not all AGS0 diamonds are H&A diamonds, so not all AGS0 diamonds are interchangeable.Nothing special about them, you can get any AGS-0 cut diamond and there shouldn''t be a difference. They''re not rejecting any AGS-0 diamonds because they don''t meet their standards or anything.
And yes, they absolutely DO reject some AGS0 diamonds for falling short of their standards. Again, not all AGS0 diamonds are H&A diamonds. If the patterning or light performance falls short of the rigid standard Brian has set for his ACAs, then the stone gets rejected....even if it''s AGS0.
I''m not saying ACA diamonds aren''t great or anything, they do a great service for online diamond shoppers. Like Eightstar, Hearts on Fire, or Superbcert you know you''re getting a great diamond when you buy one. There just isn''t any real difference between an ACA diamond and any other AGS-0 diamond that I know of anyway.