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- Sep 3, 2000
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Let's dream for a moment and envision a future time when all of us have agreed that we have all the right tools for placing accurate, repeatable and meaningful grades of Light Performance on diamonds.
Would we want a system that really defines the top 2% from the top 5%, and the top 5% from the top 10%, or would we prefer a somewhat more liberal approach that puts the top 10% or the entire top 20% in a general top category?
Diamond dealers who want volume business would prefer a coarse grading structure so that more diamonds fit the "best" classification. Specialist cutters would prefer a system which defines their production as superior to some of their competitors. There are two sides to this issue, and of course, there is a moderate, third level that could be adopted. The third level would be less strict than specialists might want, but more strict than the liberals would choose.
How do you view your own taste in this decision? Would you opt for stringent grading like clarity grading IF/VVS1/VVS2/VS1 etc for Light Performance?
Would you rather opt for moderate grading such as IF, VVS/VS, SI for Light performance?
Would you prefer IF-VS2/Eye-Clean/ Eye Visible type discrimination.
Only about 2% of the public buy super performing diamonds today. If more folks knew about it, there would be more who would take this approach, I believe. However, I am endlessly curious about how much discrimination the public, cutters and vendors would prefer.
My own preferences I try to keep to myself. Believe me, I am flexible on this subject although I have feelings about it. They are yet to become fixed opinions.
Thank you for all comments and opinions as well as filling in the poll.
Please keep in mind that strict grading results in premium prices as supply is difficult and can't as readily meet a demand. Liberal grading creates a far greater supply and results in virtually no premium being required. Does this alter your initial thought process? It might.
Would we want a system that really defines the top 2% from the top 5%, and the top 5% from the top 10%, or would we prefer a somewhat more liberal approach that puts the top 10% or the entire top 20% in a general top category?
Diamond dealers who want volume business would prefer a coarse grading structure so that more diamonds fit the "best" classification. Specialist cutters would prefer a system which defines their production as superior to some of their competitors. There are two sides to this issue, and of course, there is a moderate, third level that could be adopted. The third level would be less strict than specialists might want, but more strict than the liberals would choose.
How do you view your own taste in this decision? Would you opt for stringent grading like clarity grading IF/VVS1/VVS2/VS1 etc for Light Performance?
Would you rather opt for moderate grading such as IF, VVS/VS, SI for Light performance?
Would you prefer IF-VS2/Eye-Clean/ Eye Visible type discrimination.
Only about 2% of the public buy super performing diamonds today. If more folks knew about it, there would be more who would take this approach, I believe. However, I am endlessly curious about how much discrimination the public, cutters and vendors would prefer.
My own preferences I try to keep to myself. Believe me, I am flexible on this subject although I have feelings about it. They are yet to become fixed opinions.
Thank you for all comments and opinions as well as filling in the poll.
Please keep in mind that strict grading results in premium prices as supply is difficult and can't as readily meet a demand. Liberal grading creates a far greater supply and results in virtually no premium being required. Does this alter your initial thought process? It might.