Calling lisa1.01fvs1or anyone who can advise me and help (HCA)

[LucyLovesDiamonds]

Lisa I went through your backposts to read more about your lovely ring after you posted pictures in the other thread. I saw one thread where u said the HCA score came out as 4. Now I know this is just a tool and its not the be all and end all but I also know that most people purchase stones that fall within the range. Basically what I''m asking is how does your diamond look to you on a day to day basis? I''m having a hard time imagining what a diamond that scores as a 4 would look like. Is it any different to a diamond that scores between 0-2?

After doing some pricing etc I find myself in a situation where I can purchase a genuine Tiffany ring that will only be about £900 more expensive than a replica (after paying shipping and taxes). Now I don''t know what to do. Do I go for the original setting with Tiffany diamond or get a replica with a H&A diamond. I''ve seen Tiffany rings in person but I can''t compare it against H&A so I don''t know what I prefer or what looks better. What would you guys do in my situation? Go for original or replica?

I hope my ramblings make sense.

 

[mrssalvo]

in my opinion no Tiffany diamond is a bad one. most are not cut to super duper ideals like H&A stones are but that doesn''t make them any less beautiful IMO. I also think the real Tiffany setting is just stunning and although there are some pretty good replica''s out there I think owning the real thing would be special and I''m not a must have the blue box girl. If I could find one on the second hand market and skip paying the premium that you pay when you buy from Tiffany''s I''d love to own one. If you really do love the Tiffany setting and the name does have some meaning to you I would go with getting the real Tiffany. If not, than you certainly can get a beautiful stone/ring from somewhere else for and equal or lesser amount of money.

 

[LucyLovesDiamonds]

Thank you for replying mrssalvo. I really do love the setting but the more time I spend here and search the more obsessive I''m coming about diamond stats. I''m worried that it might bug me that I don''t have a ''perfect'' diamond because if we buy from Tiffany it won''t be H&A. Thats why I was asking Lisa about her opinion (and anyone else with a genuine Tiffany ring) about how their diamond looks on a day to day basis and do they wish they had a H&A diamond.

Oh man if only Tiffany would set a diamond I buy myself

 

[lisa1.01fvs1]

Hi Lucy just read your thread.

Actually my stone scored a 2.5 on HCA.

Here are the stats:

1.01 F/VS1

D-61.9%
T-57%
CA-35.2 degrees
PA-40.9 degrees
CRWN HT- 15.4%
Star Length - 55%
LH Length - 75%
Girdle - Med-Slthk

I agree w/ Mrs. Salvo 100% could not have said it better myself.

My diamond is a fantastic performer and generally garners attention. In fact recently a woman was straring at my ring and she said "I could see your diamond from across the room, it's beautiful!"

I too had my doubts when I first found PS and was freaking out about the HCA score as well.

You have to consider the total proportions of a stone including things that you can't see on a grading report like virtual facets and that "X" factor that makes a particular stone special.

I think some would find my CA/PA not to their liking or perhaps it verging on "Steep/Deep" territory. But with all the other proportions and the "magic" it sparkles with edge to edge brilliance under a desk and is blinding in direct sunlight. In low-level dinner/theater lighting it truly comes alive! I love the way it twinkles in Target

I even see arrow all the time (Tiff's has H&A they just don't advertise it, or know, or care) the symmetry is excellent - I think this is something the HCA can't account for.

I love the solitaire setting but it has been reproduced - to what degree of accuracy/look I can't say. I'm sure if u do a simple search u can find them here on PS.

Their other settings and proprietary cuts are gorgeous.

What are the stats of the diamond u r considering? What does it score on the HCA? Can u see it in person?

 

[LucyLovesDiamonds]

Hi Lisa, thanks for getting back to me. I don't have all the stats because I haven't picked out a particular ring yet. There is a Tiffany store that I can get to and all the diamonds look beautiful in there but it also makes me wonder how they would look outside the store and if I would regret not going with a H&A. Thats why I was curious to hear about your experience. The last time and only time I tried on a ring there was over 6 months ago and I've forgotten what it looked/ felt like. Now I'm worried that the shank will be too thick

I really need to make time to go there and try on some stuff.

p.s. I'm sorry about the wrong HCA score... God knows how I ended up with that number.

On that note, today I took a random Tiffany Solitaire ring from ebay n plugged the numbers into the HCA... the score turned out to be 6!!

 

[LucyLovesDiamonds]

I just wanted to add I really like your band. Is it the Tiffany one?

 

[lisa1.01fvs1]

Yes WB 9 stone got it off craigslist.

You should be able to take the rings outside w/ you - they will just have a guard accompany.

You can ask the SA to pull the specs on any stone you are interested in and can plug it into HCA.

Again though, HCA is not selection tool. It is meant to weed out poor performers especially in a virtual diamond marketplace like online.

If u actually can see the stone and test drive it so to speak that should outrank the HCA.

What is your ring size? I wear 4.25 and the band looks very proportionate not only on my finger but also to the diamond itself.

Oh and what size diamond are we talking about here?

Just curious why from T&Co?

 

[LucyLovesDiamonds]

Date: 8/28/2009 9:37:28 PM
Author: lisa1.01fvs1
Yes WB 9 stone got it off craigslist.

You should be able to take the rings outside w/ you - they will just have a guard accompany.

You can ask the SA to pull the specs on any stone you are interested in and can plug it into HCA.

Again though, HCA is not selection tool. It is meant to weed out poor performers especially in a virtual diamond marketplace like online.

If u actually can see the stone and test drive it so to speak that should outrank the HCA.

What is your ring size? I wear 4.25 and the band looks very proportionate not only on my finger but also to the diamond itself.

Oh and what size diamond are we talking about here?

Just curious why from T&Co?

Ring size is about 3.5 I think. I''d probably stick to just under a carat.

As for why Tiffany & Co.... simply because I loveee their 6 prong classic setting. I think its beautiful

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/28/2009 7:43:41 PM
Author: LucyLovesDiamonds
Hi Lisa, thanks for getting back to me. I don't have all the stats because I haven't picked out a particular ring yet. There is a Tiffany store that I can get to and all the diamonds look beautiful in there but it also makes me wonder how they would look outside the store and if I would regret not going with a H&A. Thats why I was curious to hear about your experience. The last time and only time I tried on a ring there was over 6 months ago and I've forgotten what it looked/ felt like. Now I'm worried that the shank will be too thick

I really need to make time to go there and try on some stuff.

p.s. I'm sorry about the wrong HCA score... God knows how I ended up with that number.

On that note, today I took a random Tiffany Solitaire ring from ebay n plugged the numbers into the HCA... the score turned out to be 6!!

That's where the HCA comes in handy, to weed out diamonds that won't do well across the board. That would be one of them.

If you want to be safe, try to keep the score in the 1-2ish range. That should help ensure you get a pretty diamond that does well across the board.

Also, while some Tiff diamonds may be a H&A cut, not all are.