I thought I'd branch this off into a new thread because it was getting lost in my diamond search thread.
I understand from reading the HCA page and a couple other posts that the HCA calculator is a tool to use to weed out stones that are likely to underperform compared the the absolute best stones when you don't have the ability to examine them in person.
I also understand that it is based on some trig math to calculate expected performance based on the various angles, albeit there are limitations to knowing symmetry (which would be whether it looks H&A) polish and minor facets (the last one I don't think I understand fully, but my guess is that how the little facets on the diamond look that ultimately affect how it sparkles in person).
So, here's the question: I've come across some stones while searching the online vendors that have met the top level criteria imposed by GOG, WF, BG, etc, but which score 2 or higher (and in some cases, 3 or higher) on the HCA calculator.
if a stone scores a 3.8 HCA, but is still marketed by the reputable vendors as being a premium ideal cut stone with superior optical symmetry for H&A, is that because the HCA score is not indicitave of the performance, or that stones that score a 3.8 can still perform well, but it depends on the stone?
Is a stone that score 0-2 going to be inherantly more valuable and perform better than a stone scoring 2-4, or is it possible that a stone scoring a 1.5 could sit next to a stone scoring a 3.5, and all else being equal, the 3.5 is still the more beautiful stone?
When shopping online and relying upon vendors to assist in picking out their top cut stones in a given weight, how much deferrence should be given to HCA scores compared to the vendor's own assessment of the stone?
I understand from reading the HCA page and a couple other posts that the HCA calculator is a tool to use to weed out stones that are likely to underperform compared the the absolute best stones when you don't have the ability to examine them in person.
I also understand that it is based on some trig math to calculate expected performance based on the various angles, albeit there are limitations to knowing symmetry (which would be whether it looks H&A) polish and minor facets (the last one I don't think I understand fully, but my guess is that how the little facets on the diamond look that ultimately affect how it sparkles in person).
So, here's the question: I've come across some stones while searching the online vendors that have met the top level criteria imposed by GOG, WF, BG, etc, but which score 2 or higher (and in some cases, 3 or higher) on the HCA calculator.
if a stone scores a 3.8 HCA, but is still marketed by the reputable vendors as being a premium ideal cut stone with superior optical symmetry for H&A, is that because the HCA score is not indicitave of the performance, or that stones that score a 3.8 can still perform well, but it depends on the stone?
Is a stone that score 0-2 going to be inherantly more valuable and perform better than a stone scoring 2-4, or is it possible that a stone scoring a 1.5 could sit next to a stone scoring a 3.5, and all else being equal, the 3.5 is still the more beautiful stone?
When shopping online and relying upon vendors to assist in picking out their top cut stones in a given weight, how much deferrence should be given to HCA scores compared to the vendor's own assessment of the stone?
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