CHOOSING A DIAMOND

[allygirl]

I had a previous post about this, but for some reason, I am getting more and more confused. I have received many replies, but still having trouble.

Anyone out there that has what they consider to be a great diamond (ROUND), please let me know specifications? I just can''t seem to grasp what to purchase.

Also, people are saying that buying from a jeweler is more expensive. My jewelers pricing so far seems to be similar to what I see on line.

HELP!!!!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Then buy one from your local store.

You can also use my $25 tool and by pass all the need for numbers. Just click the ideal-scope link.

or if you want to do it the hrad way the search by cut quality (just above) gives my ranking in HCA (which is listed under tools on top and bottom bars).

 

[idealseeker]

Hi Allygirl,

Well, I''m not pro, but maybe being in the same boat as you not too long ago may let me provide some insight. And please, someone correct me if I''m wrong! The first thing to do, which I assume you already have done, is educate yourself on the C''s. Know what you prefer in your stone: color vs carat, carat vs cut, clarity vs carat, etc. etc. My list of preferences were cut, color, clarity, carat. I figure the cut is what really gets the thing blinging (pardon the non-industry term), so I really value the cut. Therefore, I''m looking for no less than GIA ex/ex or AGS0, with good angles (there are specific ranges of angles to meet the AGS0 criteria, but the HCA calc is a good start to eliminate the bad numbers), optical symmetry, light return, the works. Then based on budget, I''ll play around w/ the color, clarity, carat options. For color, I''m going down the scale until I can start to barely see a difference in color (F/G/Hish). For clarity, eye clean is what I''m looking for (VS1/VS2/SI1). As for carat, obviously size matters, but like the old saying goes, "it''s not the size of the boat, but the motion of the ocean right?" Hope this helps! I''m sure many more will be able to help you w/ the specifics of each detail, but like I said, I''m just starting out like you, and maybe the first steps I''ve taken can help you out.

For others chiming in on this thread, I''ve started looking at helium data for rounds and am I being too ana1 or is looking at each of the facet angles and wanting a lower standard deviation a little too much?

 

[Sundial]

As I'm sure you know there is a ton of information on this site about how to choose a well cut diamond. Of course you need to have enough information on a given stone to see if it meets that criteria. Another way to go would be to just pick something like an AGS 0 graded stone. If you have confidence in your local jeweler and feel that his prices are competitive then that is certainly an easy option because you can see his diamonds with your own eyes. Pick what pleases YOU.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 8/7/2006 4:53:33 PM
Author: Sundial
As I''m sure you know there is a ton of information on this site about how to choose a well cut diamond. Of course you need to have enough information on a given stone to see if it meets that criteria. Another way to go would be to just pick something like an AGS 0 graded stone. If you have confidence in your local jeweler and feel that his prices are competitive then that is certainly an easy option because you can see his diamonds with your own eyes. Pick what pleases YOU.

ditto. It''s very easy to get caught up with all the numbers and trying to figure out what they mean. Many of us like to use the numbers b/c it''s a mind issue and we are purchasing site unseen. You have the benefit of having a someone local you feel comfortable with and the pricing. I''d stick to a stone that is GIA or AGS certified. If you see something you like, bring the numbers off the cert here and the folks here can tell you about your stone but at the end of the day, you''re buying a diamond, not the paper so get what looks beautiful to you

 

[allygirl]

Okay, so I''m starting to catch on (I think).

So far, GIA seems to be the way to go, although now I am hearing about AGS 0 to be a safe bet. Someone want to explain that ?

I do not know how to tell if a stone is eye clean. That''s why I"m so nervous about this.

I see that a stone that is not too deep (59 to 62 percent) seems to be the way or the stone will look smaller. Am I correct??

no fluoroscence is the way to go, right?

Here is what I really want. A round diamond, between 1.25 and 1.50 carat , I''d prefer vs1 or 2 and I want it to look like it really is the size it is! The one thing I am unclear of is the cut--=I hear that 90% angle is bad. What is consdiered good?

Everyone is saying that there is a guideline on this site. Where would that be?

THANKS again to all that have patience with me on this!

 

[mrssalvo]

if you can''t see inclusions in the stone..it''s eye clean for you

. I think the normal definition is being unable to see inclusions from 6 inches away from your eyes. it may be 10 inches though.

59-62% for depth is good

fluor. isn''t always bad. some people like it, others don''t. I happen to love blue fluor in a stone.

you''ll need the crown and pavilion angles as well as the table and depth %''s and you can run your stone though the HCA
here.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

In addition to the advice already given, here''s a handy chart that you can use for a guideline. Stick to the numbers in the American Ideal Cut class 1A and you''ll be in a good range!

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/round.asp

Some people prefer tables of 55-57.

Thre are many more stones with a GIA cert than AGS, but just be sure it''s one of those two. There are other labs with similar initials, so be sure you tell them you want GIA and AGS. The GIA cut should be Excellent and the AGS should be 0 for cut.

But as someone has already said, use your eyes to choose what you like, but ask for a copy of the cert on a stone you like and post all the numbers here for feedback before buying. It would be wise to compare the price on a specific stone as well.