Color and Clarity

[k123]

Seems like everyone on these boards only talk about cut. What role does color and clarity play? Are they used in the HCA calculator?

 

[new4diamond]

Seems like everyone on these boards only talk about cut. What role does color and clarity play? Are they used in the HCA calculator?

The HCA is for cut only. I consider the cut of a diamond the most important. Color and Clarity as well as Carat do play a roll. There is much information on this web site.

 

[SB621]

The HCA only works on RB's and it talgives the buyer an idea of the potential light return, fire and scintillation/ spread. So yes it primarily deals with cut. But if you have a good performing diamond then it will look bigger and brighter then a larger, lower performing diamond.

On PS they say Cut is King, but it is all personal preference. For me personally I rank diamonds: Size, Cut, Clarity, Color. Others will do it differently. If you are in the market to buy a diamond I recommend sitting down and figuring out what is more important to you/ her and working it out from there.

And as for color some people are more sensative then others. My old Ering was a "D" and now I have an "N/O/P". I don't mind the color at all and actually prefer it.

 

[k123]

if GIA says that cut is excellent but the HCA does not is there reason for concern?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Color and clarity are rarity factors, not factors that inherently affect beauty. Diamond prices vary as a function of color and clarity due to rarity and marketing. But in reality, its up to you to decide if you want a less or more tinted stone, or a diamond with fewer or more inclusions.

Only in very extreme cases will clarity influence light play.

RE: GIA versus HCA. GIA and HCA use slightly different metrics to grade cut. Many GIA Ex cut stones also score under 2 on the HCA, but some do not. The reverse is also true. Your own weighting of the importance of the HCA depends on how narrowly you want to define "well cut". Scoring well on both the HCA and GIA means a very specific type of cut that many on PS prefer, and it is the safest choice IMO for a well-balanced cut that will perform well across lighting situations . But people vary in how narrowly they want to define "well cut."

 

[k123]

this is helpful. The diamond is a G VS2 triple excellent. I thought it looked great next to other diamonds and new nothing about HCA until I got home. Now the HCA says 5, should i be worried?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Can you post the details from the lab report please? Pavilion and crown angle, table and depth, lower halves value, and any photos?

 

[k123]

table 58, depth 62.4, crown angle 35.5, pavilion angle 41.4 The diamond is 2.10 and round.

 

[JulieN]

Diameter?

 

[k123]

8.16, 8.21, 5.1...the chart on the certificate looks really clean. Just on little cristal on outside on top.

 

[JulieN]

You might want to reconsider.

 

[k123]

what is the issue with it?

 

[JulieN]

HCA says light return is "good," and fire and scintillation are "fair." Pavilion angle far too high, it is at the cutoff point for GIA EX grade.

And usually GIA EX steep/deeps are not good deals... you can usually find something better for less.

 

[k123]

thanks for the feedback. What price would be a good deal for that diamond?

 

[Niel]

what did you pay for it?

 

[k123]

30k

 

[mcosme]

not all GIA XXX are equal, but it's not all about HCA. there can be great stones without excellent HCA scores
The pavilion angle is a bit too steep though, may affect performance

 

[k123]

does that make it a bad stone? It looked great to me and I never would have been concerned if I did not use the HCA. Seems like nobody ever heard of HCA when I was shopping?

 

[Niel]

are you within your return period? because there are other options for you at that price, if you are open. But no the HCA is not the end all and be all, but it helps indicate when a diamond can have problems. If you cant return it, then i would say you shouldnt worry, you liked the sparkle, and a GIA XXX is called that for a reason, it may not be the best of the best, but its not going to be a dog

This one with the same color and VS clarity

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8175/

Down one color and clarity grade and its 5k less

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10490/

if you drop down one color and enough clarity to effect your budget but i bet its eye clean (if you hit reserve you can see its eye like 29k )

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10117/

VS clarity and an I (21k)

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/200ct-Round-Brilliant-Diamond/28366784_jphXC9#!i=2401710969&k=SztCwtC


drop down a lot in color (but normal for this kind of cut) and look at the size! (24k!)

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/362ct-Old-European-Diamond/26944767_CRDXBL#!i=2258493669&k=W2rW6PC

 

[k123]

I really appreciate the feedback. This makes me feel better. I dont think I can return it at this point. thank you.

 

[Niel]

I really appreciate the feedback. This makes me feel better. I dont think I can return it at this point. thank you.

Then dont worry about it. Seems like you paid a fair price, based on other stones ive seen, and you liked how it looked. Thats whats important right? All these calculators and angles and grades are to get a stone that peforms beautifully. You already think it performs beautifully, so there you go!

 

[Dreamer_D]

The HCA is not a widely used tool, and it does not determine the market value of a diamond. So I am not surprised that no one heard of it near you.

You paid a fair price, and that means a lot.

It is possible you could find a diamond that faced up a little larger for the weight, because your diamond is deeper. And a different diamond might have a little better light play accross a wider range of settings. But frankly, I think you did well selecting a GI Ex cut, many do not, and you did well by paying a fair price. If you want to set your mind at ease take your diamond to a Jared's and ask to see a comparable Peerless AGS0 stone. Most of those will have tighter cut parameters. Compare and see if its worth it to you to look for another stone.

 

[k123]

thank you for the feedback. This makes me feel much better.