CONFUSED & Running out of time to decide! Should I return this diamond?

[surfgirl]

I presume you have a budget right? So you can keep this stone, or look for one with better specs that''s within your budget. You''ll probably have to go down in size so you need to decide which is more important, absolutely straight and perfect arrows, or a gorgeous stone. Personally, those perfect arrows dont do anything for me visually, but that''s just me.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

I don''t mean to be irritating but I am really confused why you keep saying that your arrows are malformed and crooked? Now, I know it is very difficult to see all of your arrows with your naked eye. And often times part of the arrow will be lighting up or a segment may not be obstructed by your head, etc etc, but if you want to tell if your arrows are malformed or not you really have to go by the symmetry scope or even the pictures.

Now, one problem I was thinking might be occuring would be that the photo you are looking at is enormous. So I ran a quick search on WF and only found one diamond in the search criteria I used (though I could open it up wider, I figure this one demonstrates it fairly well) On the left is this ACA diamond, 2.4cts:

http://whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-418638.htm

and below you will see where I resized your IS image next to the ACA IS image. I circled in black a few of the spots where you can see the arrow heads not lining up perfectly:


Side by side your arrows look remarkably similar to that particular WF ACA. I believe I can say with confidence that your arrows are not malformed or messed up in any way. Further, you have to remember that small changes in the angle or how the diamond is sitting can account for small changes in what you using an ideal scope image or symmetry scope.

But however you dice it, it looks to me like your arrows are perfectly fine, even ACA quality in and of themselves, and that the "malformed" or "crooked" or whatever you called it arrows is actually just the difficulty you are having seeing your arrows with your naked eye.

A few reasons that might be:

you have a small head perhaps?

your diamond is reflecting so much light and is performing so well that it is really hard to get your diamond at an angle that there isnt too much scint/fire/brightness to see all of your arrows

you have alot of lights coming in at various angles around your house, low and high, spread out, or pinpiont, so whichever way you turn it part of your diamond is being exposed to essentially direct light, thus meaning there isn''t obstruction and causing some of your arrows to be lit up, and thus invisible to the naked eye.

and I am sure there are plenty of other reasons, but certainly not malformed arrows, unless the images they sent you are not actually images of your diamond.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

I felt that this side by side comparison would do well to observe also. You can see that the same ACA diamond has a few lit up portion son its arrows as well, and a few that seem askew or off--no doubt mostly due to lighting, angles, obstruction, etc.

But I also want to say...oh my god WF takes beautiful pictures. Look at that shadow? wow.

Next, I have a question for anyone who knows (I am thinking strmdr?) what is causing the black obstruction on the left hand picture. I drew an arrow to what I am referring to, the obstruction occurring at the base of the arrows. Usually when I see something like that in the picture there is a corresponding "hot spot" in the IS image. Yet in this IS image such hot spots are lacking, yet predominant in the photograph. I am suspecting that the darker segments at the base and sourounding the arrowheads are a result of some sortof lighting set up?

but either way, aside from differences in lighting, the two look very similar to my eye in regards to symmetry.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

ahhh geez, my images didn't upload...what the heck..

The first one:

EDIT...hummm....it still isn't working......very strange since it says it is attached...

well,l I really liked the IS comparison when I shrunk your IS down a bit so it was the same size as the WF one, but anyway you can always follow the above link and see it for yourself.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

the second

 

[risingsun]

WHFSR~I don''t think it''s very helpful to try to compare symmetry by using those photographs. Comparing the IS would be more useful. The stone in question show arrows that do not meet the criteria for a true H & A diamond; however, that doesn''t mean it isn''t a beautiful stone with excellent light performance. As others have said, 3shebabes, to find everything you desire in a diamond means compromising somewhere. It seems as if you have a winner. It may take a lot of waiting to find the perfect stone in that size. I say, if you love your diamond, consider keeping it. But you need to do whatever is best for you. Good luck!!

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

Date: 10/14/2007 1:20:17 AM
Author: risingsun
WHFSR~I don't think it's very helpful to try to compare symmetry by using those photographs. Comparing the IS would be more useful. The stone in question show arrows that do not meet the criteria for a true H & A diamond; however, that doesn't mean it isn't a beautiful stone with excellent light performance. As others have said, 3shebabes, to find everything you desire in a diamond means compromising somewhere. It seems as if you have a winner. It may take a lot of waiting to find the perfect stone in that size. I say, if you love your diamond, consider keeping it. But you need to do whatever is best for you. Good luck!!

I tried to compare the IS. if you look at my post you will see where there is an attachment that isn't showing up. That was the first thing I did...yet...it won't load. Not sure what the deal is there, but I provided the link so she could inspect that IS herself.

My points were:

1) lacking perfect hearts does not necessarily have an impact on the arrows.

2) Perfect hearts does not necessarily mean perfect arrows (the ACA has pretty damn good hearts, yet clearly the arrows have a few small hiccups here and there)

3) Even ACA have some margin of error in the arrows--and hers seems to fall well within that margin to my eye.

4) Angles of viewing have effects on the visible optical symmetry

5) if the arrows or sourounding regions are reacting then you may well not be able to see all of the arrow, even though it is present--arrows are visible during obstruction, and in real life scenarios it is very very difficult to create an environment to make all of one's arrows visible.

6) and most importantly:

her arrows are not malformed or messed up. They are beautiful. and her diamond is even more impressive...have you gone back and looked at her pictures? holy cow.

 

[swom324]

I have a Superbcert Hearts and Arrows diamond. I cannot see the arrows at all without the viewer. Could it be that the flashes and sparkles of a beautifully cut diamond obscure the arrows (just as they obscure inclusions)? Honestly, those slightly mismatched arrowheads in a magnified picture could not cause me to return it. I see Hearts and Arrows as a neat phenomena of perfect symmetry, but not an indication of beauty or desireability. To me, it''s like the difference between E and F, or 7.0 vs 7.05 mm. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/14/2007 1:20:17 AM
Author: risingsun
WHFSR~I don''t think it''s very helpful to try to compare symmetry by using those photographs. Comparing the IS would be more useful. The stone in question show arrows that do not meet the criteria for a true H & A diamond; however, that doesn''t mean it isn''t a beautiful stone with excellent light performance. As others have said, 3shebabes, to find everything you desire in a diamond means compromising somewhere. It seems as if you have a winner. It may take a lot of waiting to find the perfect stone in that size. I say, if you love your diamond, consider keeping it. But you need to do whatever is best for you. Good luck!!

I think it''s important to note here, there is no lab defined criterion for H&A''s. So, it''s a bit up for grabs as to the definition...

Also, in looking at the IS pic again, it looks like something was tilted. You can tell because the shaft of the arrow in the lower left area (7 o''clock) is longer and skinnier than the opposing one. You can see the same thing in the regular pic too. That may have something to do with them not looking quite right. Although imho they don''t look bad.

As for saying half the arrows seem incomplete shebabes, it''s got to be just the way you are viewing it. You clearly have them, they are evident in the pics.....

You have a gorgeous stone there miss.

 

[risingsun]

Date: 10/14/2007 1:27:08 AM
Author: WorkingHardforSmallRewards

Date: 10/14/2007 1:20:17 AM
Author: risingsun
WHFSR~I don''t think it''s very helpful to try to compare symmetry by using those photographs. Comparing the IS would be more useful. The stone in question show arrows that do not meet the criteria for a true H & A diamond; however, that doesn''t mean it isn''t a beautiful stone with excellent light performance. As others have said, 3shebabes, to find everything you desire in a diamond means compromising somewhere. It seems as if you have a winner. It may take a lot of waiting to find the perfect stone in that size. I say, if you love your diamond, consider keeping it. But you need to do whatever is best for you. Good luck!!

I tried to compare the IS. if you look at my post you will see where there is an attachment that isn''t showing up. That was the first thing I did...yet...it won''t load. Not sure what the deal is there, but I provided the link so she could inspect that IS herself.

My points were:

1) lacking perfect hearts does not necessarily have an impact on the arrows. The hearts determine the arrows. Read Brian Gavin''s tutorial...

2) Perfect hearts does not necessarily mean perfect arrows (the ACA has pretty damn good hearts, yet clearly the arrows have a few small hiccups here and there) Same response as above

3) Even ACA have some margin of error in the arrows--and hers seems to fall well within that margin to my eye.

4) Angles of viewing have effects on the visible optical symmetry

5) if the arrows or sourounding regions are reacting then you may well not be able to see all of the arrow, even though it is present--arrows are visible during obstruction, and in real life scenarios it is very very difficult to create an environment to make all of one''s arrows visible. This has been pointed out numerous times in this thread

6) and most importantly:

her arrows are not malformed or messed up. They are beautiful. and her diamond is even more impressive...have you gone back and looked at her pictures? holy cow. I didn''t say her arrows were messed up. I observed some arrows that did not appear straight where the tips connected to the shaft. I also said that she had a beautiful stone and should keep it.

I am basing my comments on Brian Gavin''s standards for a H&A diamond, not yours.

 

[risingsun]

Ellen is, of course, correct that there is no lab-defined criteria for H&A diamonds

I am using Brian Gavin's standards for ACA where he compares true H&A and near H&A cuts. Your diamond is a real beauty and looks like a keeper to me

 

[surfgirl]

Listen to ellen and marion, they know of what they speak...and they''ve got gorgeous rocks to prove it.

 

[3shebabes]

Hey guys,

I appreciate so much your in-depth analysis of my situation! Wow! Ya''ll have all given me lots to think about. Based on what many of you are telling me, I would guess my stone is near H & A or comparable to an ES stone from WF. I did also discover something interesting last night, in my laundry room of all places. I was wearing the stone walking around my house observing it in all different kinds of lighting. Most of the artificial lighting in my house does absolutely nothing for diamonds - especially at night when that is all the light you have. But-- strangely, in my laundry room, I saw my arrows much more clearly AND I noticed that if I took temporary ring off, and twirled the stone around, the "clear,pretty" arrows changed. In other words, I kept seeing the clearest best arrows on one side of the stone, even as I kept rotating the stone --so it must have much to do with lighting, angles, etc.

I am strongly leaning towards keeping this stone. I honestly would have loved to have compared 10 stones of similar size and quality side by side just for the heck of it and to see which one grabbed me --but it is impossible to do that, especially where in am in VA. We don''t have much to see here. Most every jewelry store I visited had a decent number of stones in the .50-.75 range, maybe a few around 1 carat, maybe 1 or 2 stones in the 1.5 - 2.00 carat range and absolutely NOTHING in my nearly 3 carat +/- range. Anyway, I had it appraised , as mentioned before, and it appraised fabulously. The appraiser told me that he could not say enough about how nicley cut my diamond was. My hubby, who is rather skeptical about the whole diamond online business, was really psyched to hear his comments...

Thanks so much for all the advice and input. I have a few more days to contemplate things but I am leaning toward keeping the stone. NOw I just need to make a daggone decision about setting. Here again --I don''t live in a great place to do that either!

Thanks everyone!

 

[Rhino]

Hi 3shebabes,

I'm just reading through this thread here and know what the answer is to your dilemma. I believe the problem lies not in the diamond but in your expectations of what you think you should see as you look into this diamond. Rich touched on it but I'd like to expound a bit further to clarify. You mentioned earlier in this thread that you saw some of the arrows but not others.

When viewing Hearts and Arrows diamonds in the most common lighting environments, very rarely will all the arrows (pavilion mains) take on the same appearance or have the same illumination. In precision cut H&A's some arrows will light up while others may be darker depending on the light source, position, your focal length, etc. On rare occasions will you see them all illuminate or go dark at the same time. I have demonstrated this in a number of videos on diamond optics you may find helpful so while some in this industry may not consider your diamond a true Hearts & Arrows, it appears that in normal viewing environments (based on the limited data we see here) that if you were to compare it to an H&A diamond you would see no visible difference. This is one reason why both GIA and AGS (to my knowledge) have not included optical symmetry as a consideration in each of their cut grading systems. As Rich pointed out there are only very few and limited lighting environments where you will see the arrows show up with the same appearance at the same time. Many folks falsely expect to see a diamond with patterning akin to the scope pictures (IdealScope/H&A/ASET) that are posted on the forum, and even the photography ... not just by JA/WF but also our very own is photography that flatters the aspect of optical symmetry when in fact in most real world environments the diamond will not appear that way. The photography offered by reputable PS vendors is photography that generally flatters the quality of craftsmanship (as seen in optical symmetry) but does not accurately convey real world appearance. This is, what I believe may be the heart of the problem. Bottom line ... no need to fret.

[edited to add] ... Just read your last post and now I'm confident of my commentary above.

 

[gontama]

Date: 10/14/2007 1:48:39 PM
Author: 3shebabes
Hey guys,

I appreciate so much your in-depth analysis of my situation! Wow! Ya''ll have all given me lots to think about. Based on what many of you are telling me, I would guess my stone is near H & A or comparable to an ES stone from WF. I did also discover something interesting last night, in my laundry room of all places. I was wearing the stone walking around my house observing it in all different kinds of lighting. Most of the artificial lighting in my house does absolutely nothing for diamonds - especially at night when that is all the light you have. But-- strangely, in my laundry room, I saw my arrows much more clearly AND I noticed that if I took temporary ring off, and twirled the stone around, the ''clear,pretty'' arrows changed. In other words, I kept seeing the clearest best arrows on one side of the stone, even as I kept rotating the stone --so it must have much to do with lighting, angles, etc.

I am strongly leaning towards keeping this stone. I honestly would have loved to have compared 10 stones of similar size and quality side by side just for the heck of it and to see which one grabbed me --but it is impossible to do that, especially where in am in VA. We don''t have much to see here. Most every jewelry store I visited had a decent number of stones in the .50-.75 range, maybe a few around 1 carat, maybe 1 or 2 stones in the 1.5 - 2.00 carat range and absolutely NOTHING in my nearly 3 carat +/- range. Anyway, I had it appraised , as mentioned before, and it appraised fabulously. The appraiser told me that he could not say enough about how nicley cut my diamond was. My hubby, who is rather skeptical about the whole diamond online business, was really psyched to hear his comments...

Thanks so much for all the advice and input. I have a few more days to contemplate things but I am leaning toward keeping the stone. NOw I just need to make a daggone decision about setting. Here again --I don''t live in a great place to do that either!

Thanks everyone!

Congrats!

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

could it be an inclusion? perhaps a cloud causing some haziness? or fluo? perhaps it is impacting only one side of your stone? I will go and check what I can of your inclusion plot if its online, but that seems much more likely than a symmetry problem.



Hearts and Arrows does have a pretty solid definition--only its actually called hearts and cupids...

and to RS, there is a relationship between the face up and face down optical symmetry, and I do understand that perfect hearts is an indicator of very solid arrows, but some VERY small error in the hearts can sometimes have somewhat more significant impacts on the arrows. But I should have left my second point out.

however, the arrows are based on less facets than the hearts are (as Brian Gavin teaches)--thus my statement stands true, imperfect hearts does not create imperfect arrows, because some variations in optical symmetry are not visible face up. Just as some color grade differences are not visible face up, only even less so, in that color is possible to be perceived, these minute differences are often IMPOSSIBLE to perceive face up

On Brian Gavin's tutorial, it is good, to be sure, but don't forget there are a few things missing. For one, the last I looked at the tutorial, and probably where you have misunderstood things RS, is when the tutorial shows you hearts and arrows images side by side, one of them is

"AGS0 with perfect hearts"

The next one is

"AGS1 with semi-hearts"

here the arrows are somewhat malformed--to be sure. but that is not a reflection of less than perfect hearts, it is a reflection of the AGS1 for symmetry.

the tutorial leaves out the example of

"AGS0 with semi-hearts"

if this example had been provide or if you had continued your research outside of that one tutorial you would see that the arrows are often crisp clean and beautiful, even while the hearts are slightly off, or even significantly off.

I paid attention to BG tutorial, to be sure, but there is more to learn than just that. Don't forget to get your information from a variety of sources, and to always evaluate your sources and information you are getting critically.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

well shoot, JA removed it from their site. can we get an image of the inclusion chart and types and does it have fluo?

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

and here is the image from the tutorial RS, where the AGS0 with imperfect hearts is ommited--thus meaning that my comment can not be proven or disproven from this tutorial as it simply lacks the information.

the ags grade is for symmetry, and I assume it was ok for me to use this image as it is on the PS website found under the tutorial links above?

 

[gontama]

Date: 10/14/2007 3:36:26 PM
Author: WorkingHardforSmallRewards
could it be an inclusion? perhaps a cloud causing some haziness? or fluo? perhaps it is impacting only one side of your stone? I will go and check what I can of your inclusion plot if its online, but that seems much more likely than a symmetry problem.

The original poster has an independent appraiser examined the diamond. If the SI grade setting inclusion has a visible effect, she/he would have clearly said to her, just as she/he professionally informed her that the diamond is just slightly not what is referred to as a true h&a .

Unless I totally misunderstand, what she is saying is she was able to appreciate every arrow shaft/head by rotating the diamond, giving the eqaul lighting condition to each arrow, which is very reasonable. I do not think she is saying she can only see half of the arrows.


Hearts and Arrows does have a pretty solid definition--only its actually called hearts and cupids...

and to RS, there is a relationship between the face up and face down optical symmetry, and I do understand that perfect hearts is an indicator of very solid arrows, but some VERY small error in the hearts can sometimes have somewhat more significant impacts on the arrows. But I should have left my second point out.

however, the arrows are based on less facets than the hearts are (as Brian Gavin teaches)--thus my statement stands true, imperfect hearts does not create imperfect arrows, because some variations in optical symmetry are not visible face up. Just as some color grade differences are not visible face up, only even less so, in that color is possible to be perceived, these minute differences are often IMPOSSIBLE to perceive face up

On Brian Gavin's tutorial, it is good, to be sure, but don't forget there are a few things missing. For one, the last I looked at the tutorial, and probably where you have misunderstood things RS, is when the tutorial shows you hearts and arrows images side by side, one of them is

'AGS0 with perfect hearts'

The next one is

'AGS1 with semi-hearts'

here the arrows are somewhat malformed--to be sure. but that is not a reflection of less than perfect hearts, it is a reflection of the AGS1 for symmetry.

the tutorial leaves out the example of

'AGS0 with semi-hearts'

if this example had been provide or if you had continued your research outside of that one tutorial you would see that the arrows are often crisp clean and beautiful, even while the hearts are slightly off, or even significantly off.

I paid attention to BG tutorial, to be sure, but there is more to learn than just that. Don't forget to get your information from a variety of sources, and to always evaluate your sources and information you are getting critically.

I agree that there can be AGS0 diamond that fall in between the perfect pattern and the AGS1 shown as an example. At this point I think her stone is eye-clean, in terms of the pattern she wants to see. That's the important thing...

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

ah you are right, I am on my toes and real defensive after recent threads and got caught up on the topic of the tutorial.

When she said that bit about one side of the stone I read through it too quickly, I am glad there isn't a problem with your diamond and it is just lighting after all! Good luck making your decision!

 

[surfgirl]

To the OP, I think Rhino hit the nail on the head and since you seem to agree, hopefully you will realize you have a lovely stone and be happy with it.

ETA: Hopefully the dead horse beating will cease now...

ETA2: WHFSR, I just read your comments about being overly sensitive about "recent threads" and I just wanted to say that your most recent posts are exactly why people get irritated. Continuing to dredge up issues where none exist, offering up theories based on a very recent (and often not correct) understanding of diamonds isn't particularly helpful when someone is stressing over keeping a stone or not, it just adds fuel to their angst (which is why we always welcome the experts to come in and clarify for us). And it's why you keep getting dogged about it. Honestly, at this point I'm willing to start a fund to get you a new hobby. Would you consider golf?!

 

[risingsun]

WH~I don't have the willpower to get into a extended dialogue with you on this subject. A diamond may have perfect arrows, but if the hearts are not correct, it's still not a true H&A stone, according to a number of experts who have given webcasts and education on this site. That may not be everyone's definition, but it works for me when purchasing a H&A diamond. That is my expectation. I also purchase HOF jewelry and that is their definition for their diamonds. I am paying a premium for an AGS 0 H&A and I expect nothing less. I depend on the opinion of the vendor and an independent appraiser to verify what I have purchased. That is not to say that other diamonds aren't stunning and worthy of consideration...they should, however, be accurately identified. The OP had questions about her stone and we both offerred opinions. I may be wrong and you may be wrong....I don't think it required a sledgehammer to the head response

 

[risingsun]

Date: 10/14/2007 4:12:11 PM
Author: surfgirl
To the OP, I think Rhino hit the nail on the head and since you seem to agree, hopefully you will realize you have a lovely stone and be happy with it.

ETA: Hopefully the dead horse beating will cease now...

ETA2: WHFSR, I just read your comments about being overly sensitive about 'recent threads' and I just wanted to say that your most recent posts are exactly why people get irritated. Continuing to dredge up issues where none exist, offering up theories based on a very recent (and often not correct) understanding of diamonds isn't particularly helpful when someone is stressing over keeping a stone or not, it just adds fuel to their angst. And it's why you keep getting dogged about it. Honestly, at this point I'm willing to start a fund to get you a new hobby. Would you consider golf?!

You are a friend, SG, but I responded before I read your post

I thought I heard the horse say "I'm not dead yet!!"
I'm going to let this go

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

If I could afford golf I would probably take your advice.

 

[stebbo]

Date: 10/14/2007 4:36:28 PM
Author: WorkingHardforSmallRewards
If I could afford golf I would probably take your advice.

Golf not advisable - ask any former good player what caused things to start going wrong.

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 10/14/2007 4:20:10 PM
Author: risingsun

Date: 10/14/2007 4:12:11 PM

Author: surfgirl

To the OP, I think Rhino hit the nail on the head and since you seem to agree, hopefully you will realize you have a lovely stone and be happy with it.


ETA: Hopefully the dead horse beating will cease now...


ETA2: WHFSR, I just read your comments about being overly sensitive about ''recent threads'' and I just wanted to say that your most recent posts are exactly why people get irritated. Continuing to dredge up issues where none exist, offering up theories based on a very recent (and often not correct) understanding of diamonds isn''t particularly helpful when someone is stressing over keeping a stone or not, it just adds fuel to their angst. And it''s why you keep getting dogged about it. Honestly, at this point I''m willing to start a fund to get you a new hobby. Would you consider golf?!

You are a friend, SG, but I responded before I read your post

I thought I heard the horse say ''I''m not dead yet!!''

I''m going to let this go

Sweetie, it wasn''t your horse I was hearing...WHFSR''s, I applaud your thick skin however, as soon as I get your address you''re getting some new golf clubs!

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

well shoot, thats almost worth breaking policy for I think I might actually get kicked off if I post my address though

I see what you are up to

so have you made a final decision yet shebabe!? Whatever you need to stay happy! (if you find you aren't happy with your final decision you can always watch me play golf, with my new clubs I will be getting--that would brighten up just about anybodies day I should imagine....

)

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 10/14/2007 4:12:11 PM
Author: surfgirl
To the OP, I think Rhino hit the nail on the head and since you seem to agree, hopefully you will realize you have a lovely stone and be happy with it.

ETA: Hopefully the dead horse beating will cease now...

ETA2: WHFSR, I just read your comments about being overly sensitive about 'recent threads' and I just wanted to say that your most recent posts are exactly why people get irritated. Continuing to dredge up issues where none exist, offering up theories based on a very recent (and often not correct) understanding of diamonds isn't particularly helpful when someone is stressing over keeping a stone or not, it just adds fuel to their angst (which is why we always welcome the experts to come in and clarify for us). And it's why you keep getting dogged about it. Honestly, at this point I'm willing to start a fund to get you a new hobby. Would you consider golf?!

A hearty AMEN to that, SG.....

This thread HAS to be one for the ages.......WHFSR (who has NO formal GG training) suggesting that BRIAN GAVIN'S (5th generation diamond cutter and OWNER OF THE A CUT ABOVE H&A BRAND) H&A tutorial "is missing a few things."........HAHAHAHAHHA. That HAS to be the ultimate in brazenness!

Yep - THIS is precisely why you feel dogged, WHFSR.....because you cannot seem to understand your limitations.

I think the golf thing might be a bit of a stretch, though......I'm sure within six weeks or so, you'd be feeling 'expert enough' to tell us all why Tiger's swing "has a few faults". LOLOL

SHEBABES - For what it's worth, I think stone you have is gorgeous. There is no such thing as a "perfect" stone. I put a LOT of faith in Rich Sherwood (an appraiser with decades of experience), and if he says he wouldn't kick it out of bed, I'd put a lot of stock in that.

Only you can decide how important this issue is to YOUR mind....but know that almost everyone has to reach a point of "what's good enough" since perfection isn't really possible.

 

[shminbabe]

shebabes

your ring is totally fab no matter how you look at it.

i completely get your dilemma in all domains.

i struggled with the decision to buy a certain EC that did not display all the parameters of the perfect EC, after learning about them all here on pricescope. still, i kept going in to visit this certain EC and i loved it. i have not seen too many awesome ECs in real life (just junk at the mall), really only one and that was at Tiffany. Mine held up quite nicely to the equivalent Tiffany stone.

so in the end, i bought the "inferior" EC stone. it faced up larger and in fact is larger than the other stones i was considering and it sparkles like mad. i can't imagine one with the "right" specs (smaller table and higher crown) sparkling more than mine. and if they do, well, that's okay, because i made peace with my choice and i love the way it performs, so it's just right for me. but i did worry a bit about it in the weeks following my purchase. and like your spouse, there will be no future ugrades here. i got a 2.28 ct stone, we've got three little ones to pay for and i got a larger stone for the money so i am quite happy. your ring is really gorgeous. if you can let go of the hearts and arrows thing and just enjoy your stone, then do it. if you can't, you'd best change your mind now and get what you want. just do it quietly, both for the sake of your husband and your friend.

i am sorry about your friend's financial woes. we've got a few of our own and sometimes i am afraid that i spent the money on this ring and in the future we'll really need it for the mortgage.

well, my point is this: i was able to let go of the certain parameters I'd wanted, to fall in love with a stone that was very good, nearly perfect, and most of all very pleasing to MY EYES. I have no regrets. That's the key. I have no regrets. You should do what you think you need to do so that you will have no regrets too.

I really love your stone!

I hope things improve for your friend. Life can be so hard, so unfair.

ETA: I just read through the entire thread...sorry - i see that your decision is pretty well made, anyway. good for you.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

Date: 10/15/2007 11:00:50 AM
Author: aljdewey

Date: 10/14/2007 4:12:11 PM

Author: surfgirl

To the OP, I think Rhino hit the nail on the head and since you seem to agree, hopefully you will realize you have a lovely stone and be happy with it.


ETA: Hopefully the dead horse beating will cease now...


ETA2: WHFSR, I just read your comments about being overly sensitive about ''recent threads'' and I just wanted to say that your most recent posts are exactly why people get irritated. Continuing to dredge up issues where none exist, offering up theories based on a very recent (and often not correct) understanding of diamonds isn''t particularly helpful when someone is stressing over keeping a stone or not, it just adds fuel to their angst (which is why we always welcome the experts to come in and clarify for us). And it''s why you keep getting dogged about it. Honestly, at this point I''m willing to start a fund to get you a new hobby. Would you consider golf?!

A hearty AMEN to that, SG.....


This thread HAS to be one for the ages.......WHFSR (who has NO formal GG training) suggesting that BRIAN GAVIN''S (5th generation diamond cutter and OWNER OF THE A CUT ABOVE H&A BRAND) H&A tutorial ''is missing a few things.''........HAHAHAHAHHA. That HAS to be the ultimate in brazenness!


Yep - THIS is precisely why you feel dogged, WHFSR.....because you cannot seem to understand your limitations.


I think the golf thing might be a bit of a stretch, though......I''m sure within six weeks or so, you''d be feeling ''expert enough'' to tell us all why Tiger''s swing ''has a few faults''. LOLOL


SHEBABES - For what it''s worth, I think stone you have is gorgeous. There is no such thing as a ''perfect'' stone. I put a LOT of faith in Rich Sherwood (an appraiser with decades of experience), and if he says he wouldn''t kick it out of bed, I''d put a lot of stock in that.


Only you can decide how important this issue is to YOUR mind....but know that almost everyone has to reach a point of ''what''s good enough'' since perfection isn''t really possible.

Does the tutorial give an example of an AGS0 without perfect hearts?