cut grade vs size - 1st purchase

[ewan70]

Hi,

It''s my first diamond purchase and I intend to propose in 3 weeks time . I have this round brilliant diamond in mind but I am wondering if I should consider an ideal cut instead and maybe compromise a bit on the size.
After reading the posts here, I am worried that the Gia cut grading excellent is not a garantee for a good diamond. It''s score 1.7 on the HCA but I am not too sure what it really means.
What do you think about the specs below ?

Measurements: 5.95 - 5.99 x 3.62 mm
Carat Weight: 0.80
Color Grade: G
Clarity Grade: VVS2
Cut Grade: Excellent

Proportions:
Depth: 60.6 %
Table: 59 %
Crown Angle: 35.5°
Crown Height: 14.5 %
Pavilion Angle: 40.6°
Pavilion Depth: 42.5 %
Star length: 50 %
Lower Half: 80 %
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted
Culet: None

Finish:
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None

 

[JulieN]

go to an ideal cut, drop the VVS to VS2 or SI1, and there is no compromise to be made.

 

[ewan70]

Thank you for your reply. Could a Gia ideal cut grade diamond be "worse" than this one or is it a garantee ? This one scored 1.7 on the HCA and I thought it was fine until I read all the topics here about Gia cut grading.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 5/7/2007 6:50:10 AM
Author: ewan70
Thank you for your reply. Could a Gia ideal cut grade diamond be ''worse'' than this one or is it a garantee ? This one scored 1.7 on the HCA and I thought it was fine until I read all the topics here about Gia cut grading.

Though you''re reasonable to note that GIA ex is not a good guarantee of cut quality, using HCA and your eyes along with it are the double checks you should find satisfactory. Also, though I agree VVS2 is most easily modified, it is fine if it''s your preference.

 

[InlovewithJHK]

Are you considering buying your diamond online or in a B&M store? I''ve found prices to be much better online... what is your budget if you don''t mind me asking?

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 5/7/2007 6:28:45 AM
Author: JulieN
go to an ideal cut, drop the VVS to VS2 or SI1, and there is no compromise to be made.

Ditto, and you can drop to an H in color if you want as well.

 

[peridot83]

Is this a stone you will be seeing in person? If so, I wouldn''t worry ''bout the "Excellent" as long as you liked it since, as you said, the #s are great. However, if you are buying online, I think many would drop the clarity to a VS1 or VS2 in order to get something graded "Ideal" w/ excellent cut & polish. (this is assuming you didn''t get "ideal" due to budget constraints).

Either way you decide to go, if you are buying online, make sure to get an idealscope or ASET image before purchase if at all possible.

 

[ewan70]

I will be buying from a shop. I have some time constraint and want to be sure to have the proposal ring by next week. I saw this diamond at a shop and thought the size and the specs were reasonnable. But after reading this forum, I am worried the cutting on the cert might be misleading. But I get all your points. I will try to find an ideal cut/vs1 within the same budget, otherwise I will stick to this one. Thanks a lot.

 

[E B]

Don't worry about ideal vs. excellent, especially graded by GIA. If it got a good HCA score and sparkles like mad, you should get it.

I have a GIA VG/VG rated an "Excellent" cut, and it's an amazing stone full of fire. No one would be able to tell the difference between mine and an 'ideal' without fancy tools (or the cert), and even then...

 

[oldminer]

Different personalities dictate what you can or can''t accept in a diamond. Some people feel a VVS2 is too imperfect and others would prefer to go larger and have VS2 or SI1 clarity. The same thing applies with cut quality and with color choice. What one person recommends another may not find an appealing compromise.

I would hope that with all the "research" GIA did with their decision process on calling certain cuts "excellent" that they did not miss the mark by very much. Not every dealer or diamond expert is pleased totally by the GIA appraoch, but one could pretty much expect different opinions and that some would be more negative than hoped for. Its better to have some guidance instead of none. We can hope for better in time because this sytem is not the final cure for describing the best range of cut.

You need to make your own choice. Compare the diamond you like with others tobe sure it looks like one you want to buy. If not, then say so BEFORE you pay the money and work on finding a different diamond. Its not difficult to do. You can change your mind anytime until you pay the bill.