Dark Images on 2 Carat Stone

[Zappy]

Hello all!

I have been looking around for an upgrade stone for a while. My one hesitation is cost, but I came across one that is at a very affordable price point for me and my husband. You can find the certificate here: http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104090199029-PLDQR.PDF

I know that it is discounted due to the hit it takes on the cut grade (AGS 1) and the clarity. I am aware that I will be able to see inclusions, but I think I have a high tolerance for that, considering that my current AGS I1 has made me happy for the past 7 years.

I am concerned by the images that were provided to me. The first vendor I spoke to about this stone says it is just a really bad picture. The second one says that it is gray due to the inclusions. The supplier says that it has life and brilliance, but why are the images so dark? If it is graded at an H with 0 light return, shouldn't it look brighter? Is there a possibility that it will look gray in real life?

I have been trying to get better images or a video, but it seems like this is all the supplier is willing to do.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[whitewave]

Tell him to take a picture outside.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I agree that these are probably not the best pictures. However, I personally would prefer a much less included stone at a smaller size. There can be different tints that affect diamonds and their color too so that might be an issue here. I would proceed very cautiously with this stone - make sure if you go ahead with purchase that you have an iron clad written return policy.

 

[Zappy]

Thanks for the feedback. I am really cautious about this stone at the moment and will probably not buy it if I don't get a better image.

In the meantime, I will be looking for other diamonds.

 

[Dancing Fire]

...This is a salt & pepper stone...

 

[Snowdrop13]

If you need any help please post the budget and we'll have a look! If you look for stones just under the 2ct mark there may be some savings to be had as prices jump up over it.

 

[BELLA9280]

you can def find a better stone that than even on a low budget.

 

[Zappy]

Thanks everyone. I'll keep you posted!

 

[tyty333]

...This is a salt & pepper stone...

Yes, not all I1s are the same...can you post pics of your current stone so we can see your tolerance level? We can all help
search if we know your budget. Is your current stone through a vendor that you are upgrading with or are you able to
go with any vendor?

Edit...you might also consider lowering your color. If it were me (I know its not), I would rather have a lower color with
less inclusions.

Edit again...you might contact Yuketiel at ID Jewelry if you can work with other vendors. He is good at finding bigger stones
on tighter budgets. Wont hurt to see what he can find for you.
http://idjewelry.com/

 

[Zappy]

I didn't think it was inclusions causing the diamond to look like that, but now I am wondering if it is the reflections of a couple inclusions that is causing the whole stone to look dark.

I am able to purchase the stone from any vendor. I tried taking a decent picture of my diamond, but I can never get a crisp close up to see the inclusions. Here is the report:

http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/1040385870002-PLDQR.PDF

The feathers on the side blend in most of the time and do not bother me when I see them. The twinning wisps are practically not there to me, and the crystals in the middle are only visible at certain angles in certain lighting conditions. I have very good vision, and it is barely noticeable to me. They look like splinters when I do see them.

I am willing to go down to a J since that's what I'm used to. As far as clarity, the right I1 would be fine since that is the clarity I mostly see in the lower price ranges. Most of the time, the AGS I1s I see are scored 8, but once in a while I find 7s that might be a tad better.

I have held back on asking you all to help me find stones because I have seen a lot of instances where they get snagged up by lurkers as soon as they are posted. That situation pretty much defines this past year for me with other, more serious situations in my life. I don't know if I can handle much more of that!

I have found a few other diamonds and I'm waiting on images. I am trying to stick to AGS 0 or 1 light return, even if the other categories are not perfect. I am leaning towards the AGS000 stones I found, but one of my top picks scores a 2.7 on the HCA. I know I have read that HCA does not favor crowns over 35 and does not factor in lowers, so I am cautiously looking into it. I will post when I am able to put it on hold.

Thanks so much for all of your help.

 

[Zappy]

That's the best picture I could get of my diamond.

ETA: This diamond looked pretty rough in the vendor pictures. I don't know why I decided to give it a shot, but it was the best decision. It looks way cleaner in person and is full of life. Plus, I was able to get a much bigger diamond for our budget at the time compared to other diamonds in my price range.

 

[Texas Leaguer]

Clarity grades broaden out significantly as you get into imperfect range. As a result, there can look can be completely different appearance from one to another, even if cut quality and color are the same. So you are really going to need to put your eyes on the prize before you will know if the stone is for you.

With regard to the AGS light performance grade, remember that that this is based upon ray tracing of an accurate 3D model of the diamond, independent of any effects from clarity characteristics. Therefore, depending on the number and nature of internal characteristics, visual performance in an imperfect grade can swing from outstanding to quite poor.

I would also say that a lot of dark crystals in a diamond can give a darkish or greyish face up effect, even if the body color is in the near colorless or even colorless.