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Decision Time!!!

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hacksaw35

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 26, 2008
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Hello all,
After scouring this site over the past couple weeks, I think I am about to make a decision...but have a couple of questions.

I am working with a local jeweler (nice guy, great cust. service, lots of experience) He found me the diamond (size,cut,budget) that I was looking for, and at a pretty decent price I guess, what do you all think. It did not score that great on the HCA...the jeweler didn''t know about the HCA, but said this is probably b/c of the table size...and stated there is a big debate on the best table size.

I think it looks great, but I''m no expert.


GIA
5.92-5.95 x 3.68
.8 CT
H
SI1
Excellent Cut
Clarity - crystal, feather
Polish - VG
Symmetry - VG
Flour - None
Table 59%
Depth 62%
Crown 35.5
Pavilion 41.0
$2550.00

Here is the palladium setting as well ($400).

02-ARTCARVED-31-V163FRD-E_XL_D.JPG
 
the angles are bad for that table size. it''s not because of table size alone.
 
Hacksaw, I would pass on this diamond, the crown and pavilion angles are not a good combination, the diamond could leak light and not perform as well as it should. Do you have any other contenders?
 
Lorelei,

I don''t think he has any more right now that meet my criteria. So, even though this was graded Excellent Cut by GIA, you would recommend passing on it based off of the cut angles?

I noticed that the HCA score drastically changes when the Crown angle is changed from a 35 to a 35.5, is this the main problem with this stone.
 
Date: 9/9/2008 2:34:48 PM
Author: hacksaw35
Lorelei,

I don't think he has any more right now that meet my criteria. So, even though this was graded Excellent Cut by GIA, you would recommend passing on it based off of the cut angles?

I noticed that the HCA score drastically changes when the Crown angle is changed from a 35 to a 35.5, is this the main problem with this stone.
Click to expand...



It is what we call a steep deep which means the angles are too steep and deep to work in the most effective way together, ideally a more shallow crown angle would be a better balance with the pavilion angle. GIA Excellent can allow for some less desirable combos, so you need to evaluate each on its own proportions. If you like this diamond, see if you can look at some diamonds of known cut quality such as AGS0, Hearts on Fire if they are sold in your area, then you can compare the one you are interested in to see how it rates. Also check it out away from the store lights to make sure you like it in the lighting which the diamond will be worn in. But I would see if you can find some other diamonds to consider before pulling the trigger on this one.

Here are some crown and pavilion ' safe' combos which might help, as taken from one of John's posts.


Here's a "Cliff's Notes" for staying near Tolkowsky/ideal angles with GIA reports (their numbers are rounded): A crown angle of 34.0, 34.5 or 35.0 is usually safe with a 40.8 pavilion angle. If pavilion angle = 40.6 lean toward a 34.5-35.0 crown. If pavilion angle = 41 lean toward a 34.0-34.5 crown.


GIA "EX" in cut is great at its heart, but it ranges a bit wider than some people prefer, particularly in deep combinations (pavilion > 41 with crown > 35).




Of course all this is by the numbers. We will not have the chance to see the diamond; you will. Be sure to view it in several lighting conditions - not just under spotlights.

 
Lorelei,

Thank you for all the info. He did take it outside so we could check it out in the sunlight and it looked good (but I don''t know anything). I think I will go back and have him compare the stone with a few others of even higher quality cuts.

So, are you saying for this price, I should be able to get pretty much the same stone with better cut angles.
What I am worried about is that the quality of stone you are recommending is not going to fit into my budget. Here is my criteria...
Around .8ct
F-H
EX Cut
VS1-SI1
$2000-$2500

Thanks.
 
Away from store lights means near the window or something. Direct sunlight doesn''t make diamonds lok good.
 
Keep trying with him to find a different stone. Give him the following specs to help with the search:

depth: 60-62
table: 54-57
crown/pavillion: consistent with an HCA score of under 2.

I love the setting, by the way!! It is also a great price!
 
Date: 9/10/2008 2:12:34 AM
Author: kcoursolle
Keep trying with him to find a different stone. Give him the following specs to help with the search:

depth: 60-62
table: 54-57
crown/pavillion: consistent with an HCA score of under 2.

I love the setting, by the way!! It is also a great price!
Click to expand...
You can do better I think Hacksaw, add to that the depth and tables above as a guide, and the above angles, that should find you a lovely stone.
 
Well, I sent the jeweler an email stating the concerns that you guys brought up about this stone, and here is the reply I got...

This a beautiful diamond. Call GIA to get their explanation of what GIA Excellent means. Every one has an opinion when they are trying to sell you something. I checked the Internet after you left and found my price to be very competitive. Our after sale service is the best. Buy this diamond.


This sounded kind of rude to me. Especially the "buy this diamond" at the end. And he started out being such a nice guy?


I really like that setting...Do one of the PS recommended online sellers carry this Artcarved brand by chance, b/c I think this jeweler may have just lost my business.
 
Bitter? As he said, everyone has an opinion when they're trying to sell you something.

I don't think any PS associated people carry ArtCarved, probably not Pearlman's or DScaasi, which tend to carry some of the designer brands. But, not to worry. It's an ArtCarved, which you can get anywhere, and there are a few brands and custom that do that sort of thing.
 
I think the setting you chose is very pretty
36.gif
 
JulieN, I am located in Kansas City, KS. Some of those settings in your link are similar...but quite a bit more pricey.

My total budget is $3200.

Blackhawk...That stone looks awesome. I would buy it right now if I could get that setting for $400. Since I was originally buying locally I had $215 tax in my budget, so that would only put me over budget like $100.

I called another local jeweler that carries the Artcarved brand, and they quoted me $700 for the same setting. Do you think the jeweler I was working with originally will give me the quoted price of $400 if I don''t buy my stone from him? I bet he would be pissed, huh.
 
Well, I did it! I ended up going $200 over my budget, but I think it was worth it.

I actually bought that stone Blackhawk recommended! If you click on his link it should now say SOLD!
I worked with Jamie from WhiteFlash and she helped me find a setting that was very similar to the one that I wanted. Here is a pic of the setting (this one has a 1.5ct stone in it, so the bezels look kind of bulky)

I am also having the shank with a satin finish and leaving the bezels polished. So, hopefully it turns out as cool as I have pictured in my head.

I will post some pics when I get it.

Thanks for the help guys.... by the way, that jeweler never contacted me again after I emailed him your comments...he must have been really bitter. OH WELL!

enr7243.jpg
 
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