Diamond quest

[kaigun02]

Hi PS-ers,

I''m looking at a diamond in San Francisco that scored a 1.9 HCA (d62.2, t56, c34.5, p41) based on its GIA report. I just got a photo sent to me by a vendor. The symmetry looks good to my (extremely untrained) eye, but I''m not sure how to interpret the shadows. Can any of the resident experts tell more by looking at the attached photo? What other images or products should I request to help determine if this is a real performer?

Thanks,
J

 

[Regular Guy]

Depending on your interest in investing...especially for other possible lifetime purchases...spending under $100 for an idealscope (with materials like an ideal lite) may help a bit...

 

[Mrs W]

Get IS image from them, if they do not provide these then buy one like Regular guy said...

 

[kaigun02]

Whoops, guess I should have been more specific. I''m shopping via e-mail and the internet, so I''m looking for questions to ask the vendor. I''d love to be able to view the diamond in person with an Ideal Scope (or even my own eyes), but unfortunately I''m overseas and trying to buy something to propose with when I get home.

Aside from an IS image, is there anything else I could ask the vendor to provide?

Thanks,
J

 

[Mrs W]

Date: 8/5/2009 3:59:54 AM
Author: kaigun02
Whoops, guess I should have been more specific. I'm shopping via e-mail and the internet, so I'm looking for questions to ask the vendor. I'd love to be able to view the diamond in person with an Ideal Scope (or even my own eyes), but unfortunately I'm overseas and trying to buy something to propose with when I get home.

Aside from an IS image, is there anything else I could ask the vendor to provide?

Thanks,
J

Aside from the IS image I would ask if the stone is eyeclean, for a copy of the GIA report, a Sarin if he could get one for you...and I can't think of anything else. If I am missing something Im sure Lorelei will chime in...she is great

EDT: not saying that the stone is not eyeclean bc it does look that way but its something to ask the vendor

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/5/2009 4:04:34 AM
Author: Mrs W

Date: 8/5/2009 3:59:54 AM
Author: kaigun02
Whoops, guess I should have been more specific. I''m shopping via e-mail and the internet, so I''m looking for questions to ask the vendor. I''d love to be able to view the diamond in person with an Ideal Scope (or even my own eyes), but unfortunately I''m overseas and trying to buy something to propose with when I get home.

Aside from an IS image, is there anything else I could ask the vendor to provide?

Thanks,
J

Aside from the IS image I would ask if the stone is eyeclean, for a copy of the GIA report, a Sarin if he could get one for you...and I can''t think of anything else. If I am missing something Im sure Lorelei will chime in...she is great

EDT: not saying that the stone is not eyeclean bc it does look that way but its something to ask the vendor

* oh blush....* thanks Breann!!

The diamond looks really good, an IS image would be useful if you can get one. What is the clarity grade?

 

[stone-cold11]

Ditto to the request of IS.

 

[kaigun02]

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

Lorelei, the diamond is an IF. For whatever reason, I just want to be able to tell my FF that the diamond I''m proposing to her with is "internally flawless, just like her." I just hope she can forgive me for getting her a 3/4 ct or so instead of a 1. I''m also a total OCD-type perfectionist so that''s just the way it has to be.

Unfortunately, this particular vendor doesn''t play the IS game. I suspected they might not because their inventory is so large that it can only be a listing of off-site diamonds. I''m actually surprised they could even come up with the picture initially; perhaps the supplier had one ready?

Interestingly enough, my theory about the stone being off-site was confirmed yesterday when I found another retailer who lists the exact same diamond... for $900 less! I even ordered the GIA report again to be sure. The original vendor blanked out the report number, but I can''t imagine just how infinitely small the odds are that the GIA would grade two identical diamonds on the same date. Anyone else ever make a similar discovery?

I can''t wait to break the news to vendor A. But first, let''s see if vendor B can come up with an IS image...

-J

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/7/2009 5:22:16 AM
Author: kaigun02
Thanks for the replies, everyone!

Lorelei, the diamond is an IF. For whatever reason, I just want to be able to tell my FF that the diamond I'm proposing to her with is 'internally flawless, just like her.' I just hope she can forgive me for getting her a 3/4 ct or so instead of a 1. I'm also a total OCD-type perfectionist so that's just the way it has to be.

Unfortunately, this particular vendor doesn't play the IS game. I suspected they might not because their inventory is so large that it can only be a listing of off-site diamonds. I'm actually surprised they could even come up with the picture initially; perhaps the supplier had one ready?

Interestingly enough, my theory about the stone being off-site was confirmed yesterday when I found another retailer who lists the exact same diamond... for $900 less! I even ordered the GIA report again to be sure. The original vendor blanked out the report number, but I can't imagine just how infinitely small the odds are that the GIA would grade two identical diamonds on the same date. Anyone else ever make a similar discovery?

I can't wait to break the news to vendor A. But first, let's see if vendor B can come up with an IS image...

-J

I understand!

Yes, if the diamond is what is called a virtual stone then it will be listed for sale with multiple vendors, see below.

http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/12/1/Why-are-there-several-dealers-offering-the-exact-same-stone.aspx

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 8/4/2009 10:04:42 PM
Author:kaigun02
The symmetry looks good to my (extremely untrained) eye, but I''m not sure how to interpret the shadows.

The advice which you''ve received thus far suggesting that you ask the vendor for images of the diamond as seen through an Ideal Scope, ASET scope, Hearts & Arrows scope, etc. are sound and you should obtain those images from the vendor and post them here for further review.

However I believe that you are asking about the different shades sections that you see in the picture of the diamond? What you are seeing within the diamond as different shaded sections are actually what we refer to in the industry as "virtual facets" which is simply the appearance of smaller facets within the larger facets of a diamond which appear in the form of surfaces or images and occur as a result of reflection and refraction within a diamond. Virtual facets give the appearance of being actual facets and affect how light is perceived by the observer of a diamond.

Don''t spend time trying to interpret the shadows within the diamond off of a black and white photo, you''ll just drive yourself crazy... The ASET and Ideal Scope images will provide insight into the optical symmetry of the diamond which is easier to digest.