Diamond specifications

[bertrande]

Hi everyone,

Would really appreciate some of your thoughts on this diamond. It''s graded by IGI so all the information here is provided by them and I don''t have any other information (such as depth etc.).

Description: Natural Diamond
Shape and cut: Round Brilliant
Weight: 0.47ct
measurements: 5.00 - 5.03 x 3.12mm
Clarity Grade: IF
Color Grade: D
Fluorescence: Very slight
Polish and symmetry: Excellent
Proportions: Excellent
Table Diameter: 55.5%
Crown Height: 15.5%
Pavilion Depth: 43%
Girdle thickness: Thin to Medium (faceted)
Culet Size: Pointed
Comments: "IDEAL CUT" (Laserscribe on girdle: IGI ____)

How can I tell how good the diamond is from the information above, with no information on angles etc?

Any information will be much appreciate! Thanks!

-bertrande

 

[elmo]

The percentages are enough to tell that proportions are probably fairly nice. Folks will complain about not having angles and the IGI report and D-IF is overkill but that's nitpicking to some extent. Does it look good?

 

[bertrande]

Hmm..could you explain why D-IF and the IGI report is an overkill? Yes, it looks very nice - I was all set to get a Lazare diamond (and was willing to pay the premium for it) when this diamond caught my eye. Looks magnificent and costs 2/3 -4/5 the price of the Lazare, which was 0.48ct in size but of E colour and VS1 clarity. I was sold...but thought I'd ask on this forum as my interest in diamonds started not too long ago.

 

[elmo]

Actually D-IF overkill and IGI underkill, if there is such a term

.

In small diamonds like this there is very little apparent color difference between say D and F, and down to VS any inclusions will be small, and not eye-visible down to SI-1 or 2. A majority of folks here prefer something like H-SI because you can save money or get a bigger diamond for the same money. I think D-IF is pretty cool though, even if it's intrinsic and not really visible, although I usually try to look for VS.

In the US, AGS and GIA are the most highly esteemed labs, and there is often an underlying assumption that a report from another lab would be obtained for some ulterior reason...either the other lab grades easier or the report costs a lot less etc. But that's not necessarily a fair statement to make across the board. Certainly in Europe HRD is what you'll probably come across, and I've seen folks say good things on Pricescope about IGI Antwerp.

So while for an ideal cut stone of this size I'd prefer AGS or GIA, for just the right stone in something this size the IGI report might not be a deal breaker. You could always get an independent evaluation, or your own AGS or GIA report for even less money than that might cost (about $100).

 

[strmrdr]

igi gets a bad reputation because a couple of the big chains that dont have a very good reputation for honesty use them.
Not having directly compared the igi grades to gia/ags I cant comment on the accuracy of the reports but the appraisers here can and hopefully will.

I would be leary of a stone with an igi cert without verification by an independant appraiser the same as with egl.
Where gia and ags id be more willing to accept their grades.

 

[bertrande]

Heh..this is an engagement ring and my fingers are rather petite so I can't take big diamonds (think small ASIAN fingers! Hence, the other half has to look at the colour and clarity etc.

I recognise that IGI's not as highly-regarded as AGS or GIA (whether justified or not - I actually think it's pretty ok) and I thought the information on the report didn't tell me much (can't even use the Holloway test because I have no depth %!)so I thought a good way was to post the information given on the cert on this website.

In any case, I'm in love with the stone and I think that ultimately, that is the most important thing, no?

 

[elmo]

Depth % you can calculate from 3.1/5.0, about 62%. The crown and pavilion angles are directly related to the crown and pavilion percentages. It's probably a nice stone. You're paying a premium for D-IF, I might want some assurance it's D-IF

, even if that's just a trusted jeweler going through an analysis with me.

 

[bertrande]

hey elmo,

where did you get the 3.1 and 5.0 figures from? I'm really quite a newbie at this so I can't really tell where the figures' coming from.

Oh..and the price for this diamond including an 18K gold ct setting is SGD4000, which works out to be USD2353. Would you say that this is a good deal?

 

[hoorray]

There is a mental niceness of D/IF. Some people want that, some don't. However, I agree that IGI can be iffy, so I would have it appraised just to make sure you are paying a fair price, since D/IF commands a good premium. It sounds as if you love the stone, which is what counts.

The appraisal will just make sure you are getting what you pay for. (If the color or clarity comes in lower -- don't give up on the stone, just negotiate the price accordingly.)