Did I buy the right diamond?

[flaxman88]

I bought a ring this past weekend after spending over 2 hours comparing these 6 diamonds in person in every way imaginable.

I'm curious to see what you guys would have picked by looking at these data alone.

They are all round brilliant cut ~0.6 carat, H, VVS1, excellent cut/symmetry/polish, no enhancement, no fluorescence, faceted girdle, and no culet.

*MST = Medium - Slightly Thick, ST = Slightly Thick, E = Excellent, V = Very Good

Cheers.

 

[lovedogs]

I bought a ring this past weekend after spending over 2 hours comparing these 6 diamonds in person in every way imaginable.

I'm curious to see what you guys would have picked by looking at these data alone.

They are all round brilliant cut ~0.6 carat, H, VVS1, excellent cut/symmetry/polish, no enhancement, no fluorescence, faceted girdle, and no culet.

*MST = Medium - Slightly Thick, ST = Slightly Thick, E = Excellent, V = Very Good

Cheers.

I would want to see pics of them to choose with my eyes, since none are "bad" choices. However, I probably wouldn't choose 5 based on the crown angle and bigger table (just my preference though), and likely would want one of the choices that got 3/4 E (rather than #3 that only got 1 E, plus that one has a 41 pav).

So based on the numbers I would be between 4 and 6, but would want to see for myself.

 

[OoohShiny]

Asking the question 'which would you pick?' but not revealing which one you did pick creates the risk of people 'trashing' the one you did buy and recommending another stone, which you might not have personally preferred when you actually saw it in 'real life' with your own eyes...

Instead of validation, you might end up doubting the stone you picked forevermore if you can't return/swap it (and even if you can swap it, do you trust random strangers on the internet, looking at a list of numbers, instead of your own eyes?).

It's a dangerous game...

 

[Matthews1127]

Asking the question 'which would you pick?' but not revealing which one you did pick creates the risk of people 'trashing' the one you did buy and recommending another stone, which you might not have personally preferred when you actually saw it in 'real life' with your own eyes...

Instead of validation, you might end up doubting the stone you picked forevermore if you can't return/swap it (and even if you can swap it, do you trust random strangers on the internet, looking at a list of numbers, instead of your own eyes?).

It's a dangerous game...

I have to admit, my mind stole down this rabbit hole, as well.
What happens if the consensus leans toward a completely different stone?
Will you return the one you purchased? Is there a return policy? What if the stone the majority agrees is superior to the one you have is a complete disappointment IRL, and it was your least favorite of all 6?
You had the advantage over all of us: Real Life inspection.
Numbers are great. % & angle combos are fun. But when a diamond reaches out & touches your soul, nothing else matters.
If the diamond you chose made your heart skip a beat, and sing, you made the right decision.

 

[flaxman88]

Fair points. In my mind, they were all winners to me. I just have to see each in person and go with the one I resonate with the most.

So, there's really no doubt or second thought here, even if what majority of you pick the one that I didn't pick. I was just curious to experience first hand the limitation of data on paper vs seeing it live.

 

[tyty333]

Are there images for these stones? After finding stones with decent HCAs you move on to close up images (actually we
usually have these to look at first), aset images, idealscope images and H&A images ...basically whatever images you can get.

If you have them post them or post links to these stones so we can see the images.

 

[gregchang35]

Since you have already bought a stone and are happy with the choice- it just waiting to confirm with your eyes: congrats!!!

your eyes will like things others won’t. And, that is the most important thing- what your (novice diamond) eyes tell you.

if you are still needing help with choosing and your eyes tell you that the stone isn’t as good as you hoped, do not be afraid to ask for more stones to look at. Since you already bought the stone, check the return policy. Why- just in case the jeweler will not call in more stones for you, and is forcing you to choose one stone from this set. I doubt that S/he would. But, you just never know.

As @tyty333 said- numbers give you a guide as to what should be a good stone- the HCA. Further imaging will show you how bright/ any leakage issues with a stone will be.

If you have to work with this jewelry and they do not provide imaging in the form of ideal scope or ASET, then the crown angles etc can be used in the HCA, to guide you in what is a good stone.The tool is on this site.

If you are not locked into this jeweler, my advice is to start a new thread with your specifications/ budget/ timeframe and there are many prosumers on here that know more about diamonds than your typical sales manager in a brick and mortar store... yes - you read that correctly. Sadly, I am not one of them.

I can’t wait tohear of what your thoughts are on the diamond that you have bought!
Once you have the stone- then choosing the setting is the next exciting thing!!!

Good luck for when you see the stone in person!
So much fun!

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

The stone that I wear (and we picked out together) has a larger table, lower color and SBF. This stone on paper alone would have me running for the hills. However, I too, looked at many stones and this is the one we both said, that’s it! That’s the one. Sure, in the beginning being here on PS and soooo much talk of smaller tables I doubted my ring, but THANK goodness that feeling was short lived.

Without pics I won’t say which one. I’m a highly visual person like most and that’s how you picked out your stone. Not based solely on numbers.

GL! Buying a ring can lead to some initial doubt for sure. I’m sure it will be beautiful.

 

[sledge]

I hate to quote my own thread, but this is why you have to take the numbers with a grain of salt. This example had nearly perfect proportions on paper, but images, video and advanced images told a much, much different story.

Why Advanced Images Matter...A Bad 34.5/40.8...

I'm just as guilty as anyone. Helping someone find a stone and run across one with that 34.5/40.8 combo. You smile. You then run through the rest of the proportions.... 57 table, 61.7 depth, 75 LGF's, 50 stars and medium-slightly thick girdle....check, check, check,check and check You...

www.pricescope.com

This makes sense when you think about it. The proportions we see on the lab report is at best case scenario just an average (AGS) but can be an averaged & rounded (GIA) version of the 8 (or 16) actual values of the stone.

8 actual facets = crown mains, pavilion mains & stars
16 actual facets = upper & lower girdle halves





Even on a detailed SARIN report where you get all the actual values, it doesn't account for machine calibration losses or minor rounding.

So the data on the lab report is accurate, within reason, but not exact. Not only that but it doesn't account for twisting, painting or digging that can alter the stone.

To further compound or complicate the matter, we now use this compressed data and throw into the HCA calculator who then uses the compressed data to make some additional assumptions and guesses about diamond performance and it spits out an anticipated performance rating. Yet the HCA ignores minor facet data like LGF's and stars and again won't account for twisting, painting or digging.

Do I like seeing proportions? Absolutely. Do I think some of your proportions above are more promising than others? Yup! But the harsh reality is you need more information to make an educated and informed decision about which stone is the best.

This is why I frequently recommend people work with vendors that provide a full array of images, video and advanced images (ASET, IS and H&A). I might clarify actual advanced images & not computer generated, and also photographed & backlit properly. The more info you have, the more confidence you can have in making your final choice.

Nerdery aside, any particular reason why VVS1 clarity? It's overkill. In a stone this size, I would prefer an eye clean SI1 to help boost your size a bit.

 

[sledge]

Also, had a question. Your chart data is reported more precisely than GIA in some ways, but less precise than AGS in other ways.

Are these synthetic stones? Or possibly from a different lab -- IGI, EGL, etc?

Or maybe data from a SARIN report, or similar?

For instance:

• Crown = 35.1 vs 35
• Pavilion Depth = 43.1 vs 43
• LGF = 74 vs 75, or 79 vs 80
• Stars = 49 vs 50

The above data would be normal for AGS, but then the table is reported to the nearest whole percent, which eludes to GIA.

 

[flaxman88]

Also, had a question. Your chart data is reported more precisely than GIA in some ways, but less precise than AGS in other ways.

Are these synthetic stones? Or possibly from a different lab -- IGI, EGL, etc?

Or maybe data from a SARIN report, or similar?

For instance:

• Crown = 35.1 vs 35
• Pavilion Depth = 43.1 vs 43
• LGF = 74 vs 75, or 79 vs 80
• Stars = 49 vs 50

The above data would be normal for AGS, but then the table is reported to the nearest whole percent, which eludes to GIA.

Great observations. I supposed Tiffany's does their own measurements and whatnot.

I do appreciate all the inputs and insights. This was meant to be something fun. I still would not change the diamond I've bought, even if it doesn't have the best proportions or if you guys happened to trash talk the one I've picked.

I thought it'd help people not to dwell and stress over data alone and to go out and see them with your own eyes. I narrowed down to 6 from over 20 choices based on data alone (Trust me, it's not easy requesting that amount of data from Tiffany. I had to contact 4 different sales reps over a week), so a better looking diamond could have been in one of those fourteen I've tossed out for all I know.

I'll post which one I bought and pics as soon as I get the ring back from resizing/engraving some time this weekend. I'd be nice to see some more guesses from you guys, though.

Cheers.

 

[tyty333]

Haha...
After helping people on a daily bases for several years analyzing numbers does not fall into my "fun" category!

I'm sure you picked a winner!

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

Also, had a question. Your chart data is reported more precisely than GIA in some ways, but less precise than AGS in other ways.

Are these synthetic stones? Or possibly from a different lab -- IGI, EGL, etc?

Or maybe data from a SARIN report, or similar?

For instance:

• Crown = 35.1 vs 35
• Pavilion Depth = 43.1 vs 43
• LGF = 74 vs 75, or 79 vs 80
• Stars = 49 vs 50

The above data would be normal for AGS, but then the table is reported to the nearest whole percent, which eludes to GIA.

This is why I love PS! It’s like the CIA of diamonds in this joint!

 

[sledge]

Gotcha @flaxman88.

All that said, I will take a swing. Based on data alone, stone 4 seems the most balanced to me.

 

[sledge]

This is why I love PS! It’s like the CIA of diamonds in this joint!

Haha, nahhhh.....never in a million years.

And shhhhhh....they will hear us.

 

[yssie]

Great observations. I supposed Tiffany's does their own measurements and whatnot.

I do appreciate all the inputs and insights. This was meant to be something fun. I still would not change the diamond I've bought, even if it doesn't have the best proportions or if you guys happened to trash talk the one I've picked.

I thought it'd help people not to dwell and stress over data alone and to go out and see them with your own eyes. I narrowed down to 6 from over 20 choices based on data alone (Trust me, it's not easy requesting that amount of data from Tiffany. I had to contact 4 different sales reps over a week), so a better looking diamond could have been in one of those fourteen I've tossed out for all I know.

I'll post which one I bought and pics as soon as I get the ring back from resizing/engraving some time this weekend. I'd be nice to see some more guesses from you guys, though.

Cheers.

They are all equally promising from the info you’ve posted. To “narrow it down” based only on what you’ve given us would be a foolhardy venture - we don’t have sufficient detail to objectively judge between them, so we’ll all just start applying our personal preferences.

I can imagine that having Tiffany provide this info for this many stones took quite a bit of effort on your end

 

[Kaycee2018]

@flaxman88 it sounds like you picked the right diamond for you considering you spent all that time viewing and inspecting them. Congrats! 4 or 6 are the ones that I *think* I would like best, but there's really no telling without seeing them IRL or at the very least without close up pics, videos and advanced images.

 

[AV_]

#5

then, #1

a foolhardy venture

I'll never know if I am right ,(