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Different certificates for same diamond

J

jtmoney

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 18, 2012
Messages
11
Hey guys,

I'm a super newbie at diamond purchases but I'm trying to track down the right diamond for an engagement ring and came across something that threw me off.

I found a diamond on two different websites both with the same GIA certificate number. The interesting thing was both certs were dated differently and noted different inclusions / sizes / ct weight

Cert #1
Date : 09 May 2009
0.91 ct
Color / Clarity : H / VVS2
Measurements : 6.18 - 6.25 x 3.87mm
Inclusions : Pinpoint, Natural
Comment : Internal graining not shown

Cert #2
Date : 03 Feb 2010
0.90 ct
Color / Clarity : H/VV2
Measurements : 6.18 - 6.25 x 3.86mm
Inclusions : Pinpoint
Comment : Internal graining not shown

When looking up the GIA report checker, the newer cert shows up. Both of these have reference diagrams as well, and although the pinpoints are hard to find, the natural inclusion is marked on the first cert. Since the dimension has changed and the ct weight has dropped slightly, does this mean the inclusion was shaved out of it? Not sure how to interpret this and given the cert is 2 years old not sure how comfortable I should be with the purchase.

Comments welcome.
 
Very good! That would be my guess as well...they had the natural polished off!
 
With the natural polished off, I guess its no different than any other 0.9 ct diamond? I can't imagine the polishing had that much impact since it still made the same specs on the GIA cert.
 
jtmoney|1337405433|3198977 said:
With the natural polished off, I guess its no different than any other 0.9 ct diamond? I can't imagine the polishing had that much impact since it still made the same specs on the GIA cert.
Click to expand...

You're right, it will have had minimal impact on the diamonds cut. Be sure to get Idealscope images of the diamond before purchasing though. As I'm sure you already know, the fact that it's a GIA ex does not mean that it will have superior light performance. ;)
 
jtmoney|1337405433|3198977 said:
With the natural polished off, I guess its no different than any other 0.9 ct diamond? I can't imagine the polishing had that much impact since it still made the same specs on the GIA cert.
Click to expand...

Good catch on the re-polish. I found the listing. The crown and pavilion angle pairing is somewhat steep/deep, if cut quality matters to you. HCA score is 5.0
 
Thanks for the info guys. I'm a diamond newbie but I'm an internet ninja! I decided to move on from that stone because of the HCA.

I'm trying to find a G/H VS2 or better 0.9-1.0 ct diamond with excellent or ideal in cut/sym/pol thats GIA/AGS certified.

I found another one I like that came back with a HCA score of 2.7. I know my girlfriend would like one thats got a fair bit of brilliance to it so that it shines on the hand and I'm not sure if I should be aiming for a lower HCA to get that.

I've asked for an Idealscope of the latest stone to see what it looks like. I'd like to keep my costs below 7000 for the stone and feel like I've browsed a million diamonds. Any advice appreciated.

Edit - I should have noted that I'm looking for a round diamond.
 
Keep in mind that the HCA is only a pass/fail tool. The general recommendation is that if a stone score 2 or under then it warrants further investigation ie idealscope, ASET images. Over 2 and the stone is a pass. However there are PSers that feel that because GIA rounds all their angles that stones scoring under 3 could warrant further investigation.

I'll take a look around and make a few suggestions if you'd like. Is your budget for the stone or stone and setting?

Edit: opps I see you didn't mention a budget. I'll make some recommendations and then we can go from there. ;)
2nd edit: I should also mention, when it comes to HCA scores and the under 2 rule, that only applies to diamonds that have not been given an AGS0 grading. These stones have already been evaluated for light performance, so having additional images of the diamond taken is sort of redundant. =)
 
Christina...|1337458762|3199278 said:
This is an I color, but it has strong florescence which will help make the diamond look whiter, and it's a gorgeous diamond!! :love:

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/8378/

This one is an SI1 but will be eye clean, it's also an icy white F! :lickout:
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/8703/

This is another I color but it's a great value, it's not a H&A, but you're saving a lot because of that, and it's gorgeous! ;)
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/9122/
Click to expand...

I was just about to post that first one - it looks icy white, scores well and has a nice spread! That .9 is a steal, too!
 
Wow thanks for all the help! I got to admit I thought I'd be getting zero replies when I asked for suggestions. You guys are awesome.

I'm going to take a look at these and see what I can find. I really want to keep the cost of the stone below $7000 so that I can afford a decent setting / wedding band set.

Below is the one I'm waiting on from James Allen to get me a Idealscope. It looks super nice under that virtual loupe (which I realize isn't the best indicator of what the stone will look like). Fingers crossed the Idealscope image is decent.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VVS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1489673.asp

I'm also staying H color or above. I've looked at a lot of diamonds and the faint yellow hue of the I color is just enough to catch my eye. I found a decent ring that was preset and on clearance at Helzberg but I couldn't get over the little bit of yellow.

From looking at the suggestions, I guess going with a Heart&Arrow stone reinforces that the stone is going to be as good as it gets for proportions and light reflection? Also, I assume the reps at these websites must be pretty trustworthy to verify its eye clean? I thought I'd play it safe and shoot for VS2 or better to improve my chances at knowing its eye clean.
 
After a bit of digging and price shopping I've narrowed it down to a few that I'm waiting on Idealscope images on

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VVS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1489673.asp
HCA - 2.7

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1447271.asp
HCA - 1.8

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1480583.asp
HCA - 1.9

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1470709.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
HCA - 1.8

They're all in the same ballpark for price with the lowest price being the H-VS1 and H-VVS2 for about $5900 and the D-VS2 being $6600

Can't wait to see the Idealscope images and stare at them trying to figure them out!
 
Hey guys, I could use your help picking out what the best Idealscope image would be for the following diamonds.

All of these are GIA certified, excellent cut/symmetry/polish, verified as eye clean.

I'm no IS expert but I've been reading the forums and looking at tips and tricks to figure out whats best. Using my untrained eye and the information I've gathered, I would have thought the H-VS1 has the better light return. It looks like its got lots of dark red, a decent symmetry, and those well defined squares in the center without much leakage. I'm not sure if I'm reading them right though because I was being steered towards the D-VS2 and the F-VS1 as having the most brightness / fire / scintillation.

Any advice on which of these are better stones from the PS veterans would be appreciated!

H-VS1
HCA 1.8
Cloud Needle Pinpoint
1447271id.jpg

D-VS2
HCA 1.8
Crystal Cloud
1470709id.jpg

F-VS1
HCA 1.9
Crystal Needle Pinpoint
1480583id.jpg

H-VVS2
HCA 2.7
Feather Pinpoint Natural
1489673id.jpg
 
Re: Different certificates for same diamond (short time line

Sorry for the poor forum etiquette but I couldn't go back and edit my last post. I was hoping to make a decision on the diamond by the end of day today or first thing in the morning so that I don't lose the hold I have on them. I also would need to order it pretty soon so that my proposal is on schedule once the ring arrives! Any thoughts on these stones would be greatly appreciated.
 
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