Does my diamond have excellent cut?

[Keenlearner]

hi everyone, I’m a newbie, I bought my diamond before learning about cut is king and whiteflash A cut above diamonds. Had I known I will choose ACA or similar. Can you please let me know if my diamond has excellent cut by your standards and experience? I know it won’t have the same excellent cut as an ACA diamond but I’m hoping it’s close to it? This diamond was listed on bluenile website as an Ideal cut, it wasn’t their Astor ideal range (I assume Astor is the same as ACA?)

The HCA score was 1.7

I bought an ideal and aset scope to view the diamond but I have no ideal how to interpret it. Can you please let me know if these images show that the diamond has excelllent cut properties close to an ACA diamond?

Thank you so much, your assistance is greatly appreciated

 

[tyty333]

Are you going to provide us a link to your stone or at least a copy of the GIA report. Is it returnable?

Cant be all bad with a 1.7 HCA score.

 

[Keenlearner]

looks like the image didn’t show, let me try to attach it again

 

[Keenlearner]

Are you going to provide us a link to your stone or at least a copy of the GIA report. Is it returnable?

Cant be all bad with a 1.7 HCA score.

Hi tyty333, can you see the images now in the reply section, hopefully it is attached. Let me see if I can attach it to the main text

 

[tyty333]

Its a nice stone with nice numbers. You did well. It wont be considered what we call a Super Ideal (like ACAs) but it is a nicely cut stone.

No worries...

 

[Keenlearner]

Its a nice stone with nice numbers. You did well. It wont be considered what we call a Super Ideal (like ACAs) but it is a nicely cut stone.

No worries...

Thank you so the difference between a super ideal cut and this diamond is that a super ideal diamond will sparkle and look bigger than this one? Especially under bad lighting? Will the brilliance, fire and scintillation (sparkling feel) noticeable by average population or only very experienced person can tell the difference between an Super Ideal and my diamond?

Not returnable unfortunately, there is always a next time I guess, this is my first ever diamond, I was never a jewellery person and now I’m in love with diamonds!

 

[Matilda]

No the fire etc will definitely not be noticeable by most people. And the difference is seriously minimal between your stone and “perfection “, unless people use an ideal scope etc on your finger! Do you love it? Personally I think you ought to be proud of your choice it’s clearly vey good!!

 

[AprilBaby]

You did an amazing job with your photos! How were they taken?

 

[Keenlearner]

No the fire etc will definitely not be noticeable by most people. And the difference is seriously minimal between your stone and “perfection “, unless people use an ideal scope etc on your finger! Do you love it? Personally I think you ought to be proud of your choice it’s clearly vey good!!

Thank you Matilda, yes I do love it hence curious to know how much more sparkling it can get with a super ideal cut because this one is already quite sparkling compared to the other diamonds I see at Cartier stores.

 

[Keenlearner]

You did an amazing job with your photos! How were they taken?

Thanks AprilBaby, I got my partner to hold the ring and I put my iPhone on top of the aset scope viewer and try different angles until I get the right focus and image.

 

[TreeScientist]

Agreed with the others. For not knowing anything about cut, you did exceptionally well with your choice. And as @Matilda said, most people would not be able to tell the difference between a well-cut diamond like your own and a branded SuperIdeal diamond. If there is any visible difference at all.

 

[Keenlearner]

Agreed with the others. For not knowing anything about cut, you did exceptionally well with your choice. And as @Matilda said, most people would not be able to tell the difference between a well-cut diamond like your own and a branded SuperIdeal diamond. If there is any visible difference at all.

Thank you TreeScientist Read your threads and I’m a scientist as well, I no longer work in a lab so I went with the prone setting. Will definitely look into gloves friendly settings for future rings, I feel it’s more practical for daily wear.

 

[tyty333]

Thank you so the difference between a super ideal cut and this diamond is that a super ideal diamond will sparkle and look bigger than this one? Especially under bad lighting? Will the brilliance, fire and scintillation (sparkling feel) noticeable by average population or only very experienced person can tell the difference between an Super Ideal and my diamond?

Not returnable unfortunately, there is always a next time I guess, this is my first ever diamond, I was never a jewellery person and now I’m in love with diamonds!

What is the Lxw of your stone. I checked out 2 of our Super Ideal vendors (small sample) and what I looked at were all under 62 percent. The size
of your stone will also be affected by the girdle. Size why you are talking minuscule differences.

I seriously doubt the average consumer could tell the difference in brilliance. Someone looking at it with a
Super Ideal next to it might be able to tell the difference. FYI - keep you stone clean (clean it everyday).

An H&A image would have been helpful to see how well it was cut but now that it is mounted its not a possibility.

Personally, I think you are needlessly worrying over your stone. Its a really nice stone and you did well on your own. Many of us bought stones on our
own before Pricescope and didnt do nearly as well as you did. Enjoy your beautiful ring.

 

[Keenlearner]

What is the Lxw of your stone. I checked out 2 of our Super Ideal vendors (small sample) and what I looked at were all under 62 percent. The size
of your stone will also be affected by the girdle. Size why you are talking minuscule differences.

I seriously doubt the average consumer could tell the difference in brilliance. Someone looking at it with a
Super Ideal next to it might be able to tell the difference. FYI - keep you stone clean (clean it everyday).

An H&A image would have been helpful to see how well it was cut but now that it is mounted its not a possibility.

Personally, I think you are needlessly worrying over your stone. Its a really nice stone and you did well on your own. Many of us bought stones on our
own before Pricescope and didnt do nearly as well as you did. Enjoy your beautiful ring.

Thanks tyty333, the measurement is 6.89-6.92x4.30mm. How do you clean it everyday? Quick gentle brush with soap water?

 

[Texas Leaguer]

Keenlearner,
Nice job on the light performance images! It's particularly difficult to image mounted diamonds.
What is the GIA cut grade?
GIA tend to punish non-standard cutting of upper and/or lower girdle facets, even when it makes the stone brighter! These photos are not conclusive for that characteristic but they suggest that possibility.

 

[Keenlearner]

Keenlearner,
Nice job on the light performance images! It's particularly difficult to image mounted diamonds.
What is the GIA cut grade?
GIA tend to punish non-standard cutting of upper and/or lower girdle facets, even when it makes the stone brighter! These photos are not conclusive for that characteristic but they suggest that possibility.

Thanks Texas Leaguer, the GIA cut grade is Excellent, I read that even when GIA says it is Excellent it doesn’t mean it will have great brilliance, scintillation and fire, hence me asking about this here. I have no idea what is a non standard cutting of upper and lower gridle facets, I shall go google that to learn about it so many new things to learn, it’s very exciting, I think I found my new hobby!

 

[Texas Leaguer]

Thanks Texas Leaguer, the GIA cut grade is Excellent, I read that even when GIA says it is Excellent it doesn’t mean it will have great brilliance, scintillation and fire, hence me asking about this here. I have no idea what is a non standard cutting of upper and lower gridle facets, I shall go google that to learn about it so many new things to learn, it’s very exciting, I think I found my new hobby!

Cool. Then the uppers and lowers are cut to standard or very near standard index and there was no penalty. Otherwise it would have dropped cut to Very Good with a statement under comments about 'brillianteering". In some cases that penalty is applied unfairly because GIA uses a one size fits all deduction. So called 'painting and digging' is a pretty nerdy topic that not everybody is yearning to get into!
Congratulations on your purchase.

 

[MarionC]

I’m glad someone mentioned cleaning. It’s a beautiful stone. Basic cleaning: Long soak in hot water with a degreasing dish soap like Dawn, then use a soft toothbrush on all surfaces and rinse under hot water. Good to do that every day. I let my ring soak overnight most nights and it makes a good difference. Your photos are wonderful.

 

[Keenlearner]

Cool. Then the uppers and lowers are cut to standard or very near standard index and there was no penalty. Otherwise it would have dropped cut to Very Good with a statement under comments about 'brillianteering". In some cases that penalty is applied unfairly because GIA uses a one size fits all deduction. So called 'painting and digging' is a pretty nerdy topic that not everybody is yearning to get into!
Congratulations on your purchase.

Thank you Texas Leaguer I shall put painting and digging in my research and learning list.

 

[Keenlearner]

I’m glad someone mentioned cleaning. It’s a beautiful stone. Basic cleaning: Long soak in hot water with a degreasing dish soap like Dawn, then use a soft toothbrush on all surfaces and rinse under hot water. Good to do that every day. I let my ring soak overnight most nights and it makes a good difference. Your photos are wonderful.

Thank you Jimmianne, I just read your thread about cleaning, the jewellery store that I bought my diamond is very close to my home and they said I can pop in weekly and they will do the ultrasonic clean for me. I read that ultrasonic clean can damage a diamond if it has inclusions as it vibrates the inclusions in the diamond, is that true? I’m hesitant to get it cleaned ultrasonically every week due to that reason, probably one or twice a year.

 

[TreeScientist]

Thank you Jimmianne, I just read your thread about cleaning, the jewellery store that I bought my diamond is very close to my home and they said I can pop in weekly and they will do the ultrasonic clean for me. I read that ultrasonic clean can damage a diamond if it has inclusions as it vibrates the inclusions in the diamond, is that true? I’m hesitant to get it cleaned ultrasonically every week due to that reason, probably one or twice a year.

No, weekly ultrasonic cleaning will not damage your diamond. From the inclusion plot you posted, it looks like your diamond is a rather high clarity (I would guess VS1 or VVS2). None of the inclusions in your diamond pose a durability risk, so don't fear the ultrasonic.

Ultrasonics really only pose a risk to clarity-enhanced/fracture-filled diamonds, or to lower clarity diamonds with inclusions that may pose a durability concern (like an I1 clarity diamond with a large feather running through the girdle).

One thing to be aware of is that ultrasonics may loosen prongs over time. Like, over a period of years. But if the jewelry store is cleaning it for you, then they would likely check the prongs after each cleaning to make sure the diamond has not become loose in the setting.

If you just want to do a quick cleaning on your own, then the overnight soak in water/dish soap and scrubbing with a soft toothbrush should keep it looking nice. But yes, definitely clean it regularly. Diamonds attract dirt and grime. I can definitely see some grease built up around the prongs in your photos.

 

[Keenlearner]

No, weekly ultrasonic cleaning will not damage your diamond. From the inclusion plot you posted, it looks like your diamond is a rather high clarity (I would guess VS1 or VVS2). None of the inclusions in your diamond pose a durability risk, so don't fear the ultrasonic.

Ultrasonics really only pose a risk to clarity-enhanced/fracture-filled diamonds, or to lower clarity diamonds with inclusions that may pose a durability concern (like an I1 clarity diamond with a large feather running through the girdle).

One thing to be aware of is that ultrasonics may loosen prongs over time. Like, over a period of years. But if the jewelry store is cleaning it for you, then they would likely check the prongs after each cleaning to make sure the diamond has not become loose in the setting.

If you just want to do a quick cleaning on your own, then the overnight soak in water/dish soap and scrubbing with a soft toothbrush should keep it looking nice. But yes, definitely clean it regularly. Diamonds attract dirt and grime. I can definitely see some grease built up around the prongs in your photos.

Thank you TreeScientist, I just went to buy a soft baby toothbrush for cleaning

 

[junhox212]

hi everyone, I’m a newbie, I bought my diamond before learning about cut is king and whiteflash A cut above diamonds. Had I known I will choose ACA or similar. Can you please let me know if my diamond has excellent cut by your standards and experience? I know it won’t have the same excellent cut as an ACA diamond but I’m hoping it’s close to it? This diamond was listed on bluenile website as an Ideal cut, it wasn’t their Astor ideal range (I assume Astor is the same as ACA?)

The HCA score was 1.7

I bought an ideal and aset scope to view the diamond but I have no ideal how to interpret it. Can you please let me know if these images show that the diamond has excelllent cut properties close to an ACA diamond?

Thank you so much, your assistance is greatly appreciated

Can you please tell me how you took pictures like that with the red? Is that like a light performance tool you used along with a camera?

 

[Keenlearner]

Can you please tell me how you took pictures like that with the red? Is that like a light performance tool you used along with a camera?

I just hold the ring against a light source (near the window or bathroom light) and then put my iPhone on top of the ideal scope to take the pic. It most likely is not that accurate but the diamond was already mounted, and that’s all I can do. There was no special lighting tool or camera