Does this IS image indicate localized leakage?

[Optix]

First post and first thing first - thanks to all the valuable information and expert opinions on this forum and site! It's such a gold mine of knowledge.

I'm excited to have shortlisted a 1.31crt G VS2 diamond, and have the IS image below.
I am particularly curious about the slight symmetrical imperfection and what 'appears' to be small leakage at around '1:30pm'.



What is the cause of this? Is it due to the way the main pavilion facet is cut? I've been assured by the gemologist's assessment that the light return is even across the diamond, and does not appear dull in that particular area.

However, I am just curious as to why the IS image is showing the way it is? Do you see another other issues with the IS image? Thanks.

Some details about the diamond:
Measurements: 7.03 - 7.06 x 4.34 mm
Carat Weight: 1.31 carat
Color Grade: G
Clarity Grade: VS2
Cut Grade: Excellent

Depth: 61.6%
Table: 56%
Crown Angle: 35.0°
Crown Height: 15.0%
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Star Length: 50%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted (3.0%)

 

[tampabull]

Can you post the GIA report?

It is visible in the photo too, but the pictures are rotated from eachother. The spot you see in the IS is at the 9:00 position in the photo.

I'm an amateur so I can't tell you what it is, but it almost looks like something is different about the facets in that area (which is why I wanted to see the GIA)

 

[Optix]

Yes - I saw it on the magnified image too.

As far as I can tell, nothing in the GIA report indicates a problem with the facets. But it does look like the alignment is a little off somewhere.

Here's a link to the report:
https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=6135506458&weight=1.30

Would love to know how the facets interact to cause this. Will this RB still give a good overall light performance?

 

[Laila619]

Huh, that's odd. Numbers do look good though. I doubt that one little spot will be noticeable in real life situations, but I've never seen that before.

 

[2023]

Is it possible someone or something (something dark) to the left of the diamond when the photo was taken was reflected off the diamond...to me it looks like the diamond is simply reflecting something.

When the idealscope image was taken, I don't know enough about them to know, but if they took the image at that exact moment, the shadow/reflection could come up as black. Then maybe when they posted the pic, they just rotated the pic.

I understand light leakage is seen as white, or pale pink, not black. Black, like what it looks like in your real life pic, looks like a shadow or reflection (to me). Also I have read IS images can be black if the jeweller simply puts his head in the light, obstructing some of the light path.

That's just my opinion, other than that funny patch the diamond looks beautiful and hopefully when you see the diamond in real life you will be able to ascertain if it was just a photography issue.

Someone else with more idealscope image knowledge will hopefully chime in!

 

[0-0-0]

IMO it simply shows slight optical asymmetry. Most likely the pavilion facets for that area is cut outside the average range of the rest of the stone.

 

[Laila619]

IMO it simply shows slight optical asymmetry. Most likely the pavilion facets for that area is cut outside the average range of the rest of the stone.

Yes, I would agree with this.

 

[Christina...]

I agree that it probably won't be noticeable IRL. Have you asked the gemologist their thoughts and if he thinks the slight leakage will be noticeable?

 

[Optix]

The gemologist was not sure why the idealscope image showed a lighter area in that spot, and that observing in person there was no area of light leakage.

If you guys think in general the diamond will look fine then I may just pull the trigger...! Hmmm..

 

[yssie]

Ditto thb, just asymmetry in the pav facets. Absolutely nothing to worry about re. unattractive effects in real-world viewing

Not exactly what you're looking at, but more here on how proportions can change the "look" of the stone -
www.goodoldgold.com/Articles/MinorFacets/
http://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/diamond-education/facets-the-lower-halves.htm

 

[Optix]

Thank you guys for all your input! After your opinions I decided to jump in and make the purchase.

@Yassie - thanks for those tutorial links. It really does look like a lower girdle facet that has been cut a bit longer in one spot. The bottom of the GOG Minor Facet article (in the FAQ section) shows this effect quite clearly, and looks similar to my idealscope image (right):





I have just received the diamond and it looks quite good. No visible leakage to my (untrained) naked eyes. Very bright and great scintillation under sunlight and spot lights, but I wish it is a bit brighter under dimmed lighting. I don't have another to compare directly, but perhaps it's over-high expectation..?

 

[yssie]

It's the trade-off of these sorts of proportions - you do lose a bit in absolute brightness (tons of white light return) to eke out a bit more visible coloured light return through a variety of lighting types. A nice shallower-crown type will be brighter, but won't show as much coloured light in some types of lights - if white light return is very important to you and you think it's something you'd like to pursue we can help you find some promising candidates if you'd like.