down to 2 confused and need advice please

[bobbyjones]

Ok,

I believe i have narrowed my search down to two diamonds. Any advice would be appreciated. I have been told on several occasions not to put to much weight into the HCA # is there anything else that might lean you towards one and not the other.
the two stones are within 100 bucks
#1
7.38 x 7.41 x 4.54
1.52ct G, Si2 eye clean, no flour. no culet
triple ex
tbl =59% dpt=61.4% cwn = 33.5* pav= 41.4* cwn angle=13.5% pav angle=44.0%
med to slight thick faceted girdle 4.0%
HCA 4.3

#2
7.47 X 7.50 X 4.52
1.56ct G, si2 eye clean, no flour. no culet
triple ex
tbl=59% dpt=60.4% cwn = 34.0* pav=40.8* cwn angle=14% pav angle=43%
med to slight thick girdle faceted 3.5%
HCA 1.4

both plots look very clean and i would be comfortable with either of these stones. Is there another way to tell light performance without actually seeing the stone and comparing side by side.

thanks!!

 

[Gypsy]

Are these AGS or GIA stones. What is the cut grade from the lab. And can you ask them if they can provide you with an idealscope image. The first one looks a bit deeper than the second and is facing up smaller, and it is a more conservative choice with the HCA score so I'd lean toward that unless it's an AGS0 (and maybe even then), or it has a better Idealscope image.

And we only tell people not to worry about the HCA if:
It's an AGS0
There is an idealscope image that can confirm light return
They are obsessing about one score under 2 being better than another (pass fail test)
The HCA is under 3 and they can get an idealscope image.

So, unless your first stone is an AGS0, or you can get an idealscope image -- stick to under 2 (or at least just over) on the HCA.

 

[bobbyjones]

Sorry Gypsy

I failed to mention these are both GIA stones.

cut grades on both stones are EX (triple EX).

I don't have access to ideal-scope on these diamonds. Although I can do it after and return the stone if I'm not happy with the ideal-scope.

I'm in Philly area, do you know anyone that i can have the stone ideal-scoped and also set into the ring?

thanks for your advice.

 

[Fife]

I'm starting to think the HCA rating is bogus. i'm going to be comparing my 5.5 with a 0.8 on Friday to see if there is even a difference.

 

[bobbyjones]

@fife

please share with me your results.

 

[webdiva]

It's been mentioned many time sthat the HCA is a GUIDE to use when you can't get access to an idealscope. That is why PS member prefer using vendors that can provide them. The whole point to getting a diamond is that it's supposed to be as sparkly as possible, which is what an idealscope ensures. You can either 1. use a vendor that can provide them 2. buy one yourself for $25 or 3. Pay an appraiser to do a full evaluation of the diamond. #1 sure seems easier...

 

[Gypsy]

https://www.pricescope.com/appraisers/david_atlas David Atlas is in Horsham, PN. There is also another appraiser in Philly: https://www.pricescope.com/appraisers/christian_dicamillo they both will have idealscopes.

 

[oldminer]

Neither diamond reads like a "bad" stone, BUT I truly would suspect that there will be a visual difference between the two based on those HCA scores. A novice still might not notice it much and either might do just fine, but in the search for what one should select among so many choices in the total market, the HCA may be useful even if the difference to the novice is nominal. I would expect expert observers to see something positive in the 1.4 HCA stone, but personal choice is part of the end game and either one might do just fine. Someone will buy the one you decide not to pick.....