EGL Diamond

[rmill9681]

Hi,
I am new to this board, but I have found it very helpful. I am about to purchase an engagement ring and have been searching for over a month. I have come across a diamond with the following specs:


Measurements: 6.25-6.22mm x 3.73mm
Depth % 59.8%
Tabble % 59%
Crown Height 14%
Pavillion Depth 42%
Girdle Medium

I calculated some of the other numbers:
Crown Angle ~34 degrees
Pavillion Angle ~39.9 degrees

It is rated as an F SI2 by the EGL and I have been given a price of $2700 for it. Another jeweler told me that EGL was junk and they are often a level off in clarity and color. The person selling this says the GIA would probably give it a G I2, but the inclusions are on the edge (I have looked and noted that they are on the table right near the edge of the facets) and the cut, polish, symmetry are excellent.

I want to believe him and I used the cut advisor, which said this is a good stone (cut-wise). I am not experienced enough to judge the clarity, but the color looks OK.

Bottom line....is this a good deal from a B&M?

Thanks and regards!

 

[ringabling]

it doesn't fare very well on the HCA score:


light return - fair

fire - poor

scintillation - poor

spread - excellent

TOTAL VISUAL PERFORMANCE - 6.4 Fair

 

[Haven]

My FI purchased an EGL graded stone for my e-ring, but only after we had it appraised by two independent appraisers AND asked for feedback from the wonderful PS experts.

It sounds like you could do better based on the HCA score, but if you''re still interested in it take it to an appraiser.

Good luck!

 

[rmill9681]

I entered those numbers in the HCA on Pricescope and got this:

Cut Advisor:
Light Return Good
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread
or diameter for weight Excellent

 

[ringabling]

nvm

 

[ringabling]

my mistake! I inverted the 2 #''s in red - hard to go back and forth from window to window

Date: 12/14/2007 2:12:29 PM
Author:rmill9681


Depth % 59.8%
Tabble % 59%
Crown Height 14%
Pavillion Depth 42%
Girdle Medium

I calculated some of the other numbers:
Crown Angle ~34 degrees
Pavillion Angle ~39.9 degrees

 

[oldminer]

You face a very common problem. A consumer learns and does enough shopping in hopes of recognizing a decent value or a bargain when they finally see one. The issue is that one gears their thinking generally around color, clarity, shape and weight with an assumption that grading documents are similar if not identical. However, there are differences in reports even within a single lab. The differences between competing labs are more common, but both instances occur with enough frequency that a simple search is very difficult.

The human brtain can only handle three varibles pretty well. After that, it becomes a problem to make comparisons between the apples and oranges and everything in between.

You need someone unbiased who knows proper grading to assist you in making a choice. Blindly asserting that all EGL reports are trash is not a good appraoc even if the general trade does this. The real bargains are in the accidental grades and you''ll never be able to recognize this without help. You can go a certain distance alone and then either become impulsive or get the needed guidance.

 

[rmill9681]

I agree that I need some help, but unfortunately I do not know anyone. This jeweler was recommended by a few people and he seems very nice. I feel that I can trust him, but it is hard to place trust in someone you have known a few days.

I think the cut is very good. Color is fine at F or G. The clarity is the issue. I noticed a small black dot near the inclusions, but as I said before, they are on the edge and not the center. $2700 is the best price I''ve seen for a 0.90ct, although I had been looking at GIA SI2s.

 

[milton333]

I''d nix it because of the inclusions. An I-included stone for an e-ring, eh, I''d say no. Aim for eye clean. From what you''re describing, if I understand correctly, there are numerous inclusions near the table (that''s the flat top of the stone). If so, that would not be hidden by a prong, and most settings would reveal enough of a profile to be able to see those from the sides. I don''t like the black inclusions, a clear crystal or feather or cloud would be less annoying to me. Even if your description of the location is a bit off, and they''re not near the table but closer to the girdle, I wonder if they''d affect the structural integrity of the stone???

I''m all for getting a bargain, but I''m very squeamish about inclusions, more so than about color. A very well-cut stone will be brilliant or firey, depending on the lighting conditions, and more of a "moving target" with flashes of scintillation, so I don''t think color is as big of an issue for me, personally (i.e., an F is not necessary). Do a search to see some examples of diamonds "facing up" very white despite not being a D-E-F. But I inclusions, eh, that''s something that would bug me in any light. I think you''re youngish, too, where you and your gf will have an eagle eye for that sort of thing. FWIW, since you''re soliciting opinions.

 

[risingsun]

It's not enough to run the HCA, you have to look at the placement on the colored chart. This diamond is nowhere near either the parameters for GIA Excellent or AGS 0. I would not consider it to be a very good cut. In addition, it has black inclusions. I think you can do better.

 

[rmill9681]

Thanks for the advise. It isn''t an e-ring, but I believe you''re all correct when saying that I should be cautious.

I am looking for 0.90pt, G-H, SI1-SI2 and I''ll probably buy from a B&M (Jeweler''s Building in Boston/Downtown Crossing). What should I expect to pay? I''ve been getting ~$3700.