ELLEN (or any PS expert)...PLEASE RESPOND!

[OnInTwo]

Ellen,

I''ve read many of your posts and you seem extremely versed in the world of diamonds. I''m so excited to make this purchase but want to make sure I''m looking at the right things!

Would you be so kind as to critique the following stones?

1.508 ct I SI1 Round AGS 0 Ideal Cut, 0 Light Performance, 0 Polish, 0 Symmetry.. Depth 60%, Table 58.4%, Crown Angle 33, Pav Angle 41, Star 50, Lower Half 78. Thin to Med Girdle, Pointed Facet. $9800. HCA Score of 0.9.

1.52 ct F SI1 Round GIA Very Good, Exc/Exc Polish and Symmetry. Depth 62.5, Table 59%, Crown Angle 35.5, Pav Angle 41, Star 55, Lower Half 80. Slightly Thick to Thick Girdle, pointed Facet. HCA score 1.1 $11,200.

I''ve read various opinions on appropriate angles. Do the angles appear sufficient to maximize beauty, brilliance, fire, sparkle, etc etc?

Also, I''m leaning toward platinum solitaire Tiffany setting in a size 5.5. Do you have any other recommendations?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!

 

[OnInTwo]

My apologies, I mis-typed an incorrect HCA score for the second stone (1.52 ct). It should be 4 instead of 1.1

 

[stone-cold11]

Prefer the 1.508c.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 7/9/2009 4:21:14 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
Prefer the 1.508c.

Me too.

 

[stone-cold11]

How about this one? Request an Idealscope image from JA and ask if eye-clean if you are interested.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1249144.asp

 

[OnInTwo]

Thanks all. I know this sounds silly, but when you say ask if eye clean, are you referring to clarity? Meaning if you can see any inclusions without a loupe?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/9/2009 7:13:25 AM
Author: OnInTwo
Thanks all. I know this sounds silly, but when you say ask if eye clean, are you referring to clarity? Meaning if you can see any inclusions without a loupe?

Yes, it is important to make sure you make your expectations clear to a vendor - for example if you don't want to see any visible inclusions from any distance or angle, make sure you tell the vendor that.

I will make sure Ellen sees this thread so she will give you her input! She IS extremely well versed with diamonds and offers fantastic and experienced advice~!

The first stone is the far better choice here also.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/9/2009 1:49:39 AM
Author:OnInTwo
Ellen,

I've read many of your posts and you seem extremely versed in the world of diamonds. I'm so excited to make this purchase but want to make sure I'm looking at the right things!

Would you be so kind as to critique the following stones?

1.508 ct I SI1 Round AGS 0 Ideal Cut, 0 Light Performance, 0 Polish, 0 Symmetry.. Depth 60%, Table 58.4%, Crown Angle 33, Pav Angle 41, Star 50, Lower Half 78. Thin to Med Girdle, Pointed Facet. $9800. HCA Score of 0.9.

1.52 ct F SI1 Round GIA Very Good, Exc/Exc Polish and Symmetry. Depth 62.5, Table 59%, Crown Angle 35.5, Pav Angle 41, Star 55, Lower Half 80. Slightly Thick to Thick Girdle, pointed Facet. HCA score 1.1 $11,200.

I've read various opinions on appropriate angles. Do the angles appear sufficient to maximize beauty, brilliance, fire, sparkle, etc etc?

Also, I'm leaning toward platinum solitaire Tiffany setting in a size 5.5. Do you have any other recommendations?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!

Hi OIT,

I'd love to help you with your purchase, and thank you for the kind words! Though you (and Lorelei) may be giving me a tad too much credit here.

Ok, out of these two, I would also prefer the first one. Are these online, or from a local retailer? If they are online, an Idealscope picture would be really beneficial, as the pavilion angle is at a critical area where light leakage "could" be occuring. It just depends on how tightly the stone is cut. If very well/tightly cut, it could be absolutely no problem. If not, it could go from slight to extreme leakage. What that means is not as bright/pretty a diamond. I know these are AGS0, but I have found that doesn't always add up to a great diamond.

Also, while it definitely has potential, I would just touch on the overall cut a bit. The crown angle is complimenting the pavilion angle, however, the overall cut "may" lack just a bit of fire. If you just want a nice stone, this one could definitely be that. If you are wanting an exceptional cut with a definite overall mix of brilliance and fire, I think you could find one with a touch better angles. (34+ with appropriate pavilion).

After we know where you are looking and what it is your wanting, we can go from there! As for the setting, again, are you looking online and are want a suitable reproduction?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/9/2009 8:48:35 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 7/9/2009 1:49:39 AM
Author:OnInTwo
Ellen,

I''ve read many of your posts and you seem extremely versed in the world of diamonds. I''m so excited to make this purchase but want to make sure I''m looking at the right things!

Would you be so kind as to critique the following stones?

1.508 ct I SI1 Round AGS 0 Ideal Cut, 0 Light Performance, 0 Polish, 0 Symmetry.. Depth 60%, Table 58.4%, Crown Angle 33, Pav Angle 41, Star 50, Lower Half 78. Thin to Med Girdle, Pointed Facet. $9800. HCA Score of 0.9.

1.52 ct F SI1 Round GIA Very Good, Exc/Exc Polish and Symmetry. Depth 62.5, Table 59%, Crown Angle 35.5, Pav Angle 41, Star 55, Lower Half 80. Slightly Thick to Thick Girdle, pointed Facet. HCA score 1.1 $11,200.

I''ve read various opinions on appropriate angles. Do the angles appear sufficient to maximize beauty, brilliance, fire, sparkle, etc etc?

Also, I''m leaning toward platinum solitaire Tiffany setting in a size 5.5. Do you have any other recommendations?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!

Hi OIT,

I''d love to help you with your purchase, and thank you for the kind words! Though you (and Lorelei) may be giving me a tad too much credit here.

nope!

Ok, out of these two, I would also prefer the first one. Are these online, or from a local retailer? If they are online, an Idealscope picture would be really beneficial, as the pavilion angle is at a critical area where light leakage ''could'' be occuring. It just depends on how tightly the stone is cut. If very well/tightly cut, it could be absolutely no problem. If not, it could go from slight to extreme leakage. What that means is not as bright/pretty a diamond. I know these are AGS0, but I have found that doesn''t always add up to a great diamond.

Also, while it definitely has potential, I would just touch on the overall cut a bit. The crown angle is complimenting the pavilion angle, however, the overall cut ''may'' lack just a bit of fire. If you just want a nice stone, this one could definitely be that. If you are wanting an exceptional cut with a definite overall mix of brilliance and fire, I think you could find one with a touch better angles. (34+ with appropriate pavilion).

After we know where you are looking and what it is your wanting, we can go from there! As for the setting, again, are you looking online and are want a suitable reproduction?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/9/2009 8:53:31 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 7/9/2009 8:48:35 AM
Author: Ellen

Hi OIT,

I'd love to help you with your purchase, and thank you for the kind words! Though you (and Lorelei) may be giving me a tad too much credit here.

nope!

 

[Ellen]

OIT, I just saw your other thread, and it seems you have been looking locally. So the Idealscope pic is probably out. At this point, your options are to buy the stone and have an independant appraiser look at it, contingent on the store having a solid money back (NOT store credit) gaurantee, or try to have them find a stone with a bit "safer" angles, or consider purchasing online. I could definitely find you something suitable online if you wanted to go that way.

 

[glitterata]

You can also buy an ideal-scope and use it in person on the stones you''re considering.

 

[OnInTwo]

Thanks so much Ellen and LorLei (and all others who responded!)

Yes, I am looking at local retailers and not online. When you say a touch better angles, what specific range would you recommend?

I found another stone that might be better angles and color as well.

1.608 ct F SI1 AGS Ideal Cut, Ideal polish/symmetry, 54.4 Table, Depth 61, Crown Angle 33.5, Pav Angle 40.8. $14K. Viewed at jewelers through ASET and looked spectacular. (Although that was my first time viewing through ASET so I can''t say I knew exactly what to look for...although I feel I have a solid idea!)

This one is a bit more price wise, but the stone was marvelous! What do you think about its stats?

THANKS!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/10/2009 12:25:23 AM
Author: OnInTwo
Thanks so much Ellen and LorLei (and all others who responded!)

Yes, I am looking at local retailers and not online. When you say a touch better angles, what specific range would you recommend?

I found another stone that might be better angles and color as well.

1.608 ct F SI1 AGS Ideal Cut, Ideal polish/symmetry, 54.4 Table, Depth 61, Crown Angle 33.5, Pav Angle 40.8. $14K. Viewed at jewelers through ASET and looked spectacular. (Although that was my first time viewing through ASET so I can't say I knew exactly what to look for...although I feel I have a solid idea!)

This one is a bit more price wise, but the stone was marvelous! What do you think about its stats?

THANKS!

The diamond you describe above sounds great, probably geared towards more brilliance than fire ( although you will still see fire) due to the slightly shallow crown angle, if you like it then definitely worth consideration!

I think Ellen pretty much goes by these numbers too, you can use these as a guide to find a well cut stone.

depth - 60 - 62% - although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%
table - 54- 57%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above


note - with crown and pavilion angles at the shallower ends ( CA 34- PA 40.6) and steeper ( CA 35- PA 41) check to make sure these angles complement in that particular diamond - eyeballs, Idealscope, trusted vendor input - check as appropriate!

As the above implies, configurations depend on each other. A little give here can still work with a little take there.

From expert John Pollard.

With that said, here's a "Cliff's Notes" for staying near Tolkowsky/ideal angles with GIA reports (their numbers are rounded): A crown angle of 34.0, 34.5 or 35.0 is usually safe with a 40.8 pavilion angle. If pavilion angle = 40.6 lean toward a 34.5-35.0 crown. If pavilion angle = 41 lean toward a 34.0-34.5 crown.

GIA "EX" in cut is great at its heart, but it ranges a bit wider than some people prefer, particularly in deep combinations (pavilion > 41 with crown > 35).

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 7/10/2009 12:25:23 AM
Author: OnInTwo
Thanks so much Ellen and LorLei (and all others who responded!)

Yes, I am looking at local retailers and not online. When you say a touch better angles, what specific range would you recommend?

I found another stone that might be better angles and color as well.

1.608 ct F SI1 AGS Ideal Cut, Ideal polish/symmetry, 54.4 Table, Depth 61, Crown Angle 33.5, Pav Angle 40.8. $14K. Viewed at jewelers through ASET and looked spectacular. (Although that was my first time viewing through ASET so I can''t say I knew exactly what to look for...although I feel I have a solid idea!)

This one is a bit more price wise, but the stone was marvelous! What do you think about its stats?

THANKS!

Looks good from the numbers. This is what you should be looking for in the ASET.

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/10/2009 12:25:23 AM
Author: OnInTwo
Thanks so much Ellen and LorLei (and all others who responded!)

Yes, I am looking at local retailers and not online. When you say a touch better angles, what specific range would you recommend?

I found another stone that might be better angles and color as well.

1.608 ct F SI1 AGS Ideal Cut, Ideal polish/symmetry, 54.4 Table, Depth 61, Crown Angle 33.5, Pav Angle 40.8. $14K. Viewed at jewelers through ASET and looked spectacular. (Although that was my first time viewing through ASET so I can''t say I knew exactly what to look for...although I feel I have a solid idea!)

This one is a bit more price wise, but the stone was marvelous! What do you think about its stats?

THANKS!

I think this one sounds a lot safer! And hopefully you can compare what you saw with the link Sc gave you to confirm it''s a good one. But I imagine it is. Also, not sure how much more it is, but you do pay for cut, so the better it is, the more you''ll pay.

I think you could be very happy with this stone. However, if you wanted to keep looking, Lorelei gave you the cheat sheet and numbers I would recommend. If you decide to keep looking and need more help, just feel free to ask.

And you''re welcome!