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Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cert)

N

nucleon

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 21, 2013
Messages
33
Hi,

This forum has been very helpful and I know I should take AGS / GIA certifications over EGL (USA better than International, with some reference that Canada may be ok too).

A local jeweler was recommended to me and I was offered this particular stone. I have since asked for diamonds with either AGS or GIA certification but I am just curious what you think about this diamond, with a report from EGL CANADA, for a price of $9500 Canadian?

carat weight 1.22 CT
cut grade EGL IDEAL
clarity VVS2
Color G
Fluorescence NONE

Depth% 62.6%
Table% 55%
Crown Angle 35.1
Pavilion Angle 41.2
Girdle 2.2% - 1.5%

Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT

HCA score 3.7

Thank you very much!
 

Attachments

Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

The stone is deep which will cause it to have a smaller face up size than it should. Ideally the depth should be no greater than 62.3. You would need an Ideal scope image to determine if there is going to be leakage under the table, but I would pass on this one solely because of the depth.
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

I forgot to ask if you were familiar with the HCA? You can find it located under the tools tab at the top of the page. HCA is a weeding tool and will help you eliminate likely poor performers. Look for stones that score under 2. If you find a stone you really like that scores between 2-3, post it here and allow some of the members to take a look and offer advice and opinions.

edit: ok, I just woke up, obviously you are familiar with the HCA because you used it for this stone. :lol:
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

Thank you for all the replies! I think I will take a pass on this diamond.

I was emailed the information for another diamond, this time GIA certified, but I am not sure about this one either, as on the GIA report, there seems to be a lot of inclusions; there is MEDIUM fluorescence, and the HCA is 5.2! Should I take a pass on this one too without wasting my time go to into the store to have a look in person?

My understanding of fluorescence is that even though it does not alter the appearance, it is valued less by the market?

I am going to look online tonight.

GIA:
carat weight 1.26 CT
cut grade EXCELLENT
clarity VS2
Color G
Fluorescence Medium Blue

Depth% 61.8%
Table% 59%
Crown Angle 35
Pavilion Angle 41.4
Girdle slightly thick (faceted) 3.5%

HCA score 5.2!

Thank you again!

_4710.jpg
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

HCA 5.2 is too high.
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

yes. med flour hardly has a negative effect. but that 5+ hca is a definitive pass!
Are you opposed to buying from a US vendor online? I assume youre in canada. If so, a few PSers have done exactly that and have had success, even with the duties or whathaveyou
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

EGL Canada falls into the EGL International forum.....try to stay GIA or AGS
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

Have you considered working with US Certed Diamonds? A lot of PSers have had a fantastic experience with Martin and I believe he's located in Canada.
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

Yes, I am from Canada. I am not opposed to ordering online from the US because they all seem Canadian friendly; in fact, I have looked at WF, BN, JA, GOG and have found some that seem to be of good quality and fit my budget. I'll narrow them down and post them here for opinion. I'll have a look at USA certed diamonds too.

It's interesting how a diamond with GIA certification of excellent cut ends up with a HCA score of 5+. Should I weigh HCA score more than GIA/AGS cut grade of excellent/ideal?

Thank you again!
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

nucleon|1363919814|3410821 said:
Yes, I am from Canada. I am not opposed to ordering online from the US because they all seem Canadian friendly; in fact, I have looked at WF, BN, JA, GOG and have found some that seem to be of good quality and fit my budget. I'll narrow them down and post them here for opinion. I'll have a look at USA certed diamonds too.

It's interesting how a diamond with GIA certification of excellent cut ends up with a HCA score of 5+. Should I weigh HCA score more than GIA/AGS cut grade of excellent/ideal?

Thank you again!
Click to expand...


You shouldnt use the HCA for AGS ideals. If its an AGS 000, thats good enough, you can trust that cert, dont use it for the AGS. But GIA has less strict standards. Still very high, but in terms of best of the best, you cant just go "GIA triple EX" and assume youve got it.
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

Hi,

After spending a lot of time online tonight I found three within my budget that I like from WF. I know nielseel said not to use HCA on AGS triple zero but I did it anyway out of curiosity. What does everyone think?

1. $12,088
carat 1.257 cts
depth 61.8%
table 57.1%
crown angle 35.3
pavilion angle 40.8

AGS triple zero
HCA 2.2



2. $11,611
carat 1.208 cts
depth 61.4%
table 57.5%
crown angle 34.9
pavilion angle 40.9

AGS triple zero
HCA 2.0



3. $12,042
carat 1.206 cts
depth 61.7%
table 57.2%
crown angle 35.5
pavilion angle 40.8

AGS triple 0
HCA 2.6



Any idea why the smaller 1.206 cts diamond with HCA of 2.6 costs more than the 1.208 cts diamond with HCA of 2.0, everything else pretty similar, ie AGS triple zero?

Any other I should consider? Many thanks!

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_4722.jpg

_4723.jpg
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

You do not use HCA on diamonds that you have Ideal Scope or ASET for, because Ideal Scope or ASET tells you more.

You do not use the simulated ASET on the AGS report if you have an Ideal Scope or ASET photo, because the actual photos are better than the scan-based simulation.

Try this one, it looks better than the VS1s: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2674676.htm
I would put it on hold, it is very nice.
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

Here are some really nice Is with VS clarity. With the flour and that ideal of a cut I would be very comfortable buying any of these, and they have a REALLY good price point !
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.211-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104063639012
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.208-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104063998003
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.203-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104063998008


saving that much id choose a flour I in a hartbeat
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

heididdl|1363915553|3410762 said:
EGL Canada falls into the EGL International forum.....try to stay GIA or AGS
Click to expand...
FWIW, both labs in EGL Canada are part of the EGL-USA company, not EGL-International.
(not that I think it changes any of the advise in this thread, I'm just correcting a bit of data because this question gets asked fairly often)
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

Thanks again for the suggestions of diamonds and clarifying that EGL Canada, as part of EGL USA, is still not as good as GIA or AGS.

I skimmed through the 1997 article on fluorescence and here is the part of the conclusion:
"For the experienced observers, we found that, in general, the strength of fluorescence had no widely perceptible effect on the color appearance of dia-monds viewed table-down (as is typical in laborato-ry and trade grading). In the table-up position (as is commonly encountered in jewelry), diamonds described as strongly or very strongly fluorescent were, on average, reported as having a better color
appearance than less fluorescent stones."

As nielseel pointed out, a diamond with med-strong blue fluorescence with lower grade colour can be had for significant savings. If I stay within BG Blue selection, it seems safe that I won't get the 1% that turns out milky. I know fluorescence is a personal preference, but what is the opinion here?

Many thanks again!
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

BGD Blue already screens out any hazy stones. It is very rare, anyway.

IMO, if she likes the color blue/lavender, great. Cheaper stones, woohoo! If she hates light blue, I would avoid strong or very strong fluoro.
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

JulieN|1363992700|3411389 said:
BGD Blue already screens out any hazy stones. It is very rare, anyway.

IMO, if she likes the color blue/lavender, great. Cheaper stones, woohoo! If she hates light blue, I would avoid strong or very strong fluoro.
Click to expand...

ill have to disagree with this a little my pear is on the high end of strong flour and i do not notice a blue to mine in almost all lights. Honestly I cant recommend it enough. itll just keep an already white (I will still look very white ) even whiter. plus its a super cool phenomenon. personally I would always choose a fluor over a non.


plus, that 4K in savings is nothing to scoff at! Thats the difference between a solitaire and a three stone, or a very lovely halo!
 
Re: Engagement ring shopping, is this a gem? (EGL Canada cer

OOPs thanks denverappraiser. stand corrected
 
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