Finally picked a diamond, need some opinions

[Wowpaw]

Hi all. First post. Just happened to stumble onto this forum and wanted to get some expert advice and opinions on the diamond I picked out from a jeweler around my neighborhood.



Was offered $7400 for this. Is this a good deal?

 

[Gypsy]

Please type out GIA number.

 

[Wowpaw]

Please type out GIA number.

GIA: 7223214509

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=7223214509

Nope. The angles are very uncomplimentary. It's a steep deep.

Can you return it?


Round Diamonds 101:

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. With round diamonds even a GIA triple Excellent is not enough as GIA's criteria for EX cut is over broad and includes many stones have compromised light performance, or spread. And you must stick to GIA and AGS only (HPD in Europe is good as well). EGL is a bad option: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/[/URL]
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones generally, though you can. In general, AGS0 trumps HCA though as one examines the actual stone and the other does not.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. Under 2 is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score 2 and under is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.

So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. BGD,BE, James Allen, GOG, HPD, ERD and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.

Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium. Some AGS0's are better than others though, so pay attention to any ASET or IS provided.

In general with rounds, you will want a table 60% or less. A depth between 59 and 62.3. Crown angle 33.5-35. Pavilion Angle: 40.6-40.9 (there is a little give on this). And the crown and pavilion angles must be complimentary which is what the HCA checks for you.

 

[Wowpaw]

Thank you for your response! Haven't purchased the diamond yet and I'm glad I didn't!!

Was looking on James Allen to find something comparable since that site was recommended to me, and found this:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1976809

GIA: 1238141691

Thoughts? Seemed to score quite well on the HCA

 

[Wowpaw]

This was another one I was curious about..

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07260667
GIA: 7231018831

 

[Wowpaw]

Sorry about the triple post, was also wondering, in terms of retailer, is James Allen better than Blue Nile?

 

[adele_h]

I think people prefer James Allen as you can usually request further imaging to clarify light return and performance.

 

[Gypsy]

This was another one I was curious about..

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07260667
GIA: 7231018831

Not likely to be eyeclean and transparent. If you are shopping for Si clarity either stick to Blue Nile Signature or switch to a vendor that has magnified images of the stones.

Also, that stone does not fall within the guidelines I gave you. If you read the bolded part above you will see that I say that HCA is not enough and you need the numbers posted. The pavilion angle on that stone is way outside that range.

 

[Wowpaw]

This was another one I was curious about..

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07260667
GIA: 7231018831

Not likely to be eyeclean and transparent. If you are shopping for Si clarity either stick to Blue Nile Signature or switch to a vendor that has magnified images of the stones.

Also, that stone does not fall within the guidelines I gave you. If you read the bolded part above you will see that I say that HCA is not enough and you need the numbers posted. The pavilion angle on that stone is way outside that range.

Thank you for the reply again Gypsy. You have been extremely helpful.

Any thoughts on this diamond:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1976809
GIA: 1238141691

It fits the above criteria you listed and scored well on HCA.

 

[Gypsy]

This was another one I was curious about..

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07260667
GIA: 7231018831

Not likely to be eyeclean and transparent. If you are shopping for Si clarity either stick to Blue Nile Signature or switch to a vendor that has magnified images of the stones.

Also, that stone does not fall within the guidelines I gave you. If you read the bolded part above you will see that I say that HCA is not enough and you need the numbers posted. The pavilion angle on that stone is way outside that range.

Thank you for the reply again Gypsy. You have been extremely helpful.

Any thoughts on this diamond:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1976809
GIA: 1238141691

It fits the above criteria you listed and scored well on HCA.

Good. Ask if it is eyeclean (there is a large chance it won't be). And ask for an idealscope image.

 

[Wowpaw]

This was another one I was curious about..

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07260667
GIA: 7231018831

Not likely to be eyeclean and transparent. If you are shopping for Si clarity either stick to Blue Nile Signature or switch to a vendor that has magnified images of the stones.

Also, that stone does not fall within the guidelines I gave you. If you read the bolded part above you will see that I say that HCA is not enough and you need the numbers posted. The pavilion angle on that stone is way outside that range.

Thank you for the reply again Gypsy. You have been extremely helpful.

Any thoughts on this diamond:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1976809
GIA: 1238141691

It fits the above criteria you listed and scored well on HCA.

Good. Ask if it is eyeclean (there is a large chance it won't be). And ask for an idealscope image.

You're awesome. Thanks for the help. Should I be worried if it isn't eyeclean? I would hope not to see the inclusions with the naked eye

 

[Gypsy]

Yes, if it is not eyeclean that means you will see the inclusion.

Let me look for you. I'll see what I find.

 

[Wowpaw]

Yes, if it is not eyeclean that means you will see the inclusion.

Let me look for you. I'll see what I find.

Thank you. From what I can tell on the 360 video, theres an inclusion that can be seen but thats magnified. After contacting James Allen, I was told that to the naked eye, it wont be noticeable.

 

[Wowpaw]

Here is the Idealscope for that diamond.

 

[Gypsy]

Does JA have a setting the wearer will like?

 

[gm89uk]

Just bear in mind when they say it won't be noticeable, they may not mean you cannot see on close scrutiny, which I am sure is the first thing you will do when you receive it. Just make sure what you mean by eye clean and what they mean is the same thing because I'm still dubious that it's eye clean. Other than that the ideal scope looks very nice

 

[Wowpaw]

Just bear in mind when they say it won't be noticeable, they may not mean you cannot see on close scrutiny, which I am sure is the first thing you will do when you receive it. Just make sure what you mean by eye clean and what they mean is the same thing because I'm still dubious that it's eye clean. Other than that the ideal scope looks very nice

Thanks for the tip. I will double check again. From what the "diamond expert" told me via chat, I was told only under magnification should i be able to see that inclusion.

Does JA have a setting the wearer will like?

Yes