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Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS 000)

M

maxs.memo

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 25, 2013
Messages
133
Hey all,

New to this site. I'm sure I'm not the only one to do this, but I do apologize for just joining up for my own selfish purposes. You guys seem to know your stuff so here goes...

I am about to pull the trigger on a beautiful James Allen stone. It is a 1.01 carat SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS 000) and seems to be a good buy at 6,100. I have it on hold pending a gemologist inspection, but I would like any input. I have already input it into the HCA calculator and it returns a 1.5 which is stated to be in TIC range. James Allen is awesome and has a rotating video and a 40X photo. This additionally has an AGS Platinum certificate so it maps the light output. Basically, when I visually inspect it using their images, I cannot find any blemishes. In my opinion, there are VS1's on their website that have visible inclusions but this stone looks completely eye clean at SI2. On the diamond inclusion map on the AGS cert, it looks like there may be a single inclusion but I am unable to locate it when reviewing the image.

Looking for input. Here is the link:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-230426
img_3.jpg

Really appreciate your help. Getting ready to deploy in a few months and thought a nice ring I can afford (~8k is my upper limit with band) would probably add some relationship reassurance before I go... We've been seeing each other for about 1.5 yrs and have lived together for 6 months. Feels right, but I want a stunning ring for every dollar I spend. Some of the money is tied up in the fact that she wants a channel or pave diamond setting and I won't buy anything other than platinum (don't want to replate the rhodium qyr) which means at least 1.5k-2k for the setting.

THANKS for your input in advance! Really feel I found a diamond in the rough. Your time and consideration are tremendously appreciated.

-Max
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

Please help guys. It's only on hold for 24 hrs and my trigger finger is itchy :)
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

It looks like a beautiful diamond. The Si rating might be because the certificate mentions clouds not shown. Ask JA if the diamond is eye clean and if the clouds can be seen or detected by the naked eye.
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

Assuming it is, how is the price?
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

I think it'll be hard to find a 1 ct G AGS 0 for a better price.
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

i thought that a 55% table was on the low side but was surprised by the HCA calculator results. Any input on this?
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

Well, if you've looked at the WhiteFlash A Cut Above line and the Brian Gavin Diamond Signature Hearts & Arrows line, you'll find a number of their stones have an apx 55% table - in fact I believe the majority of PSers prefer a 54-55% table... for ideal-cut diamonds, a 55% table works just fine if combined with the right depth and crown/pavilion angles - here, you have no worries in that regard.
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

You don't need to use the HCA for an AGS 0 stone! They're cut to perfection. I think it's gorgeous and as long as it's eye clean you have nothing to be worried about! The aset is seriously gorgeous!
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

One thing I notice when reviewing this diamond vs others is that this appears to not have the outside ring of "arrows". Is that something that will matter when viewing the diamond in a setting? I am such a newbie to this that I have no idea how to REALLY compare this to other similar diamonds.
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

The stone is PERFECT!!! It's an AGS 0 stone! I think you're over thinking this. There's nothing wrong with the stone you picked.
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

Gorgeous find! One of the best looking SI2 I have ever seen! I hope you bought it.
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

I would never pick such a stone because of its clarity issues. Clean plots for SI2 is a seal of death for lesser brilliance.
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

Please explain... if I can't see clarity issues, how is it a seal of death?
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

I think what is being referenced to is that sometimes "Clouds are not shown" and they have the ability to make what should be a great diamond dull. Someone please correct me if I am incorrect.

Edit: I have had another look at the certificate and it states that clouds are not shown. The reason they don't always show clouds on the plot is that the stone may become unsellable if the clouds were plotted. Have you asked for the resident gemologist to look over the stone for you?
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

Clarity grade of diamond is based on clouds not shown. That's the mark of death in an SI2 diamond. AVOID. I'm sorry to burst your bubble as well as those that unanimously voted for this diamond. This is a really bad choice and if you doubt it, just select 2 more diamonds and get all of them reviewed.

By the way, it's a really bad idea to select just one stone for review. The people at the end of the line are salespeople who will say stuff to make a sale regardless of whether that stone is for you. Selecting 3 lowers that probability of that happening.
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

delight|1377498381|3509836 said:
Clarity grade of diamond is based on clouds not shown. That's the mark of death in an SI2 diamond. AVOID. I'm sorry to burst your bubble as well as those that unanimously voted for this diamond. This is a really bad choice and if you doubt it, just select 2 more diamonds and get all of them reviewed.
Click to expand...


I don't quite understand this myself. If the AGS light performance is ideal, how does the additional clouds affect the brilliance especially when you have a 360 image of the actual diamond? To my understanding, inclusions that are not shown usually means they are not significant enough on their own to be plotted. In any case, inclusions in the SI range rarely affects the brilliance of a diamond anyway. So I am not quite sure why you are that firm on this diamond.

I do agree that it would be better if he selects more than one diamond for inspection.
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

Cut grading has no relation with clarity. AGS assigns cut grading based on proportions (for example, depth, pavilion angles, girdle thickness) and running light simulations with ASET based on Sarin data in this case. You can probably find out more at AGS's site on how they grade their stones.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.23-carat-h-color-i1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-223210
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.73-carat-e-color-i1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-72968

the 1.23 diamond is an example in this case. Clearly it has inclusions that will affect brilliance. Why did GIA assigned it as a triple excellent?

Likewise for the 0.73 diamond, the light performance of the stone will be affected. Why did AGS assigned triple 000 for this case?
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

I have others, but only one is on hold ;)
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

Great! It is in your best interest to fully maximize what James Allen can offer. They allow 3 inspections and it is best to do them collectively together for comparisons instead of one-by-one.
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

Will put additioal stones on hold today and post up the additionals later... don't want to lose stones with good potential. Obv this forum is google searchable by others who are diamond searching...
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

They must be minor though, because I can't see them in the rotating photo under high contrast lighting. I have an additional GIA XXX, G color 1.01 SI1 for them to review as well. Scores a 1.1 on HCA and is nearly visually clear (small crystal in periphery) at 40x. I am sending both to the gemologist for comparison and review. I'm betting they look virtually identical lol.
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

image_617.jpg

Here it is...
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

Ut Oh my comments about cushion cuts have scared everyone away! :wavey:
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

I am in 110% agreement with delight. Clarity based on clouds not shown is a huge red flag! Anytime I see a particularly clean plot on an SI stone I immediately look for any additional notes on the report. Typically a clean plot at this clarity level is indicative of other issues, clouds in this case. The fact that this stone seems to be priced lower than other comparable stones leads me to believe that the clouds are indeed inhibiting the brilliance of the stone.

I think you are lucky that delight caught this and was able to advise you to choose another stone or two for comparison! Good Luck and I'm looking forward to hearing what the gemologist has to say. :))
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

As an example I found a stone comparable to yours....it's primary inclusion is a cloud and lists that additional clouds have not been plotted in the comment section of the report. EDIT I should clarify that 'additional clouds not shown' and 'clarity based on clouds not shown' are not the same.

you can clearly see how this stone has is much more crisp and brilliant than the stone you selected, because the clouds in this case are not significantly impacting it's brilliance.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-154902

and this is your stone selection. You should easily be able to see the difference in how brilliant the stone is compared to the one posted above.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-230426
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

Can you take a peak at the second stone I put up? Thanks for the suggestion, taking a look now..
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

MaximusFS|1377535735|3509977 said:
Can you take a peak at the second stone I put up? Thanks for the suggestion, taking a look now..
Click to expand...


Just took a look and I think it looks great! No red flags. I think that you will find that it will have superior brilliance to the first stone. I just wanted to clarify that the stone that I linked wasn't a recommendation. It looks to have a crystal reflecting within the stone. I just wanted to show you an example of a stone with clouds that wasn't affecting brilliance. :))
 
Re: Finding the right stone... SI2, G color, ideal cut (AGS

Ugh the H stone you put up is a very yellow "H"... I'm not sure I agree that the stone looks dull but it does look like there is more contrast in the stone you referenced.
 
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