GIA 1.7 F VS1 3Ex (cut, polish, sym) No Fl, culet

[clarie]

Hi. I've been researching on diamonds for the past few months..I found a local jeweler that can source these diamonds so I may see them before purchasing one..I'm not sure if I'm choosing the right one. I am planning to look at 2 diamonds for comparison:

#1 stone: 1.74 carat HCA 1.6
Depth: 62.4%
Table: 55%
Crown angle: 35°
Pav angle 40.8°
Pav depth: 43%
Crown %: 16
medium faceted girdle 3.5%
star length 50%
lower girdle 80%

#2 stone: 1.7 HCA 2.7
Depth: 62.6%
Table: 57%
Crown angle: 35.5°
Pav angle 40.8°
Pav depth: 43%
Crown %: 15.5
medium slightly thick faceted girdle 4%
star length 50%
lower girdle 80%

Is 21K a reasonable price for stone #1 and 20K for stone #2? I've looked at so many stone specs in between 1.7 and 1.75 and they vary so much in price. Some are more expensive with higher HCA value. How do I request an Ideal Scope image/Sarin before buying the stone? Do I need an independent appraisal? The description of their services online doesn't seem to be worth it..? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[MissGotRocks]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-171488

Would much prefer the cut on this AGS0 stone. You could also drop the color and clarity a bit to get more bang for your buck. This is 1k more but a much better cut stone.

Here is another well cut stone in G color: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3016701.htm?source=pricescope

 

[heididdl]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-171488

Would much prefer the cut on this AGS0 stone. You could also drop the color and clarity a bit to get more bang for your buck. This is 1k more but a much better cut stone.

Here is another well cut stone in G color: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3016701.htm?source=pricescope

I agree . The first stone is better with the HCA of 1.2

 

[Christina...]

I assume that both of these stones have a GIA or AGS grade report? You can easily do a PS diamond search to compare the prices of these stones to those being offered online. As you mentioned, there can be a huge price difference between stones of the same t weight so be sure that you are comparing apples to apples, for example, a GIA EX EX EX G VS2 against another GIA 3 EX G VS2. You will likely notice that even with these comparisons that there will be cost differences. This is because GIA has a broad range of excellent cuts...some more ideal than others and priced accordingly. It's a worthless search if you are comparing apples to oranges...EGL G VS2 compared to a AGSL G VS2, in such cases prices will vary greatly.

Many BM stores will not be able to offer you sarin reports, or idealscope images, many of them won't even know what it is that you are asking for. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't ask for them. The benefit of a local BM is that you are able to view the stones in person and make comparisons. This is a big advantage....if you are experienced enough to know what you should be looking for...many (most?) aren't.

 

[TitanCi]

MGR suggested a nice stone, but it's not like the one you chose are fugly step sisters (well, the first one; potentially great based on numbers!). If you want to evaluate the stones you can see locally you will have to ask if they have the ASET or Idealscope, if not bring it to an appraiser.


Hi Christina!!!

 

[c-k]

Is 21K a reasonable price for stone #1 and 20K for stone #2? I've looked at so many stone specs in between 1.7 and 1.75 and they vary so much in price. Some are more expensive with higher HCA value. How do I request an Ideal Scope image/Sarin before buying the stone? Do I need an independent appraisal? The description of their services online doesn't seem to be worth it..? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

I don't like either of these stones, you can do better. Cut is the most important part of any diamond, then you should determine what your color & clarity comfort zone is. My personal preference is a AGSL Ideal cut, in a G H I color, VS2 or SI1 clarity (must be eye clean to my eyes).

Whomever you deal with should be able to provide you will all the needed Idealscopes, ASET, Lab Reports, to make a educated buying decision. If you look at GoodOldGold, Whiteflash, Infinity, Brian Gavin Diamonds, all can provide this to you, most are already shown with each diamond.

 

[clarie]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I would really like a GIA stone. Those are the prices that I got from pricescope. The local jewelry store listed stone #1 for 2K more but they will do a price match. Are the price difference really means that it's a better stone or it's priced high to make a person thinks it's a better stone? What are the criteria (depth/table %, crown/pav angle etc..) for the best cut stone with those specs? Also I would like a stone that could retain value in case i need to resell. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could suggest a better GIA stone with those similar specs.

As for getting an appraisal from an independent source; I'm a bit conflicted..the 2 most well known appraisers I asked about didn't really answer all my questions. One appraiser buy/sells jewelry but has all the tools such as Ideal Scope/Sarin that I want used to evaluate the stone while the other appraiser doesn't buy/sells jewelry but doesn't have those tools. I think my local jeweler will not provide the Ideal Scope/Sarin image. The ASET is only for fancy cut stones right?

 

[c-k]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I would really like a GIA stone. Those are the prices that I got from pricescope. The local jewelry store listed stone #1 for 2K more but they will do a price match. Are the price difference really means that it's a better stone or it's priced high to make a person thinks it's a better stone? What are the criteria (depth/table %, crown/pav angle etc..) for the best cut stone with those specs? Also I would like a stone that could retain value in case i need to resell. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could suggest a better GIA stone with those similar specs.

As for getting an appraisal from an independent source; I'm a bit conflicted..the 2 most well known appraisers I asked about didn't really answer all my questions. One appraiser buy/sells jewelry but has all the tools such as Ideal Scope/Sarin that I want used to evaluate the stone while the other appraiser doesn't buy/sells jewelry but doesn't have those tools. I think my local jeweler will not provide the Ideal Scope/Sarin image. The ASET is only for fancy cut stones right?

The specs on the stones you posted are not the best cut. If you want the best cut diamonds, you should look for AGSL graded diamonds, these have the tightest specs.

Although there are many jewelry stores in my area, I don't buy from any. I have chosen several vendors that are recommended here. I can't view the diamond in hand, but I can get everything I need, Idealscopes, picture images, Sarin reports, Lab reports etc to find a diamond and make an informed buying decision. Most all of these vendors have good return policies, trade up policies, as well as many very informative and educational information along the way.

Check some of these vendors, Whiteflash, Infinity, GoodOldGold, Brain Gavin Diamonds, and look at some of their AGSL Ideal cut diamonds, they have many images, idealscope, lab reports, Sarin reports etc

 

[MissGotRocks]

Considering only GIA certed stones cuts you short. AGS0 stones are beautifully cut stones. There are cut, color and clarity parameters that set a stone's price; dealers can add their markup as well. They generally don't price them higher to make you think you're getting a better diamond. Educate yourself here on diamonds and you will know what you are buying.

 

[clarie]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-171488

Would much prefer the cut on this AGS0 stone. You could also drop the color and clarity a bit to get more bang for your buck. This is 1k more but a much better cut stone.

Here is another well cut stone in G color: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3016701.htm?source=pricescope

I looked up the JamesAllen stone that you recommended..could you please tell me why that stone is better. Are you looking for a specific crown/pavillion angle, depth/table %, crown height? HCA score on it is 1.7...I understand that HCA score is not enough to make the final decision..but I'm looking for some guidance as to why one stone is considered better than the other based only on the report. Thanks for your help.

 

[c-k]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.70-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-171488

Would much prefer the cut on this AGS0 stone. You could also drop the color and clarity a bit to get more bang for your buck. This is 1k more but a much better cut stone.

Here is another well cut stone in G color: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3016701.htm?source=pricescope

I looked up the JamesAllen stone that you recommended..could you please tell me why that stone is better. Are you looking for a specific crown/pavillion angle, depth/table %, crown height? HCA score on it is 1.7...I understand that HCA score is not enough to make the final decision..but I'm looking for some guidance as to why one stone is considered better than the other based only on the report. Thanks for your help.

I would prefer the Whiteflash of the two linked, and is a AGSL Ideal.....the G color will be very white and would be hard to pick a F from a G when in a setting.

 

[teobdl]

It sounds like you really like the vendor. The first stone you listed has great numbers... but we need to know the cut grade to make any kind of educated guess about how it looks. The numbers are averages of the facets, and the facets could all be wonky if it's not an Excellent or Ideal cut. If it's wonky, it'll be ugly and probably have leakage.

Before you buy it, please make sure it's GIA Ex stone, or the numbers are meaningless and many thousands will be poorly spent.

To avoid any problems, honestly, I'd get the WhiteFlash stone.

 

[Todd Gray]

Total depth measurements are pretty deep at 62.4% / 62.6% which means that you're paying for carat weight that is lost in the depth of the stones and not getting the visible outside diameter that you'd get if the total depth measurements were shallower, say in the range of 60 - 61.8%

Crown angle of 35.5 degrees is kind of steep, but the pavilion angle is great... just depends on your personal preference in terms of brilliance / dispersion. The expert selection option referenced from White Flash has the proportions that I would look for... it looks like a great option!

 

[clarie]

Thank you for everyone's comments and suggestions. How do these specs compare to the WF specs? I don't have additional IdealScope/Sarin images for it...does it have the same potential as the WF stone?

GIA ROUND BRILLIANT HCA 0.4

Measurements: 7.76 - 7.79 x 4.76 mm
Carat Weight: 1.76 carat
Color Grade: F
Clarity Grade: VS1
Cut Grade: Excellent
PROPORTIONS

Depth: 61.2%
Table: 56%
Crown Angle: 34.0°
Crown Height: 15.0%
Pavilion Angle: 40.6°
Pavilion Depth: 42.5%
Star Length: 55%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted (3.5%)
Culet: None
FINISH

Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None

 

[c-k]

Must remember the facets are averaged, then the numbers are rounded, this GIA stone, again has potential, need picture images, Idealscope, lab report, etc....the numbers do look much better on this than the first two you posted.

 

[clarie]

So the WF stone looks like a H&A stone...but it is really not Hearts and Arrows right? WF is not calling it that.
I have an appointment to see the WF stone tomorrow morning...please give me lots of advice so I know what to look for or questions I should be asking. What kind of lighting conditions should I be looking at the stone?

Thanks in advance!