GIA Excellent = HCA Very Good?

[Tommy_D]

Hey all,

I have searched online and all the diamonds are great, but I''m leaning on going with a local B&M store who makes custom settings, etc. The reason why I am drawn to the B&M store is that my girlfriend is a bit sensitive to how a ring will look on her finger, and is looking for a low profile setting. I figure I would propose with a cheap solitaire setting and the two of us would go to the B&M jeweler and work on having a custom setting made to her liking.

That said, the B&M store will only make a custom setting for me if they sell me the diamond. Meaning, I can not buy a diamond online and bring it in for a custom setting. Kinda strange, but that''s how they work. So I said fine, and had them find me some diamonds that we could take a look at in person that met my criteria and budget.

My criteria:

Ideal cut Round Brilliant
Excellent Symmetry & polish
G-I Color
VS1-SI1 Clarity
1.25-1.5 Carat
~$10K loose diamond

A week later they have 5 stones for me to take a look at. So I went in today on my lunch break to take a look. 4 have GIA certificates, and one has EGL. They all fit in my criteria, and one stands out the most from the rest. It is a 1.37 H VS2 for $9,350. Nice looking stone, GIA Certified, and definately the best of the bunch. So I wrote down the info for the HC adviser and after punching in the numbers it scores a 2.3.

Ehh..... 4 "Very Goods" - Worth buying if the price is right.



I guess my question is, how can GIA call this stone "Ideal" cut if it only scores a "Very Good"?

Here are the stones specs:

1.37 H VS2

Table: 58%
Depth: 61%
Pavilion Angle: 41.4
Crown Angle: 34.0

Would you ask to see a better diamond? I''m willing to spend up a bit if I can find a better diamond. Size is great, color is great, clarity is great, but the cut is just not up to par according to the analyzers.

I guess my biggest concern is always wondering, "what if?" What does a better diamond look like and will I be able to tell the difference? Is that extra bit of brilliance worth the additional price tag? Am I going crazy analyzing numbers and not seeing the beauty that lies before me?

One last question, is it worth the $70 to get an idealscope for analyzing these diamonds?

Thanks for the help.

 

[stone-cold11]

That is a steep/deep combination. Light leakage is probable. GIA Ex cut parameters allowed for these, which is why we use HCA as a cut off and then Idealscope image.

For the amount you are paying, don''t you think it is a good investment to buy an idealscope? Tt is less than 1% of you budget.

 

[Tommy_D]

I was afraid of something like this when working with a B&M store. Not that I can''t just say, "Find me something better." I''m sure they can, and I think its something I should at least have them try to do. So when asking for an "Ideal" cut diamond do I need to be more specific? Should I give Table, Depth, Crown and Pavilion angle ranges to them?

Should I just ask for a Tolkowski cut diamond and see just what the difference is?

Regarding the Ideal scope, does anyone other than Idealscope sell these things? Anyone have one used? I only ask because I have tried to purchase one on their website, but when I click "Proceed to Checkout" nothing happens. Nothing on Ebay either.

 

[stone-cold11]

hmm...

The idealscope website is working for me.

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 8/25/2009 7:35:35 PM
Author: Tommy_D
I was afraid of something like this when working with a B&M store. Not that I can''t just say, ''Find me something better.'' I''m sure they can, and I think its something I should at least have them try to do. So when asking for an ''Ideal'' cut diamond do I need to be more specific? Should I give Table, Depth, Crown and Pavilion angle ranges to them?

Should I just ask for a Tolkowski cut diamond and see just what the difference is?

Ask them if they they have an AGS0 cut graded stone. That should be in the ideal range much more often then GIA. Else, use the HCA as you have already used.

 

[needbling]

I am no expert but if you''re not set on the particular jeweler to do the custom setting you might look at a different B&M to have your custom setting made. I was thinking about having a custom setting made and talked to 2 different B&M stores and both of them had no problem setting a diamond I bought elsewhere. Just a thought.

 

[Tommy_D]

I don''t really have any problems with the jeweler. They aren''t pushy, they want to develop a relationship, and they are more than willing to do another round of diamonds if I am not satisfied. I just knew that walking into a B&M store that my options were a little more limited than searching a website like Blue Nile. I also knew that it may take a bit more time since they have to call their Diamond brokers to get diamonds to them. I''m okay with that. Heck, I have another month minimum before I can propose (still want to talk with the parents and get their approval).

But anyways, I ordered an Idealscope. I still couldn''t get IS''s website to work for me, but one of their vendors websites had them for sale and that site worked. So I am having that shipped out to me. I will be calling the jeweler tomorrow and tell them to hold on to this stone, but get another round of stones ready. This next go round I will have my IS with me, and I can compare them side by side.

 

[stone-cold11]

Sounds like a plan. Good luck.

 

[loverock]

Tommy

Let me tell you my story.

I just purchased a stone from a local jeweler that I have been with for over 10 years. The stone is a hearts and arrows, 2ct/F/VS2, GIA EX cut. But the diamond scored 3.3 on HCA.

I hesitated, and did a lot of research. When I went back the second time I did my comparisons and the stone stands out from the others and the price was right to me. I decided to purchase the stone even though it is 3.3 on HCA. I am very very happy with my diamond and it looks so so pretty and sparkly to me every day and I have received a lot of compliments.

What I am trying to say is from my experience, I think HCA score should be used as a reference. Because there are a lot of other factors that affect the light performance, such as the star length and the lower girdle length, which aren''t considered in the HCA model.

If the stone out-performed the other stones you compared to, it is a GIA EX, and the price is right, maybe it is the one?

Good luck on your search.

Loverock

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/25/2009 8:28:41 PM
Author: Tommy_D
I don''t really have any problems with the jeweler. They aren''t pushy, they want to develop a relationship, and they are more than willing to do another round of diamonds if I am not satisfied. I just knew that walking into a B&M store that my options were a little more limited than searching a website like Blue Nile. I also knew that it may take a bit more time since they have to call their Diamond brokers to get diamonds to them. I''m okay with that. Heck, I have another month minimum before I can propose (still want to talk with the parents and get their approval).

But anyways, I ordered an Idealscope. I still couldn''t get IS''s website to work for me, but one of their vendors websites had them for sale and that site worked. So I am having that shipped out to me. I will be calling the jeweler tomorrow and tell them to hold on to this stone, but get another round of stones ready. This next go round I will have my IS with me, and I can compare them side by side.

Let us know what happens.

 

[Tommy_D]

Well, I spoke with the jeweler and she is bringing in some more diamonds. I told her to pull out all the stops when it came to the cut. Bring me Tolkowski! So she is finding some Tolkowski and some others. I should have my idealscope by this next meeting so it should be a fun one. I feel a bit like a nerd bringing in my own equipment, but hey I want to make sure this diamond is "mind clean" so to speak.

I guess that''s the Architect in me always striving for perfection, even if it can not be seen.