Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

GIA "Very Good" does well on the HCA

A

abi922

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 5, 2017
Messages
13
Help!! I fell in love with a diamond in person (even compared to the GIA excellents I looked at) but freaking out that it's only a GIA very good cut. I know I shouldn't compromise cut, but it scored a 1.0 on the HCA (excellent) and seems to have pretty good proportions. Anyone have any insight? Not so much worried about the actual "grading" as long as there won't be a difference in the sparkle to the naked eye, but it was obviously graded very good for a reason. Thanks so much!

ROUND BRILLIANT

Measurements
8.06 - 8.17 x 4.85 mm
Carat Weight
1.94 carat
Color Grade
E
Clarity Grade
VS2
Cut Grade
Very Good
PROPORTIONS
Depth
59.8 %
Table
59 %
Crown Angle
33.0°
Crown Height
13.5%
Pavilion Angle
41.0°
Pavilion Depth
43.5%
Star Length
50%
Lower Half
75%
Girdle
Thin to Medium, Faceted, 3.0%
Culet
None

VG polish / G symmetry
no flourescence
 
Last edited:
Bump. Thoughts on stone OP has on hold with deposit paid at B&M?
 
This is a 60/60 stone - it is shallow with a large table, it has a shallow crown angle, which is however offset by a steeper pavilion angle, and which is why you got a good HCA. Considering the color and clarity of this stone, it probably doesn't have a cheap price tag. If I were you, I would get drop a little bit in color and get an excellent/ideal cut stone. What is the budget for this purchase?
 
Around $21k.

SimoneDi said:
This is a 60/60 stone - it is shallow with a large table, it has a shallow crown angle, which is however offset by a steeper pavilion angle, and which is why you got a good HCA. Considering the color and clarity of this stone, it probably doesn't have a cheap price tag. If I were you, I would get drop a little bit in color and get an excellent/ideal cut stone. What is the budget for this purchase?
Click to expand...
 
But despite the fact that it's a bit shallow, will it still sparkle as much to the naked eye as an excellent with a good HCA score? It looked pretty good to me and faced up bright white on a cloudy day by a window outside the store lighting. It had TONS of fire under jewelry store lighting but I know you cannot rely on only store lighting. Thx!

SimoneDi said:
This is a 60/60 stone - it is shallow with a large table, it has a shallow crown angle, which is however offset by a steeper pavilion angle, and which is why you got a good HCA. Considering the color and clarity of this stone, it probably doesn't have a cheap price tag. If I were you, I would get drop a little bit in color and get an excellent/ideal cut stone. What is the budget for this purchase?
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
abi922 said:
But despite the fact that it's a bit shallow, will it still sparkle as much to the naked eye as an excellent with a good HCA score? It looked pretty good to me and faced up bright white on a cloudy day by a window outside the store lighting. It had TONS of fire under jewelry store lighting but I know you cannot rely on only store lighting. Thx!
Click to expand...
I would definitely not rely on tire lighting. I would be very selective when purchasing a GIA 3X stone and I would certainly not purchase a stone tat is rated VG/G for polish and symmetry. That stone is really worthless to me at least. Can you please give us your budget, we can help you find something better and not from B&M..

Edit: HCA is a rejection tool, not a selection tool. Other things like reports, ASET, ldealscope are needed to make an educated purchasing decision.
 
Last edited:
Here is a better alternative: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3788915.htm
Yes, G is not an E, but it is still very white. This stone also appears to be eye-clean and it has an ideal cut.
If you want to stay in the colorless range for cultireal reasons for example, here are some other choices:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3802455.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3622373.htm

This is not a bad pre-loved alternative, it is certainly a much better cut than the stone you are considering: https://loupetroop.com/listings/ban...iamond-hca-1-dot-6-in-vatche-platinum-setting
 
I LOVE that listing on loupe troop! I really want to try to stick with an E VS2 If we can swing it. If not I'm willing to go down in clarity first then color. I chose a $6000 Tacori setting but I'm starting to think we should compromise that setting for a better cut diamond. So like maybe $27.5k or $28k max all in....

SimoneDi said:
Here is a better alternative: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3788915.htm
Yes, G is not an E, but it is still very white. This stone also appears to be eye-clean and it has an ideal cut.
If you want to stay in the colorless range for cultireal reasons for example, here are some other choices:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3802455.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3622373.htm

This is not a bad pre-loved alternative, it is certainly a much better cut than the stone you are considering: https://loupetroop.com/listings/ban...iamond-hca-1-dot-6-in-vatche-platinum-setting
Click to expand...
 
abi922 said:
I LOVE that listing on loupe troop! I really want to try to stick with an E VS2 If we can swing it. If not I'm willing to go down in clarity first then color. I chose a $6000 Tacori setting but I'm starting to think we should compromise that setting for a better cut diamond. So like maybe $27.5k or $28k max all in....
Click to expand...
I would not spend 6K on a Tacori setting, you can get a hand forged setting for less. Can you post a pic?
And I am glad that you like the loupe troop listing. I would get it without the solitaire, if that is not what you are after.
 
I would really not spend the kind of money on that setting. I would go with something like this: https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/braided-shank-pave-solitaire hand forged and amazing!

I believe that VC currently is concentrating on working with stones form his inventory. You can pick something like this: https://loupetroop.com/listings/ban...iamond-hca-1-dot-6-in-vatche-platinum-setting

With the stone, you will receive 10% off the setting. Another version of the braided setting is with a halo: https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/braided-shank-halo-solitaire

That will boost the size nicely. VCs halos are amazing.

Another option will be Steven Kirsch in NYC. His work is also beautiful and he is super nice to work with. He will work with your stone and he can make a custom version of the tacori setting, perhaps a bit more delicate.
 
Last edited:
Thx! Not big on halos (not that they are not gorgeous they are just ubiquitous and I like the idea of having something unique that not everyone else has). but sacrificing the Tacori definitely brings the budget of the stone WAY up to get an excellent cut diamond. I am going to have the jeweler pull some more stones too.

I am a size 7 so the thicker band actually Looks good on me! But maybe there's a happy medium between the Tacori and something super delicate
 
Thanks so much for all the advice. I had a gut feeling while the one I picked is not an awful stone, for an all -in budget of around $27k we can probably find a stone that is cut a lot better and even possibly stay in the colorless range (I still like the idea of an E or F vs2) that will look AMAZING. For what my bf is spending, I don't think "just ok" is good enough!! I'll post more stone specs when I get them for consideration:)
 
Honestly, I would re-consider the E or F, if you get an ideal cut stone. A G will be plenty white and it will provide for some savings, staying at VS2 for "mind-cleanness" is understandable. I would invest your money in an ideal-cut stone that could also be later upgraded. Most of the funds I would put toward the stone, settings can always be upgraded..
 
To be fair there are some people who like the look of a good 60/60 style stone better than an ideal cut and with in the rounding of the numbers is the possibility of a top of the line 60/60 cut.
Hence the hca score.

Good symmetry might or might not have a visible effect but the lower you go the more possibility that it will be visible or degrade performance.
 
That proportion set makes GIA X cut, but as others said, it got dinged for Good symmetry
 
I guess the question for me is whether only good symmetry and a slightly shallower stone is going to compromise the fire and sparkle of the diamond compared to an X cut (to the naked eye). i would NEVER go below good symmetry.
 
abi922 said:
I guess the question for me is whether only good symmetry and a slightly shallower stone is going to compromise the fire and sparkle of the diamond compared to an X cut (to the naked eye). i would NEVER go below good symmetry.
Click to expand...

I think I basically just answered my own question and just need to compare long and hard this weekend when we buy this one to comparable X cuts and see which ones will perform better.
 
IMG_4433.JPG Here's a pic of the stone just for reference if anyone else wants to chime in!
 
This is really not enough information, the picture doesn't look terrible, but the stone is not even centered. Also, you need an ASET image to really see if these is any light leakage, etc.
 
Working on getting an ASET but found a new one and compared to the old one, there is absolutely no comparisons. This one is cut INFINITELY better and sparkles like there is no tomorrow.

Measurements
7.99 - 8.05 x 5.03 mm
Carat Weight
2.01 carat
Color Grade
F
Clarity Grade
SI1
Cut Grade
Excellent
PROPORTIONS

Depth
62.6 %
Table
56 %
Crown Angle
34.0°
Crown Height
15.0%
Pavilion Angle
40.8°
Pavilion Depth
43.0%
Star Length
50%
Lower Half
80%
Girdle
Slightly Thick, Faceted, 4.5%
Culet
None

FINISH

Polish
Excellent
Symmetry
Excellent
FLUORESCENCE

Fluorescence
None
 
Also looks completely eye clean to me. I can't tell the difference between this one and the VG cut vs2. In fact this one looks better to the naked eye

abi922 said:
Working on getting an ASET but found a new one and compared to the old one, there is absolutely no comparisons. This one is cut INFINITELY better and sparkles like there is no tomorrow.

Measurements
7.99 - 8.05 x 5.03 mm
Carat Weight
2.01 carat
Color Grade
F
Clarity Grade
SI1
Cut Grade
Excellent
PROPORTIONS

Depth
62.6 %
Table
56 %
Crown Angle
34.0°
Crown Height
15.0%
Pavilion Angle
40.8°
Pavilion Depth
43.0%
Star Length
50%
Lower Half
80%
Girdle
Slightly Thick, Faceted, 4.5%
Culet
None

FINISH

Polish
Excellent
Symmetry
Excellent
FLUORESCENCE

Fluorescence
None
Click to expand...
Also look
 
You need to go with CUT above everything else. I traded an GIA triple X 2.14 E VS1 with great proportions (low 1s on HCA) for a whiteflash ACA G VS1 and never looked back. I had them both next to each other and the ACA was not only the same in whiteness but sparkled much more. It almost had a soul and "life" to it. I returned the E VS1 the next day. I don't know what the return policy is with the vendor you are buying from...but I would hold off on that stone you're eying....maybe if you are able to buy 2 and compare them side by side and return the one that you don't want. I would never buy such a stone personally...there are many that are better. It took me 3-4 months of going to Brick and Mortar stores, BN, JA, and finally WF for me to settle on a stone. Take your time.
 
Last edited:
Thanks so much everyone. REALLY glad I didn't end up going with the VG/VG/G. I feel much better now
 
I agree that this appears to be a good deal for a GIA XXX and a known seller:
https://loupetroop.com/listings/ban...iamond-hca-1-dot-6-in-vatche-platinum-setting

That stone is over 8.2mm in diameter, too, which is better than ones you have posted. You can have them send the stone to a PS known appraiser such as Neil Beaty to be the middle person in the sale. He can appraise the stone for you, and hold the stone until wire payment is received, and then send the stone to you. I've done that, and it works well. He can also do escrow payment for a fee.
 
I agree DS
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top