Grading Report Date?

[HornAround]

Do you take stock in how how old the gia certificate is when looking for a diamond? The reason I ask is I''m looking for a diamond for my brother and I came across one I liked but noticed the GIA report was made in jan 09. Should I be concerned?

 

[stone-cold11]

Jan 09 is not too old in the scheme of things.

 

[yssie]

I do - but Jan ''09 wouldn''t bother me, especially for a stone that''s not a 1ct G/H VS2 - "specialty" stones with unique proportions, unusual ct wts, or an unusual combo of 4Cs can stay in inventory for longer waiting for specialty buyers

 

[HornAround]

That's what I was thinking but can't be too sure. I'm having the vendor determine if it's eye clean. It's a VS2 but I can see a few specks even at 10x magnified (hence me assuming why it hasn't been sold).


Just a little background on me. You guys helped me out (I was probably a pain the in the rear) a year ago and I'm greatly appreciative of that. I studied on this forum for over a month before I bought the diamond that I gave to my beautiful wife and she loves it. Now my brother has come to me looking for help because he wants to propose to his girlfriend. I have experience in this subject (he has none) so I gladly took on the task. I will be coming back to you guys here and there to get your opinion/thoughts but this time I think I will be a little more prepared. Thanks again.

 

[stone-cold11]

Good luck.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 5/10/2010 5:31:17 PM
Author: yssie
I do - but Jan ''09 wouldn''t bother me, especially for a stone that''s not a 1ct G/H VS2 - ''specialty'' stones with unique proportions, unusual ct wts, or an unusual combo of 4Cs can stay in inventory for longer waiting for specialty buyers

Ditto this.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/10/2010 5:40:31 PM
Author: HornAround
That''s what I was thinking but can''t be too sure. I''m having the vendor determine if it''s eye clean. It''s a VS2 but I can see a few specks even at 10x magnified (hence me assuming why it hasn''t been sold).


Just a little background on me. You guys helped me out (I was probably a pain the in the rear) a year ago and I''m greatly appreciative of that. I studied on this forum for over a month before I bought the diamond that I gave to my beautiful wife and she loves it. Now my brother has come to me looking for help because he wants to propose to his girlfriend. I have experience in this subject (he has none) so I gladly took on the task. I will be coming back to you guys here and there to get your opinion/thoughts but this time I think I will be a little more prepared. Thanks again.

Hi Horn, good to see you!

The report age is fine and shouldn''t be a problem.

 

[HornAround]

Date: 5/11/2010 6:39:18 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 5/10/2010 5:40:31 PM

Author: HornAround

That''s what I was thinking but can''t be too sure. I''m having the vendor determine if it''s eye clean. It''s a VS2 but I can see a few specks even at 10x magnified (hence me assuming why it hasn''t been sold).



Just a little background on me. You guys helped me out (I was probably a pain the in the rear) a year ago and I''m greatly appreciative of that. I studied on this forum for over a month before I bought the diamond that I gave to my beautiful wife and she loves it. Now my brother has come to me looking for help because he wants to propose to his girlfriend. I have experience in this subject (he has none) so I gladly took on the task. I will be coming back to you guys here and there to get your opinion/thoughts but this time I think I will be a little more prepared. Thanks again.

Hi Horn, good to see you!

The report age is fine and shouldn''t be a problem.

Lorelei! Just who I wanted to see. I see you are still around helping out us noobs. Just based on these numbers below (consider the sizes as well) which diamond would you lean towards? I''m hoping to get the ideal scope images soon.


Diamond A

.82 H&A Round Brilliant
G, VS2
5.99-6.03 x 3.72 mm
Depth-61.9
Table-56.6
Crown-35.5
Pavilion-40.7
Girdle-Thin to Slightly Thick
Pointed Cutlet


or Diamond B

.90 Ideal Round Brilliant
G, VS2
6.21-6.28 x 3.84 mm
Depth-61.6
Table-56
Crown-35.5
Pavilion-40.8
Girdle-Think to meduim
Cutlet-None

Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/11/2010 12:28:07 PM
Author: HornAround

Date: 5/11/2010 6:39:18 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 5/10/2010 5:40:31 PM

Author: HornAround

That''s what I was thinking but can''t be too sure. I''m having the vendor determine if it''s eye clean. It''s a VS2 but I can see a few specks even at 10x magnified (hence me assuming why it hasn''t been sold).



Just a little background on me. You guys helped me out (I was probably a pain the in the rear) a year ago and I''m greatly appreciative of that. I studied on this forum for over a month before I bought the diamond that I gave to my beautiful wife and she loves it. Now my brother has come to me looking for help because he wants to propose to his girlfriend. I have experience in this subject (he has none) so I gladly took on the task. I will be coming back to you guys here and there to get your opinion/thoughts but this time I think I will be a little more prepared. Thanks again.

Hi Horn, good to see you!

The report age is fine and shouldn''t be a problem.

Lorelei! Just who I wanted to see. I see you are still around helping out us noobs. Just based on these numbers below (consider the sizes as well) which diamond would you lean towards? I''m hoping to get the ideal scope images soon.


Diamond A

.82 H&A Round Brilliant
G, VS2
5.99-6.03 x 3.72 mm
Depth-61.9
Table-56.6
Crown-35.5
Pavilion-40.7
Girdle-Thin to Slightly Thick
Pointed Cutlet


or Diamond B

.90 Ideal Round Brilliant
G, VS2
6.21-6.28 x 3.84 mm
Depth-61.6
Table-56
Crown-35.5
Pavilion-40.8
Girdle-Think to meduim
Cutlet-None

Thanks!

LOL!!

As you can see, I am still here!

I would lean towards the first, the angle combo is perhaps a little '' safer'' on paper, but as you know, IS images will tell us more. As the first is said to be h&a, will you be able to get images of both hearts and arrows for this one?

 

[HornAround]

I thought so as well but I think my brother would like to go bigger (SOB wants to out do me

LOL)but I told him quality is an important factor as well. I'm just trying to make sure that diamond is the best quality I can get for what he wants to spend.

 

[stone-cold11]

both look promising. Will wait for the IS.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/11/2010 1:14:04 PM
Author: HornAround
I thought so as well but I think my brother would like to go bigger (SOB wants to out do me

LOL)but I told him quality is an important factor as well. I''m just trying to make sure that diamond is the best quality I can get for what he wants to spend.

LOL!!! I think you are a wonderful brother helping him in this way and he is sure to end up with a far better diamond than he would have otherwise thanks to you!

 

[HornAround]

Arghhhh,

They can''t get me an idealscope on the .90 until the diamond is bought(was really interested in it). Do I let that be the dealbreaker in factoring that diamond out of my search?

 

[yssie]

Date: 5/11/2010 8:26:51 PM
Author: HornAround
Arghhhh,

They can''t get me an idealscope on the .90 until the diamond is bought(was really interested in it). Do I let that be the dealbreaker in factoring that diamond out of my search?

Strange.


What''s the return policy?

 

[HornAround]

Date: 5/11/2010 8:44:13 PM
Author: yssie

Date: 5/11/2010 8:26:51 PM

Author: HornAround

Arghhhh,


They can't get me an idealscope on the .90 until the diamond is bought(was really interested in it). Do I let that be the dealbreaker in factoring that diamond out of my search?

Strange.

What's the return policy?

They said that their specific vendor they partner with didn't have the means to get an idealscope image. They vendor has a 30 day return policy so I'm not too worried about that. They said once I bought it they would get the diamond and run the idealscope themselves and if for some reason I didn't like it I could just return the diamond right then and there. Sounds like more trouble than it's worth.

 

[yssie]

Date: 5/11/2010 8:56:52 PM
Author: HornAround

Date: 5/11/2010 8:44:13 PM
Author: yssie

Date: 5/11/2010 8:26:51 PM

Author: HornAround

Arghhhh,


They can't get me an idealscope on the .90 until the diamond is bought(was really interested in it). Do I let that be the dealbreaker in factoring that diamond out of my search?

Strange.

What's the return policy?

They said that their specific vendor they partner with didn't have the means to get an idealscope image. They vendor has a 30 day return policy so I'm not too worried about that. They said once I bought it they would get the diamond and run the idealscope themselves and if for some reason I didn't like it I could just return the diamond right then and there. Sounds like more trouble than it's worth.

If there's zero obligation to purchase - they'll return your money in cash, no store-credit/downpayment toward another stone/any of that nonsense, and if I wanted to work with that vendor and they made me feel comfortable, I'd definitely consider it.

Usually vendors will have stones brought in without you needing to purchase beforehand and they'll run a sarin and get you an IS/ASET, but if you don't like the stone there's a fee to have them ship it back that depends on the value of the stone - also inquire if they're going to charge any such "I-don't-like-it" fees. As you can imagine if you go through a few stones those fees can add up pretty quickly

 

[HornAround]

I''m just trying to figure out if an idealscope is mandatory in order for me to find the best diamond.

 

[stone-cold11]

without IS images, with GIA averaging and rounding, leakage can occur. You want to risk it or not?

 

[yssie]

at worst it's a 35.7 crown average, 40.8 pavilion, do you have lgf info?
With lower half 80+ could work, 75ish you might have a leakage issue.

at best it's a 35.3 crown and a 40.7pav which is a generally safe combo.

BUT you have to remember that all those numbers are averages, meaning that there are higher and lower components - depending on what that range is, you may have a nice - or not so nice - stone.

IS shows actual performance of the physical stone, inherently taking into account all the facets and symmetry and numbers. It's not a risk I would take when there is an easy enough alternative.

 

[HornAround]

Date: 5/11/2010 9:15:05 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
without IS images, with GIA averaging and rounding, leakage can occur. You want to risk it or not?

Not really. Some vendors only allow so many idealscopes before they charge you. I guess I need to narrow down my search. This is already getting exhausting and I''ve only been doing it for a week. LOL

 

[HornAround]

Date: 5/11/2010 9:15:40 PM
Author: yssie
at worst it''s a 35.7 crown average, 40.8 pavilion, do you have lgf info?

With lower half 80+ could work, 75ish you might have a leakage issue.

at best it''s a 35.3 crown and a 40.7pav which is a generally safe combo.

BUT you have to remember that all those numbers are averages, meaning that there are higher and lower components - depending on what that range is, you may have a nice - or not so nice - stone.

IS shows actual performance of the physical stone, inherently taking into account all the facets and symmetry and numbers. It''s not a risk I would take when there is an easy enough alternative.

I''ve been entering all these numbers into the HCA so I''m getting an idea of what these diamonds are capable of. I know it shouldn''t be used as a selection tool but I can definitely use it for rejection right?

 

[yssie]

Date: 5/11/2010 9:21:10 PM
Author: HornAround

Date: 5/11/2010 9:15:40 PM
Author: yssie





at worst it's a 35.7 crown average, 40.8 pavilion, do you have lgf info?

With lower half 80+ could work, 75ish you might have a leakage issue.

at best it's a 35.3 crown and a 40.7pav which is a generally safe combo.

BUT you have to remember that all those numbers are averages, meaning that there are higher and lower components - depending on what that range is, you may have a nice - or not so nice - stone.

IS shows actual performance of the physical stone, inherently taking into account all the facets and symmetry and numbers. It's not a risk I would take when there is an easy enough alternative.

I've been entering all these numbers into the HCA so I'm getting an idea of what these diamonds are capable of. I know it shouldn't be used as a selection tool but I can definitely use it for rejection right?

Rejection, as long as you realize it's one tool among many - and the results depend on the accuracy and precision of input values.

Sometimes a person will take the "best case" and "worst case" rounding of the averages given on the GIA report and plug those into the HCA and the top and bottom rounding values must be under 2. Problem 1: Those values are averaged, too, and unless you bought from a place like GOG that gives you the full helium printout you don't know what's going into those averages. Ex physical symmetry as noted on the report does not automatically translate into ex optical symmetry (nor vice versa). Problem 2: A diamond that scores 2.2 on the HCA will NOT be an ugly, unattractive mess. Each tool has tolerances and error margins, and each tool was created by a person with his/her own preferences and potential bias, and what you see with your eyes should always be most important.

 

[HornAround]

Date: 5/11/2010 9:25:39 PM
Author: yssie

Date: 5/11/2010 9:21:10 PM

Author: HornAround

Date: 5/11/2010 9:15:40 PM

Author: yssie






at worst it''s a 35.7 crown average, 40.8 pavilion, do you have lgf info?


With lower half 80+ could work, 75ish you might have a leakage issue.

at best it''s a 35.3 crown and a 40.7pav which is a generally safe combo.

BUT you have to remember that all those numbers are averages, meaning that there are higher and lower components - depending on what that range is, you may have a nice - or not so nice - stone.

IS shows actual performance of the physical stone, inherently taking into account all the facets and symmetry and numbers. It''s not a risk I would take when there is an easy enough alternative.

I''ve been entering all these numbers into the HCA so I''m getting an idea of what these diamonds are capable of. I know it shouldn''t be used as a selection tool but I can definitely use it for rejection right?

Rejection, as long as you realize it''s one tool among many - and the results depend on the accuracy and precision of input values.


Sometimes a person will take the ''best case'' and ''worst case'' rounding of the averages given on the GIA report and plug those into the HCA and the top and bottom rounding values must be under 2. Problem 1: Those values are averaged, too, and unless you bought from a place like GOG that gives you the full helium printout you don''t know what''s going into those averages. Ex physical symmetry as noted on the report does not automatically translate into ex optical symmetry (nor vice versa). Problem 2: A diamond that scores 2.2 on the HCA will NOT be an ugly, unattractive mess. Each tool has tolerances and error margins, and each tool was created by a person with his/her own preferences and potential bias, and what you see with your eyes should always be most important.

Gotcha, I guess an idealscope is warranted. Now I have to narrow down my diamond search and present them here. Fun stuff.