H&A signature cuts -VS- the next step down??

[diamond_seeker]

Trying to find out how much light return I would be giving up if I dropped down a cut level? Anyway, searched this forum and the web...have read everything from:

98% H&A signature
96% ideal cut

96% H&A signature
80% ideal cut

94% H&A signature
75% ideal cut

Anyone have any idea as to the accurate percentage of light return you might lose if dropping down from one of the signature cuts? Would definitely go for more carat if it's close to number one...but if two or three, gonna go with a signature.

Thanks for any information.

[PS. Since I've read many names for the "next step down" cuts (expert, superior, etc)...I just called it ideal for clarity sake.]

 

[slg47]

I think the issue is often times the "next step down" is not equal. So for example what one vendor calls an "ideal" cut may be different from another vendor's "ideal" cut. If H&A is not important to you I would pick a nice RB with good numbers/good IS image

 

[diamond_seeker]

Well...H&A is my preference...but having trouble finding a stone with all my "wants" in my price range and thinking that some of the ideal cut specs sure do look pretty close to the H&As. Honestly, not even sure if I could tell the difference between the two (outside of knowing the specs).

Is it possible to find a great non-H&A performing stone by checking depth %, pavillion angle, crown angle, etc.....run it though something like HCA...then check the Ideal scope and ASET......WITHOUT risking the possibility of getting a dud?

 

[yssie]

the mere presence of picturesque hearts does not a stunning stone make.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/h-a-vs-non-h-a-is-there-a-visual-difference.152720/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/h-a-vs-non-h-a-is-there-a-visual-difference.152720/[/URL]

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Trying to find out how much light return I would be giving up if I dropped down a cut level? Anyway, searched this forum and the web...have read everything from:

98% H&A signature
96% ideal cut

96% H&A signature
80% ideal cut

94% H&A signature
75% ideal cut

Anyone have any idea as to the accurate percentage of light return you might lose if dropping down from one of the signature cuts? Would definitely go for more carat if it's close to number one...but if two or three, gonna go with a signature.

Thanks for any information.

[PS. Since I've read many names for the "next step down" cuts (expert, superior, etc)...I just called it ideal for clarity sake.]

There is no way you or anyonelse could quantify cuts like that not even theoretically it is far too complicated.
Diamonds are coveted for their properties of brightness, scintillation and fire and they are often tradeoffs of one another. Optical symmetry only has a weak correlation to any of them and this has been debated without any consensus being reached.

Futher any judgements or "labels" based on just what is found on a grading report has a very weak correlation to overall performance as too much information is unavailable.

The only way you can answer this question properly would be in a qualitative manner by comparing two choices side by side in a number of lighting environments.

 

[Cehrabehra]

I can't answer your question, but I can say that if you drop down in a vendor's system, like from a cut above to say Expert Selection you won't be losing a lot... the arrows are sometimes not so perfect or maybe they're a little too long or too short to fit the tight parameters... but they're still really good stones.

 

[slg47]

GOG has some videos of H&A vs ideal non H&A (remember all vendor's 'ideal' are not the same)

http://vimeo.com/16771451

 

[diamond_seeker]

Great links guys! Read the thread three times and still processing some of the info!! Watching some of the videos later tonight.

Just for fun...put the specs of two "ideal" cut GIA 3X stones from a reputable pricescope vendor into HCA just to see what I would get....one was a 3.8 and the other a 5.2 (ouch)!