HCA = 0.9 but it wasn't recommended by the gemologist?

[aquahot]

I am so excited! I just received the IdealScope images and was perplexed by the recommendations.

Which one would you pick base on the images alone? Which ones should I request a closer look (maybe line them up and compare more closely)?

#1) HCA>2
Carat weight:1.80
Color:H
Clarity: VVS2
Cut: Ideal
Depth %:62.30
Girdle: Medium-
Table %:56.00
Culet:NN
Polish:Excellent
Symmetry:Excellent
Crown ∠: 35.00
Pavilion ∠:41.00
Fluorescence:Faint


#2)HCA<1
Carat weight:1.70
Color:G
Clarity: VS1
Cut: Excellent
Depth %:62.2
Girdle: Medium- slightly thick
Table %:55.00
Culet:NN
Polish:Excellent
Symmetry:Excellent
Crown ∠: 35.00
Pavilion ∠:40.6
Fluorescence:None

 

[sakari_8]

Hi

I think first stone looks better, did the gemologist gave you reason for not recommending? is the stone cloudy?
you may have to ask gemologist whats wrong with the stone. Both the stones seems good to me.

If there is any chance to see the stone in person, it will help you decide.

 

[04diamond<3]

I personally like the second one, I think it has better arrows. The first one would give you thinner arrows...I also prefer a 55% table and the pavillon is better on the second one. They usually don't give you a recommendation without explaining it...

 

[aquahot]

The comment from the gemologist
"She personally liked the 1.80 carat-H-VVS2 for its great performance, size face up and the great value it offers."

The 1.8 carat one is about 9% cheaper than the 1.7 ct.

 

[04diamond<3]

The comment from the gemologist
"She personally liked the 1.80 carat-H-VVS2 for its great performance, size face up and the great value it offers."

The 1.8 carat one is about 9% cheaper than the 1.7 ct.

Well....It's really up to you. If you want to go with their opinion then go ahead, if you like the look of the second one, I'd try that. Even with the recommendation from the gemologist I'd still pick the second one just because I like the numbers and arrows better. This is your decision.

 

[sakari_8]

I think you should go with Gemologist suggestion. However do you have any clarity preference? you could go for VS2 with bigger size
in about the same price. VS2 or VVS both looks eye clean to naked eyes.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Truthfully, I think they just name one to encourage the buyer come to a decision. I think it is extremely unwise in the case of two excellent stones. They should say they are both excellent and either would be a great choice depending on whether you choose to pay the higher price for the higher color stone.

I prefer the G VS1. The higher color is nice and the stone appears to be more perfectly cut. But I don't think the other one is a bad choice at all if the G stone is over budget.

 

[aquahot]

1.8ct L/W/D (mm): 7.81*7.78*4.85
1.7ct L/W/D (mm): 7.62*7.66*4.75

I think the 1.8 has a brownish tint to it. Is it a less attractive attribute? The 1.7's idealscope image is overall more pinkish. Does that mean it's not as fiery?

 

[aquahot]

1.8ct L/W/D (mm): 7.81*7.78*4.85
1.7ct L/W/D (mm): 7.62*7.66*4.75

I think the 1.8 has a brownish tint to it. Is it a less attractive attribute? The 1.7's idealscope image is overall more pinkish. Does that mean it's not as fiery?

 

[aquahot]

Both of them are within budget. I actually liked the look of 1.7 better prior to receiving the images and the recommendation. I am just really confused as I am a newbie

 

[04diamond<3]

No, it's just a way the ideal scope image was taken. You have two opinions of people that have been here more than a year that prefer the G VS1, on top of you preferring it....just saying. If you feel one way about one of them go with your gut feeling. Don't be swayed a different way just because of other's opinions. While yes our opinions are helpful, but you like one more than the other. I agree with DS, I'm not sure why they wouldn't just have told you that both were great....

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The only thing I can add now that you have added the diameters is that do you think a higher color stone is going to mean more to her or do you think larger size would mean more? I had a maximum size for a long time that I thought was as big as I was comfortable wearing. On the other hand, there are girls who want a two carat stone and they don't care about the color or clarity. Do you have any idea of the sizes of the diamonds of any of her close friends or sisters? If they are all wearing 2 ct stones, then I might lean toward the larger one. If they all wear 1 ct stones, both of these will be huge in comparison and either would be a good choice.

 

[HCD3]

i am also very new at this but i say both are beautiful stones regarding idealscope images. id go with the hca=.9 if it were me.. just my newbie 2 ct (cent not carat)

 

[John P]

The person who can best answer your question is the gemologist. Both diamonds have great ideal-scope images, but an IS image only communicates brightness, contrast and leakage. The particulars of dispersion and scintillation in specific light environments demands real-life viewing. In that sense both appear to have terrific potential.

RE Preference: When the gemologist indicated a preference did he/she say the 1.70 was less desirable? If so I'd want to know the reason. If it was personal preference for the 1.80, with no criticism of the 1.70, it may be like choosing between two five-star steaks: The gemologist fancied one for its specific taste and value. No problem and no bad on the other. That's his/her choice. But if there's nothing wrong with the 1.70, the size-color-clarity makes you happier and you prefer the "look" of the ideal-scope then go for it.

Do know that our input here is relevant but limited.

RE The HCA: It takes 5 averaged (and possibly rounded) data points out of 57 and draws a 'chalk-outline' to arrive at an estimated potential for brightness/leakage. This estimated value does not include cut-precision, brillianteering or minor facets (of which there are 40 on a diamond). Garry has carefully worded HCA usage warnings to remind consumers "do not use it for final selection." He also states that scores around 2 can out-perform diamonds with lower HCA scores and lesser cut-precision. So an HCA score is like a 'pass-fail' and you have two diamonds which clearly pass, based on further info provided by the Ideal-Scopes.

RE: The Ideal-Scopes: These absolutely trump the HCA scores. Both diamonds have terrific brightness, contrast patterns and limited/appropriate leakage. Now live-viewing is needed.

So we can make certain inferences from HCA and Ideal-scope from our offices or homes. But a professional gemologist with the diamonds in-hand is the only person equipped to make meaningful real-life observations relating to overall look and performance - in terms of color, clarity and cut - until you get it into your hands. To that end I'd encourage you to contact the pro with a list of specific questions. You may wind up with the 1.70 after all, or there may be something compelling that makes the 1.80 your baby.

It's great that you have two positive candidates to choose-from.

 

[aquahot]

I just got a response back from the gemologist:
It is not that the gemologist did not recommend any of the diamonds, she personally preferred the 1.80 carat diamond due to its size and value. You truly cannot go wrong with any of these diamonds. I can also assure you that the none of the diamonds were negatively affected by fluorescence. She would have told us and gave the warning if that would have happened.



They look almost identical to me! This is so hard to make a decision.
Which one would you prefer base on all the info I have?

 

[blackprophet]

is the 1.8 H graded by AGS? If so the HCA score is irrelevant. I don't think anyone caught that part.

I too prefer the IS of 2, but the Size of 1.

So as other have said, what is more important size or sparkle? You need to make a decisions because you are not going to get a consensus.

I notice a definite difference in size, so the bigger would win for me.

 

[aquahot]

They are both GIA. What if I tell you the 1.7ct is almost $3000 more than the 1.8ct? Would that change anything? I guess I can see why the geomologist recommended base on the size/value.

is the 1.8 H graded by AGS? If so the HCA score is irrelevant. I don't think anyone caught that part.

I too prefer the IS of 2, but the Size of 1.

So as other have said, what is more important size or sparkle? You need to make a decisions because you are not going to get a consensus.

I notice a definite difference in size, so the bigger would win for me.

 

[sakari_8]

I would go with 1.80ct however if it still confuses you than it would be wise to buy both the stones, see together side by side
and return the one you like the least, now a days many online stores are giving Free return shipping so you could take advantage
of it.

 

[ecf8503]

I like the smaller stone, both in IS and in the actual pics of the stones - the arrows are more distinct

 

[sha4000]

They are both GIA. What if I tell you the 1.7ct is almost $3000 more than the 1.8ct? Would that change anything? I guess I can see why the geomologist recommended base on the size/value.

is the 1.8 H graded by AGS? If so the HCA score is irrelevant. I don't think anyone caught that part.

I too prefer the IS of 2, but the Size of 1.

So as other have said, what is more important size or sparkle? You need to make a decisions because you are not going to get a consensus.

I notice a definite difference in size, so the bigger would win for me.

You would be paying for the upgrade in color and clarity which would be minuscule IMO, I would go with the larger stone and put that 3k in my pocket. Plus the fluorescence brings the price down but without any negative effects.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

There is a significant difference in a 7.6mm and 7.8mm stone. Is having a stone that looks closer to 2 cts going to be appealing to her, or do all her friends wear small stones and she'd be self-conscious wearing the larger one. Surely you have some idea of what she is hoping for or what those around her wear!

 

[aquahot]

I am interested in knowing which you would have chosen? If just judging from the looks and the numbers?

There is a significant difference in a 7.6mm and 7.8mm stone. Is having a stone that looks closer to 2 cts going to be appealing to her, or do all her friends wear small stones and she'd be self-conscious wearing the larger one. Surely you have some idea of what she is hoping for or what those around her wear!

 

[Christina...]

Since the gemologist has stated that both are equally well performing, then my personal preference would be for the 1.7. That said, most people won't notice the minute differences between these two stones unless they have lots of diamond viewing experience. I agree with DS, that you should consider how she feels about size, which would she be happier with, and decide accordingly. The good news is that since both stones have been determined to perform well, you really can't make a wrong decision!

And please don't base your decision on the length of time a particular poster has been here. All opinions are valid in this case, but it's very possible for someone that has been here for 6 months to have done more research and have a better understanding of the complex nature of diamonds than someone that has been here for years and years but has done little research. That would be like saying a student who completed their BA in 10 years in better educated than someone that completed it in 4.

 

[bunnycat]

Just looking at the images of the stones, I Iike the 1.7 G. I went back up to read which of the IS that refers to and it is the second one, which was my pick when I read earlier based on the numbers and the IS image (but that's just me, and these are photos of diamonds on the internet and so may not tell all the story).

 

[diamondloveaffair]

Go with the G colored diamond. Better color.

 

[partgypsy]

Which one does the fiance like better? Or if she looked at rings did she mention bigger size being important?

They both look beautiful.

 

[sha4000]

The person who can best answer your question is the gemologist. Both diamonds have great ideal-scope images, but an IS image only communicates brightness, contrast and leakage. The particulars of dispersion and scintillation in specific light environments demands real-life viewing. In that sense both appear to have terrific potential.

RE Preference: When the gemologist indicated a preference did he/she say the 1.70 was less desirable? If so I'd want to know the reason. If it was personal preference for the 1.80, with no criticism of the 1.70, it may be like choosing between two five-star steaks: The gemologist fancied one for its specific taste and value. No problem and no bad on the other. That's his/her choice. But if there's nothing wrong with the 1.70, the size-color-clarity makes you happier and you prefer the "look" of the ideal-scope then go for it.

Do know that our input here is relevant but limited.

RE The HCA: It takes 5 averaged (and possibly rounded) data points out of 57 and draws a 'chalk-outline' to arrive at an estimated potential for brightness/leakage. This estimated value does not include cut-precision, brillianteering or minor facets (of which there are 40 on a diamond). Garry has carefully worded HCA usage warnings to remind consumers "do not use it for final selection." He also states that scores around 2 can out-perform diamonds with lower HCA scores and lesser cut-precision. So an HCA score is like a 'pass-fail' and you have two diamonds which clearly pass, based on further info provided by the Ideal-Scopes.

RE: The Ideal-Scopes: These absolutely trump the HCA scores. Both diamonds have terrific brightness, contrast patterns and limited/appropriate leakage. Now live-viewing is needed.

So we can make certain inferences from HCA and Ideal-scope from our offices or homes. But a professional gemologist with the diamonds in-hand is the only person equipped to make meaningful real-life observations relating to overall look and performance - in terms of color, clarity and cut - until you get it into your hands. To that end I'd encourage you to contact the pro with a list of specific questions. You may wind up with the 1.70 after all, or there may be something compelling that makes the 1.80 your baby.

It's great that you have two positive candidates to choose-from.

This sounds like great advice.