HCA and earrings

[bling]

How low of an HCA score would you go on earrings..still realizing that the HCA is just a tool to weed out bad performers? Thanks

 

[hoorray]

I just got earrings for me, and picked some stones out for a girlfriend. In one case I gave up some on clarity (SI2), and the other, on color (I). In one stone the symmetry is VG instead of Ex, but other than that both times I kept the cut as good as I could find in order to keep the sparkle level high. And they really sparkle -- people comment on that. I personally wouldn't compromise on the cut / HCA because you really want earrings to sparkle IMO.

 

[bling]

Thanks lop,
i think you are correct..seeing as were addicted PS people..i too think i would like to keep cut a priority, even for earrings. I think sacrificing a little on color and clarity is a way to go while maximizing everything else. thanks for the opinions..

 

[Mara]

I would say 2 HCA score is my max for earrings...I'd like to keep the same standards as I would for an e-ring stone.

 

[finchuck]

I just got a stone that scored a 2.3 on the HCA and it's a dazzler. I'm not sure how much of a difference there is between a 2 and a 2.3, but I think having your deadline at 2 is a bit limiting. If the idealscope looks good then I think you're in business.

 

[pqcollectibles]

I went back and looked at some old threads on HCA scores and performance. I seemed to remember folk saying a score under 4 was good. But, I found an old thread (which I didn't bookmark to link here) where CutNut was discussing a diamond that scored 3.7 compared to diamonds that scored 2.5 and 1.something on the HCA. The general concensus advice to the poster was to buy the 1.something stone if he could afford to. If not, and the 2.5 diamond was within the budget, that would be a strong second choice. Soooooo,..... I'd also go for dropping color and clarity, and maintaining the quality of the make. Maybe, IMHO, if the right pair came along that scored a tad over 2, with similar performance ratings, I might not be as rigid as I would be if I were purchasing a ring. Fin said his 2.3 performs well. Opening up the range just a tad might allow for BIGGER earrings!!!

 

[luckyhonu]

Since nobody will look at earrings as closely as a ring, I agree with lop and Mara - I would get a good cut and sacrifice either on the clarity or color.

Let us know how it goes!

 

[Mara]

I would venture to say that my limit of 2 is not a hard-drawn line...if a stunning IS image, good looking H&A stone came up and it was 2.1 or 2.2...if all other factors were right on...I would definitely consider it. There are definitely more variables than just HCA at work there. ESP if it meant a tad bigger!

 

[finchuck]

After seeing my stone that scored a 2.3 on the HCA and what it looked like compared to my original stone that scored a 0.9, I lost a bit of trust in the HCA. The 2.3 looked considerably nicer than the 0.9 and the difference in performance was evident. I think that the HCA's inability to actually see the stone is a pretty big downfall and trusting it as much as I did was a mistake. I'd trust the IdealScope far before I'd trust the HCA, but I learned that you really need to see these things with your own eyes to make a determination.

 

[bling]

Thank you all for the advice..and i agree to what everyone says..in both directions. Its hard since i dont get to see them with my own eyes first, so i have to rely on the tools that were given i guess. I myself, would sacrifice a bit on color and clariy to maintain a certain level of cut quality, and though a 2.something is still great, and nothing I would just throw out..if i can manage a good HCA score, I would prefer that. One of the stones i was considering was well into the 3's and made me just a tad uncomfortable...so the search goes on. I will try to post the IS images of the stones i like..please bear with me, as i am terrible with posting pics.. thanks all!

 

[bling]

heres the first one...

 

[bling]

heres the other..
what do you think?

 

[Murph]

Awesome ideal scope pictures bling! What are the specs?

Murph

 

[luckyhonu]

Wow Bling! Nice! As Murph said, what are the specs? I think they would make lovely earrings!

 

[bling]

Thanks..specs are as follows..
0.610ct 5.52x5.54 34.8 crown 40.9 pav 60.6 depth 55 table
1.3 HCA
0.615ct 5.54x5.56 34.9 crown 40.8 pav 60.4 depth 56 table
1.6 HCA

any thoughts? thanks!

 

[WinkHPD]

Assuming that the price is right, just buy them!

Wink a big fan of well cut diamonds...

 

[Mara]

wow those are SCREAMERS!!!! they must be eye popping in person. amazing specs too. GET THEM!

 

[bling]

thanks for the feedback... i think im going for them. is it wierd that i found them also on another vendors search engine...i mean, the vendor that has them now, has sent me all sorts of pics, even side by side pics..so im assuming they have them in house and the other vendors search engine is just not updated? is this a correct assumption?
thank you all for the reassurance ..i cant wait to see them in person!

 

[pqcollectibles]

----------------
On 6/7/2004 1:35:12 PM Mara wrote:


I would venture to say that my limit of 2 is not a hard-drawn line...if a stunning IS image, good looking H&A stone came up and it was 2.1 or 2.2...if all other factors were right on...I would definitely consider it. There are definitely more variables than just HCA at work there. ESP if it meant a tad bigger!

----------------

That's the Mara we all know and love!!

Gorgeous IS images, Bling!! That should be a rockin' pair of studs!!

 

[GlitterGal]

----------------
On 6/7/2004 6:51:01 PM bling wrote:

i mean, the vendor that has them now, has sent me all sorts of pics, even side by side pics..so im assuming they have them in house and the other vendors search engine is just not updated? is this a correct assumption?
----------------

Hi bling,

The reason you see them on another vendor's website is that these stones are not part of any vendor's inventory, but rather, are brokered stones. They are available to several vendors at the same time via the wholesaler's list. In order to be able to make the sale, the vendor would have to contact the wholesaler and 1)have the stones sent to them or 2)do a direct drop ship to the customer.

If this vendor sent pictures to you, then it's safe to say that they have the stones there, but they just don't necessarily own them as part of their inventory.

The IS images are beautiful and the specs look great. I agree with the others that they would make a terrific buy!

Good luck and please post pics when you get them!

Kindest regards always,
Linda

 

[WinkHPD]

GlitterGal is correct in that often many dealers will have the same stones listed as many dealers just grab what ever is listed at Rapnet and Polygon and show them as their stones without ever actually seeing them.

Some of us only list stones that are actually ours or actually in our possession. Some will drop ship and never actually see the stones, some of us will not do that. Usually the drop shippers will be one or two points cheaper, but can not do what your vendor has done, which is to take pictures etc to send you.

I recently got in three stones for an internet shopper who lived here in Boise and agreed to pay me a few dollars extra for doing so. Only one of the three Hearts and Arrows cuts was, the other two had incomplete patterns, in one case practically no pattern, but since it was an AGS triple zero cut it was Hearts and Arrows according to the vendor. Needless to say my client was VERY happy to pay the few extra dollars to get what he thought he was buying and he admitted that he would have chosen the worst of the three had I not been involved.

I returned the two "poorly cut" AGS triple 0 cut graded stones, if you can call an AGS 0 cut grade a poorly cut stone, along with an admonition that the terms are not synonymous and that I was scratching them from my list of suppliers until they learned the difference!

Wink

 

[GlitterGal]

----------------
On 6/7/2004 8:49:43 PM Wink wrote:

Usually the drop shippers will be one or two points cheaper...----------------

Wink,

You're right in saying 'usually' - definitely not 'always'. The drop shipper may certainly be more expensive.

Kindest regards always,
Linda

 

[finchuck]

They both look amazing. Should make for a great pair of earrings!

 

[sevens one]

Those stones are going to be beautiful. Don't forget pics for us dreamers here.
Nan

 

[hoorray]

Bling -- these look like GREAT earring stones. buy them, set them, and post those pics!

 

[bling]

Thank you all for the feedback. It makes internet purchases so much easier...even though ive made a few.
Had to chuckle at your post Mara..because thats exactly what i ended up doing..sacrificing here and there to max out the size! great bling bling minds do think alike, yes?

Thank you for the help all and i will try to post pics of them when i get them.

 

[luckyhonu]

What kind of setting are you getting?

 

[bling]

lucky,
ooh..that was my next problem..three prong, four prong, or martini..can anyone comment on which ones they like or had great success with? thanks again for the feedback!

 

[luckyhonu]

I have the 3 prong martini and LOVE them! I like how low they sit on the ears - I had basket ones that were sitting up a little high.

 

[GlitterGal]

Hi Bling,

My vote is for 3-prong martini, but settings are always a matter of personal preference so it's really up to you and what you like the most or what works best for you.

Kindest regards always,
Linda