HCA cut question

[autiger]

I recently made a purchase with the help of the fine people of this forum and would like to say thank you. I''ll have to post pictures when I can manage to pry it off her finger.

I had a question however about a diamond that my boss is looking at for his girlfriend. It rates as a 3B by AGA (I think) standards, but the HCA gives it a 2.8. I am confused and wanted to get your opinion on where this diamond rates:

Round
1.50 Carats
7.23 x 7.20 x 4.64
Table 54%
Crown Angle 35.5
Pavilion Angle 40.8
Total Depth 64.1%
Girdle 3.3% - 3.5%

The total depth seems too large, but I wanted to know if that ruled out this as being a well cut diamond. What is a typical diameter for well proportioned diamond. Thank you for your help.

 

[Arlington]

I believe an ideal-cut 1.5ct round should be about 7.4 mm.

 

[DiamondExpert]

I think he can to a lot better...this stone is quite deep and the girdle thick...I'd say look some more.

 

[canadiangrrl]

Gary, I think he said he already bought the stone, and the ring's already on her finger. It would be tough at this point to return the stone and begin the shopping process anew.

Autiger, if you like it, and she's happy with it, then that's all that matters. If you've visited the AGA site, www.gemappraisers.com, you will have seen that the stone isn't an absolute ideal cut. But 2.8 is not exactly a disastrous score, and like I said, if you both like it, don't worry.

Could you have gotten a better stone? Define better as ideal, and the answer is 'yes.' But you did your homework and decided on this one, for reasons that likely made complete and utter sense to you at the time. And if you're having difficulty prying it off of her finger, then evidently, you did something right.

 

[aljdewey]

Canadian.......looks like you missed the details on this.




He said he already purchased *his* fiance's stone, which is not the one he's asking about. He's asking about a stone his boss is considering.....as in not purchased, so Gary's comments are appropriate....(and dead-on, too!)

 

[canadiangrrl]

I am recovering from root canal and am therefore on drugs. So I plead temporary insanity.

(because there's no emoticon for "extreme dental agony")

I'm sorry Gary - you're right - if the stone hasn't already been purchased and it's not happily sparkling away on someone's finger, I'd tell him to keep looking, too. Hey, Autiger - I'm issuing a retraction. If your boss isn't stuck on this stone, then he can surely do better.

 

[derekinla]

Very deep cut. Would probably pass on that stone........ Why pay for extra weight in the vertical dimension? The stone looks like a 1.25 carat even though it's a 1.5 by weight

 

[Mara]

yes that stone is carrying weight where its least important...in the bottom!! that stone will look like a 1.35c or so stone...instead of a 1.5c. so he is paying for the 1.5c magical weight (and i bet he is really paying!), but he is getting a visual diameter of a 1.35c stone.




tell him to keep looking. stick with depths under 62% for the most part...crown angles around 34.5 or so..and pav under 41. As you can see, that crown angle is a little steep too...anything over 35 or under 31 or so *may be* questionable. big girdle too...loss of ctw in there as well.

if you got a well cut stone you can use your dimensions as an example of what he should be looking for...regardless of carat weight, many of the 'basics' still stand.




good luck to him and congrats to you. post pictures!!

 

[fire&ice]

----------------
On 10/7/2003 6:06:16 PM canadiangrrl wrote:

I am recovering from root canal and am therefore on drugs. So I plead temporary insanity.

(because there's no emoticon for 'extreme dental agony')

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

I had root canal with no novacaine.

Actually, that is true. Once the Dentist drilled out all the bad stuff, the actual root canal was a breeze. I know this is really an aside; but, ask your dentist to stop w/ a signal. He can constantly apply a topical analgesic. Takes longer - but really decreases the severe pain factor. I hear your pain sister!

Back to topic. The stone will probably be a nice looker in terms of sparkle; but, like the others said, much smaller in appearance , especially with that girdle. I could be off base here; but, this stone is more akin to an OEC (not as severe a % difference between depth & table though).

Since I'm somewhat of a size person, I'd pass & go w/ something less deep. But, if he's happy & the price is right, then it may be worth keeping. What are the other specs on the stone?

 

[Giangi]

The girdle, at 3.3-3.5% thickness, is thick, thus you're paying for something you can't see. This particular stone (which will face up like a nicely cut 1.35-1.40 stone.) I'm sure it was cut so deep just to reach the 1.50ct mark, which commands a higher markup.
A nice 1.50ct stone will be about 7.4x7.4x4.5mm. But I think this one will look pretty. *Not* beautiful, but not ugly. As fire&ice suggested, if the price is *great*, this one could be worth keeping.

 

[Mara]

Yes what's the price? IMO it really depends on that muchly....because even if it IS a great price, why not take that great price for an okay stone and make it a reasonable price for a well cut stone at that same visual carat weight? For example if this stone looks like a 1.40c and the price is excellent for a 1.5c stone...then take that money, and really get a well cut 1.40c stone as opposed to a 1.50c stone that looks like a 1.40c?

Making things difficult..I know.

 

[autiger]

Thanks for all of your help. I believe the price of the stone was $6300+/- which isn't bad at all, but I advised him to keep looking for something a little better proportioned. He's in no time crunch and has no objection with going a little smalled. With that in mind I told him he can probably find something he likes a little more down the road. Thanks again.