HCA is making it difficult for me to pick....

[ShoppingForARing]

experts say hca cut advisor is used to rule out diamonds, not pick one, but then why is there scores ranging from 0-2, wouldn't it be better to just rule it out by saying yay or nay. above 2 and below 2. having a range makes feel like a 1.8 is not as sparkley as a .08 hca. they are both good. is one more "excellent" than the other.

 

[JulieN]

above 2=no
below 2=yes

 

[Skippy123]

Hi Shopping! Can you post the numbers from the 2 diamonds you are considering and polish any symmetry info? You are right the HCA just helps weed out stones but then you can look at the numbers from the certs more closely or post them here for others to help you decide! Nice having 2 diamonds to choose from! hehe

 

[ShoppingForARing]

Date: 8/22/2008 5:45:32 PM
Author: Skippy123
Hi Shopping! Can you post the numbers from the 2 diamonds you are considering and polish any symmetry info? You are right the HCA just helps weed out stones but then you can look at the numbers from the certs more closely or post them here for others to help you decide! Nice having 2 diamonds to choose from! hehe

diamond 1
1.470 Ct $12,520
H
VS1
7.34-7.39 x 4.47 mm
55 star, 78 lgf
Fluor Neg
depth: 60.7
Pav: 40.8
Crown: 35
Table: 57.1
0-0-0
with a cloud

diamond 2:
1.192 $10,470
G
VVS2
6.90-6.91 x 4.19 mm
Flou neg
depth 60.8
pav: 41
crown: 34.6
table 55.2
0-0-1 (finish: polish: exc. symmetry: ideal)

diamond 3: $12,000
Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 1.214
. Depth %: 60.5
. Table %: 56.9
. Crown Angle: 34.8
. Crown %: 14.9
. Star : 52
. Pavilion Angle: 40.6
. Pavilion %: 42.6
. Lower Girdle %: 78
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 6.89-6.91X4.18
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

 

[ShoppingForARing]

my budget is trying to stay wihtin 9,000 and 11,500

 

[mercoledi]

I have often wondered that myself. The position on the HCA is as important as the score. It comes down to the head obstruction argument, in which I am not well versed.


Not # 2. The IS and ASET on 3 look great. Do you have any images for #1?

ETA: This 1.53 I SI1 is nice too GOG stone. 1.20 with killer light return.

 

[ShoppingForARing]

Date: 8/22/2008 6:02:54 PM
Author: mercoledi
I have often wondered that myself. The position on the HCA is as important as the score. It comes down to the head obstruction argument, in which I am not well versed.



Not # 2. The IS and ASET on 3 look great. Do you have any images for #1?


ETA: This 1.53 I SI1 is nice too GOG stone

why not #2?...nop, no images..

SI1 is too low. I need VS1 and preferably above..due to culture reasons..

 

[Skippy123]

Is this one (ETA: This 1.53 I SI1 is nice too GOG stone) eye clean? I would pick that one if you want big

eta: oh, I see that one is out of the running, ops.
etaa: what is the color and clarity of no. 3?

 

[mercoledi]

Phooey, I forgot about your clarity requirement. That''s too bad, the 1.2 I posted has the type of idealcope that you prefer.

Stone #2 gives me an HCA that''s ex/vg/vg/vg, and I don''t think it''s the shallow pavilion thing. Based on where the X is on the HCA chart, it should have more fire than light return, but misses being a FIC.

What color are you shooting for?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/22/2008 5:53:52 PM
Author: ShoppingForARing
my budget is trying to stay wihtin 9,000 and 11,500

Any of these would be stunning and have all the info you need, and are within budget. (not sure why that underlined)


http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4077/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2787/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4761/

Bankwire is discount.

 

[strmrdr]

#2 is the only one within your stated budget and you need an Ideal scope image for it as that combo can go wither way depending on the minor facets and what is in the averages.
Check out some of the other suggestions.

 

[mercoledi]

Ellen''s 1.18 is nice and is spreadier than the 1.19 (barely) but there isn''t a bad choice in the bunch.

 

[ShoppingForARing]

Date: 8/22/2008 7:04:27 PM
Author: mercoledi
Ellen''s 1.18 is nice and is spreadier than the 1.19 (barely) but there isn''t a bad choice in the bunch.

which bunch ? my three or hers?

my color would be anything that faces up white, d, e, f, g, maybe H

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/22/2008 8:29:11 PM
Author: ShoppingForARing

Date: 8/22/2008 7:04:27 PM
Author: mercoledi
Ellen''s 1.18 is nice and is spreadier than the 1.19 (barely) but there isn''t a bad choice in the bunch.

which bunch ? my three or hers?

my color would be anything that faces up white, d, e, f, g, maybe H

merc''s not around, but she meant the three I posted about. And I would also go for the G. Great color, high clarity, biggest diameter, and very well cut. They don''t get much better than this.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 8/22/2008 8:58:24 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 8/22/2008 8:29:11 PM
Author: ShoppingForARing

Date: 8/22/2008 7:04:27 PM
Author: mercoledi
Ellen''s 1.18 is nice and is spreadier than the 1.19 (barely) but there isn''t a bad choice in the bunch.

which bunch ? my three or hers?

my color would be anything that faces up white, d, e, f, g, maybe H

merc''s not around, but she meant the three I posted about. And I would also go for the G. Great color, high clarity, biggest diameter, and very well cut. They don''t get much better than this.

Nice stone Ellen, nice size too!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/22/2008 9:01:43 PM
Author: Skippy123

Date: 8/22/2008 8:58:24 PM
Author: Ellen

merc''s not around, but she meant the three I posted about. And I would also go for the G. Great color, high clarity, biggest diameter, and very well cut. They don''t get much better than this.

Nice stone Ellen, nice size too!

It really is, thanks!

 

[honey22]

Ditto Ellen!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 8/22/2008 5:42:44 PM
Author:ShoppingForARing
experts say hca cut advisor is used to rule out diamonds, not pick one, but then why is there scores ranging from 0-2, wouldn''t it be better to just rule it out by saying yay or nay. above 2 and below 2. having a range makes feel like a 1.8 is not as sparkley as a .08 hca. they are both good. is one more ''excellent'' than the other.

You should take the advice that is written on the pages you use, or learn fully about it.
For example right at the top before you eneter anything it says
Most people prefer stones that rate 1-2 on a scale where:

When you get your answer, right underneath is a big link to take you here http://diamonds.pricescope.com/ideal.asp and then there is a page of info including this comment:
Use it to reject known poor performers and narrow down your selection. Please do not use it for final selection; it will not replace an analysis with an Ideal-scope and/or an independent appraisal.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/22/2008 5:44:21 PM
Author: JulieN
above 2=no
below 2=yes

Not always as cut and dried as that. There can be some excellent diamonds which score over 2 if you have other aids to judge them such as Idealscope, vendor input etc etc.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 8/23/2008 4:18:24 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/22/2008 5:44:21 PM
Author: JulieN
above 2=no
below 2=yes

Not always as cut and dried as that. There can be some excellent diamonds which score over 2 if you have other aids to judge them such as Idealscope, vendor input etc etc.

Yes, if the stones have top symmetry, and also a little painting can help.