HCA Score 4.4 - Should I buy?

[dkennedymi]

I was planning to buy the following diamond for $5,500. I just learned about HCA scores, and if I calculated it correctly it is 4.4. Does that mean I shouldn''t buy the stone?

Round
1.14 Ct
G SI1
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent
Girdle Thin to Medium
Table 55
Depth 62.2
Crown Angle 35.5
Pavillion Angle 41.2
Culet None
Flour None

 

[strmrdr]

barf
nooooooooooooooo noooooooooo nooooooo

 

[mrssalvo]

I''m with storm, I''d pass.

 

[dkennedymi]

Is it the crown angle that is the problem? Will this be a horrible-looking diamond. If I look for something comparable with a good HCA score, will the price increase dramatically?

 

[JulieN]

This is called a "steep-deep;" crown and pav is too high. You can use the search to find more on steep/deep combinations

A G SI2 expert selection on Whiteflash is less than 5.5K http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1137368.htm so not a dramatic increase

 

[dkennedymi]

It is actually an SI1 not an SI2

 

[JulieN]

mm, yes, I just couldn't find a G SI1 under Expert Selection

7K for a G SI1 "A Cut Above," Whiteflash's branded hearts and arrows ideal cuts

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-755755.htm

The SI2 looks like it could be eye-clean, though

 

[mrssalvo]

basically for the same amount of $ you''re going to spend you can get a better cut stone. If you like the stone and are comfortable with the price, go for it.

 

[dkennedymi]

I haven''t been able to find a better cut stone for the price. Unfortunately, I have not seen this stone yet either. Can anyone suugest a place to look for a better cut stone for the same money.

 

[JulieN]

One more G SI2...feather inclusions, looks like it''s eye-clean. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/968/

 

[thunkpad]

Date: 4/23/2006 12:43:11 AM
Author: dkennedymi
I haven't been able to find a better cut stone for the price. Unfortunately, I have not seen this stone yet either. Can anyone suugest a place to look for a better cut stone for the same money.

Don't be put off a SI2 from White Flash if they say it's eye clean. You can find SI1 stones that aren't eye-clean and SI2 stones that are - it all comes down to what the eye sees with SI diamonds. A well cut stone is the main priority.

 

[JulieN]

if G SI1, I guess H SI2 isn't much of a stretch. 1.12 A Cut Above (and it's as big as the 1.14 G you first posted, looks clean to me!) http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-6809604 5586 with PS discount

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

This stone will appear about the same size as a diamond of 1.05ct and the leakage area from top down will be that shown in white here - it will be a dull zome in the stone - - it will not look as bad as that when you have 2 eyes - because each looks from a slight angle.

BTW dkennedymi the crown angle nor the pavilion angle by themselves are a problem - it is the combined effect of slightly steep and slightly deep. But if either C or P were combined with a shallower alternate - then it would be a winner.

 

[dkennedymi]

O.K. now I have to admit I am really confused. I thought 6.7mm was a pretty large stone for 1.14 ct. Why will it look like a 1.05 ct. That is certaiinly NOT what I want. I went a little higher than 1.0 ct to get a bigger looking stone. I really could use some help now. I have done a lot of research, but feel like I am just getting more confused now. How should I restart this process?

 

[Mara]

listen to what people are telling you. check out the stones that were posted and compare to what you were looking at.

a 1.15c well-cut stone would probably have a diameter of about 6.8-9mm or so, not 6.7mm depending on the depth.

don't get such a deep stone (62+)...stick with a lower crown angle and pavilion...

also if you are considering a badly cut SI1, consider a well-cut SI2 by a reputable lab, i have an SI2 and having had a VS1 and then an SI1 and now an SI2, they all looked the same to my eyes because they were all very strictly graded by the labs. so it can be a great deal to find an eye-clean SI2 ESPECIALLY if you are upgrading cut in a huge way. the cut is what makes it sparkle and look great.

keep researching!

eta: that WF G SI2 stone looks amazing and it's $5353 with PS discount, see the larger diameter spread?
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=GIA-13924082

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Steeper crown and deeper pavilion = added weight.

Less light return - especially from the crown facets = less brightness at the edges = smaller appearance