HCA score? Help a 1st-timer. Criticize this stone

[kittygirl]

When I put in the angle information, the HCA shows 3.3 vs. 2.2 when I put in the crown / pavilion %. I can get to 2.1 if I put in crown angle and pavilion %. What does that mean? I know that GIA crown / pavilion numbers are rounded. Can any expert out there tell me if you see anything wrong with this stone? I have seen it in person with my layperson''s eyes, it looks eye clean and brilliant to me. We are about to pull the trigger tomorrow so any 2 cents you have will be hugely appreciated!

2.24 CT Round Brilliant E/ SI2 GIA
Measurements: 8.42 - 8.48 x 5.16 mm
Cut Grade: Excellent
Depth: 61.1 %
Table: 58 %
Crown Angle: 34.5°
Crown Height: 14.5 %
Pavilion Angle: 41.2°
Pavilion Depth: 43.5 %
Star length: 50 %
Lower Half: 80 %
Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Medium Blue
Comments: Surface graining is not shown.

 

[125mph]

I''m new to this but your HCA rating 3.3... thats not too good.

I just ordered my stud earring from Blue Nile, Signature Ideal cut. It got an HCA rating of 1.2... So I hope its real nice lol..

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 10/8/2007 11:49:16 PM
Author:kittygirl

When I put in the angle information, the HCA shows 3.3 vs. 2.2 when I put in the crown / pavilion %. I can get to 2.1 if I put in crown angle and pavilion %. What does that mean? I know that GIA crown / pavilion numbers are rounded.

% data are not as accurate. There are warnings there to tell you that

 

[kittygirl]

Gary or others,
Do you see anything wrong with these dimensions?

 

[belle]

Date: 10/9/2007 10:53:40 AM
Author: kittygirl
Gary or others,
Do you see anything wrong with these dimensions?

the all knowing hca is probably trying to give you a hint with the score of 3.3
if you are getting a good price and you love the diamond, go for it. otherwise, you can keep looking.
are there better diamonds out there? of course. but they may be more expensive or not to your liking. the bottom line is, if you''ve found a diamond that you are truly happy with, don''t second guess yourself. however if you feel like you haven''t seen enough diamonds to KNOW that this is a good one for you, take your time and look at more. the most important thing is that you need to be happy with your purchase.

 

[mfishbein]

Im a newbie so dont take this as law but Id pay close attention to the florescence of the stone. Diamonds that have fluorescence are considered to be of "lower quality" that diamonds without. This is why the diamonds with florescence are cheaper. However...some people dont mind and even like the tints the diamond can portray under certain lighting conditions.

For the experts here....if I am off on this fell free to put me in my place...Im still learning.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 10/9/2007 11:06:04 AM
Author: mfishbein

Im a newbie so dont take this as law but Id pay close attention to the florescence of the stone. Diamonds that have fluorescence are considered to be of 'lower quality' that diamonds without. This is why the diamonds with florescence are cheaper. However...some people dont mind and even like the tints the diamond can portray under certain lighting conditions.

For the experts here....if I am off on this fell free to put me in my place...Im still learning.

Welcome to PS mfishbein.

I'm not surprised you have heard this - it's an old-school trade notion that some pros perpetuate. It was disavowed in 1997 by this GIA study which is a great read, especially for people intrigued by fluorescence (many consumers actively seek it).

Excerpt: "In the table-up position (as is commonly encountered in jewelry), diamonds described as strongly or very strongly fluorescent were, on average, reported as having a better color appearance than less fluorescent stones. In this study, blue fluorescence was found to have even less effect on transparency. These observations confirm GIA GTL’s experience grading millions of diamonds over the decades... ...The present study also challenges the trade perception that fluorescence usually has a negative effect on better-color diamonds. Our results show that the diamond industry would be better served by considering each individual diamond on its own visual merits."

When graded by a reputable lab one will rarely observe the effects of medium and below blue fluor in the D-Z range, unless you're in a dark room with UV light (boogielight).

 

[mfishbein]

John,
Great info....much appreciated. To be honest, I''ve never seen a diamond with florescence...so as you figured out Im going strictly on what people have told me. I went to 47th st to purchase my ring and when I asked about diamonds with florescence the jeweler said she only sells stones without it. From my limited experience, with all things being equal, a diamond without will be cheaper than a diamond with.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/9/2007 11:26:57 AM
Author: mfishbein
John,
Great info....much appreciated. To be honest, I''ve never seen a diamond with florescence...so as you figured out Im going strictly on what people have told me. I went to 47th st to purchase my ring and when I asked about diamonds with florescence the jeweler said she only sells stones without it. From my limited experience, with all things being equal, a diamond without will be cheaper than a diamond with.

I can fix that, sorta.

Look in here, about halfway down. There are 3 pics by vivianv, her stone is an M, with strong blue flo.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 10/9/2007 11:26:57 AM
Author: mfishbein

John,
Great info....much appreciated. To be honest, I've never seen a diamond with florescence...so as you figured out Im going strictly on what people have told me. I went to 47th st to purchase my ring and when I asked about diamonds with florescence the jeweler said she only sells stones without it. From my limited experience, with all things being equal, a diamond without will be cheaper than a diamond with.

No problem. You're correct that the trade discounts fluorescence slightly as a rule so they can be a bargain. Our company was established by a diamond cutter who's fully aware that it's not a negative - but he's cut from "old diamantaire" cloth and still resists fluorescent stones for his signature line (we young'uns *cough* are working on him to permit it more).

In addition to Ellen's link, here are some photos showing different kinds of fluorescence under UV light.

 

[vivianv]

Did someone say fluorescence??

Here is a photo of my 1.24ct M with strong blue under a black light.
I love it and would never have stone without it again. It has so much character , like a chameleon it changes all the time.I swear sometimes it puts out a little puff of blue haze.
It also has the advantage of making it really easy to identify my stone, the one inclusion it has shows up really well under that light as you can see! It is invisible under most conditions otherwise. [well to me, but I am nearsighted as all get out]

OH...plus, if my stone ever pops out of its setting I''ll be able to find it,even in the yard, with the black light!!LOL

Fluoro is not for everyone, of course, but I just love what it does to a stone.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 10/9/2007 11:58:37 AM
Author: JohnQuixote

Date: 10/9/2007 11:26:57 AM
Author: mfishbein

John,
Great info....much appreciated. To be honest, I''ve never seen a diamond with florescence...so as you figured out Im going strictly on what people have told me. I went to 47th st to purchase my ring and when I asked about diamonds with florescence the jeweler said she only sells stones without it. From my limited experience, with all things being equal, a diamond without will be cheaper than a diamond with.

No problem. You''re correct that the trade discounts fluorescence slightly as a rule so they can be a bargain. Our company was established by a diamond cutter who''s fully aware that it''s not a negative - but he''s cut from ''old diamantaire'' cloth and still resists fluorescent stones for his signature line (we young''uns *cough* are working on him to permit it more).

In addition to Ellen''s link, here are some photos showing different kinds of fluorescence under UV light.

Is it something that other Fluoro lovers could bring pressure to bear and change his beliefs John?
I am willing to twist the old b*ggers arm and even bend his little finger back next time I see him

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/9/2007 7:45:48 PM
Author: vivianv
Did someone say fluorescence??

Here is a photo of my 1.24ct M with strong blue under a black light.

Great pic!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 10/10/2007 3:41:11 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)

Date: 10/9/2007 11:58:37 AM
Author: JohnQuixote

No problem. You're correct that the trade discounts fluorescence slightly as a rule so they can be a bargain. Our company was established by a diamond cutter who's fully aware that it's not a negative - but he's cut from 'old diamantaire' cloth and still resists fluorescent stones for his signature line (we young'uns *cough* are working on him to permit it more).

In addition to Ellen's link, here are some photos showing different kinds of fluorescence under UV light.

Is it something that other Fluoro lovers could bring pressure to bear and change his beliefs John?
I am willing to twist the old b*ggers arm and even bend his little finger back next time I see him

Careful Garry. He has the strength of ten men. You might just try that auld aussie charm?