HCA vs BrillanceScope vs IdealScope

[nobody]

Which one should be most relied upon when choosing a diamond? I am very confused.

For example:

This is a diamond from goodoldgold:
GIA #15651421 (since the report does not have the specs; here are specs from the helium report courtesy of goodoldgold)

Depth 61.1%
Table 54.2%
Crown 36.28 degrees
pavillion 41.75 degrees
Culet 0.3%

HCA score of 4.5

BUT, the Gemex BrillianceScope report (also from goodoldgold) has this diamond pegged all the way at Very High for all three: white light(brilliance), color light(fire), scintillation(sparkle)

I am also confused by the IdealScope pictures shown by some of the vendors. It seems to me that the A Cut Above diamonds from WhiteFlash (which I thought would be good candidates to see how a good diamond should look like) seem to show a lot of white leakage.

So, Which should be relied upon to choose a diamond?

 

[gontama]

C/P indicates solasfera, not a regular RB.
HCA does not work for it.
Its appearance with extra facets differs from RB.
Need to see in person for comparison.
It comes with some premium.

 

[gontama]

I am also confused by the IdealScope pictures shown by some of the vendors. It seems to me that the A Cut Above diamonds from WhiteFlash (which I thought would be good candidates to see how a good diamond should look like) seem to show a lot of white leakage.

So, Which should be relied upon to choose a diamond?

Solasfeara closes all the light leakages for good reasons.

WF/ACA (RB) also has one cut style that has no leakage for good reasons. It also has another cut style that has intentional leakage around the edge, which I assume is what you refer to as "a lot of white leakage", for good reasons. It also has yet another cut style which mixes the above two styles. HCA works for WF/ACA.

Solasfeara and WF/ACA come with nice light performance with different personality. Both are nice but are quite different in appearance.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

http://www.ideal-scope.com/newsletters_issue003.asp explains leakage seen with an ideal-scope and how it contributes when it is in the right places.

It is possible to cut diamonds that light up in the Bscope lighting positions, but are dull in others.

Ideal-scope is a good selection tool. HCA is a good rejection tool, but as above - only for round brilliant cuts

 

[Chris Mead]

Your eyes are the best judge.

Despite having an array of "tools" & "specs" i accept or reject a stone depending on how it looks.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/8/2007 6:43:13 AM
Author: Chris Mead
Your eyes are the best judge.

Despite having an array of ''tools'' & ''specs'' i accept or reject a stone depending on how it looks.

That''s kind of hard though, when one is buying online.

To the OP, as Gary said, IS pics are what you should focus on, after you''ve read enough to fully understand what you''re seeing in them.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/8/2007 3:58:40 AM
Author: gontama

I am also confused by the IdealScope pictures shown by some of the vendors. It seems to me that the A Cut Above diamonds from WhiteFlash (which I thought would be good candidates to see how a good diamond should look like) seem to show a lot of white leakage.

So, Which should be relied upon to choose a diamond?

WF/ACA (RB) also has one cut style that has no leakage for good reasons. It also has another cut style that has intentional leakage around the edge, which I assume is what you refer to as 'a lot of white leakage', for good reasons. It also has yet another cut style which mixes the above two styles. HCA works for WF/ACA.

These 2 styles are known as New Line ( little to no intentional leakage) and Classic line ( with the controlled leakage). It is a matter of preference as to which style can appeal more to the consumer, although from what I understand, the actual difference is subtle, when comparing diamonds of both styles.

 

[Londonchris]

Date: 11/8/2007 7:45:34 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 11/8/2007 6:43:13 AM
Author: Chris Mead
Your eyes are the best judge.

Despite having an array of 'tools' & 'specs' i accept or reject a stone depending on how it looks.

That's kind of hard though, when one is buying online.

 

[Chris Mead]

Date: 11/8/2007 7:45:34 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 11/8/2007 6:43:13 AM
Author: Chris Mead
Your eyes are the best judge.

Despite having an array of ''tools'' & ''specs'' i accept or reject a stone depending on how it looks.

That''s kind of hard though, when one is buying online.

I buy all my stones online...simply send back what you don`t like.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/8/2007 8:28:34 AM
Author: Chris Mead

Date: 11/8/2007 7:45:34 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 11/8/2007 6:43:13 AM
Author: Chris Mead
Your eyes are the best judge.

Despite having an array of 'tools' & 'specs' i accept or reject a stone depending on how it looks.

That's kind of hard though, when one is buying online.

I buy all my stones online...simply send back what you don`t like.

Not everyone has the financial means to have more than 1 stone sent to compare. Or have independent appraisers in the area to have them sent there. And shipping multiple stones back and forth gets expensive. That's great if you can do that!

However, if someone doesn't know what they're doing (hasn't seen a variety of stones, hasn't done online homework to determine what's a great possiblity), and they're buying online, they won't have a clue what their eyes are telling them anyway. So there IS some legwork that needs to be done.

In the end, yes, your eyes will tell you if you like it, but it's not as simple as you make it out to be.

 

[nobody]

Date: 11/8/2007 5:35:50 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
http://www.ideal-scope.com/newsletters_issue003.asp explains leakage seen with an ideal-scope and how it contributes when it is in the right places.

It is possible to cut diamonds that light up in the Bscope lighting positions, but are dull in others.

Ideal-scope is a good selection tool. HCA is a good rejection tool, but as above - only for round brilliant cuts

Thank you for the information, I just realized that you are the CUT NUT.

Knowing that a diamond can be cut to light up the Bscope, Can I assume that, Diamonds can also be cut to fit the parameters of your HCA, but are duds.

How about the Ideal-Scope?, Could a diamond be cut to look great under the Ideal-Scope, but perform poorly?

Am I correct to say(dealing with the Ideal-Scope), Leakage around the girdle is good and adds contrast, While under no circumstance should there be leakage at/around the table area.

 

[nobody]

Date: 11/8/2007 8:28:34 AM
Author: Chris Mead

Date: 11/8/2007 7:45:34 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 11/8/2007 6:43:13 AM
Author: Chris Mead
Your eyes are the best judge.

Despite having an array of ''tools'' & ''specs'' i accept or reject a stone depending on how it looks.

That''s kind of hard though, when one is buying online.

I buy all my stones online...simply send back what you don`t like.

As what poster Ellen has said in a previous post.
"However, if someone doesn''t know what they''re doing (hasn''t seen a variety of stones, hasn''t done online homework to determine what''s a great possiblity), and they''re buying online, they won''t have a clue what their eyes are telling them anyway. So there IS some legwork that needs to be done."

I have not seen a variety of stones and I have no clue as to what my eyes are telling me. (I dont own/wear any jewelry and did not have a clue on diamonds until I found PriceScope, I am still lacking on knowledge) The reason I found this forum was because I became so intimdated going to a local Jewelry Store. (Probably due to how I was brought up, but I felt like they were used car salesmans trying to make a quick sale.)

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 11/12/2007 8:57:09 PM
Author: nobody

Date: 11/8/2007 5:35:50 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
http://www.ideal-scope.com/newsletters_issue003.asp explains leakage seen with an ideal-scope and how it contributes when it is in the right places.

It is possible to cut diamonds that light up in the Bscope lighting positions, but are dull in others.

Ideal-scope is a good selection tool. HCA is a good rejection tool, but as above - only for round brilliant cuts

Thank you for the information, I just realized that you are the CUT NUT.

Knowing that a diamond can be cut to light up the Bscope, Can I assume that, Diamonds can also be cut to fit the parameters of your HCA, but are duds. yes- with too much of the wrong painting, bad symmetry etc

How about the Ideal-Scope?, Could a diamond be cut to look great under the Ideal-Scope, but perform poorly? it could be possible in a square carre'', but not in other cuts.

Am I correct to say(dealing with the Ideal-Scope), Leakage around the girdle is good and adds contrast, While under no circumstance should there be leakage at/around the table area. read http://www.ideal-scope.com/newsletters_issue003.asp and under the table - in most set ups leakage under the table that appears to be = to 50% pale pink actually = about 25% leakage. All well cut diamonds leak about 15% inside the table, so do not be too hard on a slightly paler region just inside as the ideal-scope is already being too hard on the stone.