Hearts and Arrows

[mfg0313]

Quick Question about Hearts and Arrows "certification"

I have a EGL Belgium certified stone that I am considering. Under the Comments section of the cert that says "H&A effect" Does this mean that the stone is actually hearts and arrows or just has some characteristics.
Here are the specs of the stone:
Round
VS2
I color
Ideal Cut
Proportions: Excellent
Depth 60.6%
Table 57%
Crown 15%
Pavilion 43%
Finish Excellent

The seller is putting a lot of emphasis on this "H&A effect" and the price is about 20% higher then similar stones that do not have any statement about H&A....just want to know if this "Effect" is worth the price.

 

[oldminer]

The quality of the H&A effect is always an issue and a gray area. Diamonds of truly top make generally find their way to the AGS Lab these days. You must ask yourself "Why is this an EGL documented diamond and not an AGSL documented one?" There may be a good reason, but there may be some problem or lessened degree of quality than what would pass muster at some other laboratories. You can''t be the one to know this and simply trusting the seller is very nice, but is it safe enough to suit you?

The diamond may be a great stone, but with an EGL paper, I doubt anyone would be able to get a strong premium price within the trade. Sure, they can ask you for a premium price, but you can''t be expected to know if it is worth a premium or not. Don''t pay extra for a diamond that sup[posedly has a H&A effect unless it is totally certified to max and has been compared by your eyes to other stones of similar quality. You may find the H&A premium is not worth the extra cost or you may decide it is exactly what suits your taste best. None of us can know how you will feel about it. It is highly personal.

 

[Regular Guy]

1) I think Dave''s emphasis is the right one.
2) There''s apparently no standardization here (maybe in Japan?) for H&A
3) Even good labs, like PGS, who offer to grade H&A, have shown bowsers here when you actually see the H&A.

Read up on EGL, absolutely (using the search box at upper right). Frequently, we say if EGL, consider USA only.