Help choosing between diamonds

[mikew33]

Hey everyone I have narrowed down my choices to the following 5 diamonds (all round brilliant), but I am having a hard time deciding between what to go with.

diamond 1 diamond 2 diamond 3 diamond 4 diamond 5
Carat 1.51 1.66 1.58 1.61 1.56
Cut EX EX EX EX EX
Color G H I H H
Clarity VS1 VVS1 VS1 VS1 VVS1
Measurements 7.31 x 7.34 7.53 x 7.57 7.41 x 7.43 7.45 x 7.47 7.38 x 7.41
Depth 62.3 62.8 62.8 62.9 62.7
Table 57 55 56 56 56
Crown Angle 34.7 35.3 34.5 35.2 35.1
Pavilion Angle 40.9 40.8 41.1 41.0 41.1
Lower Half Length 75% 80% 75% 80% 75%
Star Length 55% 50% 55% 50% 55%
Girdle faceted faceted Bruted Bruted Faceted
HCA Score 1.9 TIC 2.3 2.6 3.0 3.2
Price Above Lowest $7200 $6200 $0 $3000 $4000

I am planning on seeing all the diamond in person and comparing them but I just wanted to get yall's opinion of what was best!

Thank you very much in advance!



Sorry I didnt realize the formatting would get messed up when I posted so I attached a picture of an excel version of the specs for easier reading!

 

[telephone89]

Where are you buying that <0.1 ct = $7200 price increase? Yeesh.

So you ran the HCA, and are still considering stones that are 3+? The HCA is used to weed out stones - if using it, you should be focusing only on stones under 2.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You need some parameters if you aren't using HCA. The only one of those worth considering is the first one. I wouldn't even look at any of the others.

These are measurements to help you stay in ideal cut territory with a GIA excellent cut stone.

table: 54-58

depth: 60-62.3

crown angle: 34-35.0

pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0)

 

[mikew33]

Where are you buying that <0.1 ct = $7200 price increase? Yeesh.

So you ran the HCA, and are still considering stones that are 3+? The HCA is used to weed out stones - if using it, you should be focusing only on stones under 2.

Sorry I actually got the price mixed up between the first two, its actually a 6200 price increase, still steep I know :/

But the price wasnt my main concern it was more the quality of the diamonds, and thats what I was thinking about the HCA needing to be under 2.0, the reason I was considering the others still was that I have seen them in person and did really like them. I have not seen the 1.9 in person yet so I havent been able to compare.

I was not sure if there really would be a drastic difference between the HCA 1.9 and 2.3.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The stone that scores 2.3 is too deep. It is 62.8% depth when 62.3 or 62.4 is the deepest we recommend (and preferably 62 or less to have a better diameter). A 1.66 ct stone should face up over 7.6mm in diameter. All of the last 4 are too deep.

 

[mikew33]

The stone that scores 2.3 is too deep. It is 62.8% depth when 62.3 or 62.4 is the deepest we recommend (and preferably 62 or less to have a better diameter). A 1.66 ct stone should face up over 7.6mm in diameter. All of the last 4 are too deep.

Thank you for your reply! So this may be a pretty basic question but happens when a diamond is too deep, is it only that it faces up small or are there other problems that presents?

 

[telephone89]

The stone that scores 2.3 is too deep. It is 62.8% depth when 62.3 or 62.4 is the deepest we recommend (and preferably 62 or less to have a better diameter). A 1.66 ct stone should face up over 7.6mm in diameter. All of the last 4 are too deep.

Thank you for your reply! So this may be a pretty basic question but happens when a diamond is too deep, is it only that it faces up small or are there other problems that presents?

Basically. You are paying for ct weight that isn't visible. For example, if you pay the premium to have a 1ct but it faces up like a 0.9 ct, you may as well as just save the money and buy a 0.9 ct. They will look identical, but one will cost quite a bit more.

 

[mikew33]

The stone that scores 2.3 is too deep. It is 62.8% depth when 62.3 or 62.4 is the deepest we recommend (and preferably 62 or less to have a better diameter). A 1.66 ct stone should face up over 7.6mm in diameter. All of the last 4 are too deep.

Thank you for your reply! So this may be a pretty basic question but happens when a diamond is too deep, is it only that it faces up small or are there other problems that presents?

Basically. You are paying for ct weight that isn't visible. For example, if you pay the premium to have a 1ct but it faces up like a 0.9 ct, you may as well as just save the money and buy a 0.9 ct. They will look identical, but one will cost quite a bit more.

Thank you very much for your reply!

That actually does make alot of sense, so it seems the first diamond is really the only one that would actually look its carat weight.

So of all these measurements used in the HCA score is depth the most important?

 

[telephone89]

No, no 1 measurement is most important. It's how they all work together.

Use the guidelines that diamondseeker posted a few posts above, run through the HCA and eliminate any that are over 2. Are you working with someone local or buying online?

 

[mikew33]

No, no 1 measurement is most important. It's how they all work together.

Use the guidelines that diamondseeker posted a few posts above, run through the HCA and eliminate any that are over 2. Are you working with someone local or buying online?

I am buying from a physical store.

The one thing I am still unsure of is how much of a difference in the HCA score really means as far as the look of the diamond. If I were to say compare a 2.1 to a 1.9 would I really notice a huge difference or even enough of a difference to not consider the 2.1 versus the 1.9?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

No, no 1 measurement is most important. It's how they all work together.

Use the guidelines that diamondseeker posted a few posts above, run through the HCA and eliminate any that are over 2. Are you working with someone local or buying online?

I am buying from a physical store.

The one thing I am still unsure of is how much of a difference in the HCA score really means as far as the look of the diamond. If I were to say compare a 2.1 to a 1.9 would I really notice a huge difference or even enough of a difference to not consider the 2.1 versus the 1.9?

Thanks again for your help!

Mikew33,

Because I am a member of the trade I will not speak to any of the diamonds you have listed - but I can help clarify the use and purpose of the HCA.

Be sure to read this short tutorial.

https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

Notice, in particular, the paragraph that recommends getting light performance images (Ideal-Scope) of any diamond you are considering. If you have specific concerns about one HCA score versus another, the light performance images will help clarify.