Help-How is this Diamond -1st time buyer

[Shravank30]

Hello

I have been offered this diamond online and I cannot check it in person.

I am attaching the photos of the diamond and the details

The price is nearly 6,200 USD for the stone
It is 1.37 carat J coloured VS1 with no fluorescence with HCA of less then 2
It is GIA certified
As it is my 1st diamond buy i will appreciate any help

Thanks for advising

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would pass on this one. You can get a better GIA XXX stone than this one. It has more leakage than I would like. I also find it hard to believe it is VS1. What is your budget?

 

[Shravank30]

Hello

Thanks for advising

The GIA report number is 1189683123
You can verify the same yourself also, in case I have missed something

My budget is around 6,000 USD for a 1.30 Carat+ size
I would prefer a bigger table size so that the diamond appears bigger
The diamond i referred to has a table of 60%
Also the stone should not have a brown or grey tint body color and this stone has a white body colour as per the seller

Any other stone you can recommend ?

 

[Gypsy]

Biiger table doesn't make a diamond look bigger. *sigh*

 

[Shravank30]

Biiger table doesn't make a diamond look bigger. *sigh*

In several posts on the forum I think more people agreed that a bigger table gives an illusion of bigger diamond, hence my belief


[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/same-gia-cut-grade-big-table-or-small-table.110193/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/same-gia-cut-grade-big-table-or-small-table.110193/[/URL]

Thanks for advising

 

[John P]

I also find it hard to believe it is VS1.

Good eye. The GIA report says SI1.
http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?rep...ename=GIA/Dispatcher&c=Page&cid=1355954554547

It has more leakage than I would like.

With respect, DS, I don't gather that. I intuit that the photographer has the lens too close to the stone, causing far more than the 30-40 degrees of obstruction we're accustomed-to in PS Vendor photos, and casting a lot of darkness into the photo. The measurements on the grading report do not imply such leakage. We would need to see a photo in a structured light-performance environment such as Ideal-Scope or ASET to make that judgment... Mag photos have so much variability. They are kind of a wild-wild-west of obstruction (as seen here) in addition to other oddities.

 

[John P]

Biiger table doesn't make a diamond look bigger. *sigh*

In several posts on the forum I think more people agreed that a bigger table gives an illusion of bigger diamond, hence my belief

Ish... A bigger table can cause a "glare" factor in some lighting that makes for a single, huge, flash. That's cool, but it's fleeting and really confined to certain light environments. In another sense a larger table combined with a shallow crown angle may allow the diamond's spread to increase, but in this case the girdle is 3% of the depth, causing a spread of 7.25mm, which is only 0.01mm greater than a well-cut Tolkowsky Ideal with a 61.5% depth.

The best size "illusion" is not an illusion at all, but comes from edge-to-edge light return in all light environments, even soft/romantic lighting. That is a result of optimum table + crown-angle + pavilion-angle, with appropriate minor facet choices, cut consistency and 3D optical precision. It's not about a single measurement...like a supermodel it's how all the parts work together.

 

[Gypsy]

What you need to know:
The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough. And you must stick to GIA and AGS only. EGL is a bad option: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/[/URL]
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones. Make sure to keep the crown over 34, the pavilion 41 and under and the depth at 62.4 and above.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. Under 2 is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score 2 and under is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. BGD, James Allen, GOG, HPD, ERD and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.

 

[Shravank30]

Hello

I have asked asked the vendor if he can provide me with Ideal scope and ASET photos also of the diamond

He has promised to check and revert back

In the meantime let me clarify a few points raised above

1. There is no return policy
2. I cannot check the diamond with any instrument as recommended as it is online only. It comes in my hand only after full payment

Thanks for advising

 

[Gypsy]

NO. NO. NO.

NO purchase of diamonds with a no-return policy EVER from a retail place.

 

[Shravank30]

Hello

In India E commerce is just taking off
So there are several sites which are acting as an enabling mechanism between the buyer and seller.

The role of the site is limited to ensuring that the item is as per the specifications mentioned in the description.

If the item is as advertised , then i have no recourse of returning them, just because the item does not meet my expectations.

If I go to a retail jeweler, in my city where I can actually see them, I will have to pay anywhere between 25-50% premium on the internet price and moreover I will have to choose between very few stones, as I am not in Mumbai where all the major diamond trading takes place.
Each retailer may have only 2-3 stones in my size and colour and price range

So what do you suggest ?

Thanks for helping

 

[Shravank30]

Hello

Aset or Ideal scope images are not available

So what is recommended by members ?

Should I buy it or leave it ?

 

[John P]

There are many sellers who don't provide Ideal-Scope or ASET images. That's has less implications in a showroom (although the showroom sellers I work-with have an ASET viewer to use with clients), but when buying online there will be hidden cut-variables without such an image.

NO purchase of diamonds with a no-return policy EVER from a retail place.

I agree with this 100%. Especially if it's an online seller who does not offer performance images.

Where are you located?

 

[Shravank30]

Hello

I am located in Bangalore, India

Thanks for advising

 

[Gypsy]

What size and color and budget range are you looking?

 

[Shravank30]

Hello

Size 1.25 carat +

Colour J or better colour (stone should not appear yellow or brown to a naked eye so Body colour should be white not Grey or brown

VS1 (Should be 100% Eye clean)

Budget around 6000-6500 USD

Thanks for advising

 

[Dancing Fire]

Hello

I have asked asked the vendor if he can provide me with Ideal scope and ASET photos also of the diamond

He has promised to check and revert back

In the meantime let me clarify a few points raised above

1. There is no return policy
2. I cannot check the diamond with any instrument as recommended as it is online only. It comes in my hand only after full payment

Thanks for advising

Run !...

 

[Shravank30]

Hello

I have been offered 1 more diamond @ 6500 USD
1.41 carats RBC 3X GIA J colour SI1
The HCA score is 1

The GIA report number is 2186290709

I am posting an image of the same


There are no other images available.


I have also been told verbally that the diamond has a light green tinch when asked about the body colour to the vendor

Can the experienced members give some advice based on the GIA report and the single image i have uploaded ?

This diamond can be shown to me before i commit to buy.

But as a layman, frankly, can I make a good decision on buying even after physically seeing it as this is my 1st purchase of a diamond and what little knowledge i have is from the internet going through mainly this forum posts and physically examining about 10 stones under a loupe

Thanks for advising

 

[JulieN]

Is it eye-clean? the cut appears to be acceptable.

 

[Shravank30]

Hello

Its eye clean as per the vendor
(Also Its SI1 & not VS1 as mentioned by mistake in above post earlier)

Thanks for advising

 

[kenny]

So, from India you can't just log onto sites like www.whiteflash.com or www.goodoldgold.com??
If you can log on, can you buy from these excellent vendors?
Is the import tax/customs/duty etc. prohibitively high?

 

[Shravank30]

Hello

Whiteflash site seems to be down.
I cant open it

There is nothing in my range of 6000 to 6500$ above 1.3 carats in the goodoldgold site

Thanks for helping

 

[Shravank30]

Is it eye-clean? the cut appears to be acceptable.

Hello

Thanks for the cut confirmation.

Can you also make out the color or the green tinch (shade/chroma/tint) which the vendor was talking about ?

Thanks for advising

 

[JulieN]

Maybe, but it really is impossible to tell from photographs.

 

[Shravank30]

Hello

Ideal scope and Aset scope is available for purchase in India also.
I presume they are the basic models costing about a 100 USD

I don't mind spending that amount if I can make good use of it in ascertaining the quality of the solitaire I intend to buy.

Please advise keeping in mind that i am a novice and have never used these instruments before

Thanks for advising

 

[Shravank30]

Hello

I am unable to upload new photos of a diamond offered to me

Do I have to remove the old photos ?

The photos are 500Kb approx jpg photos

Thanks for advising

 

[arkieb1]

Is it eye-clean? the cut appears to be acceptable.

Hello

Thanks for the cut confirmation.

Can you also make out the color or the green tinch (shade/chroma/tint) which the vendor was talking about ?

Thanks for advising

Not exactly in the photo but you should be aware that diamonds with a green undertone and tint/tone to them are frequently from Zimbabwe - google Zimbabwe green hued or tinted diamonds which is very unpleasant if you have ever seen one of these stones - they have a murky sludgy greeny greyish brown colour in real life and never face up white or a pleasant colour to look at and they are usually priced accordingly ie they are cheaper because they are more difficult to unload.

There is no corner cutting when you purchase a diamond and no great bargains - most of the time you get exactly what you pay for. You would be better off IMHO with a top cut (top fire) slightly smaller stone.

 

[farmer gal]

Based on the numbers you could call B2C to see if they would offer an ideal scope on the following diamond:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6193133-1.35-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=6193133&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

Another option:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6593209-1.30-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

I would not purchase anything that you are unable to return.

 

[WinkHPD]

Is it eye-clean? the cut appears to be acceptable.

Hello

Thanks for the cut confirmation.

Can you also make out the color or the green tinch (shade/chroma/tint) which the vendor was talking about ?

Thanks for advising

Not exactly in the photo but you should be aware that diamonds with a green undertone and tint/tone to them are frequently from Zimbabwe - google Zimbabwe green hued or tinted diamonds which is very unpleasant if you have ever seen one of these stones - they have a murky sludgy greeny greyish brown colour in real life and never face up white or a pleasant colour to look at and they are usually priced accordingly ie they are cheaper because they are more difficult to unload.

There is no corner cutting when you purchase a diamond and no great bargains - most of the time you get exactly what you pay for. You would be better off IMHO with a top cut (top fire) slightly smaller stone.

When I buy a diamond from Belgium and when I sell one, this is but one of the statements that is on each receipt from my vendor:

By shipping goods pursuant to this invoice, we warrant that, to the best of our knowledge, the diamonds invoiced have not originated from Zimbabwe and have received similar assurance of non-Zimbabwe origin from any supplier from whom we have obtained the diamonds invoiced.

If the diamond you are looking at is from Zimbabwe, it is NOT acceptable if you have any concern for human rights.

As was stated earlier, there are few, if any bargains in the diamond world. If a diamond seems cheap, there is ALWAYS a reason. Most often, you may not like the reason if you take the time to find out about it.

Wink