Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Help! Looking for quality lite carat...

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
D

diamanda

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 11, 2009
Messages
31
Hi guys,

I''m looking for a super sparkly diamond around 0.90 CT VS2-SI2, Ideal Cut, vg-ex p/s, eye clean and all that.
Budget around $3000.

I narrowed my choices down to 3 (unless anyone has other suggestions/links?):

1) Blue Nile, $3189: 0.93 CT, Ideal cut, ex/ex, H color, SI2, HCA 1.2-1.4
2) USACertedDiamonds, $2954: 0.90 CT, Very Good Cut, ex/vg, G color, SI2, HCA 0.8-0.9
3) USACertedDiamonds, $2780: 0.90 CT, Ideal Cut, ex/ex, H color, SI2, HCA 1.2-1.6

My noob understanding is that it''s best to get Ideal Cuts... but why is the Very Good cut diamond the one with the best HCA score? What do you guys think is the best bang for the buck out of these three? ''

Thanks for any input!
 
You have to show us the input that you use to get that score. Also, HCA is an elimination tool not a selection tool.

At SI1/2 level and lower clarity, I would go with a trusted vendor than BN as it is a drop-shipper and answer to question on eye-cleanliness of the stone is iffy.
 
Here are the numbers I plugged into the cut advisor.

1) Blue Nile, $3189: 0.93 CT, Ideal cut, ex/ex, H color, SI2, HCA 1.2-1.4
D: 62.2% T: 54% Crown: 34.5°/16% Pav: 40.8°/43%

2) USACertedDiamonds, $2954: 0.90 CT, Very Good Cut, ex/vg, G color, SI2, HCA 0.8-0.9
D: 60.4% T: 58% Crown: 33°/14% Pav: 40.8°/43%

3) USACertedDiamonds, $2780: 0.90 CT, Ideal Cut, ex/ex, H color, SI2, HCA 1.2-1.6
D: 61.2% T: 59% Crown: 33.0°/13.5% Pav: 41°/43.5%
 
Ok, the numbers are all good. But the VG cut is due to other reasons, I think probably from the girdle. What is the girdle variation?
 
1) Blue Nile, $3189: 0.93 CT, Ideal cut, ex/ex, H color, SI2, HCA 1.2-1.4
GIRDLE: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted (3.5%)

2) USACertedDiamonds, $2954: 0.90 CT, Very Good Cut, ex/vg, G color, SI2, HCA 0.8-0.9
GIRDLE: Thin to Slightly Thick, Faceted (3.5%)

3) USACertedDiamonds, $2780: 0.90 CT, Ideal Cut, ex/ex, H color, SI2, HCA 1.2-1.6
GIRDLE: Slightly Thick, Faceted (4.0%)

Thanks, StoneCold!

BTW, what do plus signs mean after the clarity grade? For example SI1++ or SI2+++. I don''t know what D.D. means either.
 
I think those are internal designation of USAcerted.

Hmm... I see nothing wrong with the VG cut stone yet. Can you give me the GIA report number for that stone?

EDT:
Ok, I think I got it, GIA do not allow for thin to sltk variation. thin to medium or medium to sltk is Ex but thin to sl thick will be down graded.
 
Sure - it''s 1106294719
 
Ohhhh... so is that too extreme? Thin to slightly thick? Does that detract from the beauty or sparkle of the stone? Out of the three I mentioned, which do you think is the best choice?

Thank you so much for all your expertise!
 
Wait a minute, SORRY - girdle for the stone in question is actually medium-slightly thick. Now what?
 
Ok, check using facetware, it is due to the pavilion angle, girdle is M-STK, 40.8 drop it to VG cut.

Maybe some darkening issue with this stone when look at it close, will know better with an Idealscope image. Not sure if USACerted can provided that but no harm asking. Definitely ask if eye-clean, if not give these stone a miss, we will find something else.
 
Out of the 3, I prefer the BN stone''s number but it is a little iffy with them being drop-shippers and will not provide any images.
 
Date: 6/11/2009 7:58:07 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
I think those are internal designation of USAcerted.

Hmm... I see nothing wrong with the VG cut stone yet. Can you give me the GIA report number for that stone?

EDT:
Ok, I think I got it, GIA do not allow for thin to sltk variation. thin to medium or medium to sltk is Ex but thin to sl thick will be down graded.
Click to expand...
Actually, Ex cut can be thin to slightly thick.


And to the OP, that variation is fine in a diamond. My pick would be #1.
 
I think this is a good stone. How are you on a stone with strong blue fluorescence? This stone has strong blue fluor, meaning the stone will glow in the presence of UV light. I like them but the trade discount such stones, so good for me. :P

If you are interested, ask JA if the stone is eye-clean, if the fluor has any detrimental effect on the stone like making it look oily/hazy and get and Idealscope image of it as final check on the light performance.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1192890.asp

This should be the GIA report of the above stone. Also ask for a scan copy of the report to verify.

http://www2.gia.edu/reportcheck/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.showReportVerification&reportno=6107179993&weight=0.91
 
ya, wrong info there. Sorry.
 
Wrong info? How do you mean?

That does look like a beautiful stone. I was actually going to stay away from strong fluorescence. As long as it''s not oily/hazy it''s still considered pretty good?
 
Date: 6/11/2009 8:34:25 PM
Author: diamanda
Wrong info? How do you mean?

That does look like a beautiful stone. I was actually going to stay away from strong fluorescence. As long as it''s not oily/hazy it''s still considered pretty good?
Click to expand...

Wrong info was with regards to the girdle thickness thin to sltk getting a VG grade, it will not.

Only a very small number of strong/very strong fluor results in oily/hazy look for the stone but best to ask. I have 2 very strong fluor and no such effect. They look just like normal stone in lighting without UV, but change to slight blue with them and glow in the dark in a dark room with black light, very cool effect. :p
 
Date: 6/11/2009 8:09:27 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
Ok, check using facetware, it is due to the pavilion angle, girdle is M-STK, 40.8 drop it to VG cut.

Maybe some darkening issue with this stone when look at it close, will know better with an Idealscope image. Not sure if USACerted can provided that but no harm asking. Definitely ask if eye-clean, if not give these stone a miss, we will find something else.
Click to expand...
Shouldn''t be a problem with that pavilion angle.
 
holy molish... that''s a pretty nice rock. Color grade is down to an "M" though - is that a problem? I''m going to post your link in a new topic so more people can see and put in their two cents. Nice find!
 
Date: 6/12/2009 2:21:44 PM
Author: diamanda
holy molish... that's a pretty nice rock. Color grade is down to an 'M' though - is that a problem? I'm going to post your link in a new topic so more people can see and put in their two cents. Nice find!
Click to expand...
Personally I wouldn't get an M unless you are sure the recipient likes the warmer colour grades, it will show some warmth.
 
Date: 6/12/2009 2:28:29 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
Yap, make sure she likes the look.

Here is a video on color comparison.
http://vimeo.com/3288695
Click to expand...
The video is very helpful diamanda but use it as a guide only as there are so many conflicting factors when it comes to colour - see if you can find some well cut M colour in person of similar size and lab grade ( try Jareds if there is one near you) to see what you think in person. Should you decide to go for that one, Wink who is the vendor is a wonderful gentleman who will advise you on the M colour and all aspects of the diamond and if it is right for you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top