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Help with daimond review

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J

jcspublic

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
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This is my first time posting and also my first time buying a daimond (for engagement ring).

I went to a local jeweler who has very good reviews on Yelp to see what I could purchase and I think I''ve had an ''odd'' experience. I''m looking for a stone (RB) around 3/4c that is eye-clean and when I went in to the store (David & Son''s Jewelers in San Diego or La Jolla) I was shown about 4 stones. two were SI2 and I was able to see defects without magnification. The other two were rated higher (VS1 I believe) and looked great but only one was quoted around my price range (~2000 to ~2500). Also all the stones were EGL USA certified not AGS or GIA. The man helping me indicated that he had a number of additional stones in the cuts/qualities/sizes that I wanted but they were already set. I would like to see the stone unset if I were to buy it but should I expect that he''d take them out of settings to show me additional inventory? or is this not usual?

I walked out of there possible liking one stone but wanted to know if the specs sound ok for the price

EGL USA cert
Report 89269305D
RB
0.80CT
''EGL IDEAL'' cut
VS1
Color: I
Fluorescence: None
5.89 - 5.85 x 3.65mm
Depth 62.2%
Table 60%
Crown 34.1 deg
Pav 40.5 deg
Cul: None
Polish: EX
Sym: VG
*supposedly its H&A and the cert H&A picture looks ''ok'' but in store it didn''t look nearly as symmetrical
*Also scores a 1.4 on PS Holloway Cut Advisor
PRICE: $2150

I really don''t know what to think about this stone. Is it junk or possibly worthwhile pursuing? I''ve also read that EGL isn''t as strict as GIA or AGS. Should I be very worried about that? Unfortunately not having a lot of stones to compare I don''t feel like I have an accurate eye-comparison to even know if it looks as good as a daimond should. By itself it looked great but I''m so inexperienced I wouldn''t know the difference yet.

All help is appreciated.

Thanks
Josh
 
Josh,

Welcome!

Price seems broadly fair, compared to other diamonds offered at least here.

I compared to others that were between .75 - .89, I, VS1, and non AGS and non GIA. These ranged from $1500 - $3100, putting yours in the middle, give or take $7500.

EGL USA is considered among the best of EGL, and will make a thumbs up for some folks criteria, vs other EGL that the same folk would reject.
 
I''m not over impressed by the specs. I would reject the stone and move on, unless your choices are severely limited.

A 60% table with a 34 degree crown has no reason to be 62.2% deep, unless there is a lot of hidden weight packed in there that you''re paying for, but won''t see.
I''d be wanting 61% or less depth with a 60% table. Even with a smaller table size or bigger crown angle, I would reject anything above 61.8% depth.

The 34.1/40.5 angle combination leaves me a little concerned about the interaction between the angles. GIA would not allow such a stone into their Excellent grade (and PS members consider GIA to be too lenient on cut grade).

I also don''t see much chance of a H&A diamond *only* scoring very good for symmetry (considering that it scored excellent for polish).
 
EGL USA cert
Report 89269305D
RB
0.80CT
''EGL IDEAL'' cut
VS1
Color: I
Fluorescence: None
5.89 - 5.85 x 3.65mm
Depth 62.2%
Table 60%
Crown 34.1 deg
Pav 40.5 deg
Cul: None
Polish: EX
Sym: VG
*supposedly its H&A and the cert H&A picture looks ''ok'' but in store it didn''t look nearly as symmetrical
*Also scores a 1.4 on PS Holloway Cut Advisor
PRICE: $2150
Click to expand...
Here''s what jumps out at me. Unless there is a typo here, this is a shallow angled diamond but a fairly high overall depth. With those angles, I would have expected a depth of ~60%. Someone with more experience is going to have to weigh in on that.
 
Is this a pre-'95 cert?

It's not coming up on the EGL-USA report check online...
 
Date: 12/29/2009 6:41:04 PM
Author: tyty333
Take a look at ths stone - an AGS I/VS1 H&A $2170
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1276707.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

If you look at the measurements on your stone and this stone they are almost exactly the same. It scores a 0.8 HCA.

JET - or can someone else comment on these: table/depth 60.8/56.5 angles - 33.9/40.7
Click to expand...
Nice find, tyty! The hearts image and IS still need loaded by JA and I'd want to see the IS to confirm that there is no obstruction (should be OK with 40.7 pavillion, it just never hurts to be sure). It looks like a great diamond.
 
Thank you all for your input. I''ll search around some more and maybe entertain the idea of buying online. A couple things I''m hesitant about are

1) How does the reality of the daimond (way it actually looks) stack up to the stats. Seeing is believing and that''s hard to do with online
2) D&S the store I was in has a free life-time clean/repair policy for the ring. Not sure how much that''s really worth but I imagine going online I''ll be stuck servicing a ring out of pocket. Should I care about this?

I''ll check out that JA daimond and do some more digging.

Thanks,
Josh
 
Date: 12/29/2009 7:25:07 PM
Author: jcspublic
Thank you all for your input. I'll search around some more and maybe entertain the idea of buying online. A couple things I'm hesitant about are

1) How does the reality of the daimond (way it actually looks) stack up to the stats. Seeing is believing and that's hard to do with online The various tools available can really show how a diamond will stack up, especially rounds. The numbers on round brilliants are very telling and along with photos and Idealscope images give a great idea of what the stone will look like. With most of the PS vendors, including James Allen, you can call them and talk to a gemologist as they are looking at the diamond to get their professional opinion, as well. Then you have a 30 day return period if you don't like how it looks in person, though if you do the research that is not likely to happen. Of course, many brick and mortar stores will tell you that you HAVE to see the diamond in person because they are competing with the online vendors. Stick to a respected vendor and you will have no problem.
2) D&S the store I was in has a free life-time clean/repair policy for the ring. Not sure how much that's really worth but I imagine going online I'll be stuck servicing a ring out of pocket. Should I care about this? Most jewelry stores will clean and inspect a ring free of charge, regardless of where you bought it.

I'll check out that JA daimond and do some more digging.

Thanks,
Josh
Click to expand...
 
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