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Help with HCA

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squiggletester

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
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I need help understanding the HCA score.

I have 4 stones I am looking at.

Two score 0.7 on the HCA scale, but both fall outside the AGS and GIA lines on the graph. They both score Excellent on the first three specs, and Very Good on the Spread.

I have a 1.3 that recieves Ex, Ex, Ex, VG and falls within both the AGS and GIA lines on the graph.

I have a 1.4 that receives Ex, Ex, VG, VG and falls within both the AGS and GIA lines on the graph.

So, what gives? I am going nuts...
33.gif


Thanks,

Steve
 
Post the numbers your running through HCA and perhaps we can see what you''re looking at........

welcome btw......
 
Date: 9/13/2006 5:13:39 PM
Author: JulieN
Everything you need to know is on this page. http://diamonds.pricescope.com/ideal.asp

HCA advanced here: http://www.diamond-cut.com.au/

If you post the full proportions, it will be easier to explain.
Click to expand...
So says you.

My level of sophistication doesn't get a whole lot beyond what the poster posted.

Unless you'll go see them, consider picking #3, and have a nice day.

P.S. Hopefully others will do better, I call 'em as I see em.

(edited to add...) I wrote a couple of times about VEN0, one of which is here. That's all this is about.
 
Ok. you asked for it. Some will be out of order, so bear with me.

1) 0.7 - Ex, Ex, Ex, VG - Price: $x,xxx
0.47, F, VS1
Symmetry - ID
Polish - ID
Depth - 61.4%
Table - 55.9%
Crown Angle - 34.2
Pavilion Angle - 40.6
Culet - None

2) HCA - 0.7 - Ex, Ex, Ex, VG - Price: $ +165
Round, 0.51, F, VS1,
Depth: 61.2%
Table: 55%
GIA Cut Grade: Very Good
Inclusions: Feather PP,
Polish: Excellent - Ideal
Symmetry: Excellent - Ideal
Girdle: Medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Crown Angle: 33°
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°

3) HCA - 1.3 - Ex, Ex, Ex, VG - Price - $ +253
Round, 0.5, F, VS1
GIA Cut Grade - Excellent
Symmetry: EX
Polish: EX
Depth - 61.5%
Table - 55%
Crown Angle - 34.5
Pavilion Angle - 40.8

4) HCA - 1.4 - Ex, Ex, VG, VG - Price - $ +165
Round, 0.51, F, VS1
Depth: 62.2 %
Table: 55 %
Girdle: Medium, Faceted
Culet: None
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Clarity Characteristics: Cloud
Crown Angle: 34°
Pavilion Angle: 41°
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent

I am leaning to #3, but don''t understand what the HCA number is telling me. What is the optimum score?

Thanks,

Steve



 
The HCA is telling you that all stones have proportions that work. There is no optimum score (more information is needed.) Probably not 2, though. Does it say on the report why it got a VG cut grade? Pictures?
 
No, it didn''t say why it got a VG. I confirmed it by checking the tool / graph on the GIA website - very similar to the HCA system, I''d guess. It just barely fell outside of the Excellent range.

Steve
 
ah, yes, my bad.

So why are you leaning towards 3?
 
Well, stone 3 is the only stone that I have details on - from bluenile. I''ve looked over a lot of their GCAL reports, and the photomicrograph of this particular stone looks very organized.

As, I can''t get simiilar info on the others, I feel stuck. I was hoping this tool would help me understand these other stones better. Unfortunately, it only seems to be confirming things... (#3 has 3 excellents and 1 VG, vs 2 ex and 2 vg))

I am seeking the absolute best stone I can find in my price range at this size, and when I can''t get similar info from different vendors it is really frustrating.

Unfortunately, I like the setting offering from another vendor than from stone 3. It''s really killing me...

-Steve
 
Pavilion view looks pretty good, hearts are hard to make out but from what can be seen look good. Needs a better picture, though, to check if hearts and arrows.

Post a picture of the setting?
 
Yes, thank you. I did find your first listed stone very early in my search. I ruled this vendor out due to their short 10-day return schedule. There is a serious likelihood that my wife will want another setting, she''s pickier than I am. And, I need more than 10-days for several different reasons.

Also, not real excited by their settings.

Finally, I am not ready to drop to G color. I could accept VS2 - but EVERYTHING else would have to be absolutely perfect.

Thanks,

Steve
 
This one would be about $900. in white gold.....

19359.jpg
 
James Allen's collection of HA stones is here: http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/signature-series-rounds.cfm and I see 3 .57 G VS1s. PS discount is 5% Maybe you could ask Jim Schultz to get in touch with his HA supplier for a .5 ish F VS stone.

Maybe you can find out what she'd prefer? 3 stones are popular as anniversary, "past, present, future" rings. Blame De Beers.

Edit: also, I think WF may be willing to work with you on extending the 10 days.
 
Who is Jim Schwarz? How do I get in touch with him?

Thanks,

Steve
 
Jim Schultz is the owner of James Allen/Dirt Cheap Diamonds.
 
Got it, thanks. I''ve been talking to Dave there, but I haven''t gotten the impression that he has access to anything more than I see on his website. Maybe I asked the question wrong, or maybe he''s sick of me...

He has been very helpful and patient with me so far, but I suspect I am a little too pesky, and a lot too picky.

Perhaps I''ll try asking outright again tomorrow.

As for the .57''s above, I found one that I would/could go for, if I could get scope pictures. BUT - it is more than 10% more than I can go... I''ve already stretched the budget 20%!!!

Thanks,

Steve
 
Are you set on getting F VS1???
 




Date: 9/13/2006 7:12:19 PM
Author: Ellen
Not sure if your dead set on F VS1, here's a nice one.



http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2362031.htm#

If you'll drop to G and VS2, which is stil eye clean, there's this.

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2362027.htm#

or this


http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2435228.htm#
Click to expand...



I was seriously considering buying that F VS1 up until yesterday along with as a pair of side stones:
https://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-798837.htm
If you notice, the diameter of both diamonds are close even though one is lower in weight. It scores Ex-Ex-Ex-Ex on the HCA. I've been finding that Whiteflash charges more for diamonds that are ex-ex-ex-ex on the HCA. There seems to be a consistency with that. Whether that's unfair or just a simple principle of them maximizing return on investment, that's up to you. I wouldn't pay a premium for a 4x-ex HCA score, I'd just use the HCA to weed out less than ideal diamonds.

I was able to find a couple of E VS2 same carat and cut, with good HCA ex-ex-ex-vg, for a little under $1100 at Blue Nile. I ended up going with those. IMHO i'd rather put the money difference between VS1 and 2 to color and/or carat instead.

This is not to say that Whiteflash is bad at all, they do have great service, and sometimes a better price. I did end up ordering a center stone from them. I'd say that if you want the best deal, use all of the resources available to you.
 
Yeah, I''m pretty determined to go F and VS1. As I mentioned in a previous post, I could go G if everything else was perfect, and I could VS2, if everything else was perfect. But, not both...

Thanks everyone for you input.

You''ve given me a few other sites to check out, that I hadn''t seen before, and a little more knowledge, too!

I''ll keep you all up to date when I finally decide...

Thank you all,

Steve
 
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