High number faceted diamonds

[jgraham1x]

I''m looking for a diamond for my anniversary. 1,5 carat, e-g color, vs-si clarity, AGS 000 (if needed). I am not concerned about clarity as much as I am light return or sparkle. I have been reading PS and tried to find diamonds with ideal cut but also very high readings on the brillance scope. When looking for a diamond with high brillance readings, it was suggested that I consider some of the branded diamonds that are but with many more facets than the traditional round brilliant cut.

What are the opinions of these types of cuts? Are these diamonds look upon differently by diamond experts because they have more facets. I would prefer a diamond with high scintilation and fire readings. What do you suggest? Stay with the traditional round or shop for something with higher number facets (Leo, Solasfera, Spirit of Flanders).

Be Kind. I''m a first time poster.

 

[ame]

Welcome!

My stone is a Star 129, a 129-facet round cut branded stone. I feel that compared to "regular" cuts, it has EXCELLENT light return. It sparkles in just about any light...I don't think I could go back to a normal cut

I have a photo of it in my avatar.

When I get home from work I will try to post my Brilliance Scope results and a couple more photos.

 

[ame]

One of the photos of my stone under 10x

 

[ame]

ANother

 

[ame]

And another

 

[ame]

And my brilliance scope

 

[ame]

I probably would have preferred more color light return but this sucker shoots rainbows just as well as the ones that showed color light return higher than this.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 7/22/2005 10:14:56 PM
Author: ame
I probably would have preferred more color light return but this sucker shoots rainbows just as well as the ones that showed color light return higher than this.

What are you saying Ame?

 

[denverappraiser]

Extra facets give a stone a different look that can be very attractive but it doesn’t really affect the light return. A poorly cut 129 facet stone is still going to suck and a fabulously cut one is going to be, well, fabulous.

By all means shop for the specialty cuts if you like the look but you still have to pay attention to the quality of the cutting, not just the facet pattern. It’s a smaller market and there are fewer dealers available who will give you good information so it’s a little harder to shop aggressively but it’s not impossible. Finding a good dealer is a good first step.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[ame]

That justbecause the little B-scope bar is in the middle of Very High or off the charts the average human (me) can''t tell.

I don''t have any idea what Im saying. I just think my stone is the bees-knees.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Rule of thumb - bigger size; more facets.
But it is not just that simple - princess cuts have less facets than round - but they have more apparent or VIRUAL facets. i.e. you see more tiny sparkles. But if you see too many - the contrast is lost because your eye can no longer resolve the facet size or sparkle

 

[jgraham1x]

Thanks for the information. Having to worry about the cut makes it even more difficult because I haven''t seen as much information about what to look for. I don''t need a perfect diamond but want something that is really going to look nice. However, some stones like the Solesfera have brillance scope results that peg the highest on all white light, color and scintillation.

What should I be concerned about if looking to buy something like a Solesfera diamond? If the brillance report is that good, what else do I need to worry about (assuming I am getting a good clean stone SI or better).

I''m I focused too much on the brillance scope results?

Thanks for the pics. They look great!

 

[strmrdr]

Yes your focusing on the b-scope too much.
Its just one part of the picture and direct light only.
The diamond will actually on average spend more time in mixed light or indirect light like office lighting.

It is my feeling that once you get to a certain point its more personality differences than quality differences.
For example some super-ideal diamonds are intentionally cut so they get scores of: H,VH,H on the b-scope.
Why? Because there are some trade offs between direct and indirect lighting performance and also there is a trade off of colored light return vs white light return and they feel that their mix is the best for the average person and the viewing conditions they are in most often.

I like some of the more facet cuts in the larger sizes 1.5ct and up but they arent better than the super-ideals just different.