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How am I doing? Help me choose out of these 4 diamonds please.

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finallydoingit

Rough_Rock
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Nov 24, 2009
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Hi, I am doing as much research as I can and would like some help. From what I have read I think I would like a stone that is:
Color I and above
Cut Ideal+
~.75 ct
VS2 and better

My budget for the stone is around 2400, but would like to keep it lower than that if possible. I have narrowed my decision to one of 4 stones...which would you go for? I hope at least 1 of them, if not could someone point me in the right direction?

Here they are:

A) http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1248762.asp

B) http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1253675.asp

C) http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1223123.asp

D) http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1180581.asp

Thanks
 
A) pavilion is shallow for that crown.
B) can''t tell if that IS is showing leakage or if it''s just the setup. Angles are at the very border of steep/deep, so a good IS is critical.
C) crown is steep for that pavilion, LGF low - will be dark under the table.
D) crown steep again.


MissGotRocks'' suggestion is a guaranteed performer
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Date: 11/24/2009 9:22:01 PM
Author:finallydoingit
Hi, I am doing as much research as I can and would like some help. From what I have read I think I would like a stone that is:
Color I and above
Cut Ideal+
~.75 ct
VS2 and better

My budget for the stone is around 2400, but would like to keep it lower than that if possible. I have narrowed my decision to one of 4 stones...which would you go for? I hope at least 1 of them, if not could someone point me in the right direction?

Here they are:

A) http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1248762.asp

B) http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1253675.asp

C) http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1223123.asp

D) http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1180581.asp

Thanks
Click to expand...
First diamond will very possibly show obstruction with the shallow pavilion angle, it isn't a case that the pavilion angle is too shallow for the crown - it is too shallow anyway! Obstruction is where the stone visibly darkens at close scrutiny due to the viewer's head/ body blocking the light to the diamond.

Second looks good, what I would call near h&a.

The third, crown and pavilion angles are actually fine and can work very well together if the overall cutting is tight which doesn't appear to be the case here, leakage can be clearly seen under the table in the loupe image. Nothing wrong with the lower girdle facets.

Fourth - actually might have potential, you could request an Idealscope image for this one, despite the borderline steep deep angles the diamond actually looks to be worth further investigation.
 
Thanks for the replies, it seems a lot that goes into a good diamond are the angles..what angles should I be looking for?
 
It depends on what your eyes like!

34.5 crown with 40.8 pavilion is the ideal (actually 34.7/40.7 but GIA rounding-off means you'll never find one) and is a good balance of characteristics.
But a small amount of give-and-take is possible - if you add 0.5 to the crown, take 0.2 from the pavilion - e.g. 35.0/40.6, or 34.0/41.0. Don't stray outside of the 34.0-35.0 crown or 40.6-40.8 pavilion.
Stay below 62% depth. Keep the table in the 55-58% range. Don't go for less than thin or more than slightly thick on the girdle and try not to go from thin-sl.thick on the same stone. Don't go for less than very good polish and symmetry.

However, some people like stones with 33.0/41.0 angles, a 59% table and 60% depth (more brightness but less fire and less contrast/scintillation).
Others like stones with 36.0/40.4 angles, 50% table and 64% depth (darker stone but more fire and more contrast/scintillation).

75% lower half number can make a little extra darkness under the table and more prominent arrows, compared to 80% lower half, but the positive effect of smaller lower half % is more fire from under the table, due to the proportionately greater size of the pavilion main facets (25% with 75% LH compared to 20% with 80% LH).
Don't go less than 75% lower halves; the stone can look very dark under the table.

But best to stay close to the "safe" 56 table, 34.5/40.8 angles, 61% depth, medium girdle, 50-55% star, 75-80% lower half, unless you know your own personal taste.
 
Here are the basic cheat sheet numbers to use as a guide to help you find a well cut round diamond,


depth - 60 - 62% - although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%
table - 54- 57%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above

note - with crown and pavilion angles at the shallower ends ( CA 34- PA 40.6) and steeper ( CA 35- PA 41) check to make sure these angles complement in that particular diamond - eyeballs, Idealscope, trusted vendor input - check as appropriate!


As the above implies, configurations depend on each other. A little give here can still work with a little take there.


From expert John Pollard.


With that said, here''s a "Cliff''s Notes" for staying near Tolkowsky/ideal angles with GIA reports (their numbers are rounded): A crown angle of 34.0, 34.5 or 35.0 is usually safe with a 40.8 pavilion angle. If pavilion angle = 40.6 lean toward a 34.5-35.0 crown. If pavilion angle = 41 lean toward a 34.0-34.5 crown.



GIA "EX" in cut is great at its heart, but it ranges a bit wider than some people prefer, particularly in deep combinations (pavilion > 41 with crown > 35).


 
Would any of you mind finding me a diamond?lol I have been looking for a while now and still don''t feel confident. I am buying it as an engagement ring so as long as it looks amazing in person I will like it. I am not too worried about showing off the specs to friends or anything like that. I just would like it to shine/sparkle, or whatever people like :)

Pretty much if anyone could find me the best diamond for under 2800, but still around the .7-.75 carat range is what I''m looking for. Or bigger if you find one :)

Thanks in advance
 
Good for you! It is sure to be a beauty but if for some reason you''re not thrilled with it, WF will always return or exchange it.

The diamond world can be confusing and overwhelming - that''s why it is so good to have PS and these online vendors.

Please come back with handshots so we can all see this new stone!!
 
Date: 11/25/2009 12:35:36 PM
Author: finallydoingit
I meant it is sold as in someone bought it before me.haha

Taking your recommendation on the ACA diamonds(i was only looking at jamesallen before), how about either of these?

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=1445171,2163463
Click to expand...
Both look good, the second one looks as if a heart is a bit off at 4 o''clock on the hearts image, but it might be because an inclusion is in the area, check with WF concerning this. But they are 2 excellent diamonds.
 
Sorry I misunderstood you the first time!

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2228593.htm

Here's another ACA - still a little over your max but not too bad. These ACA's are cut for performance so it really takes the guesswork out of choosing a good or bad stone. You can always call WF too to see what stone they would recommend or suggest to stay right in line with your budget. This one would be a real shiner as well though!
 
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