How do you evaluate Lucida Cuts

[eyesoftexas]

I am looking at several Lucida rings (mounted) - aside from the fact that it is Tiffanys - How should one evalute the 3 rings which are only slightly different in clarity and color but my have different cut proportions on the Lucida.




Should I just use visual performance (Brilliance ?). Is there any way to put the cut dimmensions into the cut advisor to get some idea of which has the better light return? Use an Ideal scope?




Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[valeria101]

Don't take this wrong... but Tiffany made up the cut, so there are no standards for it to speak of. You can always get an Ideal Scope !!!

The darn thing could not care less about the shape of the diamond beneath it

You may also want to look at this thread... the white-red-black image there is suposed to approximate an ideal Scope image. It would be quite interesting to hear from your experiment - if you do go the Iscope route - 'cause the Lucida cuts are rarely found outside Tiffany's for analysis

 

[Nicrez]

Eyes of Texas, ALL Lucidas are mounted, and do not sell otherwise. It's a package deal. Tiffany's has made a good job of making eacho of these packages as similar as possible, so there is a consistancy of quality to go with their name. As the diamond gets bigger, so does the lucida band. The color and clarity levels are differentiated by the price tags, and the same cut is generlly seen on all, unless you have a square Lucida versus a rectangular one. But a square H, 1.0, vs. a square H 1.0 will be the SAME, with slight differences (and that you must determine with your own eyes).




It's like trying to choose one silver Tiffany tag bracelet from another...one may be slightly thinner in some parts, but that's due to the imprefection of craftsmanship. Same with these rings. Tiffany's has done their best to ensure it's almost that negligible.




Plus, most people are not privy to Lucida's angles, and measurements, as their cut is patented and fairly hush-hush in the industry. When square it is an Octogonal cut that has three step cuts on top, like an Asscher, and a brilliant-like pattern on the bottom. It is also characterized by the higher crown than most other squarish cuts. IMHO, they DO sparkle, but don't have much brilliance, so I also assume their depth is lower than most. Anyone with a Lucida can post their numbers?

 

[eyesoftexas]

I will take an ideal scope with me and they have said they will give me all of the papers BEFORE I purchase. I know the sales lady very well (our neighbor) so this may be why I get access to the reports - not sure though.




I have heard that no matter how well cut these will not have much brilliance. Is this true?

 

[Nicrez]

I have an idea, compare apples to oranges for a bit here...Use the ideal scope on rounds, and if you can access another store with a well cut princess (ideal) try to see that under the scope too.




It's tough to see a stone under an I-scope when set, but from what I have seen, Lucida doesn't have much brilliance most likely because their deep pavillions, but they have fire. To me, I like shallowere square stone, because if it's a clean colorless color, the brilliance on it is UNMATCHED! Lucida has their specs, and that's the stone. You have to love the Lucida to get it, I think, and it's a uniquely stone, being octogonally cut and well set...plus the name Tiffany's...




And they should show you the peperwork BEFORE you buy. If they didn't I would worry...Also, I am told if you ask for champagne they should not deny that to you either...Next time, ask for the GIA and Tiff cert AND champagne. Let me know if they comply!

Please post any info on the lucida you find out, we are all curious to see how it compares to other cuts and stones!

 

[valeria101]

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On 3/4/2004 11:44:21 AM eyesoftexas wrote:




I have heard that no matter how well cut these will not have much brilliance. Is this true?
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By all means! Your impression on the three will be very welcome

In theory, fancy cuts have weaker light return than ideal rounds - the departure from the round results in some loss of light return. I am not aware whether there is any study on how close or far in optical performance each cut design gets relative to the ideal rounds... Jonathan from GoodOldGold mentioned such a thing some time ago, but the analysis has not appeared yet on his site.

While I can quite sure about this statement being correct about "white light return" (as defined by the makers of Brilliance Scope), no idea about the other two components "light return" (fire and scintillation). Fancy shapes - Lucida included - tend to have better contrast (between reflective and non reflective areas) and some show quite a bit of fire due to high crowns, like Lucida's. So ? I would expect high brilliance from Lucida (given it's high crown) and an overall look at least as good as a radiant's. Most likely, a top cut round would 'outshine' them all though

Lucida was not cut for maximizing light return - otherwise I would imagine Tiffany would sell it as such with some proof. There are squares cut to get as close to the optics of a round (Regent, Isee2 square, HOF square - maybe, etc.).

Just my 0.2 of course...

 

[Hest88]

Personally, I'd just take an IS and look at all 3 Lucidas to see if there's any significant difference in light return between the 3. I don't think it makes much sense to compare it to any other shapes if your heart is set on the branded Lucida.

 

[Nicrez]

Hest, I figured it would be a good idea, because I always believe it's good to go into such a pricey purchase with LOTS of knowledge, so know that your Lucida, for all it's worth will never compare to a well cut RB, but most likely will sparkle better than an average cut marquis.




Awww...It was for just fun...but of course, you like Lucida, and you'll get Lucida. Just hoping that we could have a spy to compare light return on several stones for my own greedy knowledge!!!

In the end EOT, let us know whatever you find...we're all little hungry sponges here...

 

[finerthings]

When my Hubby and I were ring shopping, we asked to see several Lucidas at the carat weights we were considering. We also looked at the Tiffany certificates for each of them, but we found that they were only guides...ie to help us evaluate the girdle, polish, cut, symmetry etc that are not so obvious to the untrained eye. Our final pick was really based on our own eyes, and how well it performed to us. I think that when you see the right one for you, your gut will tell you. My Lucida is not quite as sparkly as an ideal round brillant, as that is not what I wanted. I am fascinated with its "presence", it is really such an elegant and yet spectacular stone. Good luck with your search.

 

[valeria101]

Finerthings... indeed

were the Lucida-s you have seen signifficantly different in light return (sparkle?). Just curious.

 

[finerthings]

OK I will try to describe what I see in my Lucida...IMHO the Lucida is not as brilliant as an ideal round, however it has such fire and I would guess that its scintillation approximates the round brillant as well. (I needed to refresh myself on these terms upon answering this post). I look into it and it appears deeper than the round brillant due to its deep pavilion and higher crown; and its flashes of light eminate from deep inside rather than the round brillant's more surface flash. Am I making any sense? As for the difference in light return being being significant...well to my untrained eye, I did notice it, but the Lucida made up for it in other ways, much like the quiet elegance of an EC of OMC. I find that the Lucida is a beautiful cross between EC and RB. The cutting in the pavilion looks just like the brilliant cut of the round, and the crown is similar to the emerald cut.

 

[Mara]

yes just take an ideal scope ($25 online) and gauge light return.




look for the one out of the three that has the most red and black return and LESS WHITE. white is the leakage. there may be pinks, reds, blacks, those are all good. but shy away from white. that is how I would base my decision since the cut is supposedly so similar on all stones and they are set and you noramlly can't get too much more info.




good luck!

 

[Obsessed]

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On 3/4/2004 10:51:29 AM eyesoftexas wrote:


I am looking at several Lucida rings (mounted) - aside from the fact that it is Tiffanys - How should one evalute the 3 rings which are only slightly different in clarity and color but my have different cut proportions on the Lucida.


Should I just use visual performance (Brilliance ?). Is there any way to put the cut dimmensions into the cut advisor to get some idea of which has the better light return? Use an Ideal scope?


Thanks for any suggestions.
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Hi, EyesoftTexas!

I was in the same situation as yours before. I'd say go for the biggest one out of your contenders. If they visually look indistinguishable, why would you care what the ideal scope image looks like. You already know that none of them will look nearly as nice as an ideal round brilliant! Besides, when buying an authentic Tiffany diamond ring, you're at a disadvantage when it comes to size. The money you're spending at Tiffany could fetch you a diamond elsewhere that is atleast 1.5 times larger than the Tiffany diamond. You won't be disappointed with the cut quality no matter which one of the Lucida you pick, as someone else has already mentioned about quality consistency. But you may have regrets/doubts about sacrificing size significantly to get the Lucida(like me)

. So therefore, pick the biggest one, Go for a VS1 or VS2, and pick the color that is exceptable to you. I went a little overboad on clarity(VVS2). Honestly, I should have went down to a VS1 or VS2 and tried to have found a slightly larger Lucida. All said and done, my finacee is super happy with the ring.... so I've come to terms with my decision. Discussions on my Lucida purchase experience can be found at:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/bought-tiffanys-without-looking-at-gia-cert.13237/

 

[Nicrez]

Hey Obsessed...what's with the size issues?!

YOUR LUCIDA IS PERFECT! It looked so lovely on your gal's hand, and HUGE!!!




Please, no more being rude to the Lucida...she may get upset, and they I will have to adopt your little Lucida.

I think we can make her a 5.5 for someone who will love her for her size and sparkle!

Eyes: I do agree with the clarity issues obsessed brings up. Lucidas will be generally cut with consitency, so do try to get hte bigger one. Why? I think if you ever wanted to sell it, a larger stone versus a "purer" stone will fetch more, because people already assume Tiffany's is quality, but they really respond to a LARGER Tiffany's stone. Seriously. that's a good thing to keep in mind, even when not selling...