How do you know if it''s a true hearts and arrows?

[blingfling]

I am trying to decide whether to purchase a round-cut diamond from a small vendor. The diamond is a GIA triple EX, and there is an H&A inscription on it. But I learned from other sites that the H&A inscription doesn''t mean anything. The vendor showed us the stone under the H&A viewer, and it did seem to have a regular H&A pattern. Although, because this is my first time to scrutinize a diamond, I don''t think I can actually judge whether this is a good H&A or not. I asked the vendor and she said that she can''t supply idealscope images.

What other certification would I need to verify that this is a true H&A? Should I ask her to send the stone to AGS for grading as well and would this be enough? And if she can''t supply me with additional reports, should I just walk away from the whole thing and use trusted online H&A suppliers like Whiteflash?

I do hope someone could help me out. Thanks.

 

[yssie]

Take a P&S camera in with you and photograph the hearts, then have a good look when you get home?


A hearts image proves hearts are present - or not. An AGS0 diamond may or may not be H&A, and a H&A diamond may or may not be AGS0.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/21/2010 2:36:44 AM
Author:blingfling
I am trying to decide whether to purchase a round-cut diamond from a small vendor. The diamond is a GIA triple EX, and there is an H&A inscription on it. But I learned from other sites that the H&A inscription doesn't mean anything. The vendor showed us the stone under the H&A viewer, and it did seem to have a regular H&A pattern. Although, because this is my first time to scrutinize a diamond, I don't think I can actually judge whether this is a good H&A or not. I asked the vendor and she said that she can't supply idealscope images.

What other certification would I need to verify that this is a true H&A? Should I ask her to send the stone to AGS for grading as well and would this be enough? And if she can't supply me with additional reports, should I just walk away from the whole thing and use trusted online H&A suppliers like Whiteflash?

I do hope someone could help me out. Thanks.

You could make the sale final on it checking out with an appraiser that is skilled in evaluating h&a cuts, AGS don't grade h&a, but I would say if you have been reading up on h&a here and you don't think this diamond is in fact a h&a stone as the pattern was irregular, it might be best to just go with a branded stone if h&a is what you want.

www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

 

[stone-cold11]

Only HRD publishes a guideline for their H&A grading. EGL does not and as far as I know no other labs grades if a stone is H&A.

Traditional H&A
http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/65/1/Hearts-and-Arrows-Diamonds-and-The-Basics-of-Diamond-Cutting.aspx

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 4/21/2010 6:20:38 AM
Stone-cold11:
Only HRD publishes a guideline for their H&A grading. EGL does not and as far as I know no other labs grades if a stone is H&A.

Traditional H&A

http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/65/1/Hearts-and-Arrows-Diamonds-and-The-Basics-of-Diamond-Cutting.aspx

Also, H&A guidelines by HRD.

http://www.wtocd.be/Projects/HeartsArrows/HenASub3.html

 

[blingfling]

Thanks for the h&a guidelines, stone-cold11. Also for the h&a diamond cutting guide.

yssie, interesting suggestion about the p&s camera. Does it actually work?

Lorelei, the diamond does indeed have h&a pattern when viewed through a scope. But I just don''t think I''m the best judge of whether that pattern is regular enough to be called true h&a. I guess all I really need is some objective verification that the stone is h&a, and not just verbal assurances from the vendor.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/22/2010 12:36:17 AM
Author: blingfling
Thanks for the h&a guidelines, stone-cold11. Also for the h&a diamond cutting guide.

yssie, interesting suggestion about the p&s camera. Does it actually work?

Lorelei, the diamond does indeed have h&a pattern when viewed through a scope. But I just don''t think I''m the best judge of whether that pattern is regular enough to be called true h&a. I guess all I really need is some objective verification that the stone is h&a, and not just verbal assurances from the vendor.

Then an appraiser that is skilled in judging these diamonds would be best unless you just want to go for a branded h&a diamond.