How visible is it between HCA scores?

[Hoyin]

Hi everyone,

Been lurking around the forums and doing ALOT of reading lately (maybe the scientist in me is starting to over analyse a little - as subtle difference might not even be noticed by my girlfriend).

Anyhow, I have read-up on many discussions on HCA, but I cant seem to find are the light return comparisons between very good HCA scores (2-4), good HCA scores (4-6) and lower ones (8-10).

I understand how all the angles play a role in the how light travels through - and back out of a diamond..

If I throw in the numbers (just a rough example)

Depth 62.2%
Table 60%
Crown Angle 34.5
Pavilion 41.4

A HCA score of 5.5 (good) will be spat out.

*keeping all other variables constant*...
If i adjust the pavilion angle to 41.2 - HCA will equate to HCA score 4.1 (good)
and similarly adjusting the pav angle to 4.1 will give a HCA score of 3.4 (very good)

So my question is, how do HCA 5.5 vs HCA 4.1 vs HCA 3.4 compare visually?
Is it similar in regards to compare 1.25 carat to 1.30 carat (barely noticeable)
or is it similar to color rating (color sensitive people might spot G from F). *People = the average consumer (not diamond specialists).

Are there any comparison vids / charts out there that I may have missed?

Thanks in advance for your responses!

 

[proto]

generally people look for scores 2 or below, and only look at the 2-4 range if the price is really good.

In terms of difference in how they look, I would suggest you go to a BM shop and bring a phone with internet access to plug in the numbers into the HCA calculator and look for yourself.

I am not aware of any videos comparing HCA values specifically, but you can see GIA excellent vs GIA very good vs HA for example. I would expect excellent cut would have lower scores than very good, and HA to have 0-2 scores on HCA. good old gold have a plethora of videos on their youtube page to compare the effect of cut on diamond light performance.

 

[Lorelei]

Hi everyone,

Been lurking around the forums and doing ALOT of reading lately (maybe the scientist in me is starting to over analyse a little - as subtle difference might not even be noticed by my girlfriend).

Anyhow, I have read-up on many discussions on HCA, but I cant seem to find are the light return comparisons between very good HCA scores (2-4), good HCA scores (4-6) and lower ones (8-10).

I understand how all the angles play a role in the how light travels through - and back out of a diamond..

If I throw in the numbers (just a rough example)

Depth 62.2%
Table 60%
Crown Angle 34.5
Pavilion 41.4

A HCA score of 5.5 (good) will be spat out.

*keeping all other variables constant*...
If i adjust the pavilion angle to 41.2 - HCA will equate to HCA score 4.1 (good)
and similarly adjusting the pav angle to 4.1 will give a HCA score of 3.4 (very good)

So my question is, how do HCA 5.5 vs HCA 4.1 vs HCA 3.4 compare visually?
Is it similar in regards to compare 1.25 carat to 1.30 carat (barely noticeable)
or is it similar to color rating (color sensitive people might spot G from F). *People = the average consumer (not diamond specialists).

Are there any comparison vids / charts out there that I may have missed?

Thanks in advance for your responses!

Hi Hoyin and welcome!

That's a very good question but unfortunately there are no hard and fast answers. As you are probably aware, the HCA takes just 4 average measurements of a round diamond and computes the results. It cannot physically see each diamond or take into account the many other important considerations such as overall cut precision, optical symmetry, any effect the lower halves and star facets might have on the performance or appearance of the diamond, whether there are any girdle treatments such as painting or digging that affect the look or optics of the stone...You could say ''generally'' that some stones with a steeper angle combo might show leakage, or to coin a phrase ' The Ring of Death,' seen as a dark area under the table as one of the areas where light is escaping from the diamond. But there are factors the HCA can't account for that can ' save' some of these angle combos from light leakage. Conversely, shallower angle combos might show darkening at close scrutiny known as head obstruction, the stone can darken due to the shadow of the viewer's head. But the above are only general thoughts, a program such as DiamCalc would be useful for any particular diamond, you enter all the measurements and it will bring up a simulated image of how the diamond might look. But bear in mind the HCA was designed for rejection, not selection. The main aim is to see which diamonds score below 2 or in some cases between 2 and 3, then evaluate from there with images, trusted vendor advice and lastly, your own preference. If working online, a trusted vendor that can supply ASET or Idealscope images can be the best way to select the better performers out of the < 2 HCA contenders.

 

[Hoyin]

Thanks for your responses.

I was looking at one of the diamond shops last week and was give the diamond with these specs

1.22c, G, SI1, triple excellent
Table 60%
Depth 62.2%
Crown angle 34.5%
Pavillion 41.4%
Girdle thin - slightly thick 4.5%

Not knowing about the HCA calculator till afterwards.. i realized this.. although triple ex is actually a HCA of 5.5

Does this make a really poor performing diamond (considering I have yet to see this diamond as they need to order it in).

I was always under the impression that being GIA triple excellent.. performance cannot be THAT bad... hence me asking about how much of a difference HCA scores are.

How would you rate this diamond.. would it turn out to be a dud?

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks for your responses.

I was looking at one of the diamond shops last week and was give the diamond with these specs

1.22c, G, SI1, triple excellent
Table 60%
Depth 62.2%
Crown angle 34.5%
Pavillion 41.4%
Girdle thin - slightly thick 4.5%

Not knowing about the HCA calculator till afterwards.. i realized this.. although triple ex is actually a HCA of 5.5

Does this make a really poor performing diamond (considering I have yet to see this diamond as they need to order it in).

I was always under the impression that being GIA triple excellent.. performance cannot be THAT bad... hence me asking about how much of a difference HCA scores are.

How would you rate this diamond.. would it turn out to be a dud?

Hi Hoyin,

You are most welcome. With GIA Excellent cut grade you have to be discerning as their parameter based method of cut grading allows for some less desirable proportion combos to get the Excellent cut grade, with the diamond you mention, it has a steep pavilion angle that in some cases can lead to light leakage, we would need all the info on the grading report to get a better idea but for me, this is could be one of the less deserving GIA Ex as far as I can tell. Personally, I would keep looking. Below are some proportions you can use as a guide, a ' cheat sheet' I developed years ago based on suggested proportions from the experts that should get you within the bullseye of the better performing diamonds. Bear in mind it is to be used as a guide, not an absolute.

Maybe you could use the proportions below as a guide to find possibly more promising contenders if you would like your jeweller to call some stones in or alternatively, ask if they can source any AGS0 cut grade in your desired specs. You are right to be discriminating with cut quality, it makes such a difference to the beauty of the stone. Also you can use the HCA as you discovered to run any proportion sets through to see where they score, generally concentrate on those scoring below 2, if you really want to play it safe, between 1 and 2. Proportion combos between 2 and 3 can sometimes be worth further consideration.

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!

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).

 

[proto]

GIA triple ex guarantees you some standard, but when it comes to spending money, you really want to get the best for your money.

Im' sure it will look fine and it will sparkle, and it will show fire etc, but you could wait for something better for the same price most likely. Most diamond consumers are not as aware of the impprtance of cut, and are more focused on weight, and so cutters are incentivised to cut diamonds while retaining weight rather than cutting for light performance.

diamond looks okayish on paper.

crown angle and depth are in the sweetspot

I'm not hugely excited by the large table (my personal preference), pav angle or the girdle, or the heavy digging. Thin to slightly thick with this digging would make me not like the diamond that much, but that may be a mindclean thing for me.

Pavillion depth would be good to know as well. 43% would be ideal if you can find out.

I would keep looking if it were me, but that said, if you view the diamond and fall in love with it, forget the number crunching and just buy what you like. You are going to look at it after all, not us

 

[WinkHPD]

Thanks for your responses.

I was looking at one of the diamond shops last week and was give the diamond with these specs

1.22c, G, SI1, triple excellent
Table 60%
Depth 62.2%
Crown angle 34.5%
Pavillion 41.4%
Girdle thin - slightly thick 4.5%

Not knowing about the HCA calculator till afterwards.. i realized this.. although triple ex is actually a HCA of 5.5

Does this make a really poor performing diamond (considering I have yet to see this diamond as they need to order it in).

I was always under the impression that being GIA triple excellent.. performance cannot be THAT bad... hence me asking about how much of a difference HCA scores are.

How would you rate this diamond.. would it turn out to be a dud?

Sadly, a GIA XXX can be stunning, or it can be WORSE than THAT bad. You have no way to know until you see the diamond. You are asking us to make it easy for you, when GIA has purposely made it very hard, even for the experts. There is a tremendous incentive to cut diamonds like the one that you present that is picking up an extra few points on the scale by being cut extra deep and with a thicker girdle, where you can hide a little weight at the widest part of the diamond.

The HCA is NOT a selection tool, it is a rejection tool to save you time and effort calling in diamonds that are likely to be duds. It is possible that it is not a dud, it is just VERY likely that it is a dud.

There are no charts or other simple quick and easy selection charts that come with the HCA and I have seen a very few diamonds that defied the prediction, but MANY MANY that have lived up to their HCA ratings and look like warmed over yucky stuff.

Let me add that as a cut aficionado that I RARELY look at a diamond with more than a 40.9 pavilion angle and I am pretty sure that with an angle of 41.4 that this stone is nowhere near as beautiful as it would be if it were cut with a shallower angle, even one that is still a little deep for my personal preferences at say 41.0 to 41.1. I will admit to having seen some stunning diamonds at 41.0 pavilion angles if every thing else is in harmony. (Dang, I hate to have to admit that...)

Just my thoughts.

Wink

 

[Karl_K]

Thanks for your responses.

I was looking at one of the diamond shops last week and was give the diamond with these specs

1.22c, G, SI1, triple excellent
Table 60%
Depth 62.2%
Crown angle 34.5%
Pavillion 41.4%
Girdle thin - slightly thick 4.5%

Not knowing about the HCA calculator till afterwards.. i realized this.. although triple ex is actually a HCA of 5.5

Does this make a really poor performing diamond (considering I have yet to see this diamond as they need to order it in).

I was always under the impression that being GIA triple excellent.. performance cannot be THAT bad... hence me asking about how much of a difference HCA scores are.

How would you rate this diamond.. would it turn out to be a dud?

HCA is right on that one even with the best possible outcome of the gia rounding it does not have great potential for high light return and the down side is high potential for light entrapment making it look more tinted for its color grade than a better cut diamond.

 

[Hoyin]

Thanks for all your responses.

With everything in mind, would one be able to distinguish between a HCA 5.5 an HCA <2 by just looking at a diamond under normal lighting? (dp fire and scintillation differ greatly - even by naked eye)?

 

[JulieN]

The difference between 41 and 41.4 is visible in the right lighting

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks for all your responses.

With everything in mind, would one be able to distinguish between a HCA 5.5 an HCA <2 by just looking at a diamond under normal lighting? (dp fire and scintillation differ greatly - even by naked eye)?

Put it this way and some of the pro's please chime in with your thoughts if possible. I think it might be fair to say that the average viewer could definitely see a difference, assuming everything else was equal but the cut quality with side by side comparison. Now, I would not be so presumptuous to speak for anyone else, but I think a typical scenario might look like this. The average untutored eye could discern differences certainly I believe, but might not be exactly sure of why they prefer the <2 to the 5.5. They might make comments that the <2 is more ' sparkly, brighter, looks bigger' and so forth. I am sure some of the vendors might have some good stories on situations they have been in where they have been showing stones and maybe have a lesser cut used as a comparison. They can then expound on what the thoughts were from those comparing and what they noted themselves. Colour entrapment with such a steep pavilion angle is definitely going to be a factor once you start hitting around G - H colour depending on colour sensitivity and the size of the stone. Also, for the purposes of this exercise, the lighting conditions need to be taken into account, the differences could be more obvious in some lighting than others so in order to get an accurate comparison, various tests done in different lighting would be necessary in real life conditions where the ring would be worn.
You can get an idea from the images below, to the left is an immaculately cut stone, to the right, as can be easily seen, are the lesser cuts showing leakage.

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut

In the tutorial below, note the images to the right. The .65 is poorly cut, looks small, dark and lacklustre, as does the 1.20 ct...The better cut .50 to the right looks actually larger visually to the heavier poor cuts, this effect is helped by the superior edge to edge light return, the diamond is lighting up all over, compared to the other diamonds that are lifeless.

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-spread

It is not really possible to generalize, but in my experience, folk can and do notice a difference but these differences might not always influence them to pick the best looking diamond if they value other things.

 

[proto]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoefIQ3XlXE

This may explain it better than words.

Assume the ideal is less than 2.0 and the very good is somewhere around 5.5

 

[WinkHPD]

Thanks for all your responses.

With everything in mind, would one be able to distinguish between a HCA 5.5 an HCA <2 by just looking at a diamond under normal lighting? (dp fire and scintillation differ greatly - even by naked eye)?

When ever I get the chance I will put three to five stones in a slotted tray in front of a client without telling them anything about which stone is which.

I them ask them to choose. Most will choose the ones they like the least first and we clear those off the tray until the choice comes down to which one they like the best.

Almost always the poorer cut stones are removed, by eye, first. I have to say almost because once the least sparkly diamond was chosen and the comment made, "I like this one best, the others are all distracting me with their excessive sparkle." Thus proving that there is no way my taste will be copied or accepted by all.

So, short answer. YOUR eyes will tell you which diamond that you prefer when chosen with other diamonds present and viewed at the same time. If you are lucky enough to look at all of the diamonds together, without knowing which is which, you will often be surprised in terms of color and clarity as to which one you like the best. Only VERY rarely will you like a diamond that is not one of the best cuts of the diamonds in front of you. It is the CUTTING that gives the diamond its pizzazz!

Wink

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks Wink, that's very helpful info! Interesting that once a lesser cut stone was chosen, just goes to show there can always be an exception and taste does indeed vary, even if we might not agree with it!

 

[KenD]

Thanks for all your responses.

With everything in mind, would one be able to distinguish between a HCA 5.5 an HCA <2 by just looking at a diamond under normal lighting? (dp fire and scintillation differ greatly - even by naked eye)?

One caveat: Generally, jewelry stores don't have "normal lighting". Their lighting is often optimized to make diamonds look their very best. Some diamonds will only look good in a jewelry store.

 

[OoohShiny]

Thanks for all your responses.

With everything in mind, would one be able to distinguish between a HCA 5.5 an HCA <2 by just looking at a diamond under normal lighting? (dp fire and scintillation differ greatly - even by naked eye)?

One caveat: Generally, jewelry stores don't have "normal lighting". Their lighting is often optimized to make diamonds look their very best. Some diamonds will only look good in a jewelry store.

I think this is my main fear buying 'blind' off the internet, as even with pictures and videos and the great sellers we have, will it perform in plain old daylight??

I've not seen a properly cut diamond before, at least not knowingly, so I am just hoping that my expectations will be surpassed, as these rocks are a lot of money for something that is very small really and I would hate to be disappointed

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks for all your responses.

With everything in mind, would one be able to distinguish between a HCA 5.5 an HCA <2 by just looking at a diamond under normal lighting? (dp fire and scintillation differ greatly - even by naked eye)?

One caveat: Generally, jewelry stores don't have "normal lighting". Their lighting is often optimized to make diamonds look their very best. Some diamonds will only look good in a jewelry store.

I think this is my main fear buying 'blind' off the internet, as even with pictures and videos and the great sellers we have, will it perform in plain old daylight??

I've not seen a properly cut diamond before, at least not knowingly, so I am just hoping that my expectations will be surpassed, as these rocks are a lot of money for something that is very small really and I would hate to be disappointed

This is something we do try to routinely bring up here, it is absolutely true that jewellery store lighting is planned a certain way to make the stones look their best. Tools such as DiamondDock are also helpful, but the best way to judge is to make use of a trusted vendor's expert opinion and then make good use of your return policy to give your diamond a good test drive in everyday lighting conditions the ring will be worn in. Even though well cut diamonds can look very different according to the light available, they should always have ' something' going on that catches the attention in a positive way. Bottom line - evaluate each stone carefully on its own desirable visual and physical properties, make good use of a trusted vendor's advice and the analysis they offer such as ASET and Idealscope plus their recommendations, you should not go wrong. Also select a vendor that is passionate about cut quality, that is key. That way you will have a diamond that will most probably blow away any others you see for beauty and sparkle, it's well worth the research to get a well cut stone.

 

[WinkHPD]

Thanks for all your responses.

With everything in mind, would one be able to distinguish between a HCA 5.5 an HCA <2 by just looking at a diamond under normal lighting? (dp fire and scintillation differ greatly - even by naked eye)?

One caveat: Generally, jewelry stores don't have "normal lighting". Their lighting is often optimized to make diamonds look their very best. Some diamonds will only look good in a jewelry store.

I think this is my main fear buying 'blind' off the internet, as even with pictures and videos and the great sellers we have, will it perform in plain old daylight??

I've not seen a properly cut diamond before, at least not knowingly, so I am just hoping that my expectations will be surpassed, as these rocks are a lot of money for something that is very small really and I would hate to be disappointed

That is why you need to buy only somewhere with a good return policy.

Wink

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks for all your responses.

With everything in mind, would one be able to distinguish between a HCA 5.5 an HCA <2 by just looking at a diamond under normal lighting? (dp fire and scintillation differ greatly - even by naked eye)?

One caveat: Generally, jewelry stores don't have "normal lighting". Their lighting is often optimized to make diamonds look their very best. Some diamonds will only look good in a jewelry store.

I think this is my main fear buying 'blind' off the internet, as even with pictures and videos and the great sellers we have, will it perform in plain old daylight??

I've not seen a properly cut diamond before, at least not knowingly, so I am just hoping that my expectations will be surpassed, as these rocks are a lot of money for something that is very small really and I would hate to be disappointed

That is why you need to buy only somewhere with a good return policy.

Wink

Absolutely!

 

[OoohShiny]

The returns policies of the trusted vendors on here are pretty awesome - effectively 'try before you buy' on a $$$$ stone? Sending stones to complete strangers? Buy back at minimal loss at later dates if circumstances dictate? We certainly can never complain

I've a feeling I will be very happy with the stone for my girlfriend, it's purely nerves at the price that is tripping up my confidence! Once I have it in my hands I am certain all worries will disappear immediately in a blizzard of distracting sparkles lol, thus proving that a low HCA score will pretty much guarantee a stone that will be attractive 'in person'!

 

[Hoyin]

Thanks for all your input.

In regards to these dimensions:

1.22c, G, SI1, triple excellent
Table 60%
Depth 62.2%
Crown angle 34.5%
Pavillion 41.4%
Girdle thin - slightly thick 4.5%

Would you consider the diamond to be TOO steep, steep or just a little steep? (considering -0.4deg pav angle makes the rating drop right down to 2.xx)

To what extent would you say light have been loss? A little or whole hell lot?

 

[Hoyin]

Thanks for all your input.

In regards to these dimensions:

1.22c, G, SI1, triple excellent
Table 60%
Depth 62.2%
Crown angle 34.5%
Pavillion 41.4%
Girdle thin - slightly thick 4.5%

Would you consider the diamond to be TOO steep, steep or just a little steep? (considering -0.4deg pav angle makes the rating drop right down to 2.xx)

To what extent would you say light have been loss? A little or whole hell lot?

With a bit more info

Crown Height 13.5%
Pav Depth 44%
Lower girdle half length 80%

 

[WinkHPD]

Without reflector images it will be impossible to know, but we can easily guess that it sucks.

Going to bed now, going to wake up in the morning and fly to Vegas for the big JCK show. Have fun all.

Wink

 

[John P]

Thanks for all your input.

In regards to these dimensions:

1.22c, G, SI1, triple excellent
Table 60%
Depth 62.2%
Crown angle 34.5%
Pavillion 41.4%
Girdle thin - slightly thick 4.5%

Would you consider the diamond to be TOO steep, steep or just a little steep? (considering -0.4deg pav angle makes the rating drop right down to 2.xx)

To what extent would you say light have been loss? A little or whole hell lot?

With a bit more info

Crown Height 13.5%
Pav Depth 44%
Lower girdle half length 80%

Predicted as AGS4 in light performance.

 

[MarionC]

"I like this one best, the others are all distracting me with their excessive sparkle."

Wink

safe & fun travel adventures to you.

 

[Lorelei]

"I like this one best, the others are all distracting me with their excessive sparkle."

Wink

safe & fun travel adventures to you.

Ditto that, have a fantastic time guys!!

 

[luvdajules]

Hi OP and GM Lorelei! I had a post yesterday that got erased cause I had to plug in my laptop and it shut down on me, too bad it was a long post Anyway, with new vigor, I thought I'd highlight a couple points newb to newb. Before seeing an ideal cut H&A diamond, I went to see some stones in the over carat range of varying colors/clarities. They looked to me very pretty and sparkly, and I was surprised to find out at home when I calculated the HCA that they were all quite high, around 3-4.4, with Cut Class of 1B and 2B, generally. I think, they were all touted to me to be all GIA triple X. Remember, even in GIA triple X range, this range is too broad and has many less desirable angle combos, but still makes the grade. That's why Gypsy says GIA VG is not good enough! Yes!! And even with GIA triple X you need to be discerning. You may run across stones that look like a value option, getting more than what you are paying for similar goods. But buyer beware. Even experienced diamond buyers can easily make mistakes and lose their shirt. So, what looks like a 15-20% discount is really at a loss of 40%+ light performance, not a deal at all! Besides, an ideal H&A cut is in a league of their own. Most here would not sacrifice cut quality but rather go slightly down on color and clarity within acceptable limits. A well cut stone can tolerate a lower color/clarity than a less well stone that exhibits color entrapment or has other problems.

My question to you is what is your objective in diamond selection? Do you want to maximize a certain budget? Im not one of them yet, but there are many excellent stone selectors on this forum that can help you find a stone and setting that knocks your socks off in all lighting environments (even when there doesn't seem to be any) within your budget but may not fall into your "on paper" criteria now. My starting point was no less than G VS2 to now J/K eye clean to max my budget for size (for ideal cuts only). But for a gift like an ER, h/ I color is safe. Let us help you and start a new thread to help you, although I find this topic fascinating. My feeling is you need to see more with your eyes, as others has suggested for cut and the other Cs.

 

[Lorelei]

Hi OP and GM Lorelei! I had a post yesterday that got erased cause I had to plug in my laptop and it shut down on me, too bad it was a long post Anyway, with new vigor, I thought I'd highlight a couple points newb to newb. Before seeing an ideal cut H&A diamond, I went to see some stones in the over carat range of varying colors/clarities. They looked to me very pretty and sparkly, and I was surprised to find out at home when I calculated the HCA that they were all quite high, around 3-4.4, with Cut Class of 1B and 2B, generally. I think, they were all touted to me to be all GIA triple X. Remember, even in GIA triple X range, this range is too broad and has many less desirable angle combos, but still makes the grade. That's why Gypsy says GIA VG is not good enough! Yes!! And even with GIA triple X you need to be discerning. You may run across stones that look like a value option, getting more than what you are paying for similar goods. But buyer beware. Even experienced diamond buyers can easily make mistakes and lose their shirt. So, what looks like a 15-20% discount is really at a loss of 40%+ light performance, not a deal at all! Besides, an ideal H&A cut is in a league of their own. Most here would not sacrifice cut quality but rather go slightly down on color and clarity within acceptable limits. A well cut stone can tolerate a lower color/clarity than a less well stone that exhibits color entrapment or has other problems.

My question to you is what is your objective in diamond selection? Do you want to maximize a certain budget? Im not one of them yet, but there are many excellent stone selectors on this forum that can help you find a stone and setting that knocks your socks off in all lighting environments (even when there doesn't seem to be any) within your budget but may not fall into your "on paper" criteria now. My starting point was no less than G VS2 to now J/K eye clean to max my budget for size (for ideal cuts only). But for a gift like an ER, h/ I color is safe. Let us help you and start a new thread to help you, although I find this topic fascinating. My feeling is you need to see more with your eyes, as others has suggested for cut and the other Cs.

'Morning Luvda!

That's a really helpful post! You have lots of brilliant ideas and thoughts to post and we would love for you to chime in whenever the urge strikes you!!

 

[luvdajules]

Thanks, Lorelei!