Ideal cut = Hearts & Arrows?

[Lofi]

Hi all!

What does it mean exactly when your stone is an ideal cut (GIA)? Does that mean hearts & arrows? Does it guarantee excellent light return? Does it help hide inclusions and help warmer colors face up whiter?

Appreciate your feedback...

~L

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 8/30/2009 10:48:55 PM
Author:LFVDoll
Hi all!

What does it mean exactly when your stone is an ideal cut (GIA)? GIA's highest cut grade is excellent. A stone can be labelled ideal by a vendor, or it could be referred to that because it's cut parameters might fall in AGS Ideal. Does that mean hearts & arrows? Definitely not. H&A is a measure of optical symmetry only--overall cut grade takes much more into account. It is possible to have a H&A diamond that is not an overall great performer. This is rare because if the cutter is going to spend the time to get H&A symmetry, they will usually make sure it gets the highest grade from a lab. There are also a lot of extremely well cut stones that are "near H&A" that just miss in some area, but have exceptional light performance. Does it guarantee excellent light return? GIA Excellent has a pretty broad range and includes some angle combinations that just do not work well together, so no it is not a guarantee. A diamond with a new AGS Platinum report graded ideal has a light performance component, so would be a much safer choice. Does it help hide inclusions and help warmer colors face up whiter? A well cut stone will definitely face up whiter due to better light return. On inclusions, it depends on the type and location of the inclusion.

Appreciate your feedback...

~L

 

[Lofi]

Date: 8/30/2009 11:22:55 PM
Author: jet2ks

Date: 8/30/2009 10:48:55 PM

Author:LFVDoll

Hi all!


What does it mean exactly when your stone is an ideal cut (GIA)? GIA''s highest cut grade is excellent. A stone can be labelled ideal by a vendor, or it could be referred to that because it''s cut parameters might fall in AGS Ideal. Does that mean hearts & arrows? Definitely not. H&A is a measure of optical symmetry only--overall cut grade takes much more into account. It is possible to have a H&A diamond that is not an overall great performer. This is rare because if the cutter is going to spend the time to get H&A symmetry, they will usually make sure it gets the highest grade from a lab. There are also a lot of extremely well cut stones that are ''near H&A'' that just miss in some area, but have exceptional light performance. Does it guarantee excellent light return? GIA Excellent has a pretty broad range and includes some angle combinations that just do not work well together, so no it is not a guarantee. A diamond with a new AGS Platinum report graded ideal has a light performance component, so would be a much safer choice. Does it help hide inclusions and help warmer colors face up whiter? A well cut stone will definitely face up whiter due to better light return. On inclusions, it depends on the type and location of the inclusion.


Appreciate your feedback...

~L

Thanks for the quick response jet2ks!

Okay, so if I''m looking for major white sparkle, what should my top priorities be for the stone?

 

[Lofi]

Oh and I should say I''m not super color sensitive, in that I think G looks white.

 

[jet2ks]

Cut should be the top priority--that is what is going to make the diamond sparkle and shine. Then it depends on your personal preferences. Size? Color? Clarity? Budget? Once you have determined what your wants are, then you can start searching. For instance, it you are wanting the largest size within a budget, I would say look at the lowest color you are willing to go in SI1 or SI2 clarity--as long as the vendor can confirm eye clean. I personally feel that G-H color is a great starting point to guarantee a very white stone. I or J stones can be beautiful, but some people will start to see the warmth in them. Some people like that "warm white" color, others not so much.

Color is very much a personal preference, with no wrong answer. Have you had a chance to look at some well cut stones in various colors? If you are near a Jared's, their Peerless line of AGS0 stones would give you a good idea, or a Hearts on Fire dealer would also be a good place to look at what colors you like.

Some people have a preference for higher clarity, so their search will be based on their clarity choices. Others want a certain size or specific color. Once again, no wrong answers, you just need to rate your preferences for Size, Color and Clarity and go from there. Which is most important to you?

 

[Lofi]

Date: 8/31/2009 12:02:30 AM
Author: jet2ks
Cut should be the top priority--that is what is going to make the diamond sparkle and shine. Then it depends on your personal preferences. Size? Color? Clarity? Budget? Once you have determined what your wants are, then you can start searching. For instance, it you are wanting the largest size within a budget, I would say look at the lowest color you are willing to go in SI1 or SI2 clarity--as long as the vendor can confirm eye clean. I personally feel that G-H color is a great starting point to guarantee a very white stone. I or J stones can be beautiful, but some people will start to see the warmth in them. Some people like that 'warm white' color, others not so much.


Color is very much a personal preference, with no wrong answer. Have you had a chance to look at some well cut stones in various colors? If you are near a Jared's, their Peerless line of AGS0 stones would give you a good idea, or a Hearts on Fire dealer would also be a good place to look at what colors you like.


Some people have a preference for higher clarity, so their search will be based on their clarity choices. Others want a certain size or specific color. Once again, no wrong answers, you just need to rate your preferences for Size, Color and Clarity and go from there. Which is most important to you?

Order of importance USED to be:

Carat
Color
Cut
Clarity
Cert - what's a cert?!


Now it's changed to:

Cut (Ideal/Excellent w/ excellent light return)
Carat (1.75-2 ct.)
Color (G-H)
Clarity ( Si1-Si2 eye-clean!!)
Flor (None-Medium Blue)
Cert GIA/AGS

Thanks again for your feedback - found it very helpful!

 

[Lorelei]

Jet offers great advice and yes if you want a beautiful diamond, it is cut quality which will give you that.

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 8/31/2009 12:38:04 AM
Author: LFVDoll

Date: 8/31/2009 12:02:30 AM
Author: jet2ks
Cut should be the top priority--that is what is going to make the diamond sparkle and shine. Then it depends on your personal preferences. Size? Color? Clarity? Budget? Once you have determined what your wants are, then you can start searching. For instance, it you are wanting the largest size within a budget, I would say look at the lowest color you are willing to go in SI1 or SI2 clarity--as long as the vendor can confirm eye clean. I personally feel that G-H color is a great starting point to guarantee a very white stone. I or J stones can be beautiful, but some people will start to see the warmth in them. Some people like that ''warm white'' color, others not so much.


Color is very much a personal preference, with no wrong answer. Have you had a chance to look at some well cut stones in various colors? If you are near a Jared''s, their Peerless line of AGS0 stones would give you a good idea, or a Hearts on Fire dealer would also be a good place to look at what colors you like.


Some people have a preference for higher clarity, so their search will be based on their clarity choices. Others want a certain size or specific color. Once again, no wrong answers, you just need to rate your preferences for Size, Color and Clarity and go from there. Which is most important to you?

Order of importance USED to be:

Carat
Color
Cut
Clarity
Cert - what''s a cert?!


Now it''s changed to:

Cut (Ideal/Excellent w/ excellent light return)
Carat (1.75-2 ct.)
Color (G-H)
Clarity ( Si1-Si2 eye-clean!!)
Flor (None-Medium Blue)
Cert GIA/AGS

Thanks again for your feedback - found it very helpful!

LOL! Great commrnt!

Wink

 

[jet2ks]

You are very welcome. Let us know how your search progresses--pictures are always a plus.