Ideal cut - I get it now

[less_confused]

Thanks to everyone for their advice. You guys are great!

I was able to do a side-by-side comparison of an excellent cut and a very good cut diamond (both GIA).
I totally saw the difference.

Not sure if I care enough for a pair of earrings, but I definitely understand the advantage.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/27/2009 3:40:19 PM
Author:less_confused
Thanks to everyone for their advice. You guys are great!

I was able to do a side-by-side comparison of an excellent cut and a very good cut diamond (both GIA).
I totally saw the difference.

Not sure if I care enough for a pair of earrings, but I definitely understand the advantage.

Thats excellent!

 

[stone-cold11]

Actually some VG cuts are not that bad. So do not discount them automatically but look for the cause of it''s grade. Some are just due to minor faults like slightly large variation of girdle or shallower pavilion angles.

 

[Lorelei]

Also I forgot to mention as my computer is acting up and running slowly, be careful with GIA Excellent cut grade, sometimes they can fall within what we call on Pricescope the " steep deep'' zone and light leakage can be the result. So take each on its own desirable visual and physical properties, when you find some you like post all the details and report back here so we can take a look for you.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Excellent!

Can you describe what you saw?
I''m asking because sometimes it''s possible to attribute something to other than what you might think.
That is to say: An EX cut grade might look nicer, but it might be due to things that have nothing to do with the difference between an EX and a VG.
If you can find VG stones that you love, you will save money.
SO- if the difference you saw was attributable to the cut grade difference, go for it!
If not, maybe look at other VG cut grade diamonds.

 

[less_confused]

I compared 2 loose diamonds and 1 stud earring
* Stud earring I, SI1 Very Good per GIA
* Loose diamond #1 Ideal (Excellent), I, SI1
* Loose diamond #2 Very Good, H, VS2

In terms of color, H and I were almost identical to my eye
In terms of clarity, SI1 and VS2 looked identical to my eye (even with a 10x loop)

In terms of cut, if I describe what I saw, it''s feels like I''m describing wine - I am challenged to put things into words. So please bear with me
First, there seemed to be more facets. It''s like the sparkling was greater and I saw more cuts.
Second, it looked clearer. Almost like glass.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/27/2009 6:00:10 PM
Author: less_confused
I compared 2 loose diamonds and 1 stud earring
* Stud earring I, SI1 Very Good per GIA
* Loose diamond #1 Ideal (Excellent), I, SI1
* Loose diamond #2 Very Good, H, VS2

In terms of color, H and I were almost identical to my eye
In terms of clarity, SI1 and VS2 looked identical to my eye (even with a 10x loop)

In terms of cut, if I describe what I saw, it's feels like I'm describing wine - I am challenged to put things into words. So please bear with me
First, there seemed to be more facets. It's like the sparkling was greater and I saw more cuts.
Second, it looked clearer. Almost like glass.

Definitely sounds like performance differences and how the virtual facets are interacting on each, be interesting to have all the info on each. I was comparing some myself the other day, its fun to really *look* at diamonds!

 

[Black Jade]

The first time I saw an AGS 000 (which was not even a branded Ideal, or marked as Hearts and Arrows) I was struck very much by the intensity of the sparkle--there was a real difference between that and my previous diamond (which also DID sparkle and which I still love. It doesn''t have papers, its from 1982 and I know its H/I color and VS but don''t know the cut, I would guess ''very good cut''--but my guess doesn''t mean anything at all, I know).

The AGS 000 also looked much more organized, if I may use that word. I am a person who enjoys clean lines and symmetry (I''m really attracted to emerald cuts although unfortunately they look terrible on my fingers) and the faultless, very exact symmetry of the cut of the AGS 000 really appealed to me, especially combined with the brightness of the stone (I''m sorry I don''t know the technical meanings of brilliance, fire, scintillation well so can''t use the proper technical language).

But although I love symmetry my most recent diamond is a tiny little (.25) transitional, not between OEC and modern, but between old mine cut and old european cut. It has a noticeable black hole in the middle (from the light leaking out of the big culet these stones have) and is not symmetrical at all, but its still incredibly beautiful in a different way than the AGS 0000--I love to look at both and compare their different beauties.l

 

[Black Jade]

Sorry. I put AGS 0000 but that''s not right. Actually I think my stone is only an AGS 0--It''s AGS Ideal cut, but its not a D color--it''s an F and it''s certainly not flawless, it''s an SI1. I think technically to be 000 it has to be D color, IF and ideal cut.