Ideal Scope and Virtual Loupe---what am I looking for?

[tarator]

Just a recap, I'm buying in Nov/December, but trying to learn as much possible now.
I am looking for around 1 carat, I, SI2, Ideal Cut, AGS0, my budget 3.000-4.000US, I'd really like to stay around the lower part of the budget, but only if it means I can get a diamond that sparkles equally brilliant.

My question is since I'm buying online what does the Virtual Loupe tell me about the diamond.



Diamond i


To me the first diamond's patterns do not look at clean as diamond 2. Similarly there are a lot of ugly scrapes on the diamond. And lastly on the right side in the middle the diamond looks cloudy.
Do any of my observations mean anything or will they not show on the diamond? I prefer eye clean, but if there is a small black mark on the side of the diamond (Not in the middle I would not mind, as long as it is not too obvious).

Diamond 2
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1245437.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

This second diamond looks cleaner but again has a cloudy mark in the corner. Also this is a hearts and arrows and I have no idea how to read the Ideal Scope.


Diamond 3

This Virtual Loupe picture looked the nicest to me.http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1249136.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1192791.asproot">

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/24/2009 6:49:25 AM
Author:tarator
Just a recap, I'm buying in Nov/December, but trying to learn as much possible now.
I am looking for around 1 carat, I, SI2, Ideal Cut, AGS0, my budget 3.000-4.000US, I'd really like to stay around the lower part of the budget, but only if it means I can get a diamond that sparkles equally brilliant.

My question is since I'm buying online what does the Virtual Loupe tell me about the diamond.



Diamond i


To me the first diamond's patterns do not look at clean as diamond 2. Similarly there are a lot of ugly scrapes on the diamond. And lastly on the right side in the middle the diamond looks cloudy.
Do any of my observations mean anything or will they not show on the diamond? I prefer eye clean, but if there is a small black mark on the side of the diamond (Not in the middle I would not mind, as long as it is not too obvious). Pass on this one, although it is an AGS0 cut grade it is what we call a steep deep and I can see enough from the photo to see it will show leakage, so I wouldn't bother with this one at all.

Also for future reference with the virtual loupe, ask the seller to check if the diamond is eyeclean to your standards or not, going by these images is not a reliable indicator of eyecleanliness or lack of.

Diamond 2
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1245437.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

This second diamond looks cleaner but again has a cloudy mark in the corner. Also this is a hearts and arrows and I have no idea how to read the Ideal Scope.

Diamond 2 shows potential, again don't go by the virtual loupe as any indication of whether the diamond is eyeclean or not, ask the vendor. As to whether it is h&a if you are serious about this one ask JA if they have the hearts image for this diamond ready yet.


Diamond 3

This Virtual Loupe picture looked the nicest to me.[url=http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1249136.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131]http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1249136.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1192791.asp

Diamond 3 looks good, check with the vendor as there is a grade setting cloud plotted that it isn't impacting brilliance and the stone is eyeclean, if so then it could be an excellent choice.

Just fix this link before I begin...

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1192791.asp

Not a great diamond, you can do better than the one above. See above for more thoughts.[/URL]

 

[tarator]

Thank you. How can you tell if a diamond shows leakage based on it''s virtual loop?
Also, I notice a difference in symmetrics and color in the images of the virtual loop.


When looking at a virtual loop what should I look for?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/24/2009 8:01:02 AM
Author: tarator
Thank you. How can you tell if a diamond shows leakage based on it's virtual loop?
Also, I notice a difference in symmetrics and color in the images of the virtual loop.


When looking at a virtual loop what should I look for?

An Idealscope image is best to show leakage however in the virtual loupe image you can see the leakage as a darkish ring around the outside of the table, this is caused by the crown and pavilion angle combo being what we call steep deep, but normally use an IS image to look for leakage rather than these virtual loupe images, they are only designed to show inclusions, not performance, beauty or whether a diamond is eyeclean or not.

 

[tarator]

Thanks. That helps a lot.

A brown ring around the table is the that the light leakage? Anyway anyone could post more virtual loop pictures that have ideal leakage. (Trying to learn how to spot it). I looked at a bunch of other diamonds but couldn''t really tell.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/24/2009 9:14:52 AM
Author: tarator
Thanks. That helps a lot.

A brown ring around the table is the that the light leakage? Anyway anyone could post more virtual loop pictures that have ideal leakage. (Trying to learn how to spot it). I looked at a bunch of other diamonds but couldn't really tell.

Most welcome! As far as I can tell the brownish ring around the table is leakage and looking at the steep deep angle combo also the leakage is what I would expect from these. Also really the best way to spot leakage is with Idealscope images rather than the virtual loupe photos, they aren't designed to show leakage and I would hate for you to pass up a very promising diamond by thinking it shows leakage from one of these photos when it doesn't if that makes sense. Often these photos can look weird and offputting but are not representative of the actual diamond's beauty or appearance. IS images are much easier to read for leakage and are designed for that purpose.

This tutorial explains about Idealscope, ASET and leakage

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance