Idealscope picture is in for both diamonds. Gimme a final decision. Who is the champ?

[diamondheart]

So I asked about a 2 weeks ago which diamond to choose. A couple of you PS''ers wanted an Idealscope picture before giving a final decision.

I was originally looking for a H&A diamond and found one at ExcelDiamonds. I asked what PS''ers thought and they said it was nice but some said the Imagescope revealed that there was a little light leakage under the table. Another said there were better at a better price. PS''ers said there are diamonds that will sparkle very well without being an H&A.

So I started looking for a well cut diamond using the HCA. I know this is only a guide in picking out the diamond and the not the final say.

I found a diamond at James Allen and it looked like what I wanted. The size, color, clarity and especially the price. I called them and had them bring it in and take an Imagescope of the diamond. The only thing I don''t like about the diamond is the feather at the edge of the diamond. It is a F VS1 and PS''ers were saying a VS1 is not visible without loupes.

However my biggest fear is that this feather is a weakened area of the diamond and if a prong is put there to hide the feather, it may possibly chip the diamond. I read somewhere else on another thread that a square diamond with a feather on the corner was bad because it may chip. Am I being too worried about the feather? If you look at the IdeaScope picture, I think you can see the feather at the tip of the arrow at the 6:30 position.

I am looking for a Tiffany style setting with six prongs.

Here are the two diamonds. James Allen has taken it off pricescope so I will load the picture is the next few replies.

The Exceldiamond is at this link and has the GIA, Imagescope, Brilliancescope and all the other goodies.

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/diamond/24951.html

 

[diamondheart]

GIA for the James Allen

 

[diamondheart]

Idealscope for the James Allen

 

[diamondheart]

Exceldiamond H&A

 

[diamondheart]

Excel Imagescope

 

[FacetFire]

I see less leakage in the center of the James Allen one...so that would be my pick! (also, the Ja stone gets a .9 and ex,ex,ex,vg on the HCA, whereas the second gets a 1.9 and ex,vg,vg,vg)

 

[Ellen]

Yep, JA gets my vote.

 

[tanuki]

James Allen one has the better light return.

 

[DiamondExpert]

I see no reason for selecting one stone over the other based on a comparison of these 2 IS images. In my opinion there''s far too much over interpretation of small IS pattern differences, which might easily be chalked up to slightly different instruments, photo setups, stone not being perfectly aligned, lighting condition differences, and which, even if perfectly shot, probably won''t translate into visible differences in light performance.

 

[Regular Guy]

I had Gary''s suspicions, but was reluctant to say them. It does make one wonder how to best find value in the posted image of an idealscope. Reasonably, you can compare one to another within one shop, but crossing vendors...seems difficult to make an apples to apples experience. Of course, in this case, other tools also express the performance of the Superbcert diamond as well.

In this case, if there is a real desire to compare, and you''re a) willing to spend the money, and b) really want to decide between one and another, then c) identifying an appraiser who you feel will bring the correct expertise to deciding between one and another may be the more reliable approach.

Then again, if you''re deciding between the two as a function of both performance and economy, the extra expense may not be functional after all.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 8/19/2006 10:11:53 PM
Author: DiamondExpert
I see no reason for selecting one stone over the other based on a comparison of these 2 IS images. In my opinion there''s far too much over interpretation of small IS pattern differences, which might easily be chalked up to slightly different instruments, photo setups, stone not being perfectly aligned, lighting condition differences, and which, even if perfectly shot, probably won''t translate into visible differences in light performance.

Just what I was thinking, too!!! You really can only compare idealscopes taken with the same camera set up. I''m sure they are both great. Buy the one with the better price. You do not need to worry about a feather on the VS1. It will be so tiny it will not be an issue. Surely the setter has enough sense to know how to set it correctly anyway.

 

[ladykemma]

i like #1. smaller table.

 

[diamondheart]

Do any of you guys think that from the Idealscope of the JA diamond, that it would be a poor performer or a dead diamond? I purchased the JA diamond and had it sent to an appraiser and can''t see her until 9/7 because she is at some Diamond convetion in San Diego til the 8/30. I am getting nervous because this is my first diamond purchase and for my E-ring and want it to be shiny and alive!

 

[kcoursolle]

I think the JA diamond will be a lovely performer, congrats on your purchase!! I wouldn''t worry about the tiny feather either. Can''t wait to see the pics!

 

[diamondheart]

So I got the diamond and had it appraised. The appraiser said the GIA cert matches the diamond except for one category. The GIA gives Fluoresence a NONE but the appraiser said she will put a negligible after checking it under a blacklight. She said the GIA is screwy and not to worry. This is an F diamond and I thought a Fluourescence would make it worth less. She said that the fluorescence isn''t hurting the stone.

Also she said she had a hard time finding the feather and she said not to worry about it when being set. She stated that it is a beautiful diamond, and she showed me some ASET and Idealscope with her little viewer. It looks nice and she said in the ASET there was little green, which was good she said.

The are some inclusions but I could only see them with a 10x loupe. This is ok in a VS1 correct? Hope my girlfriend or soon to be fiance can''t see them. I thought it was too sparkly to see it.

I am going to keep this diamond and have it set. As soon as I get I back I will try and take a picture of it.

 

[strmrdr]

congrates!!!!!!!

 

[kcoursolle]

ooooh, can''t wait for pictures. It''s going to be a beauty! Congrats on your purchase, I''m glad it checked out at the appraiser and you feel good about it.