Idealscope vs. H&A Scope

[TalkDoc]

An appraiser I''ve called said he uses an H&A Scope. Is that comparable to an Idealscope? Do you all have preferences for one or the other?

thx

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/30/2009 2:56:45 PM
Author:TalkDoc
An appraiser I''ve called said he uses an H&A Scope. Is that comparable to an Idealscope? Do you all have preferences for one or the other?

thx

No. The H&A viewer just shows optical symmetry. An IS shows light return, and that''s much more important. You want to know it''s performing well.

H&A viewers are nice to have, and necessary if you bought a stone advertised as such and had not seen pics previously. But of the two, an IS is more important!

Here''s some info.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/hna.asp
http://diamonds.pricescope.com/firescope.asp

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/30/2009 3:14:12 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 4/30/2009 2:56:45 PM
Author:TalkDoc
An appraiser I''ve called said he uses an H&A Scope. Is that comparable to an Idealscope? Do you all have preferences for one or the other?

thx

No. The H&A viewer just shows optical symmetry. An IS shows light return, and that''s much more important. You want to know it''s performing well.

H&A viewers are nice to have, and necessary if you bought a stone advertised as such and had not seen pics previously. But of the two, an IS is more important!

Here''s some info.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/hna.asp
http://diamonds.pricescope.com/firescope.asp

Ditto, also an ASET or Idealscope is more useful than a h&a viewer, personally ASET is my tool of choice as it serves most purposes.

 

[HornAround]

ASET?, and how do I get one of these to look at my diamond?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/30/2009 4:32:24 PM
Author: HornAround
ASET?, and how do I get one of these to look at my diamond?

You can buy one here,

http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_zoom_item.asp?Id=23&ShowAdd=Y

 

[TalkDoc]

Thanks.

So here''s the rub... the vendor I am dealing with claims it is almost impossible to provide Idealscope/ASET images before the sale.

The three appraisers in my (not-so-immediate) vicinity tell me they don''t have the equipment. One even said they don''t feel it''s their job to assess cut and/or dispute what the cert claims re: cut, but rather that they simply aim to verify the stone is the one I purchased. I guess that means dimensions, color, and clarity are fair game, but not cut.

So how does one actually go about buying a diamond online? Am I a simply a victim of geography? Are most people actually able to find appraisers who can produce idealscope/ASETs? I really don''t want to buy my own scope for one stone purchase. But where can I turn if all I am armed with before finalizing a sale is the HCA score?

Your thoughts appreciated...

 

[stone-cold11]

It is not that expensive to own an IS/ASET scope. ASET is $60 while IS is at $25, excluding shipping.

Or you could sent it by registered/insured mail to one of the appraisers who regularly post here? Such as David Atlas, PA, Neil Beaty, CO, or Richard Sherwood, FL.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I can open camera,change settings to tungsten - the little globe, zoom in to 3X, place stone in ideal-light, put IS on top and click of 10 photo''s in less than a minute.

Camera - cheapies work best - $150, IS gear about $65 inc shipping

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/1/2009 5:02:24 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
It is not that expensive to own an IS/ASET scope. ASET is $60 while IS is at $25, excluding shipping.

Or you could sent it by registered/insured mail to one of the appraisers who regularly post here? Such as David Atlas, PA, Neil Beaty, CO, or Richard Sherwood, FL.

No, ASET is $50. http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_zoom_item.asp?Id=23&ShowAdd=Y

The postal method you mention is USPS Registered Mail which is has insurance up to 25k, this amount might have changed so best for users to check if mailing a high value item.

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 5/1/2009 10:17:01 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 5/1/2009 5:02:24 AM

Author: Stone-cold11

It is not that expensive to own an IS/ASET scope. ASET is $60 while IS is at $25, excluding shipping.
Or you could sent it by registered/insured mail to one of the appraisers who regularly post here? Such as David Atlas, PA, Neil Beaty, CO, or Richard Sherwood, FL.

No, ASET is $50. http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_zoom_item.asp?Id=23&ShowAdd=Y

Oops. Display problem or my eyes well are not working in the morning.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/1/2009 10:19:10 AM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 5/1/2009 10:17:01 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 5/1/2009 5:02:24 AM

Author: Stone-cold11

It is not that expensive to own an IS/ASET scope. ASET is $60 while IS is at $25, excluding shipping.
Or you could sent it by registered/insured mail to one of the appraisers who regularly post here? Such as David Atlas, PA, Neil Beaty, CO, or Richard Sherwood, FL.

No, ASET is $50. http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_zoom_item.asp?Id=23&ShowAdd=Y

Oops. Display problem or my eyes well are not working in the morning.

Maybe you need some more caffeine!

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 5/1/2009 10:19:40 AM
Author: Lorelei
Maybe you need some more caffeine!

Never worked for me. I can drink until espresso my hands are shaking and still fall asleep within 5 minutes.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/1/2009 10:24:04 AM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 5/1/2009 10:19:40 AM
Author: Lorelei
Maybe you need some more caffeine!

Never worked for me. I can drink until espresso my hands are shaking and still fall asleep within 5 minutes.

REALLY?? Wow! You must be immune, thats a shame as caffeine such a handy pick me up!