Is AGS 0 Grade "Ideal Cut" the same thing as H&A?

[prettyarmor]

I have a diamond that is supposed to be a H&A, but after reading posts from you guys I look at my AGS report and it says AGS grade 0, polish ideal, symmetry ideal.

Do I have a H&A or what?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/6/2009 8:58:10 AM
Author:prettyarmor
I have a diamond that is supposed to be a H&A, but after reading posts from you guys I look at my AGS report and it says AGS grade 0, polish ideal, symmetry ideal.

Do I have a H&A or what?

Is it a branded h&a such as an Infinty, Hearts on Fire, A Cut Above etc? It may not say on the AGS report that the diamond is h&a, sometimes there can be a comment in the report and an inscription on the diamond, but what makes a h&a diamond can vary immensely from vendor to vendor, however it sounds as if you have a lovely diamond - the proportions are what drive the light return ( sparkle) rather than an arrow pattern, so I wouldn't worry too much but if you could give us a bit more info that would help. Anyone can tout a diamond as h&a but whether it is in reality we can't tell without more info.

 

[prettyarmor]

No branding that I''m aware of, but I had no part in the buying/researching process. This is all my fiance. But when I found out he was doing it, I started coming here looking at diamonds and stuff just out of excitement.

So he gave it to me a few weeks ago and I just love it. I said how did you find it and he says "I emailed the broker and told her my budget and that I wanted a H&A and this is what she recommended." (shrug)

But you are right--it''s lovely nonetheless and it wouldn''t hurt me either way if it were or were not the H&A pattern. There is just a lot of minute details about diamonds--especially for the novice and I am just a little confused. Is there a difference between ideal and super ideal?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/6/2009 9:22:56 AM
Author: prettyarmor
No branding that I'm aware of, but I had no part in the buying/researching process. This is all my fiance. But when I found out he was doing it, I started coming here looking at diamonds and stuff just out of excitement.

So he gave it to me a few weeks ago and I just love it. I said how did you find it and he says 'I emailed the broker and told her my budget and that I wanted a H&A and this is what she recommended.' (shrug)

But you are right--it's lovely nonetheless and it wouldn't hurt me either way if it were or were not the H&A pattern. There is just a lot of minute details about diamonds--especially for the novice and I am just a little confused. Is there a difference between ideal and super ideal?

The only meaningful use of the term Ideal pertains to AGS labs AGS0 Ideal cut grade. Be cautious with the term Ideal as it can be used loosely in some circumstances by vendors and does not guarantee you a well cut diamond. The term superideal is sometimes used here to describe top make cut diamonds such as the branded H&A which are often AGS0. Also you can find well cut diamonds which show an arrow pattern, diamonds which are not well cut which can show an arrow pattern and well cut diamonds which do not, so there are variables! The proportions are what matter to get that light running through the diamond returned to your eyes as sparkle as they are the bricks and mortar, hearts and arrows are really secondary to this.

This info might help you also. Enjoy your diamond, it sounds like your fiance did very well

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

 

[prettyarmor]

Thank you Lorelei

And he did well indeed. I''ll try not to drive myself crazy splitting hairs over the details. The important thing is it came from the bottom of his heart and it sparkles like magic

I have to do this

when looking at it under certain lights

If you guys love pics as much as I do I''ll post one soon. I am having a hard time capturing a good one...but then again I''m only using my Iphone

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/6/2009 9:49:31 AM
Author: prettyarmor
Thank you Lorelei

And he did well indeed. I''ll try not to drive myself crazy splitting hairs over the details. The important thing is it came from the bottom of his heart and it sparkles like magic

I have to do this

when looking at it under certain lights

If you guys love pics as much as I do I''ll post one soon. I am having a hard time capturing a good one...but then again I''m only using my Iphone

I am very glad to help and I bet you have a beauty there!

We do indeed love pics, try a digicam if you have one, set to macro mode, no flash and keep the camera and ring as steady as possible. Also try shooting outside with the sun behind you, it takes practise to get good shots!

 

[prettyarmor]

I can''t wait to try!

I swore I would keep my nails done once I got this ring. That sentiment quickly went out the door.

But I promise to at least have them filed before I attempt these pictures and spare you guys the train wreck that is currently my nails

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/6/2009 10:07:19 AM
Author: prettyarmor
I can''t wait to try!

I swore I would keep my nails done once I got this ring. That sentiment quickly went out the door.

But I promise to at least have them filed before I attempt these pictures and spare you guys the train wreck that is currently my nails

Be prepared that you might only get one or two pics out of say 20 shots which are good, this apparently is usual so keep trying and experimenting! There are threads on this topic if you really want to get into it too!

Don''t worry about the nails, I promise you we will be far too focused on your gorgeous bling to notice!

 

[oldminer]

Many well cut diamonds display a H&A set of images in a viewer, but they may not be as precise as diamonds intentionally being cut to display a fine rendering of exacting H&A appearances. You''d probably have to be in the diamond business to see the slight differences involved, but diamond grading and pricing is all based on very fine hair-splitting of such tiny details. Diamonds of the highest quality of color, clarity and/or cut are priced very much on what experts detect and not what anyone else would notice or be able to readily see. Some cultures have a preference for very high perfection while others are much more inclined to pay only for what a person can readily appreciate visually.

 

[prettyarmor]

I was going to be grateful for whatever I got but I must admit how thrilled I am with his choice. IMO he went above and beyond...but I''m so glad he did!


Thanks for the clarification on the whole H&A thing--I was starting to get a headache from it.

 

[Judah Gutwein]

PA,

.....Also, keep in mind that the fact that you won''t see the designation "H&A" on the report (AGS or GIA) does not mean that the stone may not have the H&A pattern, it simply isn''t included in the report as a "grade".

Best,