Is compromising on cut that bad???

[naomi]

I have been thinking so long about a ring I like to purchase. Previously I asked about this stone in the forum and encouraged by people to go against ideal cut stream (sometime, trusting your eyes). But I sill need further opinion. (After I got a lot of education in this forum, I feel big anxiety about sacrificing cut over all other factors.)

I like its color (D), clarity (not care about, but happened to be IF), ringfs design/make (perfect!), and price (acceptable, I mean). Most importantly I like the shape of that pear diamond. But cut seems to rank probably 3A AGA class. My husband liked that ring. A good thing is I would have a life-time trade-in opportunity (if I purchase) and therefore I might be able to correct the situation to be perfect in every possible way in futurec. What do you think? I am still looking around, so please give me your frank opinion!

 

[naomi]

Oh, and, the ring and stone overall looked beautibul to my/husband eyes.

 

[aljdewey]

I'd say....as long as you both like the stone, get it. You are the only two that have to pleased with its appearance.




Having said that, I'd really recommend putting that stone next to a stone with a better cut so you can compare the look. Before getting engaged, I'd had a few small diamonds, and they looked beautiful to me. Then one day I ran into someone who wore an ideal cut stone, and I couldn't believe how beautiful her stone was.....the SPARKLE was amazing. I never realized what a difference cut could make. I was perfectly content with what I had until I saw how much better a well-cut stone looked.....and then I wasn't as enthralled with mine.




Better to make that comparison *pre-purchase*......you'd hate to run into an opportunity to compare later and then regret that you didn't know better beforehand.




Oh, and one quick cautionary note on the comment "lifetime trade-up means I'd be able to correct a problem later"........that may not go over as well with your husband, so make sure you discuss that possibility *before* you buy. If he's okay with the thought of your trading up later, wonderful. Guys can be funny about that -- a few girls here have ended up having their FIs/DHs get "attached" to the stone they purchased and not wanting them to trade it up.

 

[naomi]

Thank you for your through opinion, Aljdewey.

I am wondering if the difference between excellent and good/ok cut among fancy shapes (especially pear) is so noticeable enoughg like RB?

 

[Icicles]

Would you mind posting the specs? I'm just wondering what makes it a 3A.

 

[naomi]

Hi,Icecles.
All I have is GIA report.
1.42ct D/IF Pear shape
9.76*6.69*3.66
Depth 54.7% !!!
Table 64% !!!
Gridle Thin to Thick
Culet Small
Polish good
Symmetry good
Fluorescence none

It is shallow, but to untrained eye, I did not notice too much difference from other rings I saw at a same time (60%~65% depth).

If you can tell anything, that would be great.

 

[Icicles]

Is the bowtie noticable? If it looks close enough to the other ones you've seen, then I wouldn't fret.

 

[naomi]

A bowtie, I would not think so.

Maybe I am insensitive, but I only see noticeable bowtie in a magnified educational/tutorial pictures. In real size stones, I hardly notice a bow-tie (is that black? maybe I am missing....) (I moved the ring to near window to get sun light, tilted around, etc.)

But thank you very much, I will pay attention, when I go back to the store.

 

[cflutist]

On paper, the stone is a 2B for the table, and a 3B for the depth. The length to width ratio 9.76/6.69 = 1.46 which is a tad outside of the trade preference of 1.5 - 1.75. But again, that is just a preference.
The good news is that it faces up as if it were about 1.6 cts (if it were to have a 60% depth percentage).

How is the outline or "shape appeal" as they call it in GIA Diamond Grading class? Is it a pleasing tear drop outline without broad shoulders or a bulging belly? Are the wings on the sides even?

Let you eyes be your guide.

 

[naomi]

Cflutist, you are the one who has one of my dream kind of pear diamond (3ct!?!) I have enjoyed your pitures posted. So~~~ beautiful in color, outline, sparks.

What I found in the store (under my budget) is nice color and bright pear, but not so much firy (I guess. I think it is partly the size?).
Anyway the stone set in a pink mere diamond single row elegant arm and my size!

Outline was beautifuly appealing tear drop (no shoulder, what bulging belly?) and only shorter (compared to yours). I think wing? side seems symmetry.

P.S.
What do you think about
http://www.goodoldgold.com/pear_1_89ct_e_vs1.htm

 

[cflutist]

----------------
On 9/6/2004 11:37:08 PM naomi wrote:


P.S.
What do you think about
http://www.goodoldgold.com/pear_1_89ct_e_vs1.htm
----------------

The numbers look really good. However, did you notice the slight bow-tie in the Clarity Analysis picture, its the dark area near the tweezer points.
It also shows in the picture on the ladies finger. I have seen darker bow-ties. The question to ask yourself is, do you like it even if it has a slight bow-tie?

Based on the numbers alone, I would choose this stone over the D/IF. But that is just my preference. Is there a way you could see them side by side?

 

[valeria101]

It doesn't sounds liek you are making ANY compromise at all. All those charts are there to help buyers choose among diamonds they cannot see - you saw yours

Did you get to see a strykingly more brilliant pear? The AGA charts are not meant to predict brilliance in the first place. The proportions of the respective pear ar a bit off by numbers, but this does not make the diamond visually unattractive. You may well choose this one over a more brilliant piece, it just makes sense to see a pear with top light return before deciding, IMO.

That "trust your eyes" message makes lots of sense if you get to choose from an already good selection of stones. Otherwise, every diamond looks reather appealing on it's own. And those that are already set are even harder to judge.