Is depth of 59.4% too shallow for brilliant?

[Sunshines]

Hi, came across a EVVS2 stone 1.79ct, GIA graded with the following specs. It scores 0.4 on HCA using the crown and pavilion angle. Can you guys give your opinion of its performance?

GIA
Depth 59.4%
Table 56%
Girdle thin/Med
Polish Ex
Symmetry VG
Crown angle 34 deg
Pavilion 40.6 deg
Crown Depth 14.5%
Pav Depth 42.5%
Flou/culet none
Measurement 7.93X7.99
Cut : GIA Excellent

 

[aussiegirl23]

Sunshines...

The 59.4% depth is incredibly close to Tolkowsky''s Ideal cut standards and based on the HCA score of 0.4... WOW!

Are you concerned because you''ve seen the stone in person and weren''t impressed?

Otherwise, it looks GREAT on paper! - Excellent scintillation, light return, fire & spread.

What''s your concern? The depth is absolutely fine.

Maybe I''m missing something here - I''m sure the experts will chime in soon enough!

Aussiegirl : p

 

[Demelza]

The specs on that stone are an almost dead ringer for my current stone. Yes, it is likely considered a somewhat shallow cut and might not qualify for AGS 0 status under the new cut grade system (I know mine doesn't, but it has a slightly shallower crown angle). Some might say it would be best suited for a pendant as it might look a bit dark up close. It is, however, a GIA excellent cut, which is nothing to sneeze at. How picky you want to be about the numbers is up to you. Honestly, it's probably a very pretty stone and you are getting maximum spread for the carat weight. Have you seen it in person? I've been told by some very reputable experts in the field that worrying over a few degrees here and there is probably a waste of time and money. Would this stone look better if it had slightly deeper angles? I honestly don't know. Been wondering that myself for quite a while now. If you can compare it to other ideal cuts with a less shallow cut, that would probably be best. If you think you'll worry about the angles if you do purchase the stone, whether it's warranted or not, then I'd pass. But I suspect the reality may be that it's just as beautiful as a stone that is ever so slightly deeper. Certainly worth checking out. And with that color and clarity, you don't have to worrry about how white or eyeclean it is!

ETA Just realized that you were referring specifically to the depth percentage and not the angles. I'm not sure how total depth impacts performance unless it's super extreme one way or another. Hopefully an expert will chime in. My sense is that the depth alone will not detract from the brilliance. And if you're talking about brilliance specifically (white light return), then it might actually help with that?? Not sure on that one, though.

 

[Sunshines]

Thanks Aussiegirl and Demelza. I have seen the stone, it did not have the perfect H&A pattern which I was hoping for. But what attracted me was the look of its size......it can pass as a two carat given its diameter. anyone knows if this can be considered an Ideal cut stone? I hope it does!

 

[Mara]

it''d be an intriguing stone for sure with those numbers...but if it really isn''t what you wanted, then i would keep looking. maybe it could pass for a 2c stone (though not really because a 2c stone is more like 8.2mm) to the casual observer, but is that what you are looking for? you said you wanted a better H&A pattern, if this stone is not EVERYTHING you have been looking for, then keep looking. we see a lot of second guessing indecision around here, so you have to trust your gut and go with what you really feel you will be happiest with long-term. good luck!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Put the numbers into the Holloway cut advisor (under Tools) and you can see if it falls in the AGS0 (ideal cut) lines.

 

[turtledazzle]

Please forgive me if anything below is incorrect, as I am new to this and there are others on here who know *much* more than I. For the cut grading, the DIY cut grader on www.gemappraisers.com gives this stone an overall 1A grade, with only the pavilion depth at 1B.

However, on the HCA chart the stone lies within the GIA Excellent green dot outline, but outside the AGS Ideal white outline.


Cut Grading Report for Round Cut Stones
Shape: Round
Table % 56.0% Grade: 1A
Crown Angle 34.0° Grade: 1A
Crown Height % 14.5% Grade: 1A
Pavilion Depth % 42.5% Grade: 1B
Girdle Thickness Thin to Medium Grade: 1A
Total Depth % 59.40% Grade: 1A
Polish Excellent / Very Good Grade: 1A * Not a primary determining factor.
Symmetry Excellent / Very Good Grade: 1A * Not a primary determining factor.

Final Grade: 1A

 

[Sunshines]

Thanks Turtledazzer, Yes I did the same and was kind of disappointed that it doesnt fall in the AGS 0 zone. But I think I am still going ahead with the stone as I have seen it and it looks very sparkling!