Is this a good diamond?

[tangomango]

Thinking about buying this diamond for engagement, it is about 7K from B&M but online with about same criteria gives such a wide range of results from 4200 to 7200.

I am not ready to make the jump to online purchase yet so I am willing to pay a little more but don''t want to be getting ripped off by B&M place...and can''t stretch too much outside my budget.

Please help give feedback. Your expert advice is much appreciated!

1.21 G SI1 Round
Table = 59
depth = 62.6
crown angle = 35
pavilion angle = 41.4
girdle = med - slightly thk
polish = good
symmetry = very good
flourescence = none
culet = none

GIA graded with inclusions...key symbols are feather & indented natural. Picture shows all on the edge & most are on the pavilion.

Thanks!!

 

[chrono]

The cut isn''t good at all: HCA 5.3.

If you want to stick to a B&M place, here''s the criteria you should aim for:
table 54-57%
depth 60-62%
crown angle 34-35
pavilion angle 40.7 to 41
polish and symmetry should be at least very good to excellent

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/20/2008 2:00:52 PM
Author:tangomango
Thinking about buying this diamond for engagement, it is about 7K from B&M but online with about same criteria gives such a wide range of results from 4200 to 7200.

I am not ready to make the jump to online purchase yet so I am willing to pay a little more but don't want to be getting ripped off by B&M place...and can't stretch too much outside my budget.

Please help give feedback. Your expert advice is much appreciated!

1.21 G SI1 Round
Table = 59
depth = 62.6
crown angle = 35
pavilion angle = 41.4
girdle = med - slightly thk
polish = good
symmetry = very good
flourescence = none
culet = none

GIA graded with inclusions...key symbols are feather & indented natural. Picture shows all on the edge & most are on the pavilion.

Thanks!!

Welcome!

You can do better than this diamond for sure. Stick to a smaller table around 54- 57% and a shallower crown angle ( 34 to 35 degrees) and a pavilion angle between 40.6 to 41. It would be better for the depth to be a bit shallower too - around 60 to 62% or a little more is often preferred. Polish and symmetry of very good and above. Girdle thin to medium, slightly thick, avoid extremes such as thin to thick.

If you ask your store to show you some AGS0 cut grade and GIA Excellent, this will make finding a lovely diamond easier.

 

[Cleo]

Hello! Welcome to PS

Honestly? The diamond isn''t great and you could do a lot better for your money.

I don''t know if you''ve been lurking on PS at all, but most PSers are reaaaaaally into getting fabulously well cut diamonds. Basically, getting an awesome cut is what makes a diamond incredible. It''s a great cut that gives sparkle, fire and scintillation: all the things we love about diamonds!

At PS we often use a tool called the Hollway Cut Advisor (HCA) to decide if a diamond is worth considering. It''s for weeding out less well cut stones.

http://www.pricescope.com/cutadviser.asp

PSers aim for a score of under 2, in general, for a really well cut stone.

Put in the figures for yourself and you''ll see your stone scores 5.3 ''Good - Only if price is your main criterion''. It scores ''Good'' for light return, ''Fair'' for fire, ''Fair'' for scintillation and ''Excellent'' for spread.

Most people would aim for Ex/Ex/Ex/Vg results for Light Return/Fire/Scintillation/Spread.

With this result I really would not even consider buying this diamond.

Can you ask your jeweller to call in some AGS0 Ideal cut diamonds, and GIA Excellent cuts? By looking at some REALLY well cut diamonds under various lighting conditions (Store lights, daylight, fluorescent light, low light) and comparing them to diamonds such as the one you listed you will see for yourself the difference that a great cut can make.

x x x

 

[tangomango]

Thank you all for the warm welcoming

Your responses are very help. I''ll shoot for those better numbers you suggested.

Do you think that it is possible to get a 1.2 carat diamond with excellent cut in the 6-7k range or am I dreaming?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[chrono]

If shopping online, definitely. If going with a B&M store, you'd better hone your bargaining skills.

TM,
Not sure if you are open to this, but there are some online stores with actual store fronts (real B&M). Good Old Gold in NY is one of them. Engagement Rings Direct is also in NYC but has a office by appointment. Whiteflash is in Houston, TX and will allow customers to view the stones in person by appointment. I don't know where you are and you might want to remain private but I'm just tossing out another option.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/20/2008 3:08:34 PM
Author: tangomango
Thank you all for the warm welcoming

Your responses are very help. I'll shoot for those better numbers you suggested.

Do you think that it is possible to get a 1.2 carat diamond with excellent cut in the 6-7k range or am I dreaming?

Thanks a bunch!

You are welcome! No you are not dreaming, some examples for you if you consider buying online....

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2952/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2712/

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-584864.htm

http://www.niceice.com/certcopies2008/ags0009348506/index.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-906735.htm

And there are more I found with a search. In all cases with SI clarity, check carefully with the vendor that it is eyeclean to your preferred level, should you consider buying online.

If you want to continue with a brick and mortar jeweller, then sticking to a place which can provide you with AGS0 and GIA Excellent cut grade diamonds as I suggested earlier, should make it easier for you.

 

[tangomango]

Thanks Everyone! You''ve been very helpful...I''ll checkout those websites & keep it to AGS0 & GIA excellent during my next B&M visit.

 

[Splinter]

Date: 4/21/2008 1:24:57 AM
Author: tangomango
Thanks Everyone! You''ve been very helpful...I''ll checkout those websites & keep it to AGS0 & GIA excellent during my next B&M visit.

Another win for the consumer! This site rocks!