Is this a good Radiant??

[baguettel]

I am interested in purchasing the stone noted below (sight unseen but will be independently appraised) and would like any thoughts out there - good or bad! From the two tables I have off the internet, it does not fall within the "ideal" for table and depth (although it does for crown height, girdle, polish & symmetry) but three other guidelines from gemologists/master goldsmiths I have spoken with have indicated that it falls within their "ideal to excellent cut". I am wondering if it is too deep? Any comments would be helpful.

2.50 carat Radiant
VS1 I
8.38 x 6.73 x 5.00 (1:1.25 ratio)
depth 74.3% table 69%
no fluor. no culet
very good symmetry very good polish
crown height 13%
pavilion depth 56%
girdle - medium, polished
EGL (that''s why I want it checked out)

 

[icelady]

Hi Baguettel,

I plugged your numbers into the AGA www.gemappraisers.com and came up with a 3A meaning "US domestic average cut". The crown height, girdle, and polish/sym all got 1A grading, while the table received 2A and the depth received 3B. You may want to go onto the above website to read about what the specifics are regarding your numbers. It seems that the AGA feels that the stone is a bit deep.

One thing I think most people on this forum would agree with (and I think you have already touched upon this!) is that since there are no set standards for fancy cut diamonds, you may want to view this stone along with others to compare them and find the "one" that speaks to you.

You cannot go wrong having an independent appraisal done to set your mind at ease. However, you will probably still want to see it yourself as well.

Also, Radiant cut stones have a tendency to show color and depending on your color preference and sensitivity, you may see the I color.

Hope this helps.

 

[baguettel]

Hi Icelady,

Thanks for your reply. I also plugged the stats into the same chart earlier, but they are only one opinion. There are other so-called experts that (from using their charts) would say it is an excellent cut. Everyone has a different opinion and you don't know who to believe. I would be setting the "I" in 14k yellow gold so that might help. I was also told by a local jeweller NOT to buy a radiant because no one will set them - they are far too difficult. I am in Canada and they are NOT popular here at all - in fact, most jewellers have never heard of them. They seem to very popular in the States and it is the first I have heard that they would be difficult to set because of their cut corners. Any thoughts??

 

[icelady]

I went with a radiant myself because I love the fact that it is different! Never any problem to set it, in fact the cut corners should not present a problem. It should not be as risky to set a radiant as it could be to set a princess cut with those pointed corners.

What other cut advisors did you find besides AGA (Gemappraisers.com) for fancy cuts? I am curious. Also, if I had gone strictly by the cut charts, I would not have asked my jeweler to call my stone in for viewing. A well cut stone of any shape can hide a multitude of faults!

 

[baguettel]

Hi Icelady,

I just wrote you a long reply and my boyfriend came in and I must have hit cancel instead of submit and now its gone!

Anyhow, a local gemologist/master goldsmith made up a table with 3 master cutters on the "ideal" fancy cuts. He was fed up that no one has done it yet. Their idea of and ideal table is 63-69 and an ideal depth of 62-66. So the stone I'm interested in falls in his ideal with the table and works out to be excellent in depth. His length to width ratio for a perfect rectangle is 1:1.3. Everyone has a different opinion and as a layperson, it is so hard to decide. It is a HUGE purchase (especially when you take into account, the foreign exchange and all the taxes) so I don't want to make a mistake. The price is really good.

 

[icelady]

Don't you hate it when that happens!

I would like to view your expert's chart, if its not too much trouble to post. Of course, I haven't seen a radiant that falls within the charts I have found so far. There are so many variables such as length to width, as well as cut and depth. I have seen radiants that are definitely princess cuts with clipped corners, and radiants that emerald cuts with a FEW extra facets! You really have to see them to find the perfect one for you. Or you can pay the premium for a branded radiant and get a fairly consistant and great cut.

Good luck with your search, and of course post LOTS of pictures when you get it!!!

 

[valeria101]

Usually an EGL certificate will bring a discount - if these grades (as opposed to the look of the diamond itself) make you confortable, you may want to consider if J-VS2 would do the trick as well

On the other hand, the "numbers" look good - it would have taken a tad less depth to warrant some pedigree (by AGA, for example), but what's the gain? The fact that you do not know what the piece looks like at all seems more of a problem than knowing that 70% depth is better than 74%.

I can't think of any other warning - if this does not sounds too bad, than why not? All in all the stone is definitely worthy of inspection.