is this Si1 diamond likely to be eye-clean?

[helpalwaysappreciated!]

Please help! I keep reading conflicting info on si1 diamonds. Is this diamond likely to be eye clean with the inclusions on the table like that? If so, what should i look for, i want it to sparkle!

 

[stone-cold11]

This is not a good cut on the HCA, 61.2% depth, 58% table, 33° crown angle, 41.6° pavilion angle, only scoring a 4.3, g, g, g, vg. I would go and find some other stone instead of worrying if it is eye-clean cause it will not sparkle as a stone with a HCA <2.

 

[helpalwaysappreciated!]

Thanks for your advice! I''m not sure how to work out the scoring that you did - surely ideal cut, excellent symmetry and vg polish count for something?

 

[Ellen]

help, it is not possible to ever say for sure if a stone is eyeclean from plots or pics. Stones must be judged individually. Always call the vendor and have them personally look at the stone for you. I''ve seen stone pics/plots where I would have sworn they would be eyeclean, yet they turned out not to be, and vice versa.

stone does raise a good point, this stone is not the best cut, it has a really deep pavilion angle, which can mean light leakage. In this case, it''s a pretty good bet. Try to keep your PA between 40.6-41. And crown angle between 34-35.

 

[stone-cold11]

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

Use this link above and input the depth, table and angles required and a score will be given. It assumes a symmetrical round with medium girdle and vg polish for its result. It also shows what is the region define as ideal for both the GIA and AGS grading and you can see how lax is the GIA grading with respect to AGS. You want a stone to score below 2. Also read more here on how to use the calculator. http://diamonds.pricescope.com/ideal.asp

Good Luck.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 9/30/2008 10:58:57 AM
Author: helpalwaysappreciated!
Thanks for your advice! I'm not sure how to work out the scoring that you did - surely ideal cut, excellent symmetry and vg polish count for something?

You would think, but GIA's EX range is rather large. Use the HCA to plug your numbers into, that's what stone did. Ideally, you want the x to fall in the overlap area of AGS and GIA.

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

ETA typing at same time!

 

[stone-cold11]

Ellen, guess so...

 

[helpalwaysappreciated!]

thanks both of you. back to the drawing board i think! is blue nile good in general? for prices etc?

 

[stone-cold11]

In general, slightly more expensive I think. Use the tools available on PS to find a stone of great cut.

https://www.pricescope.com/sift.aspx For top of the line cuts, or at least for vendors who has a database that include crown and pavilion angles.
https://www.pricescope.com/sift.aspx This for most other online stones.

Blue Nile does not have a good rep here mainly because of the lack of photos and IS, ASET pics needed to determine a stones performance and clarity. So it is usually shun.

 

[helpalwaysappreciated!]

and what about for someone buying from the UK? I''m concerned i keep seeing these great deals then will get stung for import tax! Don''t worry if don''t know!

 

[charks]

The bad news is that you will have to pay 17.5% VAT for a diamond or 21% tax for a diamond in a setting if you buy from a pricescope vendor.

You can buy from other diamond vendors in the USA and they''ll send it as a tax free item. But if customs open it and see what it is they will charge you tax and may even confiscate it.

The good news is that if you buy from a pricescope vendor you will get a great diamond for approx half UK prices - including taxes.

I would recommend getting it set by vendor as range of settings is very good, cheap compared to UK and, if the diamond gets damaged during setting, they will replace with a new stone. In general UK jewellers won''t. I know only approx 1% of diamonds get damaged during setting but you may be the unlucky one.

Go ahead and buy from USA.

If you read this website you''ll get all the info you need to purchase a great diamond at a good price.

Luvvly Jubbly.

 

[Indira-London]

The good news is that if you buy from a pricescope vendor you will get a great diamond for approx half UK prices - including taxes.

Good advise from Charks on importing etc though to be clear: the prices that you will get from US or Antwerp or London diamond traders will be comparable - all of these trade prices will be ca. half the RETAIL prices in UK shops.

 

[ellie424]

Date: 9/30/2008 12:36:17 PM
Author: charks
The bad news is that you will have to pay 17.5% VAT for a diamond or 21% tax for a diamond in a setting if you buy from a pricescope vendor.

You can buy from other diamond vendors in the USA and they''ll send it as a tax free item. But if customs open it and see what it is they will charge you tax and may even confiscate it.

The good news is that if you buy from a pricescope vendor you will get a great diamond for approx half UK prices - including taxes.

I would recommend getting it set by vendor as range of settings is very good, cheap compared to UK and, if the diamond gets damaged during setting, they will replace with a new stone. In general UK jewellers won''t. I know only approx 1% of diamonds get damaged during setting but you may be the unlucky one.

Go ahead and buy from USA.

If you read this website you''ll get all the info you need to purchase a great diamond at a good price.

Luvvly Jubbly.

Vendors in the USA will sell diamonds tax free? If I buy my diamond from GOG by actually going to the store (I live 20 mins away), will I be charged tax???? I was under the impression that you would be charged tax for this type of purchase.

 

[Indira-London]

Date: 9/30/2008 1:33:15 PM
Author: ellie424

Date: 9/30/2008 12:36:17 PM
Author: charks
The bad news is that you will have to pay 17.5% VAT for a diamond or 21% tax for a diamond in a setting if you buy from a pricescope vendor.

You can buy from other diamond vendors in the USA and they''ll send it as a tax free item. But if customs open it and see what it is they will charge you tax and may even confiscate it.

The good news is that if you buy from a pricescope vendor you will get a great diamond for approx half UK prices - including taxes.

I would recommend getting it set by vendor as range of settings is very good, cheap compared to UK and, if the diamond gets damaged during setting, they will replace with a new stone. In general UK jewellers won''t. I know only approx 1% of diamonds get damaged during setting but you may be the unlucky one.

Go ahead and buy from USA.

If you read this website you''ll get all the info you need to purchase a great diamond at a good price.

Luvvly Jubbly.

Vendors in the USA will sell diamonds tax free? If I buy my diamond from GOG by actually going to the store (I live 20 mins away), will I be charged tax???? I was under the impression that you would be charged tax for this type of purchase.

Charks'' response was to the thread starter who is in the United Kingdom i.e. he is outside the USA so US taxes would not apply to him but UK import tax from US and UK VAT wpuld apply.

 

[windy1365]

Yes, you can order from some stores online and get it tax free if you live in a different state than the store. That is the beauty of ordering online sometimes. This isn''t with all stores.... I don''t know the rules of who can do it and who can''t.

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 9/30/2008 10:58:57 AM
Author: helpalwaysappreciated!
Thanks for your advice! I''m not sure how to work out the scoring that you did - surely ideal cut, excellent symmetry and vg polish count for something?

GIA does not use the term Ideal in its cut grade.

This is one of the steep deeps that many of us love to hate. Probably looks nice, but not stunning, and the inclusion should not be visible to most eyes.

Wink

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 9/30/2008 1:33:15 PM
Author: ellie424

Date: 9/30/2008 12:36:17 PM
Author: charks
The bad news is that you will have to pay 17.5% VAT for a diamond or 21% tax for a diamond in a setting if you buy from a pricescope vendor.

You can buy from other diamond vendors in the USA and they''ll send it as a tax free item. But if customs open it and see what it is they will charge you tax and may even confiscate it.

The good news is that if you buy from a pricescope vendor you will get a great diamond for approx half UK prices - including taxes.

I would recommend getting it set by vendor as range of settings is very good, cheap compared to UK and, if the diamond gets damaged during setting, they will replace with a new stone. In general UK jewellers won''t. I know only approx 1% of diamonds get damaged during setting but you may be the unlucky one.

Go ahead and buy from USA.

If you read this website you''ll get all the info you need to purchase a great diamond at a good price.

Luvvly Jubbly.

Vendors in the USA will sell diamonds tax free? If I buy my diamond from GOG by actually going to the store (I live 20 mins away), will I be charged tax???? I was under the impression that you would be charged tax for this type of purchase.

If you pick up an item from a vendor in the States and the State has sales tax that vendor will charge you the sales tax. If he sends it to you, it will clearly state in the customs declaration that goes with the international shipment what it is and what it is worth, unless of course the vendor is willing to lie for you.

Naturally, if a vendor is willing to lie for you, he is also probably willing to lie TO you.

Just a thought.

Wink

P.S. I have never heard of one of the top vendors here trying to cheat customs or on the taxes. Just not the kind of people you meet here.

 

[strmrdr]

These days not declaring a diamond when shipping it across borders is a good way to get a ticket to Cuba for the overseas person and club fed pen for the US person.
Not a good plan.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 10/1/2008 2:09:07 AM
Author: strmrdr
These days not declaring a diamond when shipping it across borders is a good way to get a ticket to Cuba for the overseas person and club fed pen for the US person.
Not a good plan.

Is it that serious Karl?

I agree, no point in trying to have someone lie about your shipment - customs are not stupid, they know a diamond ring does not cost a couple hundred bucks.
Not sure what the legislation in the UK is, but anything over 1k will have customs charges coming into Australia.

I also agree that I wouldn''t really trust a vendor who will tell fibs on their declaration to customs - if you can even find one that is

 

[Allison D.]

Date: 10/1/2008 1:01:26 AM
Author: Wink

If you pick up an item from a vendor in the States and the State has sales tax that vendor will charge you the sales tax. If he sends it to you, it will clearly state in the customs declaration that goes with the international shipment what it is and what it is worth, unless of course the vendor is willing to lie for you.

Naturally, if a vendor is willing to lie for you, he is also probably willing to lie TO you.

Just a thought.

Agree wholeheartedly with Wink!

Ellie424: If you go to a vendor''s store and make a purchase, you will be charged state sales tax. Vendors are required by law to collect that tax at point of sale.

As of this moment, vendors are not required by law to collect sales tax for states other than their own. Thus, if you order from a vendor in another state and have the product shipped, they will not assess a sales tax.

You may or may not still be liable for taxation on an out-of-state purchase; it really depends on your state''s law. Several states require you to report out of state purchases and incur tax liability on your out-of-state purchases; some don''t.

Hope that helps.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 10/1/2008 5:11:28 AM
Author: arjunajane

Date: 10/1/2008 2:09:07 AM

Author: strmrdr

These days not declaring a diamond when shipping it across borders is a good way to get a ticket to Cuba for the overseas person and club fed pen for the US person.

Not a good plan.

Is it that serious Karl?


I agree, no point in trying to have someone lie about your shipment - customs are not stupid, they know a diamond ring does not cost a couple hundred bucks.

Not sure what the legislation in the UK is, but anything over 1k will have customs charges coming into Australia.


I also agree that I wouldn''t really trust a vendor who will tell fibs on their declaration to customs - if you can even find one that is

very much so.
The wrong person on either end even if you didn''t know about it and its deep deep trouble time.

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 10/1/2008 5:11:28 AM
Author: arjunajane

Date: 10/1/2008 2:09:07 AM
Author: strmrdr
These days not declaring a diamond when shipping it across borders is a good way to get a ticket to Cuba for the overseas person and club fed pen for the US person.
Not a good plan.

Is it that serious Karl?

I agree, no point in trying to have someone lie about your shipment - customs are not stupid, they know a diamond ring does not cost a couple hundred bucks.
Not sure what the legislation in the UK is, but anything over 1k will have customs charges coming into Australia.

I also agree that I wouldn''t really trust a vendor who will tell fibs on their declaration to customs - if you can even find one that is

Agreed, but you would be surprised how many people want us to do this.

Back in the late 70''s or early 80''s one of the majors got caught sending empty boxes through the post so that people could pick up their rings in New York. I believe it was Tiffany''s but I could be wrong. The sales tax people then assumed that EVERY package they had ever shipped had been empty and the back taxes and fines came to something around 75 million dollars.

It sure made a believer out of me!

Wink