Just received my online purchase diamond, how to check its performance?

[defy525]

Hello PS,

I have just received my round brilliant cut diamond from JA. This is my very first time to buy diamond as well as online purchase.
How should I check the diamond performance? I have seen some diamond review videos in youtube, how can I setup similar lighting condition like diffuse lighting, spot lighting....etc
I have found it difficult to see the arrows from the crown face, can the arrows be seen under normal condition? or only in specific lighting angle?

Thanks
Andy

Image taken with H&A viewer:

 

[ecf8503]

The H&A views look nice and crisp. Can you post the specs on it (table %, pavillion depth, crown angle, pavillion angle)? Arrows aren't black like they are in many vendor's photos - they are silvery in real life. If you go to Good Old Gold's YouTube channel, they have lots of videos, many with natural lighting conditions next to the window (usually toward the end of the video after the other lighting conditions) - that may give you a more realistic vision of what yours is likely to look like. Did you ask for an idealscope or aset before you bought it?

 

[OoohShiny]

What's the HCA score on it?

It looks to be very well cut.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You don't formally test light performance. You just look at the stone in various lighting in your normal environments. You will see that the lighting has everything to do with performance. You already did your homework if you chose a well cut diamond, which it appears you did!

 

[flyingpig]

I have seen some diamond review videos in youtube, how can I setup similar lighting condition like diffuse lighting, spot lighting....etc

One thing that vendors don't fully disclose in those youtube videos is how exactly lighting condition is setup. In short, it is somewhat proprietary information that is used for marketing purposes, and alot of hassle to setup at home. In addition, it is often unrealistic and does not represent how we view diamond in real life.

I have found it difficult to see the arrows from the crown face, can the arrows be seen under normal condition? or only in specific lighting angle?

In order to see the arrows, you need to create two color zones. One color for 0 to 75 degrees and another color for 75 to 90 degrees. This is exactly what a IS scope (RED and BLACK) and HA viewer (BLACK and WHITE) do.
For other methods, see below.
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ance-diamond-photography.227610/#post-4134791
Or you can roll a piece of paper into a tube or cone.
The arrows are visible in certain highly controlled lighting environments only. In everyday life, they appear white/greyish.

Lastly, the stone looks good. You should Not worry

 

[defy525]

Thanks for your comments!
Here is the specification of my stone:
GIA report
Weight: 1.03 carat
Dimensions: 6.47-6.52 x 3.98mm
Fluorescence: Medium Blue
Cut Grade, Polish, Symmetry : Excellent
Color Grade: I
Clarity Grade: VVS2
Depth 61.2%, Table 57.0%, Crown angle 34°, Pavilion angle 40.6°
Lower girdle facets 75%: (GIA)
Star facets 50%(GIA)
Girdle thickness: Medium to Slightly Thick
Culet: Pointed
HCA score: 0.7

The crown view is the same as my profile photo:

I have got only Ideal scope of Crown view:



At the moment, I have just taken some videos and photos under direct sunlight in my home. My diamond has Medium fluorescence with it, but surprisingly I have seen no fluorescence effect on it, also "I" color doesn't look too warm with my eyes : )
Here are the video and photos links:
**edited by moderator, no outside photo or video links**

I like the fire sparkles when it is under direct sunlight, but shouldn't all diamond sparkle like crazy under this strong sunlight?

I will take more photos of the diamond tomorrow. Thanks for sending me the link flyingpig , it definitely helps!
Welcome to comment on my stone, this is the first day of the 30-day free return peroid.
Thanks again PSers.

View attachment 501586

View attachment 501587

 

[ecf8503]

I think it looks great! Enjoy it -

 

[flyingpig]

You did well. Very well. You should not be concerned about light performance at all.
Play with your diamond. It takes time to learn how to assess a diamond and how the IS image translates in real life viewing experience and how to take a diamond photo

.I like the fire sparkles when it is under direct sunlight, but shouldn't all diamond sparkle like crazy under this strong sunlight?

Yes and no.
Yes. That is why you cannot assess diamonds in a jewelry store, whose lighting environment highlights sparkle and fire.
And No.. just you look at the size of the fire of your diamond. Sizzling and chucky from fat arrows.. amazing.

You ensure it does not turn milky when exposed to direct sun light

 

[defy525]

Thanks!! good to hear that : ) Actually it is for Ering, now I can go for the setting ~~!!~!!
Just cropped an image from video, I guess no milky under sunlight.

And No.. just you look at the size of the fire of your diamond. Sizzling and chucky from fat arrows.. amazing.

Yes FAT FAT arrows, I guess the actual lower girdle halves is on the lower end of GIA 75%. I was a bit worried about the 34 degree PA, but it seems the fat arrows work well with this angle.

Thanks thanks thanks!

 

[ringo865]

Very nice IS image and macro view of the stone. I love the fat lowers, you should enjoy bolder flashes. It is a beautiful stone. Did you already say how you're setting it?

 

[ac117]

This is a gorgeous stone with a great IS! I would not hesitate to keep it! What type of setting will it be going in?

 

[bmfang]

Very nice looking stone!

 

[defy525]

1carat isnt too big, so I want to keep the setting minimal. At the moment, I am going to choose a Solitaire 6 prongs tapered ring, maybe 1.5~1.8mm , to make the stone standout and look bigger.
4 prongs looks a bit squarish at this size

 

[defy525]

Using my macro setup to capture the Inscription and Indented Natural, it's quite difficult to find the location without the 10x magnifying glass and the depth of field is so narrow using DSLR.
GIA Inscription:

Indented Natural (I guess this can be covered with prong):

 

[OoohShiny]

Excellent photographs, it's very difficult to take photos of diamonds, especially at the macro level!

 

[bmfang]

It's pavilion side at a meet point with the girdle. For me, this type of indented natural placement wouldn't bug me that badly at all. Should be easily prongable.

 

[defy525]

Excellent photographs, it's very difficult to take photos of diamonds, especially at the macro level!

I think it is more difficult for me to clean the diamond than photographing, LOL...
I tried to clean it with the cloth provided in the package and you can see there are tons of tiny fibers all over the stone...

 

[defy525]

Just an update, I have chosen a Solitaire 6 prongs tapered ring, 1.8 to 2.5mm I guess
The stone is not yet set, it is placed on the ring loosely.
You can also see the fluorescence effect of the stone, which is Medium blue, under UV light. I can only see this effect under UV light and none under strong sunlight.
I will post more after it is set, but it may take 2 weeks time.
Thanks again, PSers!
(Sorry for out of focus images)

 

[Karl_K]

I tried to clean it with the cloth provided in the package and you can see there are tons of tiny fibers all over the stone...

Horse hair brush is the traditional way to remove dust and fuzzies.

 

[Karl_K]

You don't formally test light performance. You just look at the stone in various lighting in your normal environments. You will see that the lighting has everything to do with performance. You already did your homework if you chose a well cut diamond, which it appears you did!

This x100, what really matters is how it looks to you in your environment.

 

[defy525]

Horse hair brush is the traditional way to remove dust and fuzzies.

Thanks! I will take some clean shots next time : )

This x100, what really matters is how it looks to you in your environment.

Understand, I have checked the stone in different environments. To me, it is clean and good light return without obstruction. And the fire is better than I expected. I (was worried) am satisfied with combination of 34/40.6 and short lower facet length.

 

[OoohShiny]

Should look great when it's all finished and ready

 

[defy525]

Haaaaaa....my diamond is set~!!!
I have take some photos with my smartphone, the closeup shots were taken with a clip-on lens. (Sorry for some oily finger print on the crown)
I will take some more photos with my camera later.
Size on my hand:

Ring setting:

Warm fluorescent light in my room(shaded with my phone):

backlight:

Side spot light(oily crown):

 

[blingmeupscotty]

That is a sexy stone.. gorgeous cut.. wear in good health!

 

[ryan23]

I can't tell if I'm more impressed with the stone or your pictures. Very nice!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Beautiful! And you have great hands!!

cheers--Sharon

 

[soxfan]

Beautiful!!! I love the setting too!!!

 

[tyty333]

Really beautiful defy!

 

[ac117]

It's gorgeous!!

 

[whitewave]

I love it! When does she get it?