Just too shallow??

[nittanyfan]

Hi all!! I''ve lurked on this site for years- I''m a total diamond lover- and we''re finally looking to buy our diamond!!! For the size that we''re looking for, we''re having to compromise on other factors. We''ve decided we don''t necessarily need an ideal cut, but we also want a very good cut that really sparkles. (although this week i''m also looking at a smaller AGS 000 to be sure). We found a stone that we loved and was full of fire, but I''m concerned about it''s shallow crown. The other measurements look pretty good to me and my untrained eye. Here are the numbers:

Crown Angle: 31
Crown Height- 12.5
Pavillion Angle- 41
Table - 58
depth- 59.5
girdle- med to slightly thick

It''s obviously shallow, but the cut is still GIA very good, and it''s .8 on HCA. Are there any concerns I should have regarding the shallowness?

Also, we saw this stone at a local jeweler who I really like and who was highly reccomeded. Afterwards, however, I found the exact stone online. It must be in the whole memo system because it was listed with several internet vendors. Several of the vendors had a price that was substantially lower than the one our jeweler gave us (the price we got matched up perfectly with an online vendor that had the cert online, so that must be where it came from). Is there any way I can get the lower vendor''s price without risking losing the stone?

I value any opinions- thanks!!!!!

 

[Scintillating]

Table is too big.
And the crown angle is too shallow.
I'd keep looking. You can do better.

What are the parameters you're looking in? Carat size, color, clarity & budget?

Scintillating...

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome to PS

A shallow crown angle of around 30 - 31 degrees can be a durability issue in some instances, so you need to check this out with an independant appraiser if you really want this diamond to be safe.

This diamond is on the database released by the cutters and many vendors have access to it for sale as a virtual stone. You could ask the jeweller if he would meet you halfway with the online price, it doesn't hurt to ask, but don't be surprised if he can't match the online price due to possibly higher overheads of the brick and mortar establishment. Personally I would keep looking for a diamond with tighter proportions and without any potential durability issues, but if this is the one you want, get that appraisal. To put this shallow crown into perspective, I am not saying in my humble opinion as a diamond lover that you would be wearing a ticking timebomb on your finger which is likely to shatter, but with the knowledge I do have I am saying to get an expert to check it out.

 

[nittanyfan]

Thanks for both of your replies! I hadn''t even considered durability until I saw another post today about a similar crown angle, and that''s what made me post.

We may have to keep looking- I''m definitely going to sleep on it. I''ve been driving myself crazy looking for the "perfect" stone, so I''m trying to balance finding the perfect one with reality (and of course my budget)!

 

[JulieN]

If you like the stone, just print out the price comparison for the exact same stone and give them a chance to price match.

 

[Giangi]

A 58% table is too big?
What would a 62% be considered? Gigantic?
That said, the specs you posted suggested you may be looking at a non-conventional beauty. It''s definitely worth getting more info. Are you able to get some digital pics or/and any kind of reports telling us more about the light performance of this stone?

 

[Rod]

I don''t agree that this stone should be forsaken because the table is too big. There are many many spectacular stones with tables even larger than 58%. The crown would be a slight concern to me, but the seller should provide you details on where it could be weak and you could factor that into how you set the stone.

Many of us here on PS have developed a set of proportions we feel most comfortable with. We often call them our "sweetspots!" Afterall, we''re a community, mostly of consumers who have spent a lot of time trying to learn as much as we can about diamonds. In doing so, some of us have definite opinions on what falls within our sweetspots. BTW.....I personally own a stone who could be related to this one. It''s beautiful and I''m proud to have it. GIA graded Very Goods, can be a great value.

Good Luck!!

 

[nittanyfan]

Thanks so much for all of your replies!! Sometimes it just helps to write it out. I should have mentioned that I have no problem with the table size. My mother has an absolutely gorgeous sparkly diamond that i''ve drooled over for years that has a 62% table. My sister-in-law also has an amazingly beautiful AGS 000 with a 54% table. So 58% is great for me- right in the middle! I actually really liked the table on this stone. The dimensions were also good for me- what can I say, I like my stones to look as big as possible. Shameful, I know. Also, the clarity on this stone is amazing. That really hasn''t been too important for me before in our search- I was looking at a lot of SI2s to get the price down, but this one is in my range and is so clear- i just love it. Also, the color (I) looks very white to me- more than some H''s I''ve seen. It''s all these things that are drawing me to this particular one.

Also, it performed really well in my little beginner''s idealscope for light return.

I am, however concerned about the low crown angle making it weak or subject to chipping. We did some research today, and it looks like its mainly 30% and under crown angles that are suspect, especially if they have thinner girdles. My boyfriend seems pretty satisfied with that, I would just hate to have this stone break at all- now or 30 years down the road.

So we''ll see- we''re looking at some different ones on Friday, maybe that will help our decision. After looking for so long, it''s hard to actually make the purchase!

 

[DiamondExpert]

I agree with giangi - "you may be looking at a non-conventional beauty" - some stones with this combo of shallow crown angle and slightly deep pavilion can be very attractive...also with a med-sl. thick you shouldn''t have to worry about durability.

Take a look, and good luck!

 

[Giangi]

That sounds like a plan! Let us know what you end up with. The one you picked seems a very good one though. Clear SI2s aren''t that easy to find.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 9/13/2006 6:03:37 PM
Author: nittanyfan
Thanks so much for all of your replies!! Sometimes it just helps to write it out. I should have mentioned that I have no problem with the table size. My mother has an absolutely gorgeous sparkly diamond that i''ve drooled over for years that has a 62% table. My sister-in-law also has an amazingly beautiful AGS 000 with a 54% table. So 58% is great for me- right in the middle! I actually really liked the table on this stone. The dimensions were also good for me- what can I say, I like my stones to look as big as possible. Shameful, I know. Also, the clarity on this stone is amazing. That really hasn''t been too important for me before in our search- I was looking at a lot of SI2s to get the price down, but this one is in my range and is so clear- i just love it. Also, the color (I) looks very white to me- more than some H''s I''ve seen. It''s all these things that are drawing me to this particular one.

Also, it performed really well in my little beginner''s idealscope for light return.

I am, however concerned about the low crown angle making it weak or subject to chipping. We did some research today, and it looks like its mainly 30% and under crown angles that are suspect, especially if they have thinner girdles. My boyfriend seems pretty satisfied with that, I would just hate to have this stone break at all- now or 30 years down the road.

So we''ll see- we''re looking at some different ones on Friday, maybe that will help our decision. After looking for so long, it''s hard to actually make the purchase!

you sound very drawn to it! go for it!! all the more reason to get a 6 pronger though, it should be pretty safe in there I don''t know what size it is, but you also have med/sl thick girdle to help. I have a 41% crown angle on mine (I think) and med/sl thick girdle and I still worry about chipping so I totally know where you''re coming from! I think my fears are unfounded though - cause I feel totally comfortable telling you yours are! lol!!