lights at a jewelry store

[FLgirl41]

I have found a local jeweler who has a huge selection of diamonds for me to choose from to replace my damaged stone. I have gone there three times and keep changing my mind. I have not purchased a stone yet but I am getting close.

My question: Under jewelers lights will basically any diamond sparkle? I found a diamond that is D color SI2 clarity with the only visible inclusion under a prong when looking through a loop thing. It is 1.75 carats but looks like a 2ct. I put the stats in the cut advisor and it came out as this...

Light Return: Good
Fire: Very Good
Scintillation: Very Good
Spread
or diameter for weight: Excellent

it scored a 3.5, I know this is way out there but when I compared it to an Ideal cut it was hard for me to see the difference. I also compared it to a stone that was cut very deep and I could tell a huge difference there, the stone I am looking at had a lot more life than the one cut deep.

But what I am worrying is that I take the stone out in regular light and compare it to an Ideal cut that I will notice the difference then. Is that the case? What happens when a stone is cut shallow? I read the tutorial about diamonds and I am still confused.

I haven''t looked at the diamond under an idealscope because it was set, but he is taking it out of the setting and I will look at it then.

But my other question is the other diamond I am looking at is a 1.72 F SI2 Ideal cut. I looked at it under the microscope and the Ideal Scope and the arrows and hearts are very strong. I love this diamond but there is a white inclusion that hits the table. I can''t remember if I can see it with the naked eye.

If you had to choose between the two what would you choose? The eyeclean 1.75 D SI2 with a not so good cut or the 1.72 F SI2 with a possible white inclusion you might be able to see with a naked eye?

They are both priced within $400 of each other. I am trading in a pendant that I donot wear because it is way to big for me, so they are $7,100 and $7,500 after taxes.

I keep going back and forth, maybe I will look at more once again... I wish I could make up my mind...

 

[denverappraiser]

Jewelers will, quite sensible, try to put in lighting in their stores that make their merchandise look as good as possible. There are always areas in the store, usually right over the display cases, that are designed to make things really shine. Express your concern to the jeweler. There are almost always other areas of the store that have more ‘normal’ types of lighting. Often the middle of the floor is a useful area to consider because it’s lit only by the ambient room lighting. Depending on the store location they may be able to take it outside into daylight, into a hallway or room where there are fluorescent lights, etc. Ask.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[lyra]

To be honest, I don''t like those choices. I''d rather wait and find something with an ideal or excellent cut where you''re not trading off performance for clarity. My daughter has a ring with a white inclusion and it really bugs me. I wouldn''t be happy with a not so great cut that didn''t perform well either.

 

[FLgirl41]

Thanks for the tip. I thought about asking my jeweler if that was ok about taking it somewhere where I can see it in more "normal" light.

As for the Ideal cut one with the inclusions, my previous stone that was damaged was a I1 so something that may only have one small inclusion, I don''t think will bug me. I plan on taking a good hard look at the stones this afternoon. I am thinking of throwing out the 1.75 D SI2 that doesn''t have as good of a cut.

I know there were a couple other ones that I could concider. I am bringing my setting this time so maybe that will also help me make a decision.

 

[chrono]

Really tough choices, FLGirl. I''m not too keen on the shallow stone. Take both stones away from the jewellery store lights because those things can make even frozen spit diamonds look good. Go for natural light (near a window), under a table/counter top, and fluorescent lighting (back office) if you can. If the stone is too shallow, the trade off is possibly a fish eye and very little fire (coloured light return). Also, remember that a stone with H&A doesn''t necessarily mean it is well cut. There ARE H&A stones with poor light return.

 

[blueyes157]

My jewler let me take 2 stones that I was comparing outside into the daylight. Of course some places may be concerned with safety issues, but the jewler put them in a velvet lined box and the 3 of us (me, jewler and FI) went outside. She held the stones in the box, so there was no risk of us dropping them or running off with them (not like we would!). It really helped us get a feel of how they performed. I would be a bit concerned if someone would adamently say No to this. If they do, maybe ask if you could take it right by the window. If you still get a no, I would find it a bit fishy that the stone may be a dud or they use lighting to make their diamonds perform better.

 

[FLgirl41]

Well i went to the jeweler and I looked at both stones again. After comparing the two side by side I kept retunring to the shallow diamond. After he layed both settings in the ring the shallow one looked amazing in there. I looked at it under the idealscope thingy ( I think that is what it was) The arrows looked in aline to me. He said that the reason the cut didn''t get an as good cut is because the arrow heads were a little bigger. So in the end after comparing the two I went for the shallow one.

I am afraid I made the wrong decision. Is it possible for the stone to perform well in regular lighting when it is shallow?

 

[FLgirl41]

OK so I called the jeweler. And told him my concerns that it wont have as much life in other lighting. He assured me that the diamond will be beautiful in all lighting with great life. I am going to trust him on this one and just hope that it is the case. I can always exchange it if I am not happy in the first few days.

I feel like I am being a diamondzilla if there is such a thing!

I also wanted to thank everyone who has helped me out in this thread and a couple others. I have learned alot from you all, even though I probably went with something that is against what everyone says. But I am happy with it, it is a huge step up from my last stone.

I am going from a 2ct, I color, I1 clarity, fair cut 7.73-7.78X5; to a 1.75ct, D color, SI2 eyeclean (saw it loose today and could only see the inlcusions through the loope which are going to be covered by a prong) I am not sure on the cut grade but it is 7.9-8.0mm in diameter which I am guess what makes it shallower. ( I think all in all this is a huge upgrade for me) I will post the stats on it tomorrow.

Crossing my fingers I feel the same way I did in the store when I take it home and look at it under dull lighting.

 

[Lynn B]

Most of us who are buying from an internet vendor are buying our diamond "sight unseen" - so we rely heavily on the numbers and the certs and the images, etc. But you have SEEN the stone, several times, and compared it with others. That says A LOT. In the end, it''s all about what YOUR eyes see. There''s nothing really "hidden" about a diamond... it is what it is. You''ll be bringing the same diamond home tomorrow that you saw and loved today! Enjoy!

And don''t forget to post pictures!

 

[FLgirl41]

Date: 11/20/2007 5:34:10 PM
Author: Lynn B
Most of us who are buying from an internet vendor are buying our diamond ''sight unseen'' - so we rely heavily on the numbers and the certs and the images, etc. But you have SEEN the stone, several times, and compared it with others. That says A LOT. In the end, it''s all about what YOUR eyes see. There''s nothing really ''hidden'' about a diamond... it is what it is. You''ll be bringing the same diamond home tomorrow that you saw and loved today! Enjoy!

And don''t forget to post pictures!

The partial reason I decided to go with a local vendor because I couldn''t see the stones with the online vendors and with having such a tight budget, I was looking at border line stones. So I am happy with my choice of the local vendor, plus I was able to trade something in I never wore and get something much better than I would have online!

I am very excited to get it back tomorrow. After the anxiety of worrying if I made the right choice it turned into pure excitement!

I will definetly post pictures! I will do some comparison photos from the old to new

 

[CrookedRock]

Hey FLgirl! Just curious where you are andwhat jeweler you used. From one Flgirl to another I would love to know of local jewelers who are good. I am in WPB.

PS... your ring is stunning!!!

 

[FLgirl41]

Date: 11/20/2007 8:58:33 PM
Author: CrookedRock
Hey FLgirl! Just curious where you are andwhat jeweler you used. From one Flgirl to another I would love to know of local jewelers who are good. I am in WPB.

PS... your ring is stunning!!!

Thanks CrookedRock!

I actually live up in Tallahassee, So it is quite a ways from West Palm Beach. Plus I am guessing that there are a lot more jewelers down that area than up here. I would say there only a select few to choose from here.

 

[FLgirl41]

So I picked up my ring on Wednesday, I am sick so I hadn''t gotten around to posting pics until now. But I posted some in SMTR here.

Thank you again to everyone who helped me out with my choice, I greatly appreciate it. I am very happy with my choice!

Thank you all!!