Local jeweler's recommendation = terrible HCA scores

[larryjenkins]

Hi,

I was open to buy online and in b&m, but I just came back from a local jeweler with a few recommended stones by them. My first thought was to punch them into the HCA tool and see what comes up. I was really expecting a score of under 2 to come up, but what a surprise.

First stone--the one they recommended as the one I should buy: 5.4
Second stone--a bit better, 3.4
Third stone--2.5

I've never seen such bad scores ever. I've read that lower HCA scores does not always mean it's better, but is it safe to say these stones are not that great even without looking at them?

L

 

[Gypsy]

We say that scores from 2-2.5 are maybe's--- you need an idealscope image.

So if you are shopping in person.. do you want to buy an idealscope? It's $25. http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_order.asp


Otherwise, you can take it to an appraiser that has one.

Or... shop at a vendor that offers better stones (preferrably AGS0).

Is there a PS vendor near you? We may be able to recommend good jewelers for you if you tell us where you are.

 

[larryjenkins]

I'm in the South Bay in Northern California.

 

[Gypsy]

You are right by me. I live on the penninsula.

Call Joe Escobar Diamonds in Campbell. Ask for Erik or Mia. Tell them you want AGS0 stones. Go from there.

They are the jeweler the majority of us up here use.

 

[AprilBaby]

Sounds like your jeweler doesn't carry nice stones but really wants you to buy from them. My local jeweler doesn't think cut is important. "It's a D VS1, what more could you want????"

 

[msop04]

Sounds like your jeweler doesn't carry nice stones but really wants you to buy from them. My local jeweler doesn't think cut is important. "It's a D VS1, what more could you want????"

OMG.

PS member: "...ummm, it kinda looks like frozen spit. Do you have anything else in an Ideal cut??"

Local Jeweler: "...It's a D VS1, what more could you want????"

PS member: [face plant] [runs far, far away from LJ]

 

[CanuckAB]

My mall experience was a bit different. I had decided to gift myself with a diamond RHR so first I did some research online and then went to every maul jewellery store at my local mall, mostly to get ideas and look at sizes. Once I felt ready, I went to see the jeweler I have dealt with for the last 12 years and with whom I trust. I have bought many smaller items from him like semiprecious jewellery and gold chains as well as doing small repairs there. He has also made some small custom pieces for me in the past. Anyway, I walked in and asked if he carried loose diamonds. He stated that he did (GIA and EGL) and asked me questions like size etc. I told him my minimum requirements were GIA VG VS2 H and .9c . After talking a few minutes more he said he would pull some diamonds to show me. He then hesitated, looked at me, pulled out his binder with his inventory and told me to choose the diamonds I wanted to see.

To make a long story short, I fell in love with a 1c VG VS2 E diamond with strong blue fluorescence. I actually blurted out "OH MY GOD" when I first saw it. He took me out into the mall to see it outside of their lighting but as it was nighttime, it was still under lights and looked just as amazing. (I have since been back to see it in the daytime too.) I paid a deposit and will be having a custom ring made. He made a photocopy of the GIA report for me to keep in the meantime.

I had never heard of fluorescence before so went back to my computer to find out more. My first reaction to finding Pricescope was to panic. After being glued to this site for days, I found the HCA tool and felt some relief when my diamond scored a .7 FIC. I believe it is the extra fire that I saw in my stone that made me have that initial reaction. Upon reading about the potential milkiness in SB fluorescent diamonds I emailed my jeweler (I was on vacation in Hawaii by this time) who checked the stone and assured me it was fine. He also said that he would replace the stone if I was unhappy with it once I returned. (We had agreed at the beginning to hold off on building the ring until my and his vacations were both over, so a delay of a month and a half.) The ring will be ready any day now and I am beyond excited. While I may have saved money by shopping online, I cannot say that I am unhappy with the way things have gone so far by working with my local jeweler. I do want to point out though that he is the only one that I will deal with. If he is not there, I return when he is. This may make a big difference in how I was treated. I think the important thing when dealing with mall stores is to find one that carries loose GIA or AGSL stones and then to just keep asking to see more stones until you find the right one. Being able to check the HCA score as you shop helps.

 

[SHOWBIZ]

CanuckAB do you happen to be in Calgary?

I tried to find a diamond locally but had a very tough time finding any "maul" store having access to GIA or AGSL diamonds let alone anything with HCA scores under 4!

 

[arkieb1]

Victor could be another option if you are after a top cut stone;

http://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds

Alternatively you will find a nicer diamond than the ones you looked at by purchasing from online vendors such as Whiteflash, James Allen, Good Old Gold, or Brian Gavin.

 

[CanuckAB]

Yes I'm in Calgary. Are you close to Chinook Centre? I could introduce you to Peter if you like.

 

[natemc21]

I just went through a similar experience. My local jeweler had never heard of HCA and was flabbergasted when I revoked my deposit on a GIA Ex/Ex/Ex (E Si1) that fell into the steep/deep range (4.0 HCA) and replaced it with a Whiteflash ACA (H VS2) that was $3k less and only 0.1mm smaller spread.

"It's GIA triple Ex. Those all show great H&A. Color and size are the important things, what more could you want?"

 

[SHOWBIZ]

Yes I'm in Calgary. Are you close to Chinook Centre? I could introduce you to Peter if you like.

Hi CanuckAB, yes I am close to Chinook. I ended up avoiding the "maul" dealers and purchased a loose diamond online, but it would be nice to know who in town actually sells decent diamonds and does good custom work. Not sure if there is a way to PM me the store/location, but if not can you post it here?

 

[CanuckAB]

The store I bought my diamond from was Maggie's in Chinook. As I said before, I only deal with Peter.

If Maggie's had not had loose stones for me to look at and if I had not found one I was happy with, I would have ended up buying online. I would never have discovered that I love fluorescence and FICs though. I plan to post a thread with my ring once I get it. I'm also having a pendant made using my mother's stone (a 1951 non certified diamond) from her ER. You'll get an idea of the quality of their work then.