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Long-time lurker.. finally ready to "seal the deal" - need opinions!

Which diamond would YOU buy?

  • Diamond 1

  • Diamond 2

  • Diamond 3

Results are only viewable after voting.
M

mwhite88

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 6, 2018
Messages
12
I've narrowed it down to 3 diamonds and need opinions. It's through JA, and the setting is pave-set with F-G coloured surrounding diamonds.

Diamond 1 - IGI (I know, tsk tsk). If the measurements are accurate, they fall into the perfect spectrum. If the image isn't fudged, I see some real "arrows" going on! I'm color sensitive and I believe this "F" is at lowest a G. I see a real difference in this one versus the next two, color wise. I'm considering buying this one and telling JA to ship it and inspect it upon arrival. The CSR's at JA haven't volunteered this option exactly, but thanks to PS and Mr. Schultz's posts, I know it's an option!
1b

1b

  • Media owner mwhite88
  • Date added
Diamond 1
1a

1a

  • Media owner mwhite88
  • Date added
Diamond 1

Diamond 2 - Does it look hazy? I've looked at the report and can't find an explanation on why I feel this one is just "less" crisp? The only conclusion I've come to is that I'm crazy and it's not duller inside, or it's because of the medium fluorescence (which isn't/doesn't usually impact clarity. Am I crazy and this diamond is clear?
2b

2b

  • Media owner mwhite88
  • Date added
Diamond 2
2a

2a

  • Media owner mwhite88
  • Date added
Diamond 2

Diamond 3 - Looks crisper than Diamond 2, but doesn't have that great "arrow" effect straight on.
3b

3b

  • Media owner mwhite88
  • Date added
Diamond 3
3a

3a

  • Media owner mwhite88
  • Date added
Diamond 3
 
Apologies, for colour remarks, I should have included the side profiles of each:

Diamond 1 (IGI-rated F)
1c.png

Diamond 2 (GIA-rated H)
2c.png

Diamond 3 (GIA-rated H)

3c.png
 
Did you run these through the HCA tool?
 
whitewave said:
Did you run these through the HCA tool?
Click to expand...

Yes, and really, it narrowed it down to diamond 1 and 2.
My struggle point is that Diamond 1 looks whiter, but it's IGI, and diamond 2 just looks hazier to me (unless I'm going blind??)

I need another (few) set of eyes. Opinions appreciated!
 
I would suggest you reach out to Yekutiel at IDJ - he can get most of the stones that James Allen has. He would be good at assessing the stones for you and finding the biggest bang for your budget. I'm guessing that these are James Allen stones, I can tell by the photographs. Good luck to you.
 
Queenie60 said:
I would suggest you reach out to Yekutiel at IDJ - he can get most of the stones that James Allen has. He would be good at assessing the stones for you and finding the biggest bang for your budget. I'm guessing that these are James Allen stones, I can tell by the photographs. Good luck to you.
Click to expand...

This is a good idea. Yekutiel can help you assess them
 
No to all of these. You can do better. There's a reason the first stone wasn't sent to GIA, so I wouldn't consider it. The others fall outside the cut parameters I would recommend.

Here are the measurements to look for within GIA Excellent cut stones:

Table: 54-58
Depth: 60-62.3
Crown Angle: 34-35.0 (sometimes up to 35.5 if the pav angle is 40.6)
Pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9
 
holeydonut said:
What about this one? $6,547 (wire price)

https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.067-f-si2-round-diamond-bfg-785584

Seems pretty clean for a SI2; and you know the cut's going to be good since Brian Gavin has a pretty sold reputation.
Click to expand...
I agree with holeydonut that Brian Gavin is always one of the best choice if we are looking for superideals, as I am also purchasing from them:) However, I need to point out that the quoted stone in the Advance Selection, in which the video and photo shown on the website at the moment are only sample ones, that means not the exact stone. I am fully confident this diamond will turn out great and would buy it if it takes all my boxes, but mwhite88 may not share the exact views and may also want to cfm if it's eyeclean first especially for SI2 stone. However, if it's up to mwhite88's eyeclean standard, it's definitely a good buy!!
 
diamondseeker2006 said:
No to all of these. You can do better. There's a reason the first stone wasn't sent to GIA, so I wouldn't consider it. The others fall outside the cut parameters I would recommend.

Here are the measurements to look for within GIA Excellent cut stones:

Table: 54-58
Depth: 60-62.3
Crown Angle: 34-35.0 (sometimes up to 35.5 if the pav angle is 40.6)
Pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9
Click to expand...
Agreed for the IGI concern.
 
You have two different style of diamonds. Diamond 1 is a traditional cut stone. Diamonds 2 & 3 are more along the lines of 60/60 stones. While many like 60/60 stones, you need to know the difference so you can ensure you are getting a stone that fits you and your expectations.

Diamond 1:
As others noted, this is an IGI cert so there is little confidence in the reported proportions, color, clarity, etc. That said, IF, the proportions are correct below is an estimated cut according to AGS proportions charts. FYI, the AGS charts only allow 34 or 34.5 crown (not 34.3) so you will need to do a little adjusting.

Of the 3, this is my "favorite". But because of IGI, I would personally reject.

Capture.PNG

Diamond 2:
This is a 60/60 style stone that falls just outside the ideal territory. With funky GIA rounding & averaging, there is a greater chance the stone falls further away from ideal territory instead of closer.

Capture2.PNG

Diamond 3:
Ugh. This one is atrocious. Hate the 62 table. Flat and shallow crown. Image looks blah too.

Capture3.PNG
 
Agree that none of these are great and you can find better. I third the recommendation to call idj!!!
 
 
I like the BG stone. There are eye-clean SI2s, but I am of the opinion that clarity is much more about being mind-clean than affecting the appearance. Chances are you'd have to loupe the stone to see the inclusions at all and no one does that to other people's stones.

Well, almost no one.:lol:
 
We're pretty committed to JA, but we'll check out the other diamonds. All three diamond options are under $6200 and fit our budget. The thing I want to ask the folks that are saying flat out "no" to the IGI - what does it matter when you SEE the diamond at 20x zoom:think:? Where is the harm? I wouldn't honestly consider buying an IGI without a zoomed image, but then again, I also wouldn't fathom buying a diamond online of ANY cert without seeing it:snooty:.
 
sledge said:
You have two different style of diamonds. Diamond 1 is a traditional cut stone. Diamonds 2 & 3 are more along the lines of 60/60 stones. While many like 60/60 stones, you need to know the difference so you can ensure you are getting a stone that fits you and your expectations.

Diamond 1:
As others noted, this is an IGI cert so there is little confidence in the reported proportions, color, clarity, etc. That said, IF, the proportions are correct below is an estimated cut according to AGS proportions charts. FYI, the AGS charts only allow 34 or 34.5 crown (not 34.3) so you will need to do a little adjusting.

Of the 3, this is my "favorite". But because of IGI, I would personally reject.

Capture.PNG
Click to expand...

I appreciate how much time you put into explaining your approach! Can I ask - what's the harm if I see the diamond zoomed in? I looked at the colour sideways, next to other GIA "F"s and it looks pretty on par. I also looked at the 20x zoom and the "flaws" are on par for VS2. I'm at the point of sending it to GIA and getting it certified so the poor little guy can get some love!!
 
mwhite88 said:
I appreciate how much time you put into explaining your approach! Can I ask - what's the harm if I see the diamond zoomed in? I looked at the colour sideways, next to other GIA "F"s and it looks pretty on par. I also looked at the 20x zoom and the "flaws" are on par for VS2. I'm at the point of sending it to GIA and getting it certified so the poor little guy can get some love!!
Click to expand...

Me personally, I would not buy this stone unless JA was willing to ship to GIA and get it re-certified on THEIR dime. Why? Because while 20x zoom may give you reassurance, there is some other reason this stone didn't get sent there in the first place. I don't know if it was economics, convenience or the fact there is an underlying issue we haven't discovered yet.

What I do know is that if it were my money I would want to take less risk. And quite honestly, that is possible. So why take the unnecessary risk?

Here is a gorgeous stone AGS certified with an Ideal 0 cut. It's $400 more, but IMO, a much less risky purchase if you are committed to buying from JA. It's G color and an SI1 clarity, but very clean as evidenced on the cert and video.

1.03ct G SI1, AGS000, $6,630
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-g-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-5331138
 
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sledge said:
Me personally, I would not buy this stone unless JA was willing to ship to GIA and get it re-certified on THEIR dime. Why? Because while 20x zoom may give you reassurance, there is some other reason this stone didn't get sent their in the first place. I don't know if it was economics, convenience or the fact there is an underlying issue we haven't discovered yet.
Click to expand...

this is how I feel as well. JA didn't send it to gia for a reason. They know that if they did and it came out with the same specs, they could charge more. So it makes me a bit suspicious that gia would grade it the way igi did.
 
lovedogs said:
this is how I feel as well. JA didn't send it to gia for a reason. They know that if they did and it came out with the same specs, they could charge more. So it makes me a bit suspicious that gia would grade it the way igi did.
Click to expand...

Even if JA agreed to do the certification on their dime, you should also need to consider the possibility of what if the stone comes back 1-2 color and/or clarity grades less than the IGI certs indicate. That means the stone would be worth less money than being asked now and I doubt JA would want to lower their price.

It just seems like an impossible situation. That AGS stone I listed is freakin' amazing and should be snatched up soon. Please put a temporary hold on it while you decide.
 
sledge said:
Me personally, I would not buy this stone unless JA was willing to ship to GIA and get it re-certified on THEIR dime. Why? Because while 20x zoom may give you reassurance, there is some other reason this stone didn't get sent there in the first place. I don't know if it was economics, convenience or the fact there is an underlying issue we haven't discovered yet.

What I do know is that if it were my money I would want to take less risk. And quite honestly, that is possible. So why take the unnecessary risk?

Here is a gorgeous stone AGS certified with an Ideal 0 cut. It's $400 more, but IMO, a much less risky purchase if you are committed to buying from JA. It's G color and an SI1 clarity, but very clean as evidenced on the cert and video.

1.03ct G SI1, AGS000, $6,630
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-g-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-5331138
Click to expand...

Reserve this now!!!
 
HappyNewLife said:
Reserve this now!!!
Click to expand...
sledge said:
Even if JA agreed to do the certification on their dime, you should also need to consider the possibility of what if the stone comes back 1-2 color and/or clarity grades less than the IGI certs indicate. That means the stone would be worth less money than being asked now and I doubt JA would want to lower their price.

It just seems like an impossible situation. That AGS stone I listed is freakin' amazing and should be snatched up soon. Please put a temporary hold on it while you decide.
Click to expand...


We're looking at it now. Seriously considering it. The only hesitation I have is the inclusion at the S end of the diamond, and the pavilion angle isn't ideal..?:think::think:
 
mwhite88 said:
We're looking at it now. Seriously considering it. The only hesitation I have is the inclusion at the S end of the diamond, and the pavilion angle isn't ideal..?:think::think:
Click to expand...

The cut is ideal....AGS000 is as good as it gets outside of super ideals. And pav angle is within the ideal parameters (40.6-40.8 ) Unless I'm misreading the cert, this one is 40.7.
 
Well, alright Sledge. Guess who's about to buy that diamond? Big thanks for getting us to look at that one:clap:.

Definitely about $300 more than we planned to spend.. but after reading the cert and some online research about AGA triple 0s...:read: it was hard not to get it. They assured me the inclusion at the S end of the diamond is eye-clean, plus we'll have the prong placed over it
 
mwhite88 said:
Well, alright Sledge. Guess who's about to buy that diamond? Big thanks for getting us to look at that one:clap:.

Definitely about $300 more than we planned to spend.. but after reading the cert and some online research about AGA triple 0s...:read: it was hard not to get it. They assured me the inclusion at the S end of the diamond is eye-clean, plus we'll have the prong placed over it
Click to expand...

Woohoo, so glad to hear this.

I was trying to respond earlier and got interrupted. I was going to suggest calling JA to confirm it was eye clean, and that if there was any issues to place the prong there. Not to mention, you are viewing things in 20x. When you look at the image below (still larger than 1x) you can see it's a non-issue.

And yes, the angles look awesome. Nice thing though, since this is AGS certified, we don't have to play the angle game. AGS uses a 3D computer to scan & model the diamond and that is how they are able to assign an Ideal 0 cut grade. Not to mention the angles are more reliable as they don't do the funky rounding & averaging that GIA does.

Diamond-Round-1.03-Carat_1_firstSquare_.jpg


Super excited for you guys! :cool2:
 
I thinking about grabbing it haha.
 
mwhite88 said:
Well, alright Sledge. Guess who's about to buy that diamond? Big thanks for getting us to look at that one:clap:.

Definitely about $300 more than we planned to spend.. but after reading the cert and some online research about AGA triple 0s...:read: it was hard not to get it. They assured me the inclusion at the S end of the diamond is eye-clean, plus we'll have the prong placed over it
Click to expand...

Excellent choice! Will be a beautiful stone for sure.
 
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