Looking at buying a diamond (pics)

[Postie]

This diamond has 3 inclusions viable to the eye (close up). 2 small black lines and a white feather to the top right of pic. Totally clean from top. Visable in the pic, which I have zoomed.

Any ideas on clarity grading?

It''s 1ct if it helps scale.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/19/2009 1:29:38 PM
Author:Postie
This diamond has 3 inclusions viable to the eye (close up). 2 small black lines and a white feather to the top right of pic. Totally clean from top. Visable in the pic, which I have zoomed.

Any ideas on clarity grading?

It's 1ct if it helps scale.

Hi Postie and welcome!

Clarity is graded face up and I would not even try to guess what the clarity grade of that diamond is from the info provided. Is it a diamond you are thinking of buying?

 

[Todd Gray]

You need to consult the services of an independent Gemologist, see the Resources / Appraisers link at the top of this page on the right side. First of all, diamonds are graded from a top down perspective so what is visible through the bottom is not an indicator of what the clarity grade might be when viewed from the top. Second, there is no way to accurately grade a diamond for clarity using a picture, especially one viewed on a computer monitor. Nobody of any merit would even attempt to do so. Sorry to be blunt, but it''s honest.

 

[Postie]

Thanks for the welcome. I''ve been lurking & learning for a couple of weeks now and thought it was time to sign up

The diamond in coming to me on the weekend to see if I like it. I''ll take some pics with my camera through a loupe on the weekend if I can.

It''s not cert''d so not sure on the dimensions etc to work out the cut grade. Any tools I can pickup (within reason) to check?

I may pop it into the local Diamond Specialist to check, if I get stuck.

I thought that just because the inclusions are visible to the eye (close up) that it may immediately put it in the ''I'' category? Eye clean from the top.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/19/2009 2:00:51 PM
Author: Postie
Thanks for the welcome. I've been lurking & learning for a couple of weeks now and thought it was time to sign up

The diamond in coming to me on the weekend to see if I like it. I'll take some pics with my camera through a loupe on the weekend if I can.

It's not cert'd so not sure on the dimensions etc to work out the cut grade. Any tools I can pickup (within reason) to check?

I may pop it into the local Diamond Specialist to check, if I get stuck.

I thought that just because the inclusions are visible to the eye (close up) that it may immediately put it in the 'I' category? Eye clean from the top.

Glad you decided to join us!

Yes there is a tool you can get to help you evaluate the cut of this diamond, you can buy an Idealscope reasonably inexpensively below.

http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_zoom_item.asp?Id=2&ShowAdd=Y

The Idealscope is used to determine if there is any light leakage in a diamond, this can have a negative effect on how the diamond looks as any light that is leaking will not be returned to the eye as sparkle. Also if the leakage is severe then you may notice dark patches in the diamond, particularly around the table.

This mini tutorial explains in more detail

https://www.pricescope.com/idealscope_indx.asp

 

[Postie]

Is that "beginner" version any good?

Is that what was used on that thread on here with the lopsided diamond?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/19/2009 2:32:25 PM
Author: Postie
Is that ''beginner'' version any good?

Is that what was used on that thread on here with the lopsided diamond?

Yes, apparently the beginner scope works well and yes I believe that is what Drewbot used for the diamond!

 

[Postie]

Takes 6-8 days to ship from US

A bit too long for me.

Have contacted the UK dealer and awaiting reply, but not listed on their website.

 

[Postie]

Which do you think is better, both are listed as "Ideal" by GIA:

Measurements
5.89-5.93x3.68mm
Depth
62.3%
Table
56.0%

OR

Measurements
6.02-6.06x3.67mm
Depth
60.7%
Table
57.0%

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/19/2009 4:10:13 PM
Author: Postie
Takes 6-8 days to ship from US

A bit too long for me.

Have contacted the UK dealer and awaiting reply, but not listed on their website.

Ok, ask for the following info

1) What type of grading report does this diamond have , for example GIA.

2) Find out the carat weight, colour and clarity

3) Request the proportions of the diamond - if it has a grading report then this info will be noted on it.

depth%
table%
crown and pavilion angles
girdle thickness
polish and symmetry grades
diameter measurement
fluorescence if applicable

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/19/2009 4:14:57 PM
Author: Postie
Which do you think is better, both are listed as ''Ideal'' by GIA:

Measurements
5.89-5.93x3.68mm
Depth
62.3%
Table
56.0%

OR

Measurements
6.02-6.06x3.67mm
Depth
60.7%
Table
57.0%

I see you just posted some more info, firstly GIA''s highest cut grade is Excellent not Ideal, so the use of the term Ideal probably originates from the vendor and as such won''t guarantee you a well cut diamond.

If you could post the crown and pavilion angles for each diamond particularly as these are crucial, then we can get a better idea.

 

[:)]

Date: 2/19/2009 2:00:51 PM
Author: Postie
Thanks for the welcome. I''ve been lurking & learning for a couple of weeks now and thought it was time to sign up

The diamond in coming to me on the weekend to see if I like it. I''ll take some pics with my camera through a loupe on the weekend if I can.

It''s not cert''d so not sure on the dimensions etc to work out the cut grade. Any tools I can pickup (within reason) to check?

I may pop it into the local Diamond Specialist to check, if I get stuck.

I thought that just because the inclusions are visible to the eye (close up) that it may immediately put it in the ''I'' category? Eye clean from the top.

Hi Postie - if there is no lab report, I would really recommend that you have an independent professional evaluate it. I would look for an independent appraiser (one that is not affiliated with a jewelry store or tries to send you to another store for a ''better'' stone).

 

[Postie]

I''ve asked for the actual reports.

GIA graded as "Excellent" not "Ideal", my mistake.

Diamonds are 0.80ct brilliant cut

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/19/2009 4:31:41 PM
Author: Postie
I''ve asked for the actual reports.

GIA graded as ''Excellent'' not ''Ideal'', my mistake.

Diamonds are 0.80ct brilliant cut

Its ok, this comes up a lot and we just always clarify as the term Ideal Cut is often used by some vendors to describe the cut quality of some diamonds, but it doesn''t guarantee a well cut rock, some consumers aren''t familiar with that and take the Ideal Cut label literally regardless.

When you get the reports, if you could post the info I listed above please, then we can go from there!

 

[Postie]

I have the diamond pictured in post 1 coming to me tomorrow.

GIA Certs for the other two will be here on Monday.

The IdealScope dealer in the UK no longer supplies them

 

[Noahsmom]

I ordered mine on a Monday and got it Saturday. It''s worth it, because then you have it to see any other diamond you have in the future.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/20/2009 1:10:55 PM
Author: Postie
I have the diamond pictured in post 1 coming to me tomorrow.

GIA Certs for the other two will be here on Monday.

The IdealScope dealer in the UK no longer supplies them

I will keep an eye out!

What a pity about not being able to get IS in the UK easily.

 

[Postie]

USA to UK?

Only problem is that I only have it for a couple of days to evaluate/decide.

Is there any way I can measure the data needed for HCA guide?

Get ready for lots of pics tomorrow

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/20/2009 2:02:31 PM
Author: Postie
USA to UK?

Only problem is that I only have it for a couple of days to evaluate/decide.

Is there any way I can measure the data needed for HCA guide?

Get ready for lots of pics tomorrow

If the GIA reports are relatively recent then it should have the depth, table, crown and pavilion angles etc noted so you can use the HCA.

 

[Postie]

Here''s what''s happening:

I''m receiving the diamond stated in post 1 tomorrow with a couple of days to evaluate it (private sale, no certs).

I''ve also got my eye on a couple of GIA cert''d diamonds online, the certs of which I am being emailed on Monday.

Just don''t have anything to benchmark this one I''m getting tomorrow with anything else.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/20/2009 2:10:01 PM
Author: Postie
Here''s what''s happening:

I''m receiving the diamond stated in post 1 tomorrow with a couple of days to evaluate it (private sale, no certs).

I''ve also got my eye on a couple of GIA cert''d diamonds online, the certs of which I am being emailed on Monday.

Just don''t have anything to benchmark this one I''m getting tomorrow with anything else.

I see, in that case then I would definitely recommend you get the diamond inspected by an independant appraiser. Try a Google search or the phone book to find an appraiser in your area, preferably one that doesn''t sell jewellery so you get an unbiased opinion.

 

[Postie]

Just received the GIA report for one of the other diamonds:

 

[Postie]

The other one just came through, only VG cut on the cert but listed as EX on website:

 

[Lorelei]

The first looks promising, I can''t quite read the proportions on the second, could you post them for me please? The cut grade on the report is the one to go by, the Ex description might have been used by the vendor.

 

[Postie]

HCA for the 1st one:

Factor Grade
Light Return Excellent
Fire Very Good
Scintillation Very Good
Spread
or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 1.3 - Excellent
within TIC range

 

[Postie]

2nd one:

Selected: 62.3% depth, 56% table, 35° crown angle, 40.5° pavilion angle

Factor Grade
Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread
or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 0.6 - Excellent
within TIC range

 

[Postie]

So the second one (GIA Cert VG) seems to score better with HCA than the first (GIA Cert EX).

They basically cost the same (only $50 between them).

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks Postie!

I prefer the proportions of the first diamond from the info we have. If the diamonds are with an online vendor, is it possible you could request an ASET or Idealscope image for the diamonds? Some vendors can provide these images on request.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/20/2009 2:56:18 PM
Author: Postie
So the second one (GIA Cert VG) seems to score better with HCA than the first (GIA Cert EX).

They basically cost the same (only $50 between them).

It doesn't actually, this is a common misconception, a lower HCA score isn't better than a higher one. The HCA is used to eliminate lesser performers, not to select diamonds. The aim is to score below 2 then such scorers are considered to be a pass pending further evaluation, this is done with ASET or Idealscope images etc.

 

[Postie]

I''ve asked, but I don''t think they have. They seem to have tens of thousands of diamonds listed.