Looking for round 2k colourless and clean to my eye.. Where to start

[shirlandean]

I have been lurking and learning here for some time and I am ready to make the move. Now I know what I want and what to look for....,

A round 2k diamond that looks colourless and clean to my eye with maximum sparkle light and fire.

I did a search on pricescope for stones I thought would meet my criteria. A round 1.8k to 2.2k, H-J, SI1-SI2, AGS0. I found about 80 stones (three page of diamonds)from six or seven companies that seem to meet my criteria. That was a a spread of $3500 to $8000 per K. or $7000 to $18,000 total price....

With so many possible contenders for a diamond that looks OK to my eye and sparkes like crazy, how do I proceed to get maximum bang for my buck.

In other words, what do I do now...

thanks for the help...
...

shirlandean...

PS. I love pricescope.

 

[Magnum]

Try the cut quality search on the front page. It narrows down the search to stones on which the angles are actually known, and in which the angles suggest excellent light return. Here's a link to that page:

Search by cut quality

 

[shirlandean]

thanks for the suggestion re quality search...but I thought the searching for the AGS0 took care of that aspect...

 

[GlitterGal]

Hi shirlanddean,

As Magnum suggested, the Search by Cut Quality is a great place to start and zone in on those diamonds that are top performers as per the Holloway Cut Adviser (a score below 2 means your considering a stone in the top 5%).

Once you’ve selected one, two or a few, contact the vendors either by phone or by email and ask for:
1)photographs of the stones (Hearts and Arrows pics, IdealScope images, inclusion photographs, etc.)
2)a description (which includes location) of the inclusions in the diamonds
3)and whether the stones are eye clean. Please remember that finding an eye clean SI2 can be a matter of timing and patience. When considering an SI2 it is extremely important that you go over in detail with the vendor how eye clean it is. However, as many here know, a great eye clean SI2 can be a real deal of a diamond!

Good luck and please keep us posted!

Kindest regards always,
Linda

 

[GlitterGal]

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On 5/28/2004 4:03:25 PM shirlandean wrote:

thanks for the suggestion re quality search...but I thought the searching for the AGS0 took care of that aspect...----------------

Hi shirlanddean,

The parameters set forth by the AGS for triple ideal are wide and offer a lot of leeway in terms of cut quality. However, within these parameters there are sweet spots, or combinations of table and depth %, crown and pavilion angles, that work in tandem to produce breathtaking cuts on a stone. The HCA is a good tool to take all of these measurements into consideration and give you an idea, via a numerical rating, of the best quality cut stones that are out there.

Hope this helps.

Kindest regards always,
Linda

 

[Magnum]

"thanks for the suggestion re quality search...but I thought the searching for the AGS0 took care of that aspect..."

That's a good question and one that I've meant to ask leonid to clarify. When you do a cut search for AGS0 and H&A on the main page, it lists several stones, but few of those stones actually have the angles listed, and even fewer have any proof that they display hearts and arrows. I'm curious what the criteria is to be listed in the AGS0 search and the H&A search. It might just be that the individual vendors describe the stone as AGS0 and/or H&A, because I'd imagine that if leonid had the info that would be found on an AGS report, he'd include the stones in the cut quality search which evaluates those angles.

 

[GlitterGal]

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On 5/28/2004 4:21:47 PM Magnum wrote:

I'm curious what the criteria is to be listed in the AGS0 search and the H&A search. It might just be that the individual vendors describe the stone as AGS0 and/or H&A, because I'd imagine that if leonid had the info that would be found on an AGS report, he'd include the stones in the cut quality search which evaluates those angles.
----------------

Hi Magnum,

Actually, the vendor provides all that information to Leonid, letting him know if it's an H&A and/or AGS0. As you know, with AGS stones, the necessary information is provided on the cert, so its up to the vendor to get that info to Leonid for the listing on those pages. I believe, if I'm not mistaken (Leonid, pls. tell me if I'm wrong on this) the Search by Cut Quality page only lists those stones that score below a 2 on the HCA.

Kindest regards always,
Linda

 

[Rank Amateur]

There are only a few vendors that pony up the $$ and all the info and cut numbers need to search by cut quality. I remember seeing a list - is was GoodOldGold, NiceIce, and...and...can't remember. Sorry if I've slighted anyone!

Anyway, the vendor must suscribe to the service and also be able to produce the numbers to rate the stone.

If I'm way off base here, see Leonid's post below for a correction!

 

[Magnum]

"I believe, if I'm not mistaken (Leonid, pls. tell me if I'm wrong on this) the Search by Cut Quality page only lists those stones that score below a 2 on the HCA."

I'm not leonid, but I can answer this question. You can actually vary the cut quality. For instance, if you don't want to use 2.0 as the cutoff, you can change the search parameter from "Excellent to Excellent" to "Excellent to Very Good", at which time it'll show any stones that score less than (I believe) 4.0 on the HCA.

 

[GlitterGal]

----------------
On 5/28/2004 4:52:46 PM Magnum wrote:

'I believe, if I'm not mistaken (Leonid, pls. tell me if I'm wrong on this) the Search by Cut Quality page only lists those stones that score below a 2 on the HCA.'

I'm not leonid, but I can answer this question. You can actually vary the cut quality. For instance, if you don't want to use 2.0 as the cutoff, you can change the search parameter from 'Excellent to Excellent' to 'Excellent to Very Good', at which time it'll show any stones that score less than (I believe) 4.0 on the HCA.
----------------

Magnum,

Thanks for that - you're absolutely right. I'm just used to always looking for the best that I can possibly get that I don't think about other alternatives.

Kindest regards always,
Linda

 

[fire&ice]

You need to go out and look at stone w/ various color gradings. Your greatest savings break point will be at I SI gradings. But, that may not be as colorless as you like. Everyone's eyes are different regarding sensitivity to color.

 

[solange]

I did extensive searches for stones and found I was getting very confused and wasting a lot of time.

Finally I called a few vendors. I developed a relationship with Lesley at Whiteflash. I gave her an idea of what I was looking for and she found the perfect stone for me.

The stone was not in their inventory nor was it listed on the multiple vendor listing service. Lesley found a stone she thought I would like through a manufacturer who had not yet listed it and had it sent to Whitflash. Then Brian, who is their ACA cutter, called and discussed all the details with me. They also sent the stone to an independent appraiser who confirmed that the stone was AGSO cut and a beautiful stone and that the Sarin and GIA information was accurate.

Many stones that are not in a vendor's inventory may never make it to the multiple listing because the manufacturers know which vendors have customers for specific stones and contact them first.
The advantage of establishing a relationship with a vendor who does not drop ship is that they actually see the stone and can give you advice on how to get the best stone for the money and where you can make compromises.
The stone I bought was an excellent value because it is a completely eye clean SI2, I color with some flourescence and shows up very white in a platinum setting. I do not know if I would have gone in this direction without the advice I got from Whiteflash.I was afraid that an I color in this size would look yellow and it is very difficult to find an eye clean SI2 in such a large stone. I was able to get a gorgeous 4.10 stone that was under my budget because I took Brian's advice.

I know there are many other vendors on Pricesope who will provide this service and save you a lot of time studying lists of stones that might not meet your requirements. You can see my Whiteflash ring on Show me the Ring.

I wish you luck in your search but I think you will save a lot of time if you call some of the vendors here and see if they have what you want or can seek it out for you.