Narrowing Down to Two...

[spchambers]

..from James Allen and White Flash. At this point I''m studying the Hearts/Arrows images, so any input would be much appreciated. I know the HCA is just a performance prediction and rejection tool, so I''m not letting it tip my decision either way yet (I''ll keep my opinion to myself for now).

Many kind thanks in advance. It''s good to see some folks who care about detail.

Here are the data for each:

James Allen
0.454 cts.
4.92*4.99*3.04mm
Cut: AGS 0 Ideal
Color: AGS 0 D
Clarity: AGS 1 VVS1
Florescence: Negligible
Total Depth: 61.3%
Table: 56.3%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to slightly thick
Culet: None
Crown angle: 34.3 deg.
Pavilion angle: 41.0 deg.
HCA Data
Light Return: EX
Fire: VG
Scintillation: VG
Spread: VG
Total: 1.6

White Flash
0.431 cts.
4.83*4.87*2.98mm
Cut: AGS 0 Ideal
Color: AGS 0 D
Clarity: AGS 1 VVS1
Florescence: Negligible
Total Depth: 61.5%
Table: 56.1%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to medium faceted
Culet: Pointed
Crown angle: 34.5 deg.
Pavilion angle: 40.8 deg.
HCA Data
Light Return: EX
Fire: EX
Scintillation: EX
Spread: VG
Total: 1

IMAGES
WF Arrows
WF Hearts
WF ASET
JA Images (My apologies for no direct links)

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 10/24/2009 8:38:04 PM
Author:spchambers

IMAGES

WF Arrows

WF Hearts

WF ASET

JA Images (My apologies for no direct links)

Both look good to me.

Also, that is not the arrow image for WF, it is the IS image.

 

[spchambers]

Date: 10/24/2009 8:46:13 PM
Author: Stone-cold11

Both look good to me.


Also, that is not the arrow image for WF, it is the IS image.

Thanks for weighing in!

..and I''m just keeping the nomenclature simple..

 

[stone-cold11]

Different purpose, not looking at the same thing.

 

[spchambers]

sounds great!

 

[spchambers]

It seems in the WF that the tips of the hearts are more even, but slightly bent towards the center. The JA heart tips don''t seem to be as even, but seem to be sharper with no bending. Any knowledge on which of these characteristics is least desirable?

My apologies in advance for layman terminology. Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/25/2009 11:46:25 AM
Author: spchambers
It seems in the WF that the tips of the hearts are more even, but slightly bent towards the center. The JA heart tips don't seem to be as even, but seem to be sharper with no bending. Any knowledge on which of these characteristics is least desirable?

My apologies in advance for layman terminology. Thanks!

Hi sp,

No need to apologize, this page below explains how h&a are graded and will be helpful,


http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/65/1/Hearts-and-Arrows-Diamonds-and-The-Basics-of-Diamond-Cutting.aspx


also this link could make interesting reading for you. Sometimes you see a little bending on the heart tips according to the image and the image setup, if this is at a very bare minimum it is acceptable to me, sometimes this effect is seen in some images but not in others of the same diamond due to the above mentioned image set up. Read the links above for more info on how the hearts and arrows are graded.

Both diamonds look good, I would add if you ever want to upgrade both vendors offer upgrade policies but read the terms and conditions of each and factor that into your decision if an upgrade would ever be a future consideration.

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 10/25/2009 11:46:25 AM
Author: spchambers
It seems in the WF that the tips of the hearts are more even, but slightly bent towards the center. The JA heart tips don''t seem to be as even, but seem to be sharper with no bending. Any knowledge on which of these characteristics is least desirable?

My apologies in advance for layman terminology. Thanks!

The bending tips are an error when the image was taken.

 

[spchambers]

Date: 10/25/2009 12:04:11 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 10/25/2009 11:46:25 AM

Author: spchambers

It seems in the WF that the tips of the hearts are more even, but slightly bent towards the center. The JA heart tips don''t seem to be as even, but seem to be sharper with no bending. Any knowledge on which of these characteristics is least desirable?


My apologies in advance for layman terminology. Thanks!

Hi sp,


No need to apologize, this page below explains how h&a are graded and will be helpful,



http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/65/1/Hearts-and-Arrows-Diamonds-and-The-Basics-of-Diamond-Cutting.aspx



also this link could make interesting reading for you. Sometimes you see a little bending on the heart tips according to the image and the image setup, if this is at a very bare minimum it is acceptable to me, sometimes this effect is seen in some images but not in others of the same diamond due to the above mentioned image set up. Read the links above for more info on how the hearts and arrows are graded.


Both diamonds look good, I would add if you ever want to upgrade both vendors offer upgrade policies but read the terms and conditions of each and factor that into your decision if an upgrade would ever be a future consideration.

Thanks for pointing me to those articles - that''s exactly what I''ve been looking for!

Alas, it seems that WF has clearer and larger photograph quality, making it a little more difficult (for me, at least) to discern the better of the two. I like the IS image of the WF better, but as far as the hearts image, I don''t know if the contrast and separation of the JA arrowheads is noteworthy when compared to the WF, which seems to have more symmetrical arrowheads all around, vs. the JA. I hope I''m making sense here.

Thanks again for filling me in! I''m looking forward to making the decision very soon.

 

[spchambers]

Date: 10/25/2009 12:11:18 PM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 10/25/2009 11:46:25 AM

Author: spchambers

It seems in the WF that the tips of the hearts are more even, but slightly bent towards the center. The JA heart tips don''t seem to be as even, but seem to be sharper with no bending. Any knowledge on which of these characteristics is least desirable?


My apologies in advance for layman terminology. Thanks!

The bending tips are an error when the image was taken.

Thanks for this confirmation - that makes me feel more confident about judging the image.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/25/2009 7:50:47 PM
Author: spchambers

Date: 10/25/2009 12:04:11 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 10/25/2009 11:46:25 AM

Author: spchambers

It seems in the WF that the tips of the hearts are more even, but slightly bent towards the center. The JA heart tips don''t seem to be as even, but seem to be sharper with no bending. Any knowledge on which of these characteristics is least desirable?


My apologies in advance for layman terminology. Thanks!

Hi sp,


No need to apologize, this page below explains how h&a are graded and will be helpful,



http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/65/1/Hearts-and-Arrows-Diamonds-and-The-Basics-of-Diamond-Cutting.aspx



also this link could make interesting reading for you. Sometimes you see a little bending on the heart tips according to the image and the image setup, if this is at a very bare minimum it is acceptable to me, sometimes this effect is seen in some images but not in others of the same diamond due to the above mentioned image set up. Read the links above for more info on how the hearts and arrows are graded.


Both diamonds look good, I would add if you ever want to upgrade both vendors offer upgrade policies but read the terms and conditions of each and factor that into your decision if an upgrade would ever be a future consideration.

Thanks for pointing me to those articles - that''s exactly what I''ve been looking for!

Alas, it seems that WF has clearer and larger photograph quality, making it a little more difficult (for me, at least) to discern the better of the two. I like the IS image of the WF better, but as far as the hearts image, I don''t know if the contrast and separation of the JA arrowheads is noteworthy when compared to the WF, which seems to have more symmetrical arrowheads all around, vs. the JA. I hope I''m making sense here.

Thanks again for filling me in! I''m looking forward to making the decision very soon.

You are very welcome!