Narrowing to 1.06 from Abazias, but....

[rmkwebdesign]

After some very helpful responses from many of you, I started seriously considering the following diamond (for a solitaire platinum engagement ring) from Abazias:

http://www.abazias.com/database/NewDiamondInfo.asp?stock=36683182

Carat Weight: 1.06
Color: H
Clarity: SI1
Depth: 61.7
Table: 57.1
Symmetry: EX
Certificate: AGS
Polish: EX
Girdle: TN-STK
Culet: N
Fluorescence: N
Measurements: 6.51-6.58x4.03
Cut Grade: Ideal

This was in comparison to this WF ACA diamond:

https://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-260699.htm

. Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 1.073
. Color: I
. Clarity: SI2
. Depth %: 61.7
. Table %: 56.3
. Crown Angle: 34.8
. Crown %: 15.3
. Star : 51
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Pavilion %: 42.9
. Lower Girdle %: 76
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 6.55-6.58X4.05
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

Several persons suggested that the added expense for the ACA was not worth it, and that I (and my FF) would be just as happy with an AGS0 diamond, with better color and clarity, for less money. The Abazias diamond is obviously an H color instead of I, and an SI1 instead of an SI2.

First question: Does anyone have any concerns with the Abazias diamond? The stats appear attractive to me, but you all may notice something I haven''t yet.

Second question: After e-mialing an Abazias representative, I''ve received a scan of the AGS report. It is attached. However, the diamond is not in-house with Abazias. After inquiring about whether the diamond was eye-clean, the Abazias rep said that they spoke with the diamond cutter and that they reported it was an eye-clean. So, is this a good enough recommendation?

Is there anything else I should be concerned with? More shopping to do? My budget was $4500 and this seems to fit. There''s always the "is something better around the corner" question, but this seems to be pretty good, so I''m wondering from you all: Is this about the best stone for the best deal in my criteria that I''ll likely find? Or should I hold out longer?

Thanks for everyone''s counsel in advance!

 

[Ellen]

What strikes me is, the AGS report doesn't look like all the other reports of theirs I've seen where the diamond gets a zero in light performance....So I'm not sue what that means, I'd ask.


And as for them saying they asked if it was eyeclean, maybe they did, I dunno. You have a 10 day return period, so you can scrutenize it to see. That term means different things to different people.

I'd definitely ask if it gets zero in light performance though.

ETA, I see they are different reports.

 

[rmkwebdesign]

So, where on the report does it usually state something about light performance?

I''ll ask them if it gets a zero. What else might it have gotten? 1, 2, etc.?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/17/2007 11:54:15 AM
Author: rmkwebdesign
So, where on the report does it usually state something about light performance?

I'll ask them if it gets a zero. What else might it have gotten? 1, 2, etc.?

Look at the report for the ACA.

But that is a DQD, and you have a DQR, so they won't look the same. Not sure what it got.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 8/17/2007 11:02:27 AM
Author:rmkwebdesign



Several persons suggested that the added expense for the ACA was not worth it, and that I (and my FF) would be just as happy with an AGS0 diamond, with better color and clarity, for less money. The Abazias diamond is obviously an H color instead of I, and an SI1 instead of an SI2.

First question: Does anyone have any concerns with the Abazias diamond? The stats appear attractive to me, but you all may notice something I haven't yet.

RMK, you're not quite comparing applies to apples here, because the Abazias diamond isn't an AGS0.....which is what I gather you're trying to stick with.

My concern about the Abazias diamond is this: it's not really clear how well cut it is. Sicne it's not an AGS0 stone, you'd need more data than what's listed to determine if the cut proportions were good (i.e crown/pavilion angles, etc.). The DQR doesn't show the missing information, and I don't see a link for a measurement report (like Sarin, OGI, etc.) that would provide the missing information.

Since cut proportions affect light performance, it's not clear that these diamonds are 'equals' except for the H&A pattern.

The fact that Abazias calls it an 'ideal' cut does not mean that it is equivalent to an AGS Ideal. On the Abazias site, they are clear that they are using 'ideal' as a generic term by this language: "The cut grade indicated is a generalization based off the depth and table proportions as they compare to the American Standard Cut Grade Charts and is not indicative of the overall cut grade that will be awarded by the independent gemological laboratories."

This diamond *might* be a good performer, but it also may not. You just don't have enough information about the second stone to know if it's comparable or not, and since it's not inhouse, you can't really rely on the vendor to eyeball it for you either.

If Abazias can get you Sarin information, great. If they can't, I'd pass on this stone and either go with the ACA or keep searching for a stone that offers enough information.

 

[rmkwebdesign]

This is the reply I received from Abazias regarding my request for light performance:

"I am sorry but I do not have that information. That will be on a separate report that the diamond cutters don't normally request. If you have any other questions feel free to let me know."

Not the answer I expected to get, I guess. So, based on Ellen's and Dewey's cautions, I think I'll take a pass on this one.

So, I back at the drawing board. I'm looking at another stone, now from James Allen:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-863980.asp

Shape: Round
Carat weight: 1.11
Cut: Ideal
Color: H
Clarity: SI2
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 61.8%
Table: 55%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Medium, faceted
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 6.62*6.65*4.10

I've inquired if it's eye-clean. The photo of the diamond looks good to me, particularly the table area. In the photo, I can't find the inclusion shown on the GIA report, so I don't know if that means I'm not looking for the right thing, or if it's just difficult to see (and an indicator of it probably being eye-clean).

This being a GIA graded stone, and not AGS, what other questions should I inquire of James Allen? Is the quality of cut sufficiently indicated on the site, or is there more information I need?

Also, of what significance is the polish/symetry grade? This diamond was listed on JA as VG/VG, while other diamonds I've seen listed as EX/EX.

 

[Jenn5504]

I would say good call on passing on that Abazias diamond, simply because you didn''t have enough cut info to make an informed decision and that response from them didn''t seem to indicate they were very willing to try and get you the necessary info.

The new stone you''re looking at with James Allen looks good to me. 0.8 HCA, H SI2 is a great combo IMO. James Allen will give you a straight answer on whether it is eye clean, if so looks like it could certainly be a good choice.

 

[rmkwebdesign]

I''ll let everyone know what I hear. Do these Internet dealers operate on Saturdays?

Also, you said HCA .8. In layman''s terms, what does this indicate?

 

[JulieN]

it means that the combo of crown, pavilion, and table work together.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 8/17/2007 2:22:05 PM
Author: rmkwebdesign

So, I back at the drawing board. I''m looking at another stone, now from James Allen:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-863980.asp


I''ve inquired if it''s eye-clean. The photo of the diamond looks good to me, particularly the table area. In the photo, I can''t find the inclusion shown on the GIA report, so I don''t know if that means I''m not looking for the right thing, or if it''s just difficult to see (and an indicator of it probably being eye-clean).

This being a GIA graded stone, and not AGS, what other questions should I inquire of James Allen? Is the quality of cut sufficiently indicated on the site, or is there more information I need?

Also, of what significance is the polish/symetry grade? This diamond was listed on JA as VG/VG, while other diamonds I''ve seen listed as EX/EX.

The J/A stone looks gorgeous.....the photo looks like the inclusions are white (instead of dark). I can find the inclusions on the GIA report under mag, but I honestly think there''s no way you''ll see them IRL when it''s set and worn.

No worries on the VG/VG....your eye can''t see the diff between VG and EX polish.

This stone is a great find!

 

[rmkwebdesign]

Date: 8/18/2007 8:48:59 AM
Author: aljdewey

Date: 8/17/2007 2:22:05 PM
Author: rmkwebdesign

So, I back at the drawing board. I''m looking at another stone, now from James Allen:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-863980.asp


I''ve inquired if it''s eye-clean. The photo of the diamond looks good to me, particularly the table area. In the photo, I can''t find the inclusion shown on the GIA report, so I don''t know if that means I''m not looking for the right thing, or if it''s just difficult to see (and an indicator of it probably being eye-clean).

This being a GIA graded stone, and not AGS, what other questions should I inquire of James Allen? Is the quality of cut sufficiently indicated on the site, or is there more information I need?

Also, of what significance is the polish/symetry grade? This diamond was listed on JA as VG/VG, while other diamonds I''ve seen listed as EX/EX.

The J/A stone looks gorgeous.....the photo looks like the inclusions are white (instead of dark). I can find the inclusions on the GIA report under mag, but I honestly think there''s no way you''ll see them IRL when it''s set and worn.

No worries on the VG/VG....your eye can''t see the diff between VG and EX polish.

This stone is a great find!

Excellent! I''m glad to hear the JA looks good to some of you. Anyone have further thoughts?

 

[jaz464]

Where does it say polish and symmetry are VG? I see excellent for both.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/18/2007 10:22:05 AM
Author: jazmine
Where does it say polish and symmetry are VG? I see excellent for both.

Me too. And it does look like a good one if eyeclean!

 

[rmkwebdesign]

Date: 8/18/2007 2:16:04 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 8/18/2007 10:22:05 AM
Author: jazmine
Where does it say polish and symmetry are VG? I see excellent for both.

Me too. And it does look like a good one if eyeclean!

My mistake on the VG; I must have been thinking of a different stone. You are correct, EX for both.

Looking forward to hearing back from JA this week about eye-clean. Will update.