Need diamond help

[mantrig]

So I have a quote for $12,200 for a EGL Canada diamond. Please let me know your thoughts:

Round Brilliant
7.51 - 7.45 x 4.57mm
Depth 61.2%
1.60ct
Cut: EGL Ideal Plus
Clarity: Si1
Color: F

Excellent Polish
Excellent Symmetry
Faint Fluorescence
Comments: Cut Ideal plus, Hearts and Arrows (H&A)

Table 62%
Crown 34.2 degrees / 12.9%
Girdle 1.7% - 2.8%
Pavilion 41.6 degrees / 43.9%
Cutlet - None


Also, what are your thoughts on getting it analyzed by a local GIA certified gemologist? Will that give me an indication as to where GIA might certify it or is that not even worth my time / money?

Thank you!!!

 

[JulieN]

I wouldn't buy it based on the proportions alone. I think an ideal cut 1.5 H SI1 would be around the same price, I don't think what you're looking at is a good deal at all.

 

[mantrig]

Thanks for your reply....what about it turns you off?

You say a H, Si1 would be the same price, but would have to go down to a 1.5 carat? Wouldn't that be a standard tradeoff (drop in color/clarity for weight)?

Thanks!

 

[ecf8503]

Yuck. It scores a horrid 6.9 on the HCA, with fair light return, and poor fire and scintillation.

You can do MUCH better. Besides, it's an EGL so an F SI1 from them may be an H/I/J SI2/I1 from GIA / AGS.

 

[tweeter8177]

EGL has a reputation of having lower grading than a GIA certed diamond...meaning your F SI1 could actually be a G/H SI2 or lower by GIA standards. You can search on this forum and read all sorts of threads on it. As far as the stone though, the table is huge on it and is less desirable. Plug it into the HCA tool which is intended to look at potential light performance and weed out diamonds with scores more than 2. The one you have posted scored very high per the last poster (not good). https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca You probably can get a way better diamond (better proportions) with more sparkle, fire, etc. for the same price through Pricescope vendors. Hopefully someone with more expertise can post some examples for you.

 

[mantrig]

Thanks, all.

How would you say this one compares? A GIA certified stone for $12,400

Carat 1.5ct
Clarity si2
Color G
Cut Excellent
Polish/Sym Exc and VG

ROUND BRILLIANT
Measurements 7.26 - 7.33 x 4.54 mm
Depth 62.3 %
Table 57 %
Crown Angle 35.0°
Crown Height 15.0%
Pavilion Angle 40.8°
Pavilion Depth 43.0%
Star Length 50%
Lower Half 80%
Girdle Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 4.0%
Culet None

CLARITY CHARACTERISTICS
Clarity Characteristics Twinning Wisp, Feather
COMMENTS
Additional twinning wisps are not shown.
Surface graining is not shown.



I'm always a little worried about si2 and G color stones......are these still a quality stone??? There are fairly large inclusions starting from the outside and working their way to the center....will this be a problem or am I being too picky???

 

[DelsFan]

Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread
or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 1.7 - Excellent
within TIC range

I'd suggest the location of the inclusions might be a factor; with an HCA of 1.7 certainly this diamond could be a "looker".

Certainly a person who is particular should be wary of an SI2 diamond. However, if the diamond has two inclusions that really are not visible to the naked eye and they are located so as to not affect light performance too much, this "could" be a decent buy. It is possible to pay nearly this much for a 1.0 carat diamond with slightly better color and clarity, so it is possible this diamond could be a good buy for the size and money. It is also possible it would be large, but the inclusions would affect the "look" of the diamond.

Hope this helps!

PS I believe a ("real" GIA certified) G color stone with a superior cut could look "whiter" than an E or F color stone poorly cut... like the first stone you mentioned, even if it was a true "F". There are so few truly Ideal Cut stones out there that G color could provide a good value without sacrificing look.

Also, the first stone you mentioned was an Ideal Cut and Hearts and Arrows - with an HCA of 6.9????? (For other posters), is this possible or is a less than scrupulous vendor loose with the "truth"?