Need opinions on a 1.5ct Round Brilliant

[Elysian]

Hi PSers.

I think I found a nice one. I would like your opinions, please!

Color: H
Clarity: SI1
AGS Cut Grade: Ideal
AGS Light Performance: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Fluorescence: None
Culet: None
Lab Report: AGS
Width: 7.40mm
Length: 7.35mm
Depth: 4.55mm
Table Percentage: 56.00%
Depth Percentage: 61.70%
Crown ∠: 35.40°
Pavilion ∠: 41.00°



Thank you for any input you may offer.

 

[04diamond<3]

Looks pretty good!

 

[Elysian]

Looks pretty good!

Thanks, 04diamond<3! I'm glad!

 

[diamond-enthusiast]

Not a fan. Heavy painting on the girdle.

 

[Elysian]

Thanks for your input, diamond enthusiast. How does heavy painting affect optics of a diamond? The first diamond seems to score well in the sarin and megascope, so I am genuinely curious... I apologize for my ignorance.

And another:

Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 1.58ct
Color: I
Clarity: SI1
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
AGS Light Performance: Ideal
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Culet: None
Lab Report: GIA
Width: 7.51mm
Length: 7.48mm
Depth: 4.56mm
Table Percentage: 59.00%
Depth Percentage: 60.90%
Crown ∠: 34.00°
Pavilion ∠: 41.00°

 

[diamond-enthusiast]

Trying to explain optics in text is not easy. Get Good Old Gold to do a video for the 2 diamonds and you can see how they look differently

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think the first one looks great! I might disagree with the previous poster because Jon usually would not stock a diamond with heavy painting. However, a well cut one has edge to edge brightness. I do see some white in those images and heavy painting that I have seen before created a solid red image. But go to the source and ask. And a video of your final choices is a great!

 

[ecf8503]

I like the first one. But a video and commentary from Jon would be helpful of course. They're both beautiful, and you really can't go wrong either way. But there may be differences.

 

[Elysian]

I think the first one looks great! I might disagree with the previous poster because Jon usually would not stock a diamond with heavy painting. However, a well cut one has edge to edge brightness. I do see some white in those images and heavy painting that I have seen before created a solid red image. But go to the source and ask. And a video of your final choices is a great!

Thanks, diamondseeker2006. I know from reading your posts that you have high standards... Would you purchase this stone for yourself?

 

[Elysian]

I like the first one. But a video and commentary from Jon would be helpful of course. They're both beautiful, and you really can't go wrong either way. But there may be differences.

Thanks, ecf. These differences, kind of scare me... Bc I don't know what to look for. I know I like an edge to edge bright diamond with lots of fire, nice spread, but.... Yeah, I should ask for a video. I think i should narrow down my choices first though.

 

[Elysian]

Here's the megascope and sarin for the first diamond

 

[Elysian]

And another... Would love to know your thoughts.. Which do you like best and why?

Cut: Ideal
Polish:Ideal
Symmetry:Ideal
Depth:62.0
Table:55.8
Star:52.0
Crown:15.5
Culetointed
Light Perf.:Ideal
Crown Angle:35
Pavilion Angle:40.8
Measurements:7.52x7.54x4.67
Fluorescence:Negligible
Lower Girdle:77
Girdle:Thin to Medium Faceted

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think the first one looks great! I might disagree with the previous poster because Jon usually would not stock a diamond with heavy painting. However, a well cut one has edge to edge brightness. I do see some white in those images and heavy painting that I have seen before created a solid red image. But go to the source and ask. And a video of your final choices is a great!

Thanks, diamondseeker2006. I know from reading your posts that you have high standards... Would you purchase this stone for yourself?

You are very nice to say that! Others might call me picky! But I am one who only regrets jewelry purchases when I don't go for great quality! I will say that I potentially would buy any of the stones on this thread in terms of the cut except I prefer smaller than the 59 table on the second stone, personally. The factors that I would now have to sort through would be color and clarity. I'd rather have H color, but my new AVR from GOG is an I color, so I am willing to go to I color when then stone is great otherwise. I prefer good clarity, so I'd want to know which SI1 was the most clean and had inclusions placed best. So the other factors would be the deciding factors for me!

 

[Dancing Fire]

And another... Would love to know your thoughts.. Which do you like best and why?

Cut: Ideal
Polish:Ideal
Symmetry:Ideal
Depth:62.0
Table:55.8
Star:52.0
Crown:15.5
Culetointed
Light Perf.:Ideal
Crown Angle:35
Pavilion Angle:40.8
Measurements:7.52x7.54x4.67
Fluorescence:Negligible
Lower Girdle:77
Girdle:Thin to Medium Faceted

I love the specs on this stone, nice crown height + 56% table = a well balanced stone.

 

[Christina...]

And another... Would love to know your thoughts.. Which do you like best and why?

Cut: Ideal
Polish:Ideal
Symmetry:Ideal
Depth:62.0
Table:55.8
Star:52.0
Crown:15.5
Culetointed
Light Perf.:Ideal
Crown Angle:35
Pavilion Angle:40.8
Measurements:7.52x7.54x4.67
Fluorescence:Negligible
Lower Girdle:77
Girdle:Thin to Medium Faceted

I love the specs on this stone, nice crown height + 56% table = a well balanced stone.

Exactly my thoughts as well.

 

[Christina...]

Oh...crown only painting of IDEAL cut stones can increase brightness therefore I don't personally subscribe to the thought that ALL girdle enhancements are a bad thing. However as mentioned its always adviseable to go straight to the source and get their thoughts. Jon will be honest with you, if there are any concerns he will be upfront. Entire branded lines have been created on painted girdles...look at the solasferas, all painted and all incredible brilliant stones.

 

[Elysian]

I think the first one looks great! I might disagree with the previous poster because Jon usually would not stock a diamond with heavy painting. However, a well cut one has edge to edge brightness. I do see some white in those images and heavy painting that I have seen before created a solid red image. But go to the source and ask. And a video of your final choices is a great!

Thanks, diamondseeker2006. I know from reading your posts that you have high standards... Would you purchase this stone for yourself?

You are very nice to say that! Others might call me picky! But I am one who only regrets jewelry purchases when I don't go for great quality! I will say that I potentially would buy any of the stones on this thread in terms of the cut except I prefer smaller than the 59 table on the second stone, personally. The factors that I would now have to sort through would be color and clarity. I'd rather have H color, but my new AVR from GOG is an I color, so I am willing to go to I color when then stone is great otherwise. I prefer good clarity, so I'd want to know which SI1 was the most clean and had inclusions placed best. So the other factors would be the deciding factors for me!

Picky is good and I can relate! Your input is much appreciated and it helped me make my decision.

 

[Elysian]

And another... Would love to know your thoughts.. Which do you like best and why?

Cut: Ideal
Polish:Ideal
Symmetry:Ideal
Depth:62.0
Table:55.8
Star:52.0
Crown:15.5
Culetointed
Light Perf.:Ideal
Crown Angle:35
Pavilion Angle:40.8
Measurements:7.52x7.54x4.67
Fluorescence:Negligible
Lower Girdle:77
Girdle:Thin to Medium Faceted

I love the specs on this stone, nice crown height + 56% table = a well balanced stone.

Thanks for your input, Dancing Fire.

 

[Elysian]

Oh...crown only painting of IDEAL cut stones can increase brightness therefore I don't personally subscribe to the thought that ALL girdle enhancements are a bad thing. However as mentioned its always adviseable to go straight to the source and get their thoughts. Jon will be honest with you, if there are any concerns he will be upfront. Entire branded lines have been created on painted girdles...look at the solasferas, all painted and all incredible brilliant stones.

Thanks, Christina. I think this GOG 1.5xct stone has personality... A quick video from GOG and I am all set to go... setting is chosen as well!!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Oh...crown only painting of IDEAL cut stones can increase brightness therefore I don't personally subscribe to the thought that ALL girdle enhancements are a bad thing. However as mentioned its always adviseable to go straight to the source and get their thoughts. Jon will be honest with you, if there are any concerns he will be upfront. Entire branded lines have been created on painted girdles...look at the solasferas, all painted and all incredible brilliant stones.

Thanks, Christina. I think this GOG 1.5xct stone has personality... A quick video from GOG and I am all set to go... setting is chosen as well!!!!

Fantastic!! I was out of town over the weekend and not on here as much as usual, but I am happy to hear you decided!!!

 

[Elysian]

Ok, I watched Jonathan's video of the two 1.5xct stones and I am just not in love with either... I feel guilty for having asked him to make a video because after viewing them I will choose neither of the stones... So it's back to the drawing board for me. The thing is I don't want to settle on something I don't absolutely love and will have doubts everytime I stare at it. I want to feel good about my decision, the finality of a project when done right feels good, everything about it feels good.

Anyway, I emailed Jonathan about it tonight. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Have you requested other stones to look at...analysis done on these newly sourced stones...how does the guarantee change? I'm assuming I can't trade up from a sourced stone?

 

[Elysian]

And another... Would love to know your thoughts.. Which do you like best and why?

Cut: Ideal
Polish:Ideal
Symmetry:Ideal
Depth:62.0
Table:55.8
Star:52.0
Crown:15.5
Culetointed
Light Perf.:Ideal
Crown Angle:35
Pavilion Angle:40.8
Measurements:7.52x7.54x4.67
Fluorescence:Negligible
Lower Girdle:77
Girdle:Thin to Medium Faceted

I chose this one.

 

[teobdl]

Ok, I watched Jonathan's video of the two 1.5xct stones and I am just not in love with either... I feel guilty for having asked him to make a video because after viewing them I will choose neither of the stones... So it's back to the drawing board for me. The thing is I don't want to settle on something I don't absolutely love and will have doubts everytime I stare at it. I want to feel good about my decision, the finality of a project when done right feels good, everything about it feels good.

Elysian-could you describe what in particular you didn't like about these diamonds in the videos? Maybe there were there other #'s characteristics you didn't like even before the video was made, that only became apparent after watching? Maybe you want a different round cut (an AVR?) or maybe a cushion or radiant?

I'm sure you know that seeing videos of diamonds is a completely different experience from seeing them in person. Sure you'll see the sparkle and some of the fire in the video, but when I compare the video I had from GOG with my experience of the actual diamond, it was completely different. In person, the depth and movement came to life, and the sparkle (like all well-cut diamonds) was just magical. Go with your gut, but just something to consider as you continue your search...

 

[Elysian]

Ok, I watched Jonathan's video of the two 1.5xct stones and I am just not in love with either... I feel guilty for having asked him to make a video because after viewing them I will choose neither of the stones... So it's back to the drawing board for me. The thing is I don't want to settle on something I don't absolutely love and will have doubts everytime I stare at it. I want to feel good about my decision, the finality of a project when done right feels good, everything about it feels good.

Elysian-could you describe what in particular you didn't like about these diamonds in the videos? Maybe there were there other #'s characteristics you didn't like even before the video was made, that only became apparent after watching? Maybe you want a different round cut (an AVR?) or maybe a cushion or radiant?

I'm sure you know that seeing videos of diamonds is a completely different experience from seeing them in person. Sure you'll see the sparkle and some of the fire in the video, but when I compare the video I had from GOG with my experience of the actual diamond, it was completely different. In person, the depth and movement came to life, and the sparkle (like all well-cut diamonds) was just magical. Go with your gut, but just something to consider as you continue your search...

I'm assuming you are referring to one particular video, with previously referenced diamonds in this thread...

Both diamonds looked spectacular in the video, however, I was not in love with the overall "look" of them. I'm sure you know that each diamond has a different personality. As I learn more and more about diamonds, I've developed a preference for a certain appearance of a diamond. I like chunky LGF, smaller table reflection in center, and the usual suspects like excellent brightness, scintillation, spread etc. In the video you are referring to: The diamond on the left had more contrast on the edges than I prefer in diffused lighting; the other diamond had a larger table reflection than I prefer coupled with thinner LGF. Both diamonds looked absolutely amazing in the video, and I appreciate Jon's efforts.

AVRs are amazing, aren't they? I'm not a big fan of non-round shapes, but who knows, it could all change in a few years.

Thanks for sharing your GOG experience with me. Sounds like you had a great one!

 

[Elysian]

Re: Need opinions on a 1.6xct AVR

A follow up...

Some dramatic changes, namely my budget. We increased it to around $27k from $13k for the stone only. I've always loved the faceting of old cuts, especially OECs. I looked into AVRs briefly but I didn't love any in my previous price range, so I looked at RBs instead. Now that my budget is larger, I can now look at AVRs and more or less have my pick... well, at my request, GOG is graciously holding one for me until I can finalize my purchase(s) in the next few weeks.

I'd like your final OKs for this stone...

It's a D color, 1.63ct, VS2: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9483/

Thanks in advance!