Need ring advice

[newbie0902]

Hey everyone,
I''ve been reading for the last month as I decide on an e-ring. Planning on asking mid-late July so I need to make a decision ASAP. I settled on a ring in the 1.5 carat range but I''m limited by budget to approx 10k. Here are 3 rings that I was considering. None are perfect, but neither is my budget!

#1 (at store number 1)
$9300
1.53 ct
I color
VS2
Cut: Ex
TBL 57%
Depth 62%
Crown Angle 35.5
Pavilion 41.0
Star% 50%
Lower Half 50%
Culet: none
Girdle Med to STK
Polish: Ex
Sym: Ex
Flour: none

#2 (at store #2)
$13900 (a little out of range, but would consider if it is soo much better than the others)
1.50 ct
G color
VS 2
Cut: Ex
TBL 59%
Depth 62.4%
Pavilion: 41.4
Crown angle 35.0
Girdle Thin to STK, faceted
Culet: none
Polish: VG
Sym: VG
Flour: none

#3 (at store #2)
$9100
1.50 ct
H color
SI 1
Cut: VG
TBL: 58%
Depth 59.5%
Crown angle 34.0
Pavilion 41.0
Star % 60%
Lower Half 80%
Culet: none
Polish VG
Sym: Ex
Flour: none

What do you all think? I don''t have idealscope images of any of these (not sure how you would get that). I''m looking to pull the trigger pretty soon so any advice you all have would be appreciated.

 

[jet2ks]

#1 & #2 are both into steep/deep range and will leak light--I'd pass on those. #3 may have possibilities, though I would want more information, such as who graded it (GIA?), photos and an IS, which evidently isn't available.

Are you definitely wanting to shop at a brick and mortar store, or are you open to shopping online with a quality vendor?

 

[stone-cold11]

#3 is the best from the numbers.

 

[phoenixgirl]

Pavilion angles of 41+ just don''t work as well with crown angles of 35+. So number one and especially number two are not living up to their cut potential, so to speak. So there''s no need to consider #2, which is out of your price range anyway.

#3 is the only stone to score below 2 on the Holloway Cut Adviser, which you can use and read about on this site. So that would be the one I''d look into the most seriously. What is its girdle? Have you made sure you can''t spot any inclusions?

 

[newbie0902]

Thank you everyone for your responses. All of these are GIA certified (I have seen the certificate) diamonds. I must say, I was surprised about the finding on the first diamond. How does one diamond graded "Excellent" Cut by the GIA get such a poor score by HCA criteria (Diamond #1) and one that gets a GIA grade of "Very Good" Cut get s a good score on HCA?

Diamond #3 had a girdle that was THN-STK.

Given the "very good" cut rating, how should I reconcile that with all of the info that I have gotten here? Is cut affected by things other than the specs listed on the GIA report?

I don''t have any pictures at this time but will try to do so. My choice for "B and M" store is because I got good recommendations and I think that there is something to be gained in seeing the diamond with my own eyes. Perhaps an old fashoined idea given all the high performance tools that are available for assessing diamond quality....

Thanks again

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 6/16/2009 10:43:53 PM
Author: newbie0902
Thank you everyone for your responses. All of these are GIA certified (I have seen the certificate) diamonds. I must say, I was surprised about the finding on the first diamond. How does one diamond graded 'Excellent' Cut by the GIA get such a poor score by HCA criteria (Diamond #1) and one that gets a GIA grade of 'Very Good' Cut get s a good score on HCA? GIA's Excellent range is a bit broad and can include some stones that just do not perform well. HCA attempts to make a prediction about how the stone will perform based on limited data. Since that data is averages and sometimes rounded numbers, it cannot say with absolute certainty that a stone is great. That is why it is an elimination tool, not a selection tool. Looking at the data that you provided, I am unsure as to why #3 was rated VG by GIA. Do you have the GIA report number that you could post?

EDT: Using GIA Facetware, it appears that the combo of 41 pav angle and overall depth earned it the VG. Either a pav angle of 40.8 or a depth of 59.7 would have resulted in an Excellent cut grade.

Diamond #3 had a girdle that was THN-STK.

Given the 'very good' cut rating, how should I reconcile that with all of the info that I have gotten here? Is cut affected by things other than the specs listed on the GIA report? Overall cut quality is determined of how all the measurements fit into certain ranges, as well as level of polish and symmetry. Each lab has slightly different criteria as to what earns the top grade. For performance, it is mostly driven by the pavillion and crown angles and how they work together. Other facets and angles play a part in the light performance as well, but if those first two angles are not in good ranges the rest won't matter.

I don't have any pictures at this time but will try to do so. My choice for 'B and M' store is because I got good recommendations and I think that there is something to be gained in seeing the diamond with my own eyes. Perhaps an old fashoined idea given all the high performance tools that are available for assessing diamond quality.... If you are more comfortable viewing the diamonds in person and shopping at a B&M, that is fine, just make sure they are truly taking care of your needs, wants and desires. There are many good B&M stores out there with knowledgeable staff--there are also a lot that only care about making the sale and taking your $$$. Forging a good relationship with one of the former can be very beneficial.

Thanks again You are most welcome and good luck with your search.