Need your opinion!

[chickenthan]

Hey Guys (and Gals),

I''ve been lurking at the forums here for a while, and the wealth of information has been EXTREMELY helpful while I''ve been searching for that right diamond. I have a candidate here from James Allen, but just wanted to get your thoughts. Here are the specs:

Report: GIA
. Shape: Round Excellent Cut
. Color: F
. Clarity: SI1
. Carat: 1.70
. Depth %: 60.7
. Table %: 60
. Crown Angle: 33.5
. Crown %: 13.5
. Pavilion Angle: 41
. Pavilion %: 43
. Lower Girdle %: 75
. Girdle: Med - Slightly Thick Faceted
. Measurements: 7.65 - 7.70 x 4.66mm
. Polish: Very Good
. Symmetry: Very Good
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: None

Aside from the specs, I''ve been in touch with the people with James Allen, and they assure me that the diamond is eye-clean. I''m just a little nervous, because in looking at the pictures they have online, it appears that the inclusions are fairly visible (see attached). Is there anything else I should ask for? Be looking for? I''m working on a $13k budget. Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/8/2009 2:45:44 PM
Author:chickenthan
Hey Guys (and Gals),

I've been lurking at the forums here for a while, and the wealth of information has been EXTREMELY helpful while I've been searching for that right diamond. I have a candidate here from James Allen, but just wanted to get your thoughts. Here are the specs:

Report: GIA
. Shape: Round Excellent Cut
. Color: F
. Clarity: SI1
. Carat: 1.70
. Depth %: 60.7
. Table %: 60
. Crown Angle: 33.5
. Crown %: 13.5
. Pavilion Angle: 41
. Pavilion %: 43
. Lower Girdle %: 75
. Girdle: Med - Slightly Thick Faceted
. Measurements: 7.65 - 7.70 x 4.66mm
. Polish: Very Good
. Symmetry: Very Good
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: None

Aside from the specs, I've been in touch with the people with James Allen, and they assure me that the diamond is eye-clean. I'm just a little nervous, because in looking at the pictures they have online, it appears that the inclusions are fairly visible (see attached). Is there anything else I should ask for? Be looking for? I'm working on a $13k budget. Thanks!

Hi Chicken

This could be a nice diamond of 60 60 make ( cut), what I would do is ask JA for an Idealscope image of the diamond, if you are not familiar with IS this link explains

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance

Also you can't tell by magnified images if a diamond is eyeclean or not, remember we are discussing something which is a little bigger than a pencil eraser. Just make sure you let JA know your expectations concerning ' eyecleanliness' and they will be able to advise accordingly. If you don't want to see any inclusions from any angle at close scrutiny for example, make sure you tell them that.

 

[chickenthan]

Thanks! I definitely will ask for that. I know that JA is a very reputable merchant around here. But I just would rather not go through the hassles of a return, etc., in case there are visible inclusions. I've included the snapshot of the inclusions from the GIA report below.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/8/2009 2:50:33 PM
Author: chickenthan
Thanks! I definitely will ask for that. Do you think I should be worried about visible inclusions? I know that JA is a very reputable merchant around here. But I just would rather not go through the hassles of a return, etc., in case there are visible inclusions. I''ve included the snapshot of the inclusions from the GIA report below.

I can see there is a grade setting cloud plotted, ask the gemologist Julianna to inspect the diamond to see if the cloud is impacting brilliance, rare but not unheard of. Also the only way to be sure there are no visible inclusions is to make your expectations very clear as above, that way you and the vendor are on the same page with a higher chance of getting it right first time!

 

[Todd Gray]

It is not possible to determine the extent that a diamond is or is not "eye clean" from the plotting diagram on a lab report or even a clarity photograph, both of which are solely intended to provide some insight into the type, location and extent of the inclusions within a diamond. For this reason, it is important to work with a vendor who is capable of viewing the diamond in-person and who can provide you with a detailed analysis of the diamond. Express your concerns that the diamond be "eye clean" to the vendor and ask for their assessment of the visibility of the inclusions. Keep in mind that the visibility of the inclusions and to what extent a diamond is "eye clean" is susceptible to the eye sight of the viewer and thus is subject to interpretation, lighting conditions and whether the diamond is viewed wet or dry will also have an effect upon the visibility of inclusions... A diamond which is eye clean to one person might not be eye clean to another and which appears eye clean when dry might easily show inclusions when wet. I had a client many years back who told me that the only time she could find the inclusions within her diamond is when she washed dishes at the kitchen sink during the afternoon when the light was coming through her kitchen window just so...

 

[chickenthan]

Thanks Todd. I''m working with JA to have the diamond looked at again. I realize that to a certain degree, you can only get so much information before looking at it with your own eyes. I''ve also requested the idealscope, which will be available in the next 2-3 days. Hopefully, the additional information will help me tip the scales for me, one way or the other.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/8/2009 3:13:22 PM
Author: chickenthan
Thanks Todd. I''m working with JA to have the diamond looked at again. I realize that to a certain degree, you can only get so much information before looking at it with your own eyes. I''ve also requested the idealscope, which will be available in the next 2-3 days. Hopefully, the additional information will help me tip the scales for me, one way or the other.

Post the IS when you get it, then we can go from there.

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 6/8/2009 3:19:13 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 6/8/2009 3:13:22 PM

Author: chickenthan

Post the IS when you get it, then we can go from there.

Ask them for an ASET image too, they might as well get that for you at the same time...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/8/2009 3:24:30 PM
Author: Todd Gray

Date: 6/8/2009 3:19:13 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 6/8/2009 3:13:22 PM

Author: chickenthan

Post the IS when you get it, then we can go from there.

Ask them for an ASET image too, they might as well get that for you at the same time...

James Allen don''t supply ASET Todd, I wish they did though...

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 6/8/2009 3:27:07 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 6/8/2009 3:24:30 PM

Author: Todd Gray

Date: 6/8/2009 3:19:13 PM

Author: Lorelei

Date: 6/8/2009 3:13:22 PM


Author: chickenthan


Post the IS when you get it, then we can go from there.

Ask them for an ASET image too, they might as well get that for you at the same time...

James Allen don''t supply ASET Todd, I wish they did though...

Oh, well then, don''t ask for it

 

[chickenthan]

Haha. Thanks guys. Well, I asked already anyways, and got the same response. : ) I''ll just have to sit tight until the rest of the information arrives. I''m crossing my fingers that all will be well.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/8/2009 3:34:48 PM
Author: chickenthan
Haha. Thanks guys. Well, I asked already anyways, and got the same response. : ) I''ll just have to sit tight until the rest of the information arrives. I''m crossing my fingers that all will be well.

I wish they did do ASET, especially as they have some nice fancy shapes, ASET would be great for those. Keep us posted!

 

[chickenthan]

So JA just got back to me with the IS image. Please find it attached. As always, your opinions are greatly appreciated!

 

[Lorelei]

Do you have the actual photo of the diamond too please?

 

[chickenthan]

Unfortunately, all I have is the original picture at 10x magnification in the original post, and the IS image above. I asked JA for some additional pictures, but they had nothing else for me.

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 6/11/2009 12:01:15 PM
Author: chickenthan
Unfortunately, all I have is the original picture at 10x magnification in the original post, and the IS image above. I asked JA for some additional pictures, but they had nothing else for me.

That's the image Lorelei was asking for. Lorelei, it is attached in the original post as a pdf.

Looks like some obstruction issue is happening in the pavilion at 11 o'clock position. Seems like some painting is happening there. Some one more experience will have to comment on this, sorry.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/11/2009 12:07:55 PM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 6/11/2009 12:01:15 PM
Author: chickenthan
Unfortunately, all I have is the original picture at 10x magnification in the original post, and the IS image above. I asked JA for some additional pictures, but they had nothing else for me.

That''s the image Lorelei was asking for.

It is, thanks SC - do you have that one please?

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 6/11/2009 12:09:25 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 6/11/2009 12:07:55 PM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 6/11/2009 12:01:15 PM

Author: chickenthan
Unfortunately, all I have is the original picture at 10x magnification in the original post, and the IS image above. I asked JA for some additional pictures, but they had nothing else for me.

That''s the image Lorelei was asking for.

It is, thanks SC - do you have that one please?

Lorelei, check the attachement at the original post, it is attached as a PDF.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/11/2009 12:14:12 PM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 6/11/2009 12:09:25 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 6/11/2009 12:07:55 PM
Author: Stone-cold11

Date: 6/11/2009 12:01:15 PM

Author: chickenthan
Unfortunately, all I have is the original picture at 10x magnification in the original post, and the IS image above. I asked JA for some additional pictures, but they had nothing else for me.

That's the image Lorelei was asking for.

It is, thanks SC - do you have that one please?

Lorelei, check the attachement at the original post, it is attached as a PDF.

Ah ok, going to check - thanks!

Ok just saw the pics, the photo and the IS image look good generally, but I am looking at a dark area on the IS at around 11 o'clock, did you check if that is a small area of leakage or a dark inclusion chicken? I am not sure what it is, it is visible in both the photo and the IS image.

 

[chickenthan]

Yea, there is an inclusion in that area, which I was a bit concerned about from the get-go. I was told by JA that the diamond was eye-clean, but requested a second look to see if the inclusions were available from any angle, or close inspection. No word on that yet. Assuming that the diamond is eye-clean, would this make a good candidate?

 

[jet2ks]

The circled area and the dark shape in it is what''s puzzling. It looks like maybe an inclusion was cut out of the pavillion, which left something funky in the light return???? Maybe one of the pros on the board would have an idea.

 

[chickenthan]

the more i learn about diamonds... the more i realize i don''t know.

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 6/11/2009 1:22:53 PM
Author: chickenthan
the more i learn about diamonds... the more i realize i don''t know.

Join the club!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/11/2009 2:32:44 PM
Author: jet2ks

Date: 6/11/2009 1:22:53 PM
Author: chickenthan
the more i learn about diamonds... the more i realize i don''t know.

Join the club!

* shuffles over and raises hand*

 

[chickenthan]

So any other opinions out there on the IS image? Should I be worrying about the abnormality I see in the image? And how could it potentially impact the light performance?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/11/2009 3:56:24 PM
Author: chickenthan
So any other opinions out there on the IS image? Should I be worrying about the abnormality I see in the image? And how could it potentially impact the light performance?

I think what you need to do is to contact JA, point out this dark area which can be seen on the photo and the IS image and ask them specifically what is causing it, and if it can be seen with the naked eye. I don''t want to speculate and mislead you so I think that would be best.