Needing re-assurance

[hworkman]

Good morning. I have been researching diamonds for about 3 weeks now trying to understand what is good/bad to buy. And I think I am getting all diamond-out! So much information! But this is a great site and I have learned allot from here!! So I have started narrowing down my choice on what diamond I wanted to purchase and wanted to get some assistance to see if I am missing anything or if this is a good choice diamond.

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-vs1-clarity_LD03537555

Carat: 1.01
Cut: Ideal
Color: H
Clarity: VS1
Polish: X
Symmetry: X
Depth: 61.4
Table: 55
Girdle: M
Fluorenscence: N
Girdle: M


Based on the HCA it give it a .6. I read a few people say that it should be between 1 and 2. Is this correct? And why? Or would having a .6 be ok?


Thank you for any assistance or responses!

 

[msop04]

It looks nice on paper. Are you set on BN or would you consider another online vendor? The reason I ask is because there are other online vendors that will show you an actual picture or even a video of their stones. They will also provide additional documentation to help in making your decision.

 

[hawk25]

Here are two threads I think are worth reading through.

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ave-very-poor-performance-is-this-true.49102/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/really-confused-on-the-hca-score-how-to-use-it.47795/

To my understanding, the HCA is a elimination tool meant for consumers. A score under 2 means that it's worth your time to research the stone further, which means getting IS/ASET images. Once you get those images, the HCA isn't needed anymore. In your case, BN unfortunately doesn't provide the images you need to make an informed opinion.

Is it a dud? According to the numbers, no. It's probably quite a nice stone. But there's no way of knowing, especially whether it's a top performer or not without the additional information. If you're not insistent on staying with BN, I think you can get a same sized and color stone for your budget (you might have to drop the clarity to a VS2/SI1, but still eye clean).

 

[msop04]

OP, if you will list your budget, there are many on here who will help you find a stone. Also, if the HCA makes you nervous, you could always look for AGS 0 stones. You don't have to run the HCA on them, because they are cut specifically for light performance. Most all of them will score <2, but some do not and it doesn't even matter.

 

[hworkman]

Thanks for the response. I was also looking at some AGS reports and saw this stone as well. The one question I had about this was that there is a crack in one of the hearts, but its not split. Would something like this not be ideal?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2982243.htm

Also with this stone, it has a table of 58.5. I know thats not in the ideal range, but does that cause any concerns?

My range for the diamond was around 6 to 8k. I was looking around the .9 carat range G color VS2.

 

[msop04]

Thanks for the response. I was also looking at some AGS reports and saw this stone as well. The one question I had about this was that there is a crack in one of the hearts, but its not split. Would something like this not be ideal?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2982243.htm

My range for the diamond was around 6 to 8k. I was looking around the .9 carat range G color VS2.

That's a pretty one, and YES -- ACA stones are top performers! What you're seeing isn't a crack -- it's just the photo.

 

[hworkman]

Ok..So just making sure that heart at 3oclock isnt a crack?

 

[msop04]

This one is much larger (6.42 mm), in budget, and scores and scores 1.5 on the HCA. It would be a noticeable size difference from the stone you posted @ 6.18 mm.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782645.htm

 

[msop04]

Ok..So just making sure that heart at 3oclock isnt a crack?

A literal "crack" would definitely pose a structural integrity problem and I doubt WF would list it, much less cut it as an ACA.

 

[msop04]

This one is much larger (6.42 mm), in budget, and scores and scores 1.5 on the HCA. It would be a noticeable size difference from the stone you posted @ 6.18 mm.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782645.htm

OP, I would put this one one hold ASAP. Ask WF to look at it to make sure it's as awesome as it reads on paper!

 

[zz00ter]

Q about HCA

Is it best to get a diamond with HCA <1 or between 1 and 2