New Buyer Help

[Khalsa007]

Hi All,

I''m making my first ever diamond purchase (for engagement) and although I''ve done as much homework as I can do there is way too much to know about diamonds! I would really appreciate any feedback on the following two diamonds:

Diamond 1: Round 1.65 G, SI2 XXX with no Fluorescence.
HCA Grades: Ex, Ex, Ex, Ex (1.2 within TIC)
AGA-NAJA Specs: 59, 33.5, 13.5, 43, Med to Slight Thick, 60.1, Ex, Ex (Received 1B in Table, Crown and Height), 1B overall grade.

Diamond 2: Round 1.75 G, SI2 XXX with no Fluorescence.
HCA Grades: VG, VG, VG, VG (2.3)
AGA-NAJA Specs: 58, 35, 14.5, 43, Thin to Medium, 60.4, Ex, Ex (Received 1B in Crown Angle), 1A overall grade.

Questions:
1) The 1.75 diamond didn''t score as high as the 1.65 diamond in terms of HCA, 2.3 vs. 1.2 respectively. Is that a huge difference in terms of will I really see it in the diamond?
2) The 1.75 final grade was 1A vs. the 1.65 final grade was 1A, 1B, respectively. But HCA says 1.65 is better visually...?
3) Since the Table % on the 1.65 is 59% and the spread is excellent in HCA does that mean it will look "bigger" as in a 1.7 carat diamond?

Thank you all so much,
VCDB (Very confused diamond buyer)

 

[stone-cold11]

Which lab graded the stone?

Also what is the physical dimension of the stone?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/18/2010 12:06:23 PM
Author:Khalsa007
Hi All,

I'm making my first ever diamond purchase (for engagement) and although I've done as much homework as I can do there is way too much to know about diamonds! I would really appreciate any feedback on the following two diamonds:

Diamond 1: Round 1.65 G, SI2 XXX with no Fluorescence.
HCA Grades: Ex, Ex, Ex, Ex (1.2 within TIC)
AGA-NAJA Specs: 59, 33.5, 13.5, 43, Med to Slight Thick, 60.1, Ex, Ex (Received 1B in Table, Crown and Height), 1B overall grade.

Diamond 2: Round 1.75 G, SI2 XXX with no Fluorescence.
HCA Grades: VG, VG, VG, VG (2.3)
AGA-NAJA Specs: 58, 35, 14.5, 43, Thin to Medium, 60.4, Ex, Ex (Received 1B in Crown Angle), 1A overall grade.

Questions:
1) The 1.75 diamond didn't score as high as the 1.65 diamond in terms of HCA, 2.3 vs. 1.2 respectively. Is that a huge difference in terms of will I really see it in the diamond?
2) The 1.75 final grade was 1A vs. the 1.65 final grade was 1A, 1B, respectively. But HCA says 1.65 is better visually...?
3) Since the Table % on the 1.65 is 59% and the spread is excellent in HCA does that mean it will look 'bigger' as in a 1.7 carat diamond?

Thank you all so much,
VCDB (Very confused diamond buyer)

Hi Khalsa and welcome!

Can you post the following info please so we can refer to it when trying to help?

-which lab graded the diamonds ( GIA, AGS, other etc)
-pavilion angles
-diameter measurements in MM
-the type of inclusions that are setting the SI2 clarity grade ( for example, feathers, twinning wisps, clouds- it will say on the report map)

As to your question concerning size, table size making a diamond look larger is illusionary, go by the physical diameters to determine face up size, also concerning the spread score on the HCA, normally only diamonds with depths less than 60.3% score excellent for spread on the HCA.

 

[Khalsa007]

Sure I will list them now, thank you so much for helping out by the way!

To answer your questions:

- Both are graded by GIA
- 1.65 pavilion angle is 40.8 and 1.75 pavilion angle is 41.0
- 1.65 Diamond is 7.64 x 7.67 x 4.61 mm, 1.75 is 7.76 x 7.83 x 4.71 mm
- 1.65 has crystal, cloud and feather however there is just a small mark in the middle of the diamond and a cloud on the outside.
- 1.75 has crystal, feather and needle; 2 crystals in the middle and 2 feathers it seems in the middle as well.

I will try to scan the reference diagrams but we don''t have a scanner here.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Khalsa007]

Oh, also for the AGA Grading tool, since it won''t accept Length cannot be less than Width, I equalized them so that I would be able to get a score...I lowered the Width to equal the Length...would that make a huge difference in score?

 

[Khalsa007]

*Bump* Help please

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 1/18/2010 12:58:08 PM
Author: Khalsa007
Oh, also for the AGA Grading tool, since it won't accept Length cannot be less than Width, I equalized them so that I would be able to get a score...I lowered the Width to equal the Length...would that make a huge difference in score?

With these two diamonds, it won't make a difference, as both are very close to equal. It would only downgrade the stone if it was more out of round
You can just reverse the numbers on the AGA site to get the score, with the larger number first--instead of 7.64 L and 7.67 W, enter 7.67 L and 7.64 W.

As far as the diamonds. #1 with a 33.5/40.8 angle combo will likely favor brilliance over fire somewhat. It should reflect a lot of white light, but may not break it up into the spectral colors as well. Painting can also have a negative effect on this combo.

#2 is a borderline steep deep--some 35/41 diamonds are very nice if tightly cut (little angle variations), others do not perform as well and leak light out the pavillion instead of reflecting it back to the viewer.

Is there any chance the vendor for these diamonds would be able to provide Idealscope images? That would help you know the actual performance of both stones.

 

[Khalsa007]

Thanks jets. Unfortunately the vendor does not have the idealscope so they said they won''t be able to give those images or the actual images of the diamond. they do have a 30 money back policy so i may considering buying a ideal scope for $25 in order to see it personally but I''m not sure if I should waste the time. I asked the lady and she said that the diamond is unclean from 6-8 inches away which not good =/

 

[jet2ks]

Yep, if it is not eye-clean, don''t bother. I would recommend sticking with vendors that are able to provide images and photos so you know what you are getting.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/18/2010 3:16:42 PM
Author: Khalsa007
*Bump* Help please

Sorry Khalsa, I didn't mean to ignore you - I was just having dinner, but I see Jet has taken good care of you! I agree if the diamond is said to not be eyeclean then it is best to continue seaching. An Idealscope of your own is a very handy tool to have if you prefer to buy from a brick and mortar store, so if this is the case it could be a very worthwhile purchase.

 

[Khalsa007]

Thanks for the help jets and Lorelei!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/18/2010 4:06:07 PM
Author: Khalsa007
Thanks for the help jets and Lorelei!!

You are very welcome, just ask if you need any more help Khalsa