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bonhalen

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 2, 2015
Messages
14
Hi all,

I've been referred here by a friend who bought his ring upon some suggestions from this forum. I'm looking @ a diamond right now that is not in my price range, bigger than I wanted, and a better clarity, but it just spoke to me and I can't stop thinking about it. I'd like to get the forum opinion.

GIA cert is https://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pagename=GST%2FDispatcher&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=1189682508

report # 1189682508.

I'm in Canada so I took a look at some of the diamonds on this website that are similar and added 30% (mainly exchange rate and a bit more for overhead and stuff) and the price the jeweller gave me is less.

Again, was not something I was looking for but now its hard to look away. Very interested now and I'd love to hear some opinions.

Thanks!
 
Eek. Too deep and too steep. That's a stone to pass on. What about the stone spoke to you?
 
Loved the carat size and clarity
 
You can find stones with less carat weight but similar diameter. Also the high clarity is unneccesary from a visual perspective. A VS clarity will look the same to your eyes but will contain inclusions that act as identifiers for your stone that can be seen under magnification. You can and will find better cut stones. They are the main driver of the stone's beauty.
 
ditto pfunk...look for a better cut stone.
A poorly cut stone that has no internal flaws is not what you should be after. A well cut stone with flaws that can not
be seen is what you should look for.
 
tyty333|1428014146|3856061 said:
ditto pfunk...look for a better cut stone.
A poorly cut stone that has no internal flaws is not what you should be after. A well cut stone with flaws that can not
be seen is what you should look for.
Click to expand...
+1
 
Hey guys, thanks for the tips! I guess i need to look into the dimensions of the diamond then a bit more. I have a few more that i'm looking at on Saturday and will be posting my thoughts and GIA certs sometime Saturday afternoon. Hoping that after my research and hearing what this forum has to say i'll be making a sound decision on the right stone. Thanks again.
 
I saw a diamond today - GIA report : https://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pagename=GST%2FDispatcher&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=5161177881

cert 5161177881

Not a bad diamond, a few inclusions though. Just was wondering on the dimensions/cut of this diamond - what percentages/ratios should I be looking for in general? Is there a general guideline on that kind of stuff?

also, the price is a bit higher than similar diamonds on this site * 1.3. One last thing - GIA report says a strong blue fluorescence. What exactly is fluorescence, and is it a good/bad thing?

let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
 
Hi bonhalen,

You can use the HCA screening tool to help you. Any stone that scores below a 2 is worth a further look.

https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

It does eliminate some good stones but mostly keeps you from buying bad stones.

In general...here are some guidelines...

depth 60-62.3%
table 54-58%
crown 34-35 degrees
pavilion 40.6 - 41 degrees

We can help you pick one out if you are willing to buy on-line. We just need to know your required specs and budget.
 
Alright, back again. I came across this one from a jeweller in town. https://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pagename=GST%2FDispatcher&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=1169919018

HCA is 1.9 (!!) so I'm very interested in it.

My problem right now is the price. He's offering it to me for $12,000 CDN - a similar diamond on here was 7065 USD. so 7065 * 1.3 (as per my prev explanation) = 9184. Thats a bit of a difference.

I haven't been referred to this jeweller, I just happend to stop in, but he is his own goldsmith and said he can work with me on a discount for the setting but he said the 12,000 isn't really negotiable. Luckily i'm just looking for a plain solitaire design.

Anyway, I'd like to get the forum thoughts on this. The diamond sounds/looks awesome, the HCA came out awesome, but the price is a bit high (and also, a bit out of my price range..)

Thanks!
 
bonhalen|1428166615|3856923 said:
I saw a diamond today - GIA report : https://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pagename=GST%2FDispatcher&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=5161177881

cert 5161177881

Not a bad diamond, a few inclusions though. Just was wondering on the dimensions/cut of this diamond - what percentages/ratios should I be looking for in general? Is there a general guideline on that kind of stuff?

also, the price is a bit higher than similar diamonds on this site * 1.3. One last thing - GIA report says a strong blue fluorescence. What exactly is fluorescence, and is it a good/bad thing?

let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Fluorescence is an important attribute to understand as it has an impact on pricing and value. You can get a feel for the pros and cons here: https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-flourescence

You may also want to search for threads where flurorescence has been discussed on the forum. There have be quite a few lately.
 
Are you willing to buy online?
I think even w/ the challenging exchange rate some forum members would be able to help you find a lovely stone.
 
I'm not against buying online...but I would feel more comfortable buying something this expensive in person. I'd also have a ton of questions as to how am I assured its the actual stone, etc, that I'd need to clarify. Something about buying a stone online that i've never seen before for a lot of money doesn't sit well with me...

..with all that said, if I can save a few thousand, it would just make sense. I would be interested to hearing what is out there.
 
Well, only you can make the determination if buying on line works for you. If it's not working w/ what -your- gut says. Stick w/ your gut.

tyty gave you some good parameters but you may have to pay more going w/ a brick and mortar.

I have only purchased one diamond on line and it was a safe very hassle free transaction.

#1- make sure the vendor you go w/ has an unconditional return policy, many do.

There are many recommended vendors that members have used you could ask abt that.
I wouldn't feel comfortable buying on line from an unknown but the vendor I went w/ had so many positive posts here on PriceScope so I felt safe.

Good luck w/ your decision.
:)
 
Understand that you pay a huge premium for buying in a brick and mortar shop. In the UK it was about 60% extra, after factoring shipping and taxes and exchange rates.

There are only a few vendors online I would purchase from for a diamond and I set out below my experiences from when I was shopping 6-12 months ago.

I have purchased a stone from James Allen - happy with it (dislike their settings). Need some diamond knowledge to separate the good deals from the crap. This forum can help you a lot in choosing winners and discarding crap. Their customer care is good to ok based on my phonecalls with them.

I have purchased a setting from Whiteflash - happy with it (almost bought a stone from them instead). If you go for their premium selection or ACA range, its guaranteed to be a stunner, but you pay a little bit extra. Ignore their virtual inventory. Their customer care is stunning based on my phonecalls with them.

I would have purchased from BrianGavin but their stock was limited for the size I was looking for at the time. Ignore their virtual inventory as well. You go to this site for his signature range or his "blue" range which has fluorescence (which can be good or bad depending on personal preference). Their customer care is stunning based on my phonecalls with them.

GoodOldGold is another vendor I would have purchased from, but did not because they have a smaller selection and were slightly more expensive than if I did some hardcore looking. Their customer care is stunning based on my phonecalls with them.

I dislike BlueNile because they dont give enough information on their listings and ONLY their signature range have sufficient detail for me to consider a purchase and their signature range is overpriced in my opinion. They cant take pictures or ASET or idealscope because they dont have the stones available - not uncommon to list stones you dont physically hold, but if they cant produce pictures and data, I'm not buying it. their customer care is acceptable based on my phonecalls with them.

B2C - I had a bit of a look, their data available on stones seems to vary on the stone. Seems to be some good bargains if you look enough, but did not pursue very far because it was easier to navigate other sites and get all the information I wanted on the website rather than have to call them up and ask etc. I did not call them.

High Performance Diamonds - have spoken to Wink (on the forum) on the phone and seems a nice chap. Would buy from here, but budget wouldnt stretch for the size I wanted. If I had more money, I would have bought from here.
 
Back again. Think i've found one. Comparing the price to some of the stones online, its well priced.

GIA 2176726860

https://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?pagename=GST%2FDispatcher&childpagename=GIA%2FPage%2FReportCheck&c=Page&cid=1355954554547&reportno=2176726860

a number of inclusions but they all look to be small and the jeweller (whom I trust..) told me that it is eye-clean, which is really what I'm looking for. I have not yet seen the diamond in person but I'm going tonight. Also the HCA is 2.9 so looking good that way!

open to thoughts.

Also, as per previous comments, I just wouldn't be comfortable buying online. I'd almost rather spend a bit more to go to a brick and mortar type place if the price is similar to what online. The exchange rate, bringing it over the border, shipping back and forth, and not being able to see the diamond are all factors that are just too much for me.
 
HCA above 2.0 is an indication of a poorly cut diamond. Just an indication, not a certainty, of course.

Make sure you get a rock-solid money back guarantee, and check the diamond with a reputable independent appraiser after purchase. (There are actually fewer worries of this sort with the most reputable online dealers; most of the hustlers are in our local jewelry districts.)
 
Note that the diamond I just posted is from a brick and mortar jeweller that i've been talking with for a little while now and has come to me highly referred.

the HCA is 2.9 but i keep hearing that its an elimination tool, not a selection tool. With that said, I think its great for the price that I'm being quoted. Would I like it to be under 2.0? Sure. But I think its fair so far.
 
The way I use the HCA is if the stone doesn't score a 2.0 or less I eliminate it from consideration.

You have seen the diamond and you like it. Since you are the purchaser the final decision is yours.

Ditto on the "rock solid money back guarantee".
 
bonhalen|1428506700|3858580 said:
Note that the diamond I just posted is from a brick and mortar jeweller that i've been talking with for a little while now and has come to me highly referred.

the HCA is 2.9 but i keep hearing that its an elimination tool, not a selection tool. With that said, I think its great for the price that I'm being quoted. Would I like it to be under 2.0? Sure. But I think its fair so far.
Click to expand...

The question really is - what is your cut priority? How important is cut to you, and are you willing to pay for the best?

If your goal is to be 'okay,' then this stone might work. The depth/table combo is not one we often see with well-cut stones.

If your goal is exceptional performance, this stone would not be a good candidate.

You will get much better pricing / quality if you are open to online options.
 
cut is extremely important. I know I might sound like a certified rookie saying this, but it is GIA graded EX EX EX. Porportionally then the cut is solid by the GIA

After I run thru the HCA tool, its still not too bad. Its what I'm looking for in colour, carat, and price. So long as the inclusions aren't huge, its the best I've seen so far.

Again, the more I think about it, the more I'm uncomfortable with buying online. So I only have a limited selection to the brick and mortar stores i've been going to. Note that all of these 'stores' are 'guys' that i have been referred to that are running a small shop with fantastic reviews from many people that have been there before. This said, I think it'll take me a long time to find the 'perfect' 1.2-1.25, D-E, (a good) si2, GIA ex ex ex cut diamond that weighs in below the 2 mark on the HCA, for a sound and comparable (to the stones on this site) price.
 
GIA Ex on cut is wide. Its intentionally wide to allow cutters to maximize weight while still getting the excellent cut grading by GIA to sell to consumers.

You say cut is important to you, but it depends how important. If you just want GIA Ex for cut, then thats fine. But there are many grades higher, such as AGS0 and then you have your superideals with their own brands.

The reason you cannot find comparable diamonds with HCA value below 2 at your pricepoint, is because they cost more.

better cut stones cost more per carat.

This isnt to say your choice is "wrong" for not choosing a better cut stone, its so you are making an educated choice and understanding why its priced relative to other stones.
 
16ocean|1428033089|3856205 said:
tyty333|1428014146|3856061 said:
ditto pfunk...look for a better cut stone.
A poorly cut stone that has no internal flaws is not what you should be after. A well cut stone with flaws that can not
be seen is what you should look for.
Click to expand...
+1
Click to expand...

+100
 
Hoping i can just bump this for visibility. Still very interested in this stone but am really counting on forum opinion. Thanks
 
bonhalen|1429556462|3859492 said:
Hoping i can just bump this for visibility. Still very interested in this stone but am really counting on forum opinion. Thanks
Click to expand...

No pics? Specs look fine, but pics/aset/ etc are necessary.
 
I'll ask my jeweller for those pics if he is able to provide them.
 
so dont really have time to get the images...how important are they?

with the specs that are on the GIA report and the HCA coupled together I think overall its not too bad. Took a look at the stone in person and its a stunner.
 
This one seems the best so far and if it's a stunner in person to you, that counts for a lot. Having said that, twinning wisps can be tricky. Just want to be sure they don't affect transparency or light performance. An appraisal can help post sale if u have a return policy. Good luck And enjoy your search.
 
ASET and idealscope images are not available as this guy only sells GIA diamonds and does not use those tools as they are not used by GIA for grading or evalualtion.

Re: twinning wisps. I couldn't see anything when I saw the stone to the naked eye. With a loop you I can just barely see them, but really not that noticeable at all.

Last, I had another jeweller in town call me that brought in a few stones for me to see. Told him I'm real close to pulling the trigger on another one so he asked me what it was. I gave him the specs, etc, and he said for the price that I was quoted it was untouchable. Makes me feel pretty good!
 
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