Newbie about to buy online. Help please!

[waytoblue]

First of all, thanks to everyone on this forum and for this amazing site. You''ve helped me learn so much so fast. I''m now able to sit across for salespeople and "wholesalers" and know when they''re trying to sell me a substandard diamond.

I have two questions that I was hoping you could help me with.

1. If i buy an AGS 0 Ideal, Ideal with an HCA of 1.6 or 1.9 online and the stone matches the cert am I assured that the stone will be fantastic? In other words, by narrowing it down to this level of specificity, am I at least assured that the stone will be beautiful, even though it may not be everyone''s version of perfect? Or put anoather way, do the great HCA and AGS ratings make up for the fact that I''m buying a diamond sight unseen?

2. On to the stones. Any advice here would be great:

Stone 1.
1.01, E, VS2, T=55%, Depth=61.9, Crown angle=34.9, Pav=40.8, Girdle 1.4-1.9 $7,700

Stone 2.
1.028, F, VS2, T=55, D=61.6, C=34.9, Pav=40.8, G=1.1-1.8, $6,900

Stone 3.
1.02, F, VS2, T=57, D=61.5, C=34.5, P=40.9, G=1.4-2, $6400

Not surprisingly, the HCA rating of the priciest stone is something like 1.5 and the other two are 1.8 or 1.9 I think.

With all this information, can i go wrong with any of these stones?

While all VS2, the cert for stone 2 shows a large cluster of inclusions right in the middle of the table, while Stones 1 and 3, have more, but less concentrated minor inclusions and one surface inclusion.

Thanks so much

 

[pqcollectibles]

The HCA will help you weed out potential poor performers. Good HCA scores typically mean good performing diamonds. Does that mean the performance of the diamond you select will appeal your eye?? Not necessarily. Your eye could love a bubbly diamond with lots of smaller flashes of color and light. The diamond you select could produce bigger, bolder flashes of light and color less often. You''ve done your homework and all 3 diamonds have potential to be good performers.

You sound like you''ve gotten out and looked at diamonds enough to know what you like. Chat with the Vendors about the diamonds. Let them be your eyes. Ask about performance and discuss your concerns about the inclusions. They can tell you what they see. THE one that sounds like the type of performance that appeals to you and you are comfortable with the description of the inclusions will probably be your best choice.

 

[waytoblue]

Thanks for your reply.

My sense was that all were acceptable and as long as the VS2s are truly VS2s, then I''m good to go. And from my perspective, it doesn''t seem like $1000 extra is worth it to get to a 1.5 vs. a 1.9 on the HCA. These ALL seem like great diamonds.

I also appreciate your advice about letting them be my eyes. I guess i have to decide to trust the online seller at some point! I will do that.

Thanks,

John

 

[pqcollectibles]

You can search old threads about the Vendors you are considering working with. Read about other''s experiences.

The diamond biz still works on a person''s word and a handshake. And these Vendors do biz in a fishbowl in front of the world. If there''s a problem, it gets posted here.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 2/24/2005 9:52:45 AM
Author: waytoblue
Thanks for your reply.

My sense was that all were acceptable and as long as the VS2s are truly VS2s, then I''m good to go. And from my perspective, it doesn''t seem like $1000 extra is worth it to get to a 1.5 vs. a 1.9 on the HCA. These ALL seem like great diamonds.

I also appreciate your advice about letting them be my eyes. I guess i have to decide to trust the online seller at some point! I will do that.

Thanks,

John

Hi John (nice name)

One thing about the HCA prediction that must be pointed out is that with any number under 2.0 you have arrived at its highest conclusion. A 1.5 is not necessarily better than a 1.9. A 0.5 is not better than a 1.5, etc. It will be a matter of taste in details for diamonds which both are predicted to perform at the highest level.

Here is the excerpt from the HCA results page:

"A score below 2 (Excellent) means you have eliminated known poor performers (more than 95% of all diamonds). Your own personal preference may be for a diamond with an HCA score of 1.5 more rather than one with a lower score of say 0.5."

 

[Lord Summerisle]

I think once you get down to this level… it becomes more personal choice… over small differences in score… I think its noted that a lower score doesn’t necessarily mean a better diamond… those around here I believe have said… while yes… the HCA will help you decide between say one that score a 1.5 and another which scores a 4… but is hair splitting choosing between one at 1.5 and another at 1.9 especially when you look at the states… depth is bumping around within .4% - which means 0.02mm difference. Stone 1 and 2 are virtually identical except for a slight diff in depth… + stone 2 is about 0.03 – so also a midge bigger in diameter too… but probably not noticeable.

Personally I would see if you can get all three shipped to a appraiser near you… then you can have a look for yourself… as the only *major* differences is table size and the inclusions… and at VS level its probably nigh on impossible to see them without the aid of a loupe… so the only visual thing will probably be the table size… and then its probably not noticeable either. E or F in colour – your not going to notice a difference… size wise… cant see there being a noticeable difference…

One other thing to note… #1 (1.5) and #2 (1.5) score ex in all but spread… while #3 (1.6) gets a vg in scintillation and spread and ex in light return and fire. But as said... VERY close to call... best to see about seeing them with your own eyes if poss. (and checking their return policy if not poss)

 

[waytoblue]

Thanks for all your advice.

Unfortunately, I''m in Canada (I love it most of the time) and as a result, having the diamond shipped to me would mean a 26% premium -- excise tax, GST and PST. Because I''m close to the border i''m looking at having it shipped to Buffalo, picking it up and bringing it back here for appraisal, setting etc.

I don''t think they''ll ship all three as I have to pay up front, obviously.

As for the company, it''s DWC -- Diamond Wholesale Corp. I''ve searched them and there''s little said about them here ... just a couple of references, but both seem good.

They''re a broker but their office is actually in Toronto. I guess it gives me some comfort to know that i can go and stand on their doorstep and yell if something goes wrong.

Now I just need to sort out insurance (can you get a loose stone insured) and how to make sure that the jeweller i pick doesn''t wreck the stone (I''ve heard horror stories) etc...

Damn, this is a lot of work ... hopefully the marriage is less challenging and anxiety causing!!

John

 

[Lord Summerisle]

Ah, i know how you feel there... Im in the UK... so had the same kinda anxieties...and problems... (41% import tax - or at least 2.5% import 17% duty 17.5% VAT)

if going to the trouble of buffalo to get it... have a search round here for an appaiser in the area. have it sent to him first... then you can pick it up from him, or send it back if not happy... without the trouble of customs possibly getting in the way. (dont know if you can claim back custom duty if sending back)