Newbie: Could use some assistance evaluating 2 stones

[stook1]

Hello,
I was shown 2 stones today that I''d like some feedback on from someone with a bit more experience than me. These are both round brilliant stones. Both stones are eye clean.

1.7 carat
J
SI1
GIA graded
Depth % - 62.2
Table % - 58.0
Crown Angle - 35.0
Pavilion Angle - 41.2
Cut Advisor - 3.7 - Worth buying if the price is right.
Stone''s worst flaw was a little cavity right on the edge. Not visible with the naked eye.
~$9k


2.0 carat
J
SI1
GIA graded
Depth % - 65.1
Table % - 56.0
Crown Angle - 36.0
Pavilion Angle - 41.4
Cut Advisor - 5.4 - good only if price is main consideration
This stone had a natural indentation on the edge. Again, not visible with the naked eye.
I was told that due to the non-ideal shape of this stone that it was equivalent in outward appearance to about a 1.85 carat.
~$11k


Are these stones a good deal? I did a fair amount of research on Price Scope and I''m thinking that the prices are a bit high and that I could get somewhat better cut and/or larger stones for about the same money. Any thoughts? Move on? Get one of them? Under bright light, the smaller stone looked a little better, but they were very comparable I thought.

Oh, I forgot to add, I am in a decent rush to buy. I need a stone with setting done within about 2 weeks time. Not sure how that factors into things.

Thank you!

 

[MWG]

Honestly, you can find better diamonds than this.....just my opinion. Here are some suggestions:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-210361.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-179725.htm

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/1702/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/1480/


Of course there are more....Just look.

Good Luck
MWG

 

[Regular Guy]

Stook,

I wouldn''t pay for a diamond scoring over 2.5 on the HCA.

MWG has your interests in mind with his selections. If you''re steamed for 1.7 and above, here''s one to consider, not far from your price range.

Welcome to Pricescope. These guys on this board can work pretty fast, btw.

 

[stook1]

Thank you both very much for your replies. You''ve confirmed my thinking that these weren''t right.

 

[MWG]

Date: 4/24/2007 10:49:18 PM
Author: stook1
Thank you both very much for your replies. You''ve confirmed my thinking that these weren''t right.

Regular Guy and Myself aim to please........Good Luck in your quest.

MWG

 

[Lorelei]

The first is what we call a steep /deep due to the crown and pavillion angles, this will probably leak light. The second is extremely steep and will definitely be lacking in performance. Well done for posting these and passing! You will find the right one.

 

[stook1]

Hello,
Just a couple of quick followup questions. The dealer that showed me these 2 diamonds picked them, in part, because the inclusions were located around the sides of the stone, not in the Table. Hopefully this is the right terminology. In an SI1, SI2 or even VS2 diamond, is it fair to assume that inclusions in the table have a good chance of being visible? Or should this not even be a consideration when looking at the certifications when shopping online? Ideally, I am looking for the largest, eye-clean stone that I can find (that I can afford, of course).

About color - I have seen several K colored diamonds online. I am planning to use either a white gold or platinum setting and so I''ve been considering K color only if there is some florescence. Is that a sensible approach?

A few of the stones recommended above were the Hearts and Arrows type premium cut. Aside from the pattern difference, is the cut quality and light characteristics of this type of stone different than an otherwise ideal type cut that is not H&A?

thank you!!! This is a huge purchase and your guidance is so helpful!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/25/2007 9:46:19 AM
Author: stook1
Hello,
Just a couple of quick followup questions. The dealer that showed me these 2 diamonds picked them, in part, because the inclusions were located around the sides of the stone, not in the Table. Hopefully this is the right terminology. In an SI1, SI2 or even VS2 diamond, is it fair to assume that inclusions in the table have a good chance of being visible? Or should this not even be a consideration when looking at the certifications when shopping online? Ideally, I am looking for the largest, eye-clean stone that I can find (that I can afford, of course).

About color - I have seen several K colored diamonds online. I am planning to use either a white gold or platinum setting and so I've been considering K color only if there is some florescence. Is that a sensible approach?

A few of the stones recommended above were the Hearts and Arrows type premium cut. Aside from the pattern difference, is the cut quality and light characteristics of this type of stone different than an otherwise ideal type cut that is not H&A?

thank you!!! This is a huge purchase and your guidance is so helpful!

A VS2 diamond will more often than not be eyeclean depending on various factors, but yes, it is fair to assume that inclusions which are located under the table might be more visible, especially in a lower clarity. Inclusions which sit on the outer edge or within the small facets seem to be hidden better due to this arrangement and the sparkle / facets turning on and off with available light.

In my opinion a K with blue fluorescence can be a good way to go, however don't discount a K without if the cut is good. Also some K's might face up a colour grade better or worse, so that can be considered too, ask the vendor and use your own eyes. Also it depends on the grading lab, GIA and AGS are said to be the strictest for colour and clarity grading. Also do look at some K's in person which are similarly graded to make sure they are pleasing to you.

Also a true H&A has to conform to strict criteria, I will post a link for you in a moment. It depends on the look and pedigree you prefer, some love the H&A look and others find a great cut non H&A just fine. Also a diamond can display this pattern even if not a H&A.

Here you go Hearts and Arrows

 

[belle]

Date: 4/25/2007 9:46:19 AM
Author: stook1

In an SI1, SI2 or even VS2 diamond, is it fair to assume that inclusions in the table have a good chance of being visible?

it''s never fair to assume anything!

seriously, you have to evaluate each diamond individually. there are many factors that will effect the visibility of an inclusion. the most important factors are: type and size of inclusion, location, the lab that graded the diamond and the cut of the diamond. there are many great, perfectly eye clean si graded stones out there (i have a few

). there are also some vs stones with ''boogers''. it just depends on the diamond.

Date: 4/25/2007 9:46:19 AM
Author: stook1

Or should this not even be a consideration when looking at the certifications when shopping online?

the most important consideration when buying online should be finding a reputable vendor whom you can trust. finding an eye clean diamond will depend on a good, honest vendors first hand assessment of the diamond.

Date: 4/25/2007 9:46:19 AM
Author: stook1

About color - I have seen several K colored diamonds online. I am planning to use either a white gold or platinum setting and so I''ve been considering K color only if there is some florescence. Is that a sensible approach?

if you are going to get a ''k'' colored diamond, you need to buy it for what it is. there is no amout of flourescence that will make a ''k'' look different than what it is. that is not a bad thing but you need to know that you are not getting a ''colorless'' diamond when you buy a ''k''.
i''m not trying to scare you away from buying a well cut ''k'', trust me. i would take a well cut ''k'' over a crappy cut ''d'' ANY day. i just want you to know that it will not be a completely colorless diamond.

Date: 4/25/2007 9:46:19 AM
Author: stook1

A few of the stones recommended above were the Hearts and Arrows type premium cut. Aside from the pattern difference, is the cut quality and light characteristics of this type of stone different than an otherwise ideal type cut that is not H&A?

not necessarily. you can get a well cut ''ideal'' diamond that is not h&a. the crown/pavilion angle relationship is going to play a big role in performance.

 

[stook1]

Got it, that all makes sense to me. How does this stone seem? It seems priced pretty well for a 2+ carat. It gets a 1.8 on the Cut Advisor. There seem to be a good number of inclusions, but mostly around the side of the stone.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=1029928

Or even this one:
This one has some inclusions on the table but it's a .7 on the Cut Advisor. It is also somewhat non-symetrical.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=951344