Newbie looking for engagement ring diamond... PLEASE HELP!

[hihand]

Hi everyone,

I'm a complete newbie who only learnt about the 4C's a month ago and have watched a few youtube videos since.
Stumbled across the HCA tool and this site, realising cut is probably the most important C and that excellent GIA cut doesn't mean much for light performance!

I'm based in Australia and while the local store I visited didn't have a lot of stock on hand, I was able to search their website for stones that are available for order (from their overseas supplier).

I have shortlisted the below 3 stones, just wondering if any advice with regards to the cut/light performance on these? In addition, some differences in their clarity characteristics, should I be concerned about the needles/clouds?

Any suggestions/general comments are welcome:

Option	GIA #	HCA score	HCA looks like size	Depth	Table	Crown	Pavilion	Symmetry	Fluro	Colour	Clarity	Characteristics
1	6232117363	1.6 (TIC)	Avg	61.8	57	35.0	40.8	Ex	Faint	D	VVS1	Pinpoint
2	2476944269	1.4 (TIC)	Avg	61.5	58	34.5	40.8	Ex	Faint	D	VVS1	Pinpoint, feather
3	1459507172	0.8 (TIC)	Big	61.1	57	34.5	40.6	Ex	None	E	VVS2	Cloud, needle

Video links below :

1. https://videop.co.in/vision360.html?d=HK-17021&zoomslide=1&id=41094
2. https://videop.co.in/vision360.html?d=HK-17269&zoomslide=1&id=41514
3. Not available

Thanks in advance! Cheers!

 

[DejaWiz]

Hello and welcome to PriceScope, hihand!
Do you have pictures/videos of #1 and #3?
I found a pi tires of #2 but I'm seeing some pavilion twist, so curious how the others stack up.

 

[hihand]

Hello and welcome to PriceScope, hihand!
Do you have pictures/videos of #1 and #3?
I found a pi tires of #2 but I'm seeing some pavilion twist, so curious how the others stack up.

Thanks for the quick response!! Have added video links to option 1 and 2 above, unfortunately no image/video for option 3.

Keen to hear how the 3 compare! Thanks in advance!

 

[DejaWiz]

#1 looks great!
Without being able to see #3, then go with what can be verified and validated: #1 is your diamond.
I see it priced just under $9400 at one of the online sellers - is that what you're seeing for pricing?

 

[hihand]

Thank you so much!
For option 2, does my video link show the same issue (i.e. pavilion twist) as your screenshot above?

For option 1, my local store is selling it for c$10.5k USD after conversion, not sure if this is to allow for tax or mark-up.. I tried popping the GIA # into the "Diamond search" from here but unable to find another seller for option 1, do you mind sharing which seller has it for $9.4k?

Cheers!

 

[DejaWiz]

Thank you so much!
For option 2, does my video link show the same issue (i.e. pavilion twist) as your screenshot above?

For option 1, my local store is selling it for c$10.5k USD after conversion, not sure if this is to allow for tax or mark-up.. I tried popping the GIA # into the "Diamond search" from here but unable to find another seller for option 1, do you mind sharing which seller has it for $9.4k?

Cheers!

You're very welcome!
Yes, the pavilion twist is visible in the video for diamond #2.
Adiamor is the seller that has #1 listed for just under USD$9400.

 

[Kim N]

I really like #1.

 

[hihand]

Thanks all! I really like option 1 too!
If I were to stretch my budget to get a slightly bigger stone, are the below worth considering vs option 1?

Massive thanks in advance!

Option	GIA #	Depth	Table	Crown	Pavilion	Symmetry	Fluro	Colour	Clarity	Characteristics
4	2466789511	61.7	58	35.5	40.6	Ex	Faint	D	VVS1	Pinpoint
5	2235015258	61.9	57	35.5	40.6	Ex	Faint	D	VS1	Crystal, cloud, needle

Video links below:
4. https://videop.co.in/vision360.html?d=HK-17266&zoomslide=1&id=41511
5. https://dtol-video-files.s3.amazonaws.com/1519/1122.mp4

 

[Kim N]

I like #5. How much more is it over #1?

 

[hihand]

Pricing from my local Aus store after conversion (allowing for tax/mark-up maybe):

Option	GIA #	Pricing USD	Pricing vs option 1	Carat	Colour	Clarity	Cut	Fluro	Characteristics
1	6232117363	$10.5k	n/a	1.07	D	VVS1	Ex	Faint	Pinpoint
2	2476944269	$13.2k	+25%	1.26	D	VVS1	Ex	Faint	Pinpoint, feather
3	1459507172	$14.9k	+41%	1.30	E	VVS2	Ex	None	Cloud, needle
4	2466789511	$13.3k	+26%	1.27	D	VVS1	Ex	Faint	Pinpoint
5	2235015258	$13.2k	+26%	1.30	D	VS1	Ex	Faint	Crystal, cloud, needle

Is option 4 worth considering? Or are option 1 and 5 the go depending on price?
Reattached GIA cert for option 4/5 for reference.

Really appreciate everyone's help!

Cheers!

 

[Kim N]

Pricing from my local Aus store after conversion (allowing for tax/mark-up maybe):

Option	GIA #	Pricing USD	Pricing vs option 1	Carat	Colour	Clarity	Cut	Fluro	Characteristics
1	6232117363	$10.5k	n/a	1.07	D	VVS1	Ex	Faint	Pinpoint
2	2476944269	$13.2k	+25%	1.26	D	VVS1	Ex	Faint	Pinpoint, feather
3	1459507172	$14.9k	+41%	1.30	E	VVS2	Ex	None	Cloud, needle
4	2466789511	$13.3k	+26%	1.27	D	VVS1	Ex	Faint	Pinpoint
5	2235015258	$13.2k	+26%	1.30	D	VS1	Ex	Faint	Crystal, cloud, needle

Is option 4 worth considering? Or are option 1 and 5 the go depending on price?
Reattached GIA cert for option 4/5 for reference.

Really appreciate everyone's help!

Cheers!

#4 doesn't seem as precisely cut as 1 or 5. 0.44mm difference between 1 and 5 will be quite noticeable. Is the premium to go bigger worth it to you?

 

[DejaWiz]

Diamond #1 = $9813 per carat.
Diamond #5 = $10154 per carat.

You'd be gaining a noticeable difference in diameter by adding $341 per carat.

 

[hihand]

Hey guys, quick update.

I have shortlisted #1/2/5 above and requested my local shop for additional photos (from its suppliers).

Attached are the aset and h&a for #5. Keen to hear your thoughts on #5!

From my limited understanding, I believe ASET images are used to evaluate the light performance of a diamond, but is subject to manipulation/bias such as colour of background (white vs black) and intensity of backlight etc. Just wondering how one might interpret/rely on the aset images?

Essentially I'll have to pick a diamond without seeing it in person, as these will need to be ordered in by my local shop.

Any advice from you will be greatly appreciated!!

Cheers!

 

[DejaWiz]

Hey guys, quick update.

I have shortlisted #1/2/5 above and requested my local shop for additional photos (from its suppliers).

Attached are the aset and h&a for #5. Keen to hear your thoughts on #5!

From my limited understanding, I believe ASET images are used to evaluate the light performance of a diamond, but is subject to manipulation/bias such as colour of background (white vs black) and intensity of backlight etc. Just wondering how one might interpret/rely on the aset images?

Essentially I'll have to pick a diamond without seeing it in person, as these will need to be ordered in by my local shop.

Any advice from you will be greatly appreciated!!

Cheers!

Looks like possibly a touch of digging going on there.

Visible Effects of Painting & Digging on Superideal Diamonds

With grateful acknowledgment to John Pollard, Sergey Sivovolenko, AGSL and GIA Laboratories for valuable resources and input. Graphics produced with DiamCalc software by OctoNus. Note: This article pertains only to […]

www.pricescope.com

 

[lovedogs]

5 looks good to me!

 

[Kim N]

Hey guys, quick update.

I have shortlisted #1/2/5 above and requested my local shop for additional photos (from its suppliers).

Attached are the aset and h&a for #5. Keen to hear your thoughts on #5!

From my limited understanding, I believe ASET images are used to evaluate the light performance of a diamond, but is subject to manipulation/bias such as colour of background (white vs black) and intensity of backlight etc. Just wondering how one might interpret/rely on the aset images?

Essentially I'll have to pick a diamond without seeing it in person, as these will need to be ordered in by my local shop.

Any advice from you will be greatly appreciated!!

Cheers!

It looks very good to me! There is a small amount of digging that may result in a bit of reduced light return at the edges, but I doubt it would be that noticeable in daily viewing.

 

[hihand]

Thanks everyone, sounds like #5 is decent except for some minor digging (potentially to keep it at 1.30carat flat) which won't be too noticeable.

I quite like #5, however I note that it is priced at a premium compared to other similar stones of its class (1.3/D/VS1), whereas #1 and #2 are more on par.

Still waiting for images on #1 and #2 from seller, will keep you guys posted! Cheers!

 

[hihand]

Hi everyone,

Seller has come back with hearts and arrows for option 1 and 2 (unfortunately no ASET available for these).

To my untrained eyes, #1 and #5 hearts and arrows look best, whereas #2 has noticeably worse symmetry.

Any thoughts re #1/#2/#5 overall? Is there a clear winner or clear no-go? And is there any risk re light performance if ASET is not available?

Hopefully make up my mind soon and place a deposit this weekend! Thanks in advance!

Cheers!

 

[hihand]

Hi everyone,

Just checking if any further comments/advice re option #1/2/5 above?

Thanks in advance and have a great weekend!

Cheers!

 

[0515vision]

#2 is a no go. #1 looks great. You’ve already had the PS experts chime in.

Sounds like #1 and #5 are the winners, and now it’s up to you regarding price. GOOD LUCK!

 

[mice730]

Hello and welcome to PriceScope, hihand!
Do you have pictures/videos of #1 and #3?
I found a pi tires of #2 but I'm seeing some pavilion twist, so curious how the others stack up.

Hi DejaWiz,

Can I please ask you to elaborate a bit more on the pavillion twist? What is it and how do you spot them?
Is it because there's black between the base of the center diamonds?
The below pictures has blacks but it's outside of the center diamond so it's fine?

 

[DejaWiz]

Hi DejaWiz,

Can I please ask you to elaborate a bit more on the pavillion twist? What is it and how do you spot them?
Is it because there's black between the base of the center diamonds?
The below pictures has blacks but it's outside of the center diamond so it's fine?

The diamond in the picture that you posted is A-OK...that is normal facet appearance for an MRB.

 

[hihand]

Thank you everyone here for helping along my journey to finding my stone (option #1)!

Popped the question on 29/2 and fiancee is really happy with the ring! The brilliance and sparkle on the stone is amazing!

Thank you again!

 

[DejaWiz]

Congratulations to you both, hihand!

 

[0515vision]

Leap Year Engagement!! How fun! Congrats!