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Noob Here!!!...Need Expert Help Choosing LGD!!!

If I provide the specs for both of these HPHT Ideal cut diamonds below, is it possible to know how good the light performance will be without any scope images?

I do not have the IGI certification number to get a HCA score because they won't provide it until I purchase but I did give a deposit so Nathan knows I'm not shopping it around at this point.

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I'm considering going with one of those Ideal cut HPHT's (only if I get very positive feedback about it) over the Super Ideal CVD. Nothing against the CVD, but I'm not sure if it really justifies a 1k increase in price over an Ideal HPHT.

Would I really notice the difference when set in a ring on my wife's finger?

If yes, is it enough of a difference justify spending 1k more?
 
arbowman said:
If I provide the specs for both of these HPHT Ideal cut diamonds below, is it possible to know how good the light performance will be without any scope images?

I do not have the IGI certification number to get a HCA score because they won't provide it until I purchase but I did give a deposit so Nathan knows I'm not shopping it around at this point.

Dropbox - File Deleted - Simplify your life

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Dropbox - File Deleted - Simplify your life

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I'm considering going with one of those Ideal cut HPHT's (only if I get very positive feedback about it) over the Super Ideal CVD. Nothing against the CVD, but I'm not sure if it really justifies a 1k increase in price over an Ideal HPHT.

Would I really notice the difference when set in a ring on my wife's finger?

If yes, is it enough of a difference justify spending 1k more?
Click to expand...

It's possible to make a good guess at light performance using the video and the proportions. Let us know the proportions when you have them. We'll also run them through the HCA. I don't think the GCAL 8x CVD is worth $1K over the ideal cut HPHT.
 
I see signs of a potential twisted pavilion in the first one and dark uppers in the second...not definitive, just what the videos show in whatever lighting and environment that they were taken in.
 
Does Victor have these in-house or they are they still virtual options that he could bring in to evaluate?

If they're in house you could ask for a side-by-side video and see which one speaks to you most and see if you can tell the difference between the super ideal cut GCAL and the ideal cut side by side.
 
Nathan didn't specify if they were virtual or in-house.

He just said if they were available or not. It sounded like they might be virtual because he said he had to filter the options because there were dozens of options.
 
arbowman said:
Thank you Kim and Deja!! You have been tremedously helpful!!

Nathan provided these 2 examples yesterday as well. Let me know which of these 4 you think would be my best preliminary option. I will get the specs on all 4 unless you don't recommend some of them based on the video.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oaw2nxb3gevohq1/Round-mmd-214-GVVS2-lg.mp4?dl=0

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Click to expand...

The 2.08 G VS1 is just the GCAL 8x stone, right? My two favorites are the 2.08 G VS1 and the F VVS2.
 
DejaWiz said:
If that's HPHT, then I'd almost be willing to bet that it is a Type IIb and has blue nuance.
Click to expand...

The lighting could be better, but I'm kind of inclined to agree.
 
Below are my final options from Nathan.

Let me know which diamond you like the most from all the options I have provided now (and previously as well) and that is what I will go with. I trust all of your knowledge, expertise, and trained eyes much more than my own. I greatly appreciate all the information and advice you have given thus far and my future wife and I are forever thankful for your help!!

Unfortunately, Nathan could not locate the 2.02 F VVS2 diamond he provided yesterday so that is not an option anymore.

FYI, this is the same 2.09 G VS1 Ideal cut HPHT diamond from yesterday. I'm adding a link to the proportions .

Measurements: 8.22x8.26x5.03mm

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2.03ct F-VS1 Ideal cut HPHT
Measurements: 8.14x8.10x5.00mm

Stone Details

vaishali.diamx.net

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2.14ct G-VVS2 Ideal cut HPHT

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2.10ct F-VVS2 Ideal cut HPHT

Bliss Enterprise Video

diamond.blissvideos.com

Not sure why he didn't include measurements on this last one or video on the previous one but if you like one or both of them a lot, I can ask him.
 
2.14 G VVS2 video...looks like blue nuance:

Loupe360

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2.10 F VVS2...looks like some spots of leakage or obstruction under the table.

2.03 F VS1...can't get the video to load, but the table is a bit wide and the CA and PA angles aren't complimentary.

2.09 G VS1...possible areas of leakage under the table area and dark upper facets in the crown area.
 
DejaWiz said:
2.14 G VVS2 video...looks like blue nuance:

Loupe360

loupe360.com loupe360.com

2.10 F VVS2...looks like some spots of leakage or obstruction under the table.

2.03 F VS1...can't get the video to load, but the table is a bit wide and the CA and PA angles aren't complimentary.

2.09 G VS1...possible areas of leakage under the table area and dark upper facets in the crown area.
Click to expand...

I agree with all this, except I would ask Nathan if the supplier could provide an Ideal-Scope image for the 2.10 F VVS2.

I would also ask if Nathan can get this stone, as I believe it's the same supplier from the photography. The stone is tilted in the video, but I think it could be great.

Loupe360

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I asked Nathan about an Ideal-Scope image for the 2.10 F VVS2. All he could provide was a link to the proportions.

www.dropbox.com

round-mmd-210-fvvw2-props.jpg

Shared with Dropbox
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Kim N, I also asked about the stone you recommended he should try to get from his supplier but he said he couldn't find it anywhere in his "internal MLS" so that is not an option.

From the comments you've made, it sounds like all the Ideal cut HPHT options provided have some characteristics that are not great. So with that being said, I'm asking for everyone to give a recommendation for the stone they feel has the most positive/least negative characteristics of all the options with the information and videos provided. I do not want to ask Nathan to provide anymore options. I'm getting the vibe from him that he has provided enough options and wants a final decision to keep this process moving along.

The Super Ideal CVD option is not totally off the table if you all feel the Ideal cut HPHT stones provided are not good options. I really don't want to spend the extra 1k if I don't have to but I also don't want to be disappointed.
 
Karl_K do you see detrimental leakage in this stone? We don't have access to advanced images.

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Kim N said:
Karl_K do you see detrimental leakage in this stone? We don't have access to advanced images.

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Click to expand...
that combo would need to have a badly twisted pavilion to have large amounts of leakage.
While not perfect it does not appear to have that level of twist.
 
Karl_K said:
that combo would need to have a badly twisted pavilion to have large amounts of leakage.
While not perfect it does not appear to have that level of twist.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Karl!

arbowman, the 2.10 F VVS2 gets my vote.
 
So here's an update...

Told Nathan I wanted to go with the 2.10 F VVS. So he sends me the work order with the total price of the ring and it is $600 higher than what I was expecting.

He said it was a $600 higher price than the original quote because the original quote was with the 2.02ct stone linked below. This 2.02ct is the same diamond he couldn't find again when I requested more information on it. But now he is saying it is back in stock again so now it is back in play as an option. I really wish he would have mentioned how much of a higher price each stone option was going to cost me when he presented them. I was assuming the total price of the ring was going to be the same with every Ideal Cut HPHT he was offering.

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Measurements: 8.02x8.08x4.99

If everyone feels that this 2.02 will be a very similar performer to the 2.10 than I will go with the 2.02 and save myself $600. But if you feel the 2.10 is much better and worth the extra $600 then I will stick with that. But then I'm getting close in price to the Super Ideal CVD so I'm not sure what to do.

I thought this decision making process was over!! Uggghh. Please help me out with this again!! You all are great!!!
 
arbowman said:
So here's an update...

Told Nathan I wanted to go with the 2.10 F VVS. So he sends me the work order with the total price of the ring and it is $600 higher than what I was expecting.

He said it was a $600 higher price than the original quote because the original quote was with the 2.02ct stone linked below. This 2.02ct is the same diamond he couldn't find again when I requested more information on it. But now he is saying it is back in stock again so now it is back in play as an option. I really wish he would have mentioned how much of a higher price each stone option was going to cost me when he presented them. I was assuming the total price of the ring was going to be the same with every Ideal Cut HPHT he was offering.

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Measurements: 8.02x8.08x4.99

If everyone feels that this 2.02 will be a very similar performer to the 2.10 than I will go with the 2.02 and save myself $600. But if you feel the 2.10 is much better and worth the extra $600 then I will stick with that. But then I'm getting close in price to the Super Ideal CVD so I'm not sure what to do.

I thought this decision making process was over!! Uggghh. Please help me out with this again!! You all are great!!!
Click to expand...

Yes, the 2.02 is a similar performer to the 2.10. I would go ahead and get the 2.02!
 
Are you seeing anything negative about the 2.02 diamond compared to the 2.10?

The only concerning thing for me is the HCA. The 2.02 has a score of 1.5 and says it will appear average in size. The 2.10 has a better score of .09 and says it will appear bigger in size.

Should I take this info into consideration or should I not worry about it?
 
arbowman said:
Are you seeing anything negative about the 2.02 diamond compared to the 2.10?

The only concerning thing for me is the HCA. The 2.02 has a score of 1.5 and says it will appear average in size. The 2.10 has a better score of .09 and says it will appear bigger in size.

Should I take this info into consideration or should I not worry about it?
Click to expand...

As long as the score is under 2 (or sometimes 2.5), the stone is worth further consideration. A score of 0.9 is not better than a score of 1.5. Most stones will say average in size on the HCA. The 2.10 just happens to be on the shallow side.

They really do seem equal to my eyes.
 
Just being curious here...If these 2 stones are almost equal, then why does the 2.02ct have a $600 lower price?

Does the .08 carat weight difference really have that much of an influence on the price or is there something else in play here that I am not aware of?
 
arbowman said:
Just being curious here...If these 2 stones are almost equal, then why does the 2.02ct have a $600 lower price?

Does the .08 carat weight difference really have that much of an influence on the price or is there something else in play here that I am not aware of?
Click to expand...

Yes, the 0.08 carat difference could have that much influence on the price. Take a look at the price difference from 2.00 to 2.10 here.

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arbowman said:
Just being curious here...If these 2 stones are almost equal, then why does the 2.02ct have a $600 lower price?

Does the .08 carat weight difference really have that much of an influence on the price or is there something else in play here that I am not aware of?
Click to expand...

There's lots of factors that go into the final price:
Grower location and costs
Cutter location and costs
Grading costs
Distribution costs
Insurance costs
Seller operating margin
Etc
 
It really blows my mind that very similar stones can have a price difference by almost 100% in some cases. I was thinking that I was missing something with the quality of the diamonds that justified the higher or lower prices but I guess not. It's surprising with all the choices and competition out there that there is such a big difference in prices.

Yesterday, I let Nathan know I would be choosing the 2.02 F VVS2 HPHT. I am very relieved a final decision has been made! It has been an educational, interesting, stressful process but enjoyable overall. I am so excited to eventually see this VC ring in person when it is finished! I will be posting pictures of the ring and the proposal in 3-4 weeks when it all goes down!!

I would like thank @Kim N, @DejaWiz, @emmy12, and @Karl_K for your wonderful guidance and advice. None of this would be happening without your knowledge, expertise, and most importantly your willingness to help out a stranger in need of help!! And for those reasons, my future wife and I will be forever grateful to you all!! Thank you again and again!
 
You're welcome, arbowman - please do us the favor of posting lots of pictures and videos once you get it.
And, after the big day, please encourage your better half to join PS so we can ogle over her ring plus compliment her and the wonderful journey that you took to pick the best of the best diamond and setting for her! :)
 
arbowman said:
It really blows my mind that very similar stones can have a price difference by almost 100% in some cases. I was thinking that I was missing something with the quality of the diamonds that justified the higher or lower prices but I guess not. It's surprising with all the choices and competition out there that there is such a big difference in prices.

Yesterday, I let Nathan know I would be choosing the 2.02 F VVS2 HPHT. I am very relieved a final decision has been made! It has been an educational, interesting, stressful process but enjoyable overall. I am so excited to eventually see this VC ring in person when it is finished! I will be posting pictures of the ring and the proposal in 3-4 weeks when it all goes down!!

I would like thank @Kim N, @DejaWiz, @emmy12, and @Karl_K for your wonderful guidance and advice. None of this would be happening without your knowledge, expertise, and most importantly your willingness to help out a stranger in need of help!! And for those reasons, my future wife and I will be forever grateful to you all!! Thank you again and again!
Click to expand...

It was my pleasure--I'm very excited for you and your wife-to-be! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing your photos!
 
I am very excited for you and the future wife! As a huge admirer of artisan crafts and hand made heirlooms, I'm glad that I could pass on that love to someone else too! I really love that lab created diamonds free up budget space for more elaborate and higher quality settings that otherwise might've been completely out of reach for people. Thanks for putting your trust in the recommendations of complete strangers!

I look forward to seeing many pictures and videos when you propose. I'm sure you (and she) won't be disappointed!
 
Bumping this to see if there are any pre-holiday updates! @arbowman :)
 
Sorry for the long delay everyone!! Been a crazy couple of weeks but I got it done!! Hopefully everyone had a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!

Victor and Nathan are awesome!! I requested to receive the ring on or before Dec. 23rd for my planned Dec. 23rd proposal date. I received the ring on December 20 or 21st. Can't remember exactly which day but it was here in plenty of time!! I am extremely thankful for everything they did to make this happen!!

Long story short, my original Dec. 23rd proposal plan didn't work out like I had planned. Lol. The plan was to propose at an outdoor Christmas light attraction in my area on the 23rd but the weather here that day was terrible. Very cold temps and high winds shut down the event. But it all worked out...the light attraction stayed open the week after Christmas so I was able to reschedule the proposal date (my friend and his wife were in on the plan) to the 29th. My fiancee Natalie had no idea it was happening that night!! She was very surprised and elated when I proposed so it all worked out great!!

Instead of uploading my photos, I added links below to my Instagram and Victor's Instagram. I guess Victor really liked how the ring turned out because he posted a very nice video of the finished ring on his Instagram!!

We are very happy with the ring!! It is beautiful!! Natalie has received many, many compliments from family, friends, and co-workers.

Thank you again to everyone for your help through this process!! This wouldn't have happened without you!! Thank you all!!


 
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