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Opinion on these GCAL 8x brilliant rounds

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wizardofdiamondoz

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 26, 2023
Messages
15
Hello!

Looking to get my first lab diamond for my proposal. Been reading quite a bit about selecting a diamond, especially on pricescope, and narrowed my selection to GCAL 8x since they provide really nice imagery, and they seem to have a better price compared to other vendors providing ASET images (at least on Adiamor & Ritani)

Looking for the super ideal, so my preference is towards the best cut. Willing to compromise on the clarity and color in hopes that the cut will compensate.

The 1.96 I threw in there cause I was wondering if its too good of a deal to pass up :)

How would you rate these in terms of cut and clarity and which would you pick or pass on? They're all CVD

ChoiceCarrotColorClarityNon-sale Price (USD)Grading Report
11.28GVS21290

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com www.gcalusa.com
21.26GVS11500

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com www.gcalusa.com
31.22EVS11311

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com www.gcalusa.com
41.96GVS21778

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com www.gcalusa.com
 
I like the 1.28 and 1.96
 
Yes me too :) I might have to pick both up and return the one I like least, both seem to be really good deals
 
Hello and welcome to PriceScope, @wizardofdiamondoz !
Are you open to an extremely well cut and proportioned diamond graded by GIA or IGI, if the price was right?
I'm seeing the 1.96 at Ritani for just under $1800...is that your budget cap for just the loose diamond?
 
Hi DejaWiz! And thanks for the welcome :)

I wanted to keep it to GCAL 8x since they provide all the imagery. GIA and IGI is alright, but from what I can tell, you have to make your decision off of proportions and the 3d video from the vendor, and there's probably no guarantee of it being a super ideal cut with H&A and good brightness until I see it in person (trying to order online only).

I did order an ASET scope to evaluate whatever I select once I receive it however, so maybe the GCAL 8x is overkill if I can just return whatever IGI and GIA stones I receive after using it? What do you think?

Yup, my budget is $1200-$2000 (looking for up 1.25 - 2ct)
 
Last edited:
wizardofdiamondoz said:
Hi DejaWiz! And thanks for the welcome :)

I wanted to keep it to GCAL 8x since they provide all the imagery. GIA and IGI is alright, but from what I can tell, you have to make your decision off of proportions and the 3d video from the vendor, and there's probably no guarantee of it being a super ideal cut with H&A and good brightness until I see it in person (trying to order online only).

I did order an ASET scope to evaluate whatever I select once I receive it however, so maybe the GCAL 8x is overkill if I can just return whatever IGI and GIA stones I receive after using it? What do you think?

Yup, my budget is $1200-$2000 (looking for up 1.25 - 2ct)
Click to expand...

Here's an HPHT with no blue nuance:

1.65 Carat H VS1 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond GCAL 8X Certified 322880089 Affinity Cut - D53452796

1.65 carat, Round, H Color, VS1 clarity, GCAL 8X Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Lab Grown Diamond, D53452796
www.adiamor.com www.adiamor.com

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com www.gcalusa.com
 
Another HPHT:

1.40 Carat E VS2 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond GCAL 8X Certified 331020237 Affinity Cut - D53418374

1.40 carat, Round, E Color, VS2 clarity, GCAL 8X Certified Diamond, GCAL 8X Certificate 331020237, Affinity Cut Lab Grown Diamond, D53418374
www.adiamor.com www.adiamor.com

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com www.gcalusa.com

1.36 Carat D VS1 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond GCAL 8X Certified 322880144 Affinity Cut - D53452798

1.36 carat, Round, D Color, VS1 clarity, GCAL 8X Certified Diamond, GCAL 8X Certificate 322880144, Affinity Cut Lab Grown Diamond, D53452798
www.adiamor.com www.adiamor.com

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com www.gcalusa.com

1.36 Carat D VS1 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond GCAL 8X Certified 331020239 Affinity Cut - D53418735

1.36 carat, Round, D Color, VS1 clarity, GCAL 8X Certified Diamond, GCAL 8X Certificate 331020239, Affinity Cut Lab Grown Diamond, D53418735
www.adiamor.com www.adiamor.com

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

www.gcalusa.com www.gcalusa.com
 
Thanks for the suggestions! I like the 1.4 and the 1.65. Would you say to avoid CVD if budget permits? And would it be due to risk of brown undertone and stria? (still reading quite a bit on this )
 
wizardofdiamondoz said:
Thanks for the suggestions! I like the 1.4 and the 1.65. Would you say to avoid CVD if budget permits? And would it be due to risk of brown undertone and stria? (still reading quite a bit on this )
Click to expand...

Yes, yes, and yes...as long as the HPHT material is of higher quality and presents no nuanced hues, clouding, or graining.
 
Adiamor doesn’t allow for diamond comparisons within their 30 day window, but they were nice enough to bring the stones in and send me videos.

I think it’s splitting hairs at this point and I’m having a hard time deciding. Is there anything apart from color and size to consider here? Any red flags with either?

Only thing I’m concerned about is the dark spot on the table in the brightness gcal image for the 1.4C one, not sure if that would put the 1.6 as the more brilliant.

Would love any thoughts on what you think is better!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10ang47EdSvEMmqTt_6C68AwlQSG8xKOu/view?usp=drive_web
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L0qnptRbe9Z1Ln46sL8CMLqFzZzpkrwZ/view?usp=drive_web
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oyW1Hm3i4JNQcVAuu-6nhWnx1lJM29i0/view?usp=drive_web
 
I found this as a really good resource to understand the differences between a GCaL 8x photographs to ASETs and IS.


I’m probably over thinking the dark spot in the brightness image of the 1.4C, it’ll probably show up as red or light red in an ASET scope which I’ve ordered to double check.

Probably leaning towards the 1.4 for the better color and the $300 cheaper price, but I’ll sleep on it.
 
Went with the larger one, I think going for bigger will be slightly less of a regret than the color (and I’m only planning on buying this diamond once haha).

Excited to get it and look at it through my asset scope! Will post the results, as I’m sure other pricescopers may be curious how the Gcal images map to ASET.
 
wizardofdiamondoz said:
Went with the larger one, I think going for bigger will be slightly less of a regret than the color (and I’m only planning on buying this diamond once haha).

Excited to get it and look at it through my asset scope! Will post the results, as I’m sure other pricescopers may be curious how the Gcal images map to ASET.
Click to expand...

I hope you will be super happy with the 1.65 and will anxiously await your thoughts and impressions after you see it and assess it with your ASET scope!
 
Took a couple ASET pics with different exposures, best I could but let me know if I should retake.

Looks pretty good to my eyes and seems to sparkle pretty well IRL. Let me know what you think! :)IMG_4924.jpegIMG_4920.jpeg
 
wizardofdiamondoz said:
Took a couple ASET pics with different exposures, best I could but let me know if I should retake.

Looks pretty good to my eyes and seems to sparkle pretty well IRL. Let me know what you think! :)IMG_4924.jpegIMG_4920.jpeg
Click to expand...

Great pictures - you're alignment is dead-on!
Any videos for us anxiously waiting to see what you see? :)
 
thank you and glad to hear it! I’ll take some videos in different lighting conditions and post here (when my girlfriend isn’t around :) )
 
It’s beautiful! Great choice.
 
Glad to hear you folks think the same. Thank you so much @DejaWiz for helping me find it :mrgreen2:

I can now tell whether a diamond has been grown via CVD at this point just by looking at a video :ugeek:, glad you steered me towards HPHT (not to say there aren't good CVDs).

Hopefully I'll be able to make use of my newly found knowledge and ASET scope once again at some point in the future to help a friend with a purchase (or another piece for my GF :))
 
I just wanted to update the thread and mention I proposed in October and she absolutely loved it :D

Here's the stone in the full setting with sunshine hitting it. Sparkle is amazing and she still loves it:

IMG_5376.MOV

drive.google.com drive.google.com

Again thank you @DejaWiz for your help picking it! Would not have been able to make a good choice without you.
 
wizardofdiamondoz said:
I just wanted to update the thread and mention I proposed in October and she absolutely loved it :D

Here's the stone in the full setting with sunshine hitting it. Sparkle is amazing and she still loves it:

IMG_5376.MOV

drive.google.com drive.google.com

Again thank you @DejaWiz for your help picking it! Would not have been able to make a good choice without you.
Click to expand...

Holy mackerel - the diamond and ring are stunning - congratulations to you and yours!
 
GORGEOUS setting, and great video skills, too easy to to catch ask those flashes (not easy to do)! Congrats and may you all have many happy years!!! :love::clap:
 
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